Who can resist Judy Holiday
593311
I first saw this in a Chicago theater and fell in love with both Judy Holiday and Paul Douglas.  The movie is fun to watch.
3902712
This is a great CD. Really blessed my family. Perfect for the Holidays, and every day. If you're an avid fan of Judy Jacobs music or ministry, then this CD is a must for your collection. <db>
2751533
Irving Berlin's wonderful collection of songs find a well-suited home in the holiday classic "White Christmas," a movie bursting with vibrant colors, a zesty, delightful cast, and a plot that bears nothing but sheer whimsy and comical brilliance from some of the all-time greats. Inevitable comparisons to "Holiday Inn" arose at the time the film was released, though there's no reason not to fall in love with this movie's warm and spirited appearance.
Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye star in the film as army buddies Bob Wallace and Phil Davis. When an attack commences on their campsite, Phil is injured while pulling Bob from danger, and wittily uses his injured arm as a way to convince Bob to join him in a singing duet, leading to their popularity as Wallace and Davis becomes a hit. After receiving a letter from an old army pal, they head to Florida to see the Haynes Sisters, composed of motherly Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and crafty Judy (Vera Ellen), who wants nothing more than to see her sister married and happy.
Finding that they have a common goal, Phil and Judy cook up a scheme that lands the four of them in Vermont, where the girls are to perform at a ski lodge that has been doing poorly due to lack of snowy weather. What's more, the owner of the lodge is none other than Phil and Bob's old army general, Thomas Waverly, whose financial situation is increasingly unstable because of the lackluster season. What do the boys do? Why, they cook up a plan to whip the general's self esteem back into shape, all the while falling in love with the sister act as they await the much-anticipated snowfall.
The story may not be as complex as past Christmas films, and even for a musical, though it's certainly never dull, thanks in part to some grandiose musical numbers and exuberant dance sequences. There's a great deal of schmaltz to be had with the romances between Phil and Judy and Bob and Betty, but it all goes down easy like an overly sweetened snow cone. Director Michael Curtiz is careful to keep the romance and the outside stories in equal measure, for a movie that's half sweet, half sweeter.
This snow cone is made easier to swallow by the acting on the parts of Kaye, Crosby, Clooney and Ellen, who each supply humor, wit, and tact into their characters. Kaye is the standout, employing his graceful way with comedy into Phil with incredible results. Dean Jagger makes the general more than just a secondary character, while Mary Wickes provides some lighthearted moments as the maid Emma.
The physical appearance of the movie is superbly mounted, a handsome displays of nicely-paced choreography, winsome costumes, and striking music and dance sequences. Irving Berlin's classic songs, from "Sisters" to "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," make their way into the story, some as entertainment pieces within the film, others as advancements of the romantic angles. The famed title song makes its appearance in the film's finale, which crowns the film in a glorious tapestry of costume and music. On a side note, this was the first film ever to be shot in what was known as VistaVision, a widescreen format that works well in capturing the film's various setpieces.
In the end, "White Christmas" is little more than a fairy tale spun from sheer whimsy, but its a striking example of a fairy tale done in all the right ways. The appeal and talent of its quartet of stars adds a much-needed charm to the material, as does the production design, bringing Christmas to life like never before. To watch the film with a cynical eye is to miss out on the magic and the joy this underrated classic has to offer.
2371478
A  great holiday story. I would recommend to my friends and family. I liked the suspenseful ending.i will read more of her books
1071292
You already love Sherri Duskey Rinker's books, be sure to add this to your collection. A really fun holiday story.
4315501
Forget that it's Halloween. . .this DVD is ENTERTAINING any day of the year,  Paul Lynde was funny. . .Paul Lynde is still funny.  His supporting cast -- TERRIFIC.

It's a great gift for any Holiday (including Christmas).

Loved it!
1409549
Book Review  Not a Creature Was Purring
By Krista Davis
A Paws & Claws Mystery
Berkley Prime Crime paperback
289 pages, including recipes
$7.99

Its Christmas time in Wagtail, Virginia and Sugar Maple Inns co-owner Holly Miller is busy trying to make the holiday special for a few children that have lost their parents. When Holly and a friend aren't sneaking around on a golf cart as elves, they are checking out Rupert Grimpleys oversized Grinch. Holly is also doing the legwork for her grandmother who is the towns mayor, running the inn, and manning a Christkindl Market booth.

On top of that, Holly and the crew at the inn are extremely busy catering to the needs of the Thackleberry family. They clearly are demanding, spoiled and have checked out of reality. Among Dale Thackleberrys clan is an old friend of Hollys, Holmes Richardson, and his fiance, Norma Jeanne Blume.

Even though Dales daughter, EmmyLou, is doing her best to see that her family has a great holiday, fate has other plans. It will take more than delicious meals and a miniature village to erase the fact that her father was found dead on Grimpleys property. While some of the family members truly experience loss, others are already trying to determine inheritance.

The pet clothing-line creators seems to have more than a murder investigation to worry about. For one, their company is being blamed for pets losing their fur after wearing their clothing line. Tim and Lindas son, Blake, seems to have ditched medical school to be a fashion blogger celeb and Norma Jeanne thinks shes Kim K. and can do whatever she wants.

I read the book because I was looking for a holiday mystery. Not A Creature Was Purring doesnt disappoint. All the characters, including Trixie (the Jack Russell) and Twinkletoes (a calico cat) have 3D personalities that demand your attention. I actually didn't guess the guilty party, even though I always think its either the person who hates the victim the most or who you trust the most. The storyline moved along with a quick pace. Crazy things kept on happening. I was never bored. Always love visiting the inn to see what Holly and her Oma are up to. Did think Holmes situation was resolved too easily. He should have known Holly is the woman for him.

Four out of five huge and outrageous Christmas decorations
Denise Fleischer
gottawritenetwork.wordpress.com
Jan. 6, 2018
2697234
I don't usually read holiday books because I often get distracted during the holidays and don't have time to read them. But this is a great book that's making me rethink that.

Sophia and Will are both sweet, wonderful people that you'll instantly like. The question is, will they survive the taping of a Christmas episode about Will??

The plot is a great change of pace, and the writing reminds me why I love to read.

Ruth Clampett created a series of fun characters, in including Romeo, Will's dog.

Holiday or not, this is a light and fun read with just enough angst to suck you in.
2879404
A fun way to bring in the holidays with the Discombobulated Decipherers. Julie Seedorf gets you into the spirit of Christmas with whimsy, colorful characters, and a puzzle to solve in Brilliant, Minnesota. Great recipes. Loved it!
3167339
A nice way to spend your holiday read, with a family based story and a little but if mystery as well as romance mixed together. The story continues to hold your interests with various angles of the family and the small town community. I look forward to a fourth book that carries on with Joey and Fletch' s future adventures together.
3298689
Another excellent book in this series.  I always enjoy them and go back and reread until the release of a new one.  This is another home run in my opinion.  I can see myself reacting just as Mrs. Jeffries and the others did upon getting a murder so close to the holidays.  Especially with it being an old murder.
40202
This Audible freebie is a fun little Christmas tale centering on Gigi that includes all your favorite Half Moon Hollow characters. I normally don't enjoy holiday shorts, but this isn't a Hallmark Channel special. This is Molly Harper, who always manages to include some form of hi-jinks, minor disaster, inappropriate nudity, and the random possum or two. In this edition, Gigi comes home from college to see her newly turned vampire sister for the first time, and Iris is determined to throw a traditional "human" Christmas for her. The entire crew is called in for support, so expect a good helping of Jane's snark, Jolene's appetite, and Dick's T-shirt humor. I will say that this is a short, and as such will only leave you wanting more of Gigi's story.

As always, Amanda Ronconi nails the characters with a perfect performance. Five Stars.
1811885
It's December in Weatherford, Texas. The Christmas season is upon everyone. Retired schoolteacher Phyllis Newsom is busier than ever this year. She is planning the Christmas Eve shower and New Year's Eve wedding of her boarder and fellow retired teacher, Eve Turner. Phyllis is also busy mixing up her German chocolate cookies to enter into the newspaper annual cookie recipe contest. Although her plate is full, Phyllis agrees to help out Georgia Hallerbee, the organizer of the Christmas Jingle Bell Tour of Homes. Each year, around a dozen homes in Weatherford are elaborately decorated for Christmas, inside and out. Guests pay a small fee for the privilege to tour the homes, and the proceeds go to local civic organizations. This year, a participant had to drop out of the Jingle Bell Tour due to illness, and Georgia wants Phyllis to put her home on display for the tour. Even though it means she has less than a week to prepare, Phyllis and fellow boarders Carolyn Wilbarger and Sam Fletcher help get the house ready for the tour.

On the night of the Jingle Bell Tour, Phyllis's doorbell rings. When she goes to answer the door, Phyllis hears a tremendous crash and shattering. She opens the door to find one of her large outdoor ceramic gingerbread men shattered and Georgia Hallerbee lying unconscious in a pool of blood. It is obvious someone hit Georgia over the head with one of Phyllis's decorative gingerbread men.

Unable to take an assault happening right on her doorstep, Phyllis jumps into investigating the case with Sam Fletcher. She learns there are people on the Jingle Bell Tour of Homes who do not have alibis for the night of the crime. Also, since Georgia was an accountant and tax consultant, she could have had privy to knowledge of financial wrongdoing. Phyllis seems to hit dead end after dead end as alibis are produced and proven and struggles to get to the bottom of the case.

Phyllis must continue ahead in her preparations for Eve's wedding all while investigating this heinous crime. As days go by and Georgia does not regain conscious, it is looking like the charges may soon be upgraded to murder. Can Phyllis catch a killer, pull off a shower and wedding, and still have time for a little Christmas spirit?

Having read the previous books in this series, I was already familiar with Phyllis and her boarders. Even though I read this book in March, it was a nice, seasonal read and reminded me of Christmas time and Christmas lights. I did not guess the identity of the murderer and enjoyed the story overall. The recipes at the end of the book are sure to please the foodies out there. This is a great addition to the Fresh-Baked Mystery series.
734654
What a ride, what a journey, through 13 holiday mysteries from best selling & award winnng authors. These stories will take you from dognapping, recipe robberies, to neighborly? love(the kind you don't want) and many other mysteries for your holiday enjoyment. This book feels like 13 great authors each drop off a wonderful story for your holiday pleasure. Then on top of ALL THAT, you get a bargain price. Then they put at bow on it and throw in another present: free bonus file of recipes and craft tips. Things we are all looking for this time of year. Give yourself a present then treat your friends without breaking the bank, Delightful read. Wonderful bargain.
2073557
A nice holiday read with a feeling of everyday "normal" life surrounding this cast of high octane characters. Had a tease of an adventure to whit your appetite for the next book.  As always, Deborah Brown makes you love her characters.
2057258
The 12 Dares of Christmas by Leigh W. Stuart is the first book I have read from this author, and I enjoyed it. A cute yet spicy holiday read! Lauren and Gabe's chemistry was very steamy, and the love between them was heart pounding. A fun sexy read just for the holidays!

--Received a copy in exchange for an honest review--
533731
I am a movie Buff, so I have been dying to see Holiday Affair, cause I love Robert Mitchum.  It was an incredible performance by him, Janet Leigh and the little boy.  I had forgotten about this film, cause I saw it as a child, and remember how much I loved it.  It was no where to be found, except, there was a documentary called "The merriest Films of all" and it had the boy from this film in it, as well as Margaret O'Brien and quite a few others who are still living, and working from that era.  I hadn't seen the others at all, so I watched them as well, they were wonderful.

But I have to say, Holiday Affair will always have a special place in my heart.  It's Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum both in their ZENITHS, beautiful, young, and amazingly touching beyond that era.  It wasn't really well received because Miss Leigh always played a victim, and Mr. Mitchum always played a tough guy.  They were both stunning and amazing in this film, and I hope it makes a come back instead of that usual holiday fare of Jimmy Stewart every year on a loop!  It's an excellent film for people who love films, and love Christmas movies from the 1950's.  Really a beautiful film.  Buy it!  It's four for the price of one!  Amazon Amazing!!