Bob Hope vs Danny Kaye

[Connieh]

So I have been watching the Road movies on the AMC channel starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope and started wondering why wasn't Bob Hope in White Christmas instead of Danny Kaye?

I enjoy Danny Kaye in the movie, was just curious........

Connie

 

[Feralpeg]

I have no idea, but I can't imagine anyone by Danny Kaye in the part. I love Bob Hope, but not in White Christmas.

 

[wide awake]

I think because Danny Kaye was more of a dancer than Bob Hope...Bob Hope could dance, he'd been brought up in Vaudeville, but I think when they were looking for a partner for Vera Ellen they wanted more of a dancer than comedian type. Speaking of this movie...am I the only one who has noticed that Vera Ellen's costumes cover the neck 100% of the time ? Did she have a tracheotomy scar, saggy neck ? I love this movie, always makes me cry.

 

[WDWLVR]

We just watched this movie on our recent plane trip. One of our favorites. There is no way I can imagine Bob Hope in that role. I think Danny Kaye was the perfect fit for both Bing and Vera Ellen.


A true holiday classic!

 

[nativetxn]

I always thought that Danny Kaye was much funnier than Bob Hope. I just never "got him". I suppose that is almost "unAmerican".

Katholyn

 

[Zmsksirt]

The movie was supposed to reunite Crosby and Fred Astaire for their third Irving Berlin extravaganza of song and dance—the first two being Holiday Inn (1942) and Blue Skies (1946). However, Astaire bowed out after reading the script. Donald O'Connor was selected to replace Astaire, but he, too, had to pass because of a back injury. O'Connor was replaced by Danny Kaye.

Bob Hope was never considered for the role.

 

[luvflorida]

I always thought that Danny Kaye was much funnier than Bob Hope. I just never "got him". I suppose that is almost "unAmerican".

Katholyn

HaHa! I almost didn't want to post this, but I've never really found Bob Hope to be all that funny. I mean, I know he was a great guy, and bless him for all the tours and shows he did for our servicemen, but I just didn't find him funny.

 

[marybet]

Was it made before the "road" pictures? I don't think Bob Hope was that great of an actor. Bob Hope had writers, he could tell a joke but I don't think he could write one. I also think he stayed in the business to long, he should have retired when he was still funny.

 

[Zurealsoon]

I love that movie. My sister and I have this nutty tradition....whichever one of us sees that movie, she calls the other and we sing the "Sisters" song to each other. We're 2 dorks.

 

[epcotfan]

Danny Kaye all the way!

 

[CindyBeth]

Vera-Ellen's neck was always covered because it had aged beyond her years because she had anorexia. Next time you watch White Christmas, look at how thin she really was.

 

[Briarmom]

Vera-Ellen's neck was always covered because it had aged beyond her years because she had anorexia. Next time you watch White Christmas, look at how thin she really was.

She is very thin, although not by today's standards, unfortunately.
Do you all have a great DVD copy of this movie that tells you all this trivia? Not the anorexia part, more the Astaire stuff...

 

[buckylarue]

Do you all have a great DVD copy of this movie that tells you all this trivia? Not the anorexia part, more the Astaire stuff...

Don't have the DVD here, but a great website for movie info, trivia, cast lists, etc. etc. is www.imdb.com , the Internet Movie Database.

 

[Connieh]

Thank you all for the trivia, I never knew the Fred Astaire angle. He would have been good in picture.

Connie

 

[figment52]

I thought everyone knews that Bob Hope was always overseas visiting the troops around Christmas time so he couldn't "be" in Vermont then too - lol

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I know in the scenes where Vera Ellen is wearing a white turtleneck and a skirt, her waist looks about 18 inches if that. But she sure could tap. I love that movie! My DVD doesn't have any "extras" but I bought it right when the first DVD version came out.
Robin M.

 

[POB14]

Vera-Ellen's neck was always covered because it had aged beyond her years because she had anorexia. Next time you watch White Christmas, look at how thin she really was.

I always used to think it was just because her neck was preturnaturally LONG! I mean, the woman had to have been related to a giraffe! (I say this with all due respect - great dancer, and I had a serious "thing" for Vera-Ellen when I was younger, which magically vanished when I got married )

As to Hope and Crosby together, this, from TCM's website :

It's interesting to note that Hope and Crosby were not the loving off-screen buddies that press releases and carefully orchestrated public outings implied they were. Though both men knew a major cash-cow when they were riding one, and thus were able to maintain a facade of deep friendship, they were highly competitive egotists who never missed an opportunity to belittle each other.

I always thought Hope was funny, though. Never missed an Xmas special. Big fan of Bing, too. I can't picture Hope in White Christmas, though.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Briarmom - I think the Vera was thin by today's standards, her legs are like twigs - really sickening to look at. JMO

 

[DVC-Don]

On the DVD there is a great interview with Rosemary Clooney about this pic.

 

[Briarmom]

Briarmom - I think the Vera was thin by today's standards, her legs are like twigs - really sickening to look at. JMO

OK. I think she looks great. Wish I looked like that myself, but didn't realize she was sick until now.