"White Christmas" Trivia
One of our favorite Christmas movies is White Christmas, the 1954 film starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye (I can't believe I'm even bothering to tell you that, but perhaps there's someone in the universe who hasn't seen the movie). After years of telling each other "we really need to buy that movie" I finally did so last week and we watched it this afternoon while MLB wrapped the last of the gifts (well, except for those I just finished wrapping, having waited until the last possible minute to do so...and, boy, does it show! But that's another story for another time.).
One thing I've wondered about is why every last one of Vera-Ellen's outfits in the movie has a high neckline. Vera-Ellen plays Judy Haynes, Danny Kaye's love interest in the movie. The costuming is really obvious when she's next to Rosemary Clooney, whose wardrobe features necklines that go in the opposite direction.
As it turns out, before anorexia had even been defined as a disease, Vera-Ellen had it, at least according to her bio at IMDB.com. That's easy to believe given her slender build (the bio says that she had a 21" waist, bigger than Scarlett O'Hara's but still certifiably waspish; plus, Scarlett wasn't, you know, real), although it certainly didn't seem to affect her amazing dancing skills. Anyway, one of the effects of her anorexia was a prematurely aged neck, and the costumes were designed to cover that flaw.
I doubt that I'll ever be able to watch White Christmas again without focusing on that fashion design, and the reason for it. I see no reason why you shouldn't be equally distracted. Merry Christmas!
Yes, there is one person in the universe who hasn't seen that movie.
Posted by: Jim at December 23, 2007 09:39 AMRachel, I had never considered that anorexia was something that had been around that long. I guess there really is nothing new under the sun.
Jim, I'm amazed that you haven't at least inadvertently seen that movie; it's not exactly an obscure film. It's worth watching if for no other reason than to see the cultural references of the immediate post-WWII era, musical and otherwise.
Posted by: Eric at December 23, 2007 09:49 AMI've always been suspicious that she was anorexic simply from how insanely slender she is in that movie (one of my favorites that Tim manfully puts up with watching exactly once per year...ok, not manfully. He whines like a girl all through the movie...but I make him watch anyway. This year we may also torture him with The Bells of St. Mary. He leads such a horrible life. :) )
Posted by: beth at December 23, 2007 10:45 AMMan up, Tim. Just try to remember that you're making points that can later be redeemed for, say, providing input about which shade of taupe will go on the nursery walls.
Posted by: Eric at December 23, 2007 02:19 PMThus saith the Oracle of Tim:
"Pbbbt."
This endeth the Oracle of Tim.
Posted by: beth at December 23, 2007 08:12 PMAbout the publisher
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I wouldn't have guess that. Wow!
Posted by: Rach at December 23, 2007 05:25 AM