I had a shower thought that I posted to /r/shittyfantheories, but it got no comments and responses, so thought I would post it here instead. White Christmas 1954 is a movie starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kay, Vera Ellen, Rosemary Clooney. The two men Bob and Phil served together in the military and then became entertainers and producers together. They bump into Betty and Judy, sisters of one of their pals in the army and head to a hotel in Vermont. There, they all meet General Waverly, who is feeling reluctant to retire and feeling as though he still has purpose and can still train in the army. Below I will list six ways in which this movie could have definitely inspired the ubiquitous holiday movies whose scripts are almost certainly half written by AI they are so cookie cutter.

1. Setting

The heroes in all Hallmark movies must go from their big city jobs and professions and to a small town to a home for the holidays. White Christmas spends a long time and many musical numbers setting up this concept, but look no further than the song on the train, Snow!

1. Main Couple and Supplementary Couple

For many of these points it applies to many romantic comedies before and since, but I am speaking in a Christmas context here. Bob and Betty are the main couple, but it is also Phil and Judy's story. In many Hallmark movies there are Couple A and Couple B, just the first time I noticed this concept I related it to White Christmas.

1. Miscommunication

This theme is older than Romeo and Juliet. in White Christmas it happens because of an overheard phone call and second hand information, in many Hallmark movies it happens because of a warm hug between friends or family; it happens because of people on writing assignments getting too close to their story; it happens because of a third party boss character who is pushing for a big sale of a property, etc.

1. Fake Engagement:

This theme too is something that could date back to Shakespeare's era. In this case Judy comes up with the scheme. You can find it as the main plot in several Hallmark movies.

1. Charity:

Charity is very important. It features either as the reason why the Hallmark protagonists meet, or as one of their dates. Charities include a toy drive, a food drive, helping out unhoused children, or in this case reminding the general that he is beloved by all who know him.

1. A Christmas Eve Climax:

The big show for the general happens on Christmas Eve. But so does literally every big event in the Hallmark cinematic universe. Why can't things happen on the 22 and 23? Don't people want to be at home with their families on Christmas Eve?

So those are 6 points, do you agree or disagree? Has this inspired you to watch White Christmas, hopefully someone can add to my theory or disprove it and point to other sources for Hallmark's repeated atrocities? Just kidding love to watch their Christmas Holiday romances.