One of the things I most look forward to about Christmas is sitting down with Kelly in my in-laws large family room on Christmas Eve and watching White Christmas. If I had to pick a favorite movie, that would be it. I never tire of the movie, though I watch it sparingly, and usually only around Christmastime.
As much as I love watching the movie, I am struck by the knowledge that the people who seem so alive and vibrant on the screen are almost all dead today. The movie was released in 1954, making it 62 years old. Watching the movie, I can’t help but think of the passage of time. Last night, I decided to look up the 8 actors who had what I consider to be significant roles in the picture. Here is what I learned.
1. Bing Crosby, b. 1903, d. 1977. Bing is one of my favorite entertainers. I know more Bing Crosby songs by heart than I do from any other performer. I’ve sung those songs to all three of my kids in place of lullabies when they were babies. Bing lived another 23 years after White Christmas appeared. He died from a heart attack in Spain, after finishing a round of golf with friends.
2. Danny Kaye, b. 1911, d. 1987. Kaye’s comic gag (holding his injured arm when he wants Crosby to do something for him) has become a long-standing joke between me and one of my friends at work. In meetings, inevitably, one of us will hold our arms in pain when we are trying to convince the other to do something our way. Kaye lived another 33 years after White Christmas.
3. Rosemary Clooney, b. 1928, d. 2002. In the DVD version of White Christmas, Rosemary Clooney provides the commentary track. She had a long career after White Christmas, including a memorable guest appearance on E. R.. She lived another 48 years after the movie was released.
4. Vera-Ellen Westmeier Rohe, b. 1921, d.1981. Vera-Ellen, who played Clooney’s sister in White Christmas withdrew from public life in the early 1960s after losing a daughter to SIDS. She was 60-year-old when she died in 1981, 27 years after White Christmas was released.
5. Dean Jagger, b. 1903, d. 1991. I always found it amusing that, although Jagger played the old, retired General Waverly, he was actually a few months younger than Bing Crosby. His film career stretched from 1929 to 1987. He was well into his 80s when he died in 1991, 37 years after White Christmas was released.
6. Mary Wickes, b. 1910, d. 1995. Mary Wickes, the gossipy innkeeper, was another actress with a long career after White Christmas, including films like Postcards from the Edge, and Sister Act. She died in 1995, 41 years after White Christmas was released.
7. Johnny Grant, b. 1923, d. 2008. Grant, who played Ed Harrison in White Christmas seemed familiar to me. When I looked him up, I realized why. He was the honorary mayor of Hollywood. He was 84-year-old when he died, some 54 years after the release of White Christmas.
8. Anne Whitfield, b. 1938. Last, but not least, is Anne Whitfield, who played General Waverly’s granddaughter, Susan, in White Christmas. When I watch an old movie, I am particularly curious what the life of the children in the movie was like. How did they grow up? What happened to them? Well, I’m pleased to end this macabre parade on a happy note. Anne Whitfield is still alive as of this writing. Young Susan Waverly, who wasn’t more than 16 when the movie was released, is now 78 years old. She has the dubious honor of winning this little contest.
Maybe, by writing this piece, I’ve gotten it out of my system. I’m hopeful that when I sit down to watch the movie on Christmas Eve, I will no longer wonder if everyone I am seeing is still with us today. Instead, I’ll try to enjoy the picture. Bing Crosby would be 113 years old this year. Like they sing in the movie, “We’ll follow the old man wherever he wants to go…” I’d follow him back to Pine Tree, Vermont anytime.
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no chatting, just a comment to say how that White Christmas is one of our favorites as well and to let you know how much I enjoyed this post. Thanks for digging around and sharing the info!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. It was fun (and somewhat grim) digging up that information.
White Christmas is my all-time favorite movie. The dancing is my very favorite part. I never will grow tired of it.
White Christmas has always been my favorite movie. I was 1 yes old when it came out. Funny watching it today, 11/15/2021
I love how the ballet dancers in the end of the movie are in pointe shoes….and they’re SO young! I may be wrong but I don’t think they go into pointe shoes that young anymore. My sister was in pointe shoes at 10 years old (1959)
Leslie, about a year ago, the step-daughter of one of the ballerinas in White Christmas reached out to me because she’d read this post to tell me that her stepmom was still alive and well in her 70s and maintained a vanity wall of her Hollywood days, but had retired from acting at the age of 18. We watched the movie last night with my sister and her family and it is just as good as it always is.
Here’s some more nice facts. George Chakiris, who was one of the dancers in WC won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for 1961s West Side Story and is still works once in a while.
Jim, thanks for passing these tidbits along. That is amazing that he is still working today. (The Best Supporting Actor award is also pretty amazing.)
Came across this piece while trying to learn what happened to Gen. Waverly’s grand daughters parents?
I’m watching it right now. I bought it when it was released on LaserDisc and then again on DVD.
White Christmas has been a tradition on Christmas day for over 59 years now. First with my mother and father, and now with my children and grandchildren.
My sister and I went to see White Christmas at the Grand last season It blew me away to see it on the big screen!! So beautiful! We were hoping the Grand would have another special showing this year but didn’t
I was 2 when this film was made. I watch it every Christmas. Best film ever. Don’t make them like this now. Makes me warm inside.
Just like “Blazin’ Saddles…” This movie could not be filmed nowadays. Way to “unawakened!!!”
Tonite I was giving my daughter and Hubby a well deserved date night, having a new baby in the house, a preemie at that. Little Harry and I watched White Christmas. With the tree lights on and a huge 65 inch TV, cuddling our newest blessing I was in Heaven. Danny Kaye always makes me smile!!! Nothing compares to this classic. “Count Your Blessings” everyone and Happy Christmas to all who enjoy this beautiful film.
Thank you! I concur! And Merry Christmas to you!
I wish that we could all live to be be 1000, that we would all go to the same great place when we die too only live again forever, so that could all meet and enjoy others company. Wouldn’t that be nice!
It still can happen. But there’s only one way! Merry Christmas to all of you White Christmas fans!
Barrie Chase, the dancer who play Doris Lenz (“Mutual, I’m sure”) is still alive as of December 2022, at 89.
My wife and I discovered this movie back in the 1990s, neither of us had seen it before but now we both watch it every Christmas! We love the dancing and the music. I always choke up when Gen. Waverly watches his former troops march in.
what an amazing movie – not Christmas without it. Snow, Snow, Snow. watching it right now. BTW Anne still going strong.
This is such a wonderful Christmas movie. I, too, sit through and wonder if anyone is still alive. Thanks for the post!