Holiday Inn1942Holiday Inn
1942
Tired of show business, singer Jim Hardy retires to a Connecticut farm and turns it into an inn open only on holidays, with a new song for every one. But his smooth-dancing former partner keeps showing up, and keeps falling for the same girl.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
Irving Berlin wrote a song for every American holiday, including the first "White Christmas." It's a lighthearted celebration of the calendar's feasts and of a man who prefers a quiet farm to fame.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
The "Abraham" number is performed in blackface and a song uses the word "darkies," so parents will want to explain minstrel-show traditions. Jim deceives his friend to keep Linda for himself, which nearly costs him, and Astaire's drunken dance and heavy drinking are played for comedy.
Holiday Inn (1942)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why did Jim want to leave show business?
- Was Ted a good friend to Jim? Why or why not?
- Which holiday song was your favorite?
- Why do you think Linda went back to Jim in the end?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 7+: a drunken dance and a man who passes out from drinking; a song uses "darkies"; a love triangle with kissing.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
Holiday Inn 4K Blu-ray (80th Anniversary Edition)
4K · November 1, 2022
Edition link coming soon.
Listing on Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.