Fred Astaire --> Donald O'Connor --> Danny Kaye

Here's your classic movie fact for the day: Danny Kaye was the third person who was considered for the role of Phil Davis in the classic film, White Christmas.

 Originally, White Christmas was intended to reunite Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire in another Irving Berlin musical. (Crosby and Astaire had previously co-starred in Holiday Inn and Blue Skies). However, Astaire declined the film after reading the script. (I wonder if Astaire ever regretted that decision!)

In turn, Donald O'Connor was selected to play opposite Bing Crosby. But get this: O'Connor got sick from a disease that he seems to have gotten from a mule. O'Connor had recently filmed Francis, a story about a soldier who gets befriended by a talking mule (see image above). This mule apparently transmitted some disease to O'Connor though, and he had to back out of White Christmas shortly before production.

In turn, Danny Kaye was considered for the job - but he asked for a huge paycheck ($200,000 plus ten percent of the gross), not thinking that his offer even would be accepted. Paramount was in a bind, however, and they accepted Kaye's request. And, in the end, aren't we all glad? I can't imagine this film without Danny Kaye.

I've always considered Donald O'Connor to be a poor imitation of Danny Kaye. But now I wonder if O'Connor was more popular than I have assumed. Was Donald O'Connor more desirable for the Phil Davis role? Or was he just a cheaper option for Paramount than Kaye? Who was the bigger star, and who influenced who? Could it be that Danny Kaye actually an imitation of Donald O'Connor? (If this is the case, the Kaye surpassed the actor whom he was imitating!) It looks like the two actors began their careers around the same time (if you discount O'Connor's appearance in Sing You Sinners as a twelve year-old boy).

Any thoughts? Who do you prefer: Donald O'Connor or Danny Kaye?

For more information, read Turner Classic Movies' article on White Christmas.