Holiday Inn is a 1942 American musical film directed by Mark Sandrich and starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Marjorie Reynolds. The film features fifteen songs by composer Irving Berlin, including the holiday classic "White Christmas", which would later become the title of a Crosby-led musical film.
The plot follows Jim Hardy (Crosby), a performer who decides to leave show business to settle down on a farm in Connecticut. However, his plans are disrupted when Lila Dixon (Virginia Dale), his performing partner and girlfriend, breaks up with him to pursue a career with his friend Ted Hanover (Astaire). Determined to win Lila back, Jim decides to turn his farm into a performance venue only open on national holidays, which he calls "Holiday Inn."
When Ted arrives with his new dance partner, Linda Mason (Reynolds), Jim realizes he is in love with Linda and the two begin to perform together. However, Ted becomes jealous and tries to win Linda back, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings and musical performances.
Holiday Inn received critical acclaim upon its release for its performances, music, and comedic timing. It was also known for its innovative use of location shooting and Technicolor cinematography. The film has since become a holiday classic and has been adapted into a stage musical.