An myth persists that all of Vera-Ellen’s costumes, down to her robe and sleepwear, were designed to cover her neck, which had been damaged by anorexia. This is untrue. Seeing her in the premiere footage for A Star Is Born, she is wearing a low cut gown and her neck is clearly visible.

Even though Judy is the younger Haynes sister, Rosemary Clooney was actually seven years younger than Vera-Ellen.

The “Sisters” comedy act that Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye perform was not originally in the script. They were clowning around on the set and the director thought it was so funny that it was written in.

Vera Ellen did not actually sing any of the songs for the movie. Rosemary Clooney sang all her songs. Vera’s own voice is heard singing only in the “arrival in Pine Tree” scene at the railroad station where the quartet reprises the opening lines of “Snow”.

Many of Bob Wallace’s more unusual turns of phrase were lifted straight from Bing Crosby’s own speech patterns.

Although this movie musical has been a beloved favorite for decades - especially at Christmastime - there has never been an official “original soundtrack” album released in any form. Decca controlled the soundtrack rights, but Rosemary Clooney was under exclusive contract to Columbia, who would not allow her to appear on a competing label. As a result, Decca and Columbia each released their own White Christmas albums in 1954, although neither is an official soundtrack. Decca’s album featured the movie cast minus Rosemary Clooney, with Peggy Lee taking over Clooney’s part. Columbia’s album had Rosemary Clooney singing eight songs from the film.

The original idea was to reunite Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby, as they had been successful in Holiday Inn. Astaire refused, as he had “retired” at the time, so the part was reworked for Donald O’Connor. O’Connor pulled out due to illness, and the part was reworked for Danny Kaye.

Released in 1954, it became the top grossing film of that year.