I'm not a big fan of the Holiday Season -- too big, bright, and noisy, with forced exuberance, and way too much melancholy. I try to stay away from Christmas songs, movies, trees, holly, mistletoe, parties, and depression. But I'll make an exception for White Christmas (1954).
2. The song "White Christmas," by Irving Berlin (who was Jewish), first appeared in the backstage musical Holiday Inn, with Big Crosby and Fred Astaire.
3. It's been covered by everyone, including gay favorites Bett Midler and Lady Gaga.
4. White Christmas is about two showbiz partners, Bob and Phil (Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye), who find their relationship threatened by women.
5. A musical based on the movie, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, opened in St. Louis in 2000. Lara Teeter (a guy with a girl's name) played Bob, and gay actor Lee Roy Reams played Phil Davis.
6. Phil has also been performed by Tony Yazbeck (top photo) and David Elder, who Google Images thinks is cowboy star Clint Walker (left).
7. The women in the movie, Judy and Betty (Vera-Ellen, Rosemary Clooney), are sisters. At least, they perform as sisters, although their numbers would work well in a drag act.
God help the mister who comes between me and my sister
And God help the sister who comes between me and my man!
More after the break
