COLLEGE HUMOR: A 1933 REVIEW

Here is the original movie review for the early Bing film - College Humor. This appeared in the New York Times of June 23, 1933...

On the campus of Mid-West University the girls are charming, the faculty is tolerant and the romantic problems of Jack Oakie and Richard Arlen have a reminiscent appearance. "College Humor," at the Paramount, is a musical comedy tour of Mid-West during the four semesters when Professor Bing Crosby is giving his informal course on the history of the drama.Burns and Allen are there, too, as caterers, and Miss Allen is still preserving an uncommonly foolish attitude to the facts of life. 

And there are songs—"Learn to Croon," "Moonstruck," "Play Ball" and "The Old Ox Road." And a football game, Mid-West vs. that Eastern college, and the score 13—7 in the last minute."College Humor" is funny in spurts and agreeable most of the time. There are delightful moments when it seems to be on the verge of satirizing all the dreary collegiate films of the last decade. 

Mr. Crosby turns out to have a sense of humor and his subterranean blue notes are easy to listen to. Burns and Allen, hilarious clowns, have too little catering to do, for one thing. And the story wanders off the deep end about the time Mr. Arlen is kicked out of school for getting drunk and trying to punch Mr. Crosby in the nose.Looked at as a whole, it emerges as an unsteady entertainment, with no very discernable intent, theme or goal, but with a modest fund of humor and two or three heartily amusing patches. The story would seem to indicate that Mondrake (Mr. Arlen) is in love with Barbara Shirrel (Mary Carlisle), sister of his room-mate, Barney Shirrel (Mr. Oakie). Barbara, a capricious girl, loves Professor Danvers (Mr. Crosby), who doesn't realize it. Mondrake is expelled for making a spectacle of himself and Barney is forced to bear the brunt of the big football game all by himself.Mr. Oakie's owlish efforts to assimilate an education help the comedy along and Miss Carlisle is a very model of a model musical comedy co-ed. Mr. Arlen is reliably pleasant...

VIDEO BREAK: SING BING SING

Here is a beautiful restored copy of the Mack Sennett short Sing Bing Sing from 1932! There are some scenes added that were deleted from other releases...

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: MY FAVORITE BING PICS

There are so many Bing pictures out there. During his heyday I am sure he was the most photographed Hollywood star. Here are some of my personal favorite Bing photos...

A BING BIO BOOK FOR CHILDREN

Amy Lane Publishing is excited to announce the acquisition of world all- language rights to Bing Himself: The Story of Bing Crosby, The World’s First Multimedia Star, a vibrant nonfiction biography written by author Lauren R. Harris, featuring illustrations by artist Joe Everson.

Bing Himself introduces young readers to the legendary Bing Crosby, the world’s first multimedia star, whose remarkable career as a singer, actor, and influencer left an indelible mark on history. Written with a fact-driven narrative, the book shares Crosby’s story with authentic quotes from Bing himself, offering an accessible and inspiring look at his achievements. Paired with Joe Everson’s breathtaking gallery portraits—created specifically as illustrations for the book—this biography combines historical accuracy with stunning visuals, making it a perfect read for anyone eager to explore the pioneers of entertainment.

Jessica Reed, Editorial Director at Amy Lane Publishing, shared her enthusiasm: “I fell in love with Lauren R. Harris’s vision for this book from the start. Her talent for weaving a fact-driven narrative with Bing Crosby’s own words is remarkable, creating a story perfectly suited for young dreamers. Add Joe Everson’s vivid art, and you have a biography that’s as educational as it is captivating. This book is set to be a treasured addition to our catalog and a delightful discovery for young readers.” This is Lauren’s third book; her two previous publications are narrative nonfiction picture books about theJapanese American veterans of WWII.

Joe Everson, the artist behind the book’s illustrations, is renowned as America’s only singing action painter, represented by the world’s largest art dealer, Park West Gallery. He paints for professional sports teams, Fortune 500 companies, and is in the private collection of dozens of high-profile organizations and celebrities. His gallery paintings for Bing Himself bring Bing Crosby’s story to life in vivid detail.

It is publishing in the United States in Fall 2025.

THAT'S WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT

That’s What Life Is All About is a 1975 vinyl album recorded by Bing Crosby for United Artists at Chappells in London in February 1975. He was accompanied by Pete Moore and his Orchestra.

The songs from the album were included on a 3-CD set called Bing Crosby: The Complete United Artists Sessions issued by EMI Records (7243 59808 2 4) in 1997. This included several previously unreleased alternate takes and studio chat.In January 1974, Crosby was seriously ill and after two weeks of tests, he underwent three and a half hours of major surgery. Two-fifths of his left lung and an abscess the size of a small orange were removed. The tumor was a rare fungus called nocardia. There were concerns initially that he would not be able to sing again and his recuperation took many months. Record producer Ken Barnes later heard that Crosby was thinking of recording again and he quickly presented his credentials and eventually met Crosby on September 9, 1974 at the singer’s home. Arrangements were soon made for two albums to be made in London. As a prelude, two songs were recorded with Johnny Mercer and a rhythm section at Mercer’s own “Heritage” recording studio at Oak Street in Burbank, California on October 17, 1974. Orchestra was added in February 1975.

Crosby flew to London on February 18 and that afternoon visited the Chappells recording studio. He was shown the vocal booth where he would be singing but said that he did not want to work in that way. He wanted to be with the band and said, “I didn’t come seven thousand miles to sing to a pane of glass.” This worried sound engineer John Timperley who was concerned about separation problems because of the large orchestra which was to be used. Crosby was adamant however and, in the event, he successfully overcame the problems of recording in front of a full orchestra.

Over a period of eight days, Crosby, in six sessions, recorded twenty five tracks. Eleven of the tracks, plus the two Crosby had recorded with Johnny Mercer were issued on this LP. Thirteen, with the addition of another song to be recorded in 1976, were issued on an LP called At My Time of Life and the final recording was included with eleven others made in 1976 and issued on an LP called Beautiful Memories...