1942: ‘Holiday Inn’ Premieres in New York

Ever wonder why the hotel chain, Holiday Inn, chose that name? It was inspired by the Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire musical, Holiday Inn, which premiered at the New York Paramount Theatre on this day in 1942. The movie’s odd plot centers around an inn that is only open on the holidays. Each holiday offered good excuses for the two leads to perform various musical numbers. The film contained 12 songs all written by Irving Berlin including “Easter Parade.” The movie earned an Oscar for Best Original Song (“White Christmas”) and two nominations for Best Score and Best Original Story (which was also written by Berlin). The movie also starred Marjorie Reynolds and Virginia Dale. While the movie has been shown on TV numerous times, one scene has often been edited out. During the song number which appears during the celebration about President Lincoln’s birthday, a blackface minstrel show is incorporated into an act. Holiday Inn is often confused with the 1954 movie White Christmas which was sort of a remake, featured the same song and also starred Crosby. Astaire was also supposed to star in the latter film, but he declined.