The holidays, pleasant as they were, are history now, and the next important event in

the film will be the 84th annual Academy Awards ceremony.   It is scheduled for February 24th

at Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.   Billy Crystal will serve as host for the 9th time.

     However, I'm still remembering. with pleasure, many happy times in December.   I'm pleased that many of my readers liked my holiday hits, including Miracle on 34th Street, Christmas in Connecticut, and, of course, White Christmas.   I think White Christmas is not only a great holiday movie, but one of the best films of all times.   Of course, the songs of Irving Berlin and a great cast headed by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen is difficult to beat.

     Incidentally, as good as she was in this film, Rosemary made few movies.   She concentrated

on being a recording star, and had many hit records, including Tenderly, Hey There and This Ole House.   Miss Clooney, born in 1928, and passed away at 74, was at the Ambassador Hotel in

Los Angeles in 1968 participating in a campaign rally for Ted Kennedy.   Unfortunately, that's when this great American was assassinated.   On a brighter note, it's fun to point out that current movie star George Clooney is her nephew.

     Although, I unfortunately overlooked it in my last column, I saw an outstanding production

of Broadway musical Chicago at the University of Florida in November.   It's one of my all-time favorite shows, and the Gator Theatre Department did a fine job with it at the University's

attractive playhouse.   Daughter Shelley, who is a Vanderbilt graduate but has advance degrees

from UF. was among sponsors of the event which featured an elaborate reception where I met the director.   Shelley is married to Dr. Steve Waters, who is an important physician in the area

     Before saying goodgye to the Holidays, I always enjoy playing one of my favorite, and sometimes humorous Christmas records by Elmo and Patsy, from 1984.   It includes Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer and Percy the Puny Poinsettia.   It was fun catching another old favorite of mine, In the Good Old Summertime with Judy Garland and Van Johnson.   It's one of many movies based on Shop Around the Corner by a Hungarian playwright back in the late 1930s, where a couple hate each other in person but are lovers by mail.   In the final scene, Judy and Van, now married, walk along with new baby, actually Liza Minnelli in her first role.

     (Jack Ledoux is a drama critic, columnist and freelance writer who has been published around the world for more than 60 years.   He welcomes your comments at Jackled@aol.com).