White Christmas remains an iconic holiday movie to this day, and the 1954 classic contains many memorable quotes that highlight its characters’ charm.
Summary
- White Christmas is a beloved holiday film with iconic quotes, including Bob's comment about being stuck with a " weirdsmobile for life ."
- The importance of friendship is highlighted in the film, as shown by Bob and Phil's dedication to General Waverly, despite his comment that they " weren't any good as privates ."
- The comedic duo of Bob and Phil provides laughs throughout the movie, with Bob's dry but loving comments leaving an impression.
The 1954 holiday classic White Christmas is one of the most recognizable movies of its genre, and the film contains several iconic quotes. White Christmas is a follow-up to the black-and-white Christmas movie classicHoliday Inn, featuring an incredible soundtrack from Irving Berlin. Starring the likes of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen, and Rosemary Clooney, White Christmas saw success for its wholesome family atmosphere. It's still one of the most notable holiday-themed films to date.
Filmed in Technicolor, White Christmas was also the first film to be recorded using Paramount's VistaVision, which put the movie in a brand-new resolution. Because of this, White Christmas helped establish a new type of holiday movies, setting up several tropes for the best Christmas movies that followed. The movie follows two pairs of musical acts just after World War II. Its leads — Phil, Bob, and the Hynes sisters — find themselves on a journey to reignite the Christmas spirit in a community of service members and romantic partners. With White Christmas being such an iconic holiday movie, there are plenty of memorable quotes, many of which highlight the characters' charm.
10 "You Outta Consider Yourself Plenty Lucky! You Might Have Been Stuck With This Weirdsmobile For Life!"
Bing Crosby As Bob Wallace
Although White Christmas ends with the two couples entering into their respective engagements, Phil and Bob's first interactions with Betty and Judy don't suggest this outcome. Bob makes multiple comments about the type of women Phil has introduced to him over the years, and this particular one sets up the kind of relationship he has with Betty throughout the film. In one specific scene, Bob and Betty argue over Bob's cynicism, and this quote doesn't help Bob's case.
9 "You Weren't Any Good As Privates."
Dean Jagger As General Thomas Waverly
Although primarily a romance-driven story, White Christmas does have a strong subplot that focuses on the importance of friendship. Bob and Phil's reunification with their old general, Thomas Waverly (Dean Jagger), sees the two men determined to try and help their old commander. The last time the three men crossed paths was when Waverly was relieved of his command. Despite this quote showing Waverly's attitude toward the other men, they still go out of their way to bring an audience to his hotel.
8 "I Don't Know What You See In This Long Drink Of Charged Water But, Honestly, After You Get To Know Him, He's Almost Endurable."
Bing Crosby As Bob Wallace
Bob and Phil's friendship throughout White Christmas provides several laughs, especially with Bob's begrudging need to help Phil after he saves his life. Despite this, the two form a musical duo, pushing the plot of White Christmas as their bond cements the film's comedy. Bob's comments about Phil aren't just hilarious though; they speak to his character. This quote indicates that he's dry, but deep down, he's also loving. The two men's relationship continues to be strong throughout the film, and refreshingly, they don't wind up fighting over one woman.
7 "It's Probably Just A Small Internal Muscular Hemorrhage, Sir."
Danny Kaye As Phil Davis
Describing his fall down the stairs, Phil is held up by his old commander and unable to put any weight on one leg. This hilarious exchange is also observed by the women, whom Phil already struggles to make a good impression on. Despite White Christmas' romantic themes, this quote is one of the reasons the movie is so funny. It allows for all manner of sarcastic quips, and it is an excellent example of physical comedy from Danny Kaye.
6 "Well, You're Not Exactly Superman, But You're Awfully Available."
Vera-Ellen As Judy Haynes
Its bold female characters weren't as common when it came out, but they hold up well today.
Although White Christmas finds Betty more unimpressed with Bob than anything else, Judy's approach to Phil differs significantly. While sitting together and chatting, Judy quickly takes charge and puts the moves on Phil. She's simultaneously hilarious and brutally honest with him. The difference between the two couples is one of the reasons White Christmas remains such a relatable film. Its bold female characters weren't as common when it came out, but they hold up well today.
Barrie Chase As Doris Lenz
Doris is a supporting character in White Christmas, and she's frequently seen dressed in showgirl attire and performing alongside the main cast. Doris' quips provide some of the funniest quotes from the film. It helps that she's played by the fabulous dancer Barrie Chase, who previously worked a lot with classic Hollywood actor Fred Astaire (Astaire was originally supposed to take on the role of Phil). Although Doris' quips are seemingly random, these phrases come from the time period and capture her frustration at Bob's rejection.
4 "Well, I'm, Uh, More The 'I-Don't-Mind-Pushing-My-Best-Friend-Into-But-I'm-Scared-Stiff-When-I-Get-Anywhere-Close-To-It-Myselfing' Kind."
Danny Kaye As Phil Davis
Despite his confident demeanor, Phil spends a lot of White Christmas stunned by Judy's forwardness. This is especially noticeable in this particular scene, as he tries to explain why he has pushed Bob to pursue her sister, Betty. Clearly more interested in Bob's love life than his own, Phil is baffled by the way Judy carries herself, which allows for some of the film's funniest moments. By the end, Phil and Judy decide to pursue their previously fictional engagement. After a wholesome performance, the two share a kiss behind the Christmas tree.
3 "We've Established The Fact The Lodge Is Ideal."
Dean Jagger As General Thomas Waverly
This quote is another example of the hilarious but exhausting relationship Waverly has with his ex-privates. Phil and Bob's ramblings as they try to explain their decision to visit his inn — without mentioning that Betty and Judy invited them along — result in an exchange that repeatedly sees them referring to Waverly's hotel as "ideal." Kaye and Cosby's back and forth is one of White Christmas' strongest elements, and without it, it would be a very different film.
2 "Give Me One Reason — One Good Reason — Why We Should Spend Our Last Two Hours In Florida Looking At The Sisters Of Freckle-Face Haynes, The Dog-Faced Boy."
Danny Kaye As Phil Davis
Throughout White Christmas, Phil's comments about those around him often land him in hot water. Phil and Bob are originally introduced to Judy and Betty by their brother, Ben, Phil and Bob's former mess sergeant. After this comment, Phil quickly changes his tune, as he hits it off with Judy immediately — but this doesn't stop his hilarious remarks from continuing throughout the film. White Christmas' behind-the-scenes facts reveal that Kaye's performance often left the crew in hysterics, and they praised him for his improv skills.
1 "He Sunk Everything — His Pension, His Life Savings, Everything — In Remodeling This Place. Used To Be A Grist Mill And A Barn. Now It's A Tyrolean Haunted House."
Mary Wickes As Emma Allen
Mary Wickes' career saw her playing several similar characters, all of them dry-witted, sarcastic professional women. Her portrayal of Emma Allen in White Christmas falls into this trend. Emma, the housekeeper of Waverly's Inn, doesn't hesitate to voice her concerns, even if she does so in a rather blunt way. She doesn't seem to care that she's making these comments to strangers, and her sarcastic tone makes her an iconic character from this beloved holiday movie.
white christmas
- Release Date:
- 1954-10-14
- Director:
- Michael Curtiz
- Cast:
- Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen
- Runtime:
- 120 Minutes
