Holiday Inn (1942)

Jim Hardy (Bing Crosby) is in a New York nightclub act with partners Ted Hanover (Fred Astaire) and Lila Dixon (Virginia Dale). Both of the male partners are in love with Lila. Jim wants to leave nightclub life, marry Lila, and settle down on a farm. Lila, however, decides to keep dancing with Ted. So Jim goes to the farm alone and ends up having a breakdown trying to keep up with the work.

Jim decides to start an inn on his farm property. He’s going to call it Holiday Inn, because it will only be open on holidays. He tells Ted and his agent who think he’s crazy. However, when the agent runs into aspiring entertainer Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds), he refers her to Jim. Linda and Jim open on New Year’s Eve.

After Lila leaves Ted for a millionaire, Ted gets drunk and goes to the Holiday Inn, dances with Linda, and wants her for his new partner. Jim attempts to keep Ted from finding her. Inevitably, Ted eventually does and takes her away with him. Jim is heartbroken, but is later persuaded to go after her.