A LETTER FROM BING: DECEMBER 20, 1944

Here is a letter than Bing wrote during World War II. Even during the war, Bing was still reaching out to his fans...

GUEST REVIEWER: THE STAR MAKER

 Here is another review from the Bing Crosby guru Bruce Kogan...

When Paramount decided to make The Star Maker, stage mothers all over the country must have been grateful for the opportunity to get their little pride of joys a break into show business. Bing Crosby who had some of his best film moments with children never had to contend with so many of them.

The beginning credits state quite plainly that the film is "suggested by the career of Gus Edwards." Crosby's character is named Larry Earl so no one gets the idea this is biographical.

Gus Edwards was one of America's finest turn of the last century songwriters who did in fact hit on the idea of forming a theatrical troupe of talented youngsters, many of whom became stars in their own right in adulthood. Coming to mind immediately are Eddie Cantor and George Jessel who started out as adolescents with Edwards.

One of the scenes funniest moments involves a bit by Billy Gilbert trying to get one of his kids an audition. Of course that's redundant because Billy Gilbert was one of the funniest men in film and any moment with him is by definition, funny. Another moment involves a mother trying to get her daughter to sing for Crosby, giving him the opportunity to warble, I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now. I'm sure the real Gus Edwards went through thousands of moments like these.

Young Linda Ware was introduced here, presumably as Paramount's answer to Deanna Durbin. She sang some classical stuff real nice, but after another film was never heard from again.

Next to Ned Sparks, W.C. Fields was a Pollyanna, especially with children. Sparks was another of Hollywood's funniest men with those lines dripping with sarcasm and ill will. He has one very funny scene trying to read a bedtime story to Crosby's traveling troupe.

Jimmy Monaco and Johnny Burke wrote some new tunes for Bing and these were mixed in with some stuff by Gus Edwards and others of the period in a nice confection.

Others in the cast include Louise Campbell as Mrs. Crosby, Laura Hope Crews as Ware's mother and Thurston Hall as a theatrical producer.

Ms. Crews had a banner year in 1939, she was given her signature part as Aunt Pittypat Hamilton in Gone With The Wind.

One of the things I always criticize Paramount for is not giving Crosby's films the elaborate Busby Berkeley like numbers. Same is true here, especially with the show business background of the film. But I think that kind of theatrics would have overwhelmed the story about children.

I won't dispute Paramount when they say this is only suggested by Gus Edwards career...

BRUCE'S RATING: 7 OUT OF 10

MY RATING: 9 OUT OF 10

BING AND DUKE ELLINGTON

By 1932, Bing Crosby was already a hit on radio, and was beginning to make his way in Hollywood. Ellington was also a national figure because of his radio broadcasts and had made some short films.

The Depression caused a major slump in record company sales, which severed relations with about 90% of the musicians on their rosters. Crosby and Ellington were about as sure fire a commercial combination as a record company could hope to put together.

Duke's soloists stake out their singular territory, Bing does some great scatting at the end and this commercial pairing turns out to be a creative gem.

Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra: Duke Ellington, p, a, dir Arthur Whetsel, Freddy Jenkins, Cootie Williams, t / Joe Nanton, tb / Juan Tizol, vtb / Johnny Hodges, cl, ss, as / Harry Carney, cl, as, bar / Barney Bigard, cl, ts / Fred Guy, bj / Wellman Braud, sb/ Sonny Greer, Bing Crosby, v. New York, - February 11, 1932.

• St. Louis Blues– vBC0: Br 20105, Col 55003, DOX-560, SW-290, Lucky 17005;

• St. Louis Blues– vBC: Br 20105, 0116, A-5115, 20098 (Italian), Col 55003;

• A Creole Love Call: Br 20105, 0116, A-5115, Col 55003;

• Rose Room (In Sunny Roseland): Br 6265, 01292, A-9230, A-500174, Col DO- 1131

Unfortunately, other than Duke Ellington appearing on Bing's radio show in the 1940s, they did not work together on record. After Duke died in 1974, Bing was a part of a tribute album of the Duke. Bing recorded a commanding version of  Don't Get Around Much Anymore" on April 15, 1977. It was the last official recording Bing made in the USA. Bing died in October of 1977...

BING CROSBY: THE SITCOM STAR

In the fall of 1964, legendary crooner and film star Bing Crosby made a failed attempt to be part of the television sitcom landscape. The series was titled, The Bing Crosby Show.

As Bing Crosby noted in January 1965 about his then-new self-titled sitcom, "It’s been fun, and it hasn’t been too hard a chore. But according to the rating, we haven’t been doing so well. I think I’d have to get on a glass-bottom boat to find the rating. It’s a rat race. If you don’t get a rating, they dump you.”

In the series, Crosby played a married architectural engineer with two children. Beverly Garland (formerly of the groundbreaking Decoy female detective series, and future star of the later years of My Three Sons), portrayed Crosby's TV wife. His small-screen daughters were played by Carol Faylen and Diane Sherry Case.

At one point shortly before it was canceled, The Bing Crosby Show rated in 77th place among all network evening shows with a rating of 14.9.

Before the situation comedy began, its star had infrequently appeared on TV on only a special basis each year.

In January of 1965, Crosby further noted, “I don’t know whether we’ll continue next year. I’m interested in doing a little work — a movie or something. My contract is with ABC. I suppose it’s up to ABC to sell the show to sponsors. If they don’t buy, we won’t be on next season.”

The famed entertainer was not despondent by his show's low ranking, pressing on that it needed “a couple of years to get a good rating.” He agreed to do the series only if he could do so, "leisurely,” he said. Crosby also viewed the show as "an opportunity to get another series on the air for my company.”
That organization was Bing Crosby Productions, which brought Ben Casey to air for ABC and Slattery’s People on CBS.

In the end, The Bing Crosby Show never saw a second season. But he continued to host variety specials like The Hollywood Palace, which was on ABC and a production of his Bing Crosby Productions shingle. Crosby would also, however, then go on to star in and produce iconic Christmas specials for the NBC TV network....

BING AND WARREN COUNTY

FRONT ROYAL — During the height of his career in the 1940s, legendary entertainer Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby stepped up to the plate to help the Warren County community build a baseball stadium.

The Warren Heritage Society (WHS) will pay homage to Crosby's contributions with a new exhibit set to run from April 2 to May 31.

“Riding High:75 Years Later” tells the story of Crosby’s connection to Front Royal and his above and beyond efforts for the community’s baseball stadium, said Teresa Henry, president of the WHS board of directors.

“He was in his prime and it was just unheard of for someone of that caliber to come to our little town,” Henry said of a pair of Crosby visits in 1948 and 1950. “He was such a standup guy. He loved the youth and wanted to do whatever he could to help us. That was a pretty amazing contribution.”

Born in 1903, Crosby was first known for his singing voice. His recording career began in October 1926 with “I’ve Got the Girl” and ended with his final recording, “Once In a While,” which was released just before his death in 1977 at age 74. The biggest hit of his career was the holiday classic "White Christmas."

Somewhere along the line, Crosby befriended the late Raymond R. Guest, who lived in Front Royal and served as a Virginia state senator from 1947-53.

“We found documents as far back as 1940 that [Crosby] was in town visiting him. They had a long friendship,” Henry said.

While serving as Grand Marshal for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Parade in Winchester in the spring of 1948, Crosby stayed with Guest. He learned that the Warren County/Front Royal Recreation Association was ramping up efforts to raise money for a new baseball stadium, to be situated on land the town already owned.

“The way the stories go — looking back in the newspaper articles — he and Raymond talked about it and he wanted to be a part of it. He said he would make an appearance and sing a couple songs. It happened very quickly — there was like a day turnaround,” Henry said, adding that Crosby presented the recreation association a $1,000 check after his performance. “That was the start of it.”

Guest and Crosby stayed in touch and continued to discuss the fundraising efforts, and Guest asked Crosby to return to Front Royal to help.

“He said absolutely he would. He had a premier coming out so it was great timing,” she said, noting that, according to reports, Crosby worked with publicists at Paramount Pictures to bring the premier of “Riding High” to downtown Front Royal’s Park Theater.

The town was not foolin' around when it rolled out the red carpet and pulled out all the stops for an extravaganza it dubbed “Bing Crosby Day” on April 1, 1950.

In addition to the movie premiere, which was free, there was a huge parade and a cake contest where Crosby served as the judge.

“They gave him a 14-foot key to the city that had to be brought in on a trailer and he read from a scroll of all the names of people who had contributed — there were 5,000 people. The scroll was 200-feet long,” Henry said, adding that while many people donated, Crosby’s visit helped the recreation association reach its goal.

“I believe that after they had added everything up, they had just over $12,000 and he put in the rest of the money to bring it to $15,000,” Henry said. “He is really why we got the stadium so quickly. He made it happen.”

During the festivities, the new Bing Crosby Stadium, located on 8th Street, was dedicated and opened, said Joe Petty, executive director of WHS.

“I think they continued to add on to it for the next few years. There are records from April 1950 of high school baseball game scores at Bing Crosby Stadium,” Petty said, adding that it was renovated in 2006.

Henry said that Front Royal continued to celebrate Bing Crosby Day for a few years before the event fizzled out. She said she has not uncovered any documentation to suggest that Crosby himself returned for those events.

The Heritage Society will open for the 2025 season on Wednesday, with its “Riding High” exhibit, which includes scores of pieces of memorabilia and documentation from the original Bing Crosby Day 75 years ago, Petty said.

“Most of the exhibit is very document heavy,” Petty said, noting that it includes a program from the event, along with newspaper clippings, tickets and photographs.

Added Henry, “There are lots of photographs of people swarming him at these events.”

Petty said the “Riding High” movie trailer will be playing at the exhibit, alongside an original movie poster and buttons and ribbons worn on the festive day.

An opening reception for the exhibit is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Summer hours for the Warren Heritage Society, located at 101 Chester St. in Front Royal, are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The historical complex is open from 10 a.m to 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

Henry said that the Heritage Society is hoping to offer other programming around the Bing Crosby exhibit, but details have not been finalized.

Other exhibits planned for the Heritage Society this season include a tribute to fire and rescue and an art show in the fall. The organization plans to bring back its Decades Block Party this summer, Petty said.

WHS will also be seeking a new executive director this year. Executive director since May, Petty recently accepted a new position as town manager for the Town of Front Royal. He said Friday that he has enjoyed his time with the Heritage Society.

“It was just a great opportunity to work in my community with an organization that’s had a strong foundation for over 50 years and that really tells our story,” said Petty. “To be part of that, to work with the staff and our board and the volunteers who come in here who just really care about what we do, our mission, that presentation of our history — it’s truly an honor to be part of it.”

Petty said that the WHS board is “really interested in defining a plan for long-term success. To make sure it’s here for another 50 years,” adding that he will continue his membership with WHS and hopes to volunteer.

Henry described Petty as a multi-talented professional who brought stability to the organization after it had been without a director for a while.

“He really stepped up. He helped build our budget and plan out our events,” she said, noting that he is leaving the organization with a full slate of planned activities and in a position to apply again for state funding next year. “He’s done amazing things for the organization. I’m glad that we have a board that saw the opportunity of what Joe would bring to our organization in hiring him. I couldn't be more proud to call him a friend. I'm so excited for this opportunity for Joe and I’m really excited for the opportunity for our community. This is a really big win for Front Royal.”

SOURCE

HAPPY 122ND BIRTHDAY, BING!

Bing Crosby - entertainer of the our times, would have been 122 years old today. Happy birthday, Bing!

BING'S DISCOGRAPHY: APRIL 25, 1938

 Here is what Bing was recording at Decca on this day - 87 years ago!

Date: 4/25/38
Location: Los Angeles, Calif
Label: DECCA (US)

Bing Crosby (voc), Eddie Dunstedter (org)
1.  DLA1287-A Little Lady Make-Believe (Charles Tobias, Nat Simon) - 3:15
2.  DLA1288-A When Mother Nature Sings Her Lullaby (Larry Yoell, Glenn Brown) - 3:07
JSP (UK) CDCD 703 — BING CROSBY - ON TREASURE ISLAND (1993)

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Taylor Choristers (vgr)
3.  DLA1289-A Darling Nellie Gray (Benjamin Russ Hanby) - 3:01
ASV - LIVING ERA (UK) (ASV) CDCD AJA 5147 — BING CROSBY & FRIENDS (1994)
JSP (UK) CDCD 703 — BING CROSBY - ON TREASURE ISLAND (1993)
4. DLA1290-B Swing Low, Sweet Chariot(Sarah Hann Shepherd) - 2:57
JASMINE (UK) CDJASCD 121/2 — BING CROSBY - GOING HOLLYWOOD - Volume 3 1940 - 1944 CD2 (2001)
MCA (US) CDMCAD4 10887 — BING - HIS LEGENDARY YEARS 1931 - 1957 Disc 2 (1993)

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: BING AND DEAN MARTIN

 Next to Bing Crosby, Dean Martin (1917-1995) was another one of the truly great male crooners. Their paths crossed numerous times, and there are some great photos available of the crooning duo...

BING CROSBY: SPORTSMAN

Seemingly, there weren’t many things Harry “Bing” Crosby Jr. couldn’t do.

He was an accomplished singer, actor, golfer, golf tournament host, and even a part owner of a pair of World Series-winning Major League Baseball teams.

Beyond the radio, movies, and singing work, Crosby was an avid golfer. His handicap fell to as low as 2 at tone point and he played in both the U.S. and British Amateur Championships and was a 5-time club champion at Lakeside Golf Club in Hollywood, CA.

He began his namesake tournament in 1937 at Rancho Santa Fe, inviting some friends and professional golfers alike to join him. He ponied up $500 of his own as prize money and when the playing was over a clambake ensued, thus the genesis of the tourney’s original name, “Crosby’s Clambake.”

Following a hiatus during World War II, the tournament moved to its current location on California’s Monterey Peninsula in 1947. The tournament has followed a similar format, including many A-list celebrities, and other’s who can foot the entry fee, to play with professionals during the week, making for an interesting intersection of fun and competition for all.

Beyond his love of golf, Crosby also owned a 25% share of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1946 until his death in 1977. He was part of the ownership group during the 1960 and 1971 Pirates’ World Series-winning seasons. The Pirates could use an owner like Bing Crosby now!

SOURCE

BING AND HIS NET WORTH

 Here are some interesting stats from the internet regarding Bing's net worth...

How did Bing Crosby make his money?

Bing Crosby made his money through his successful music and film careers, as well as through strategic investments in businesses and real estate.

What is Bing Crosby's most famous song? 

Bing Crosby's most famous song is "White Christmas," which remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Did Bing Crosby invest in any companies? 

Yes, Bing Crosby invested in several companies, including the Minute Maid Corporation and the Ampex Corporation.

Was Bing Crosby involved in any charitable organizations? 

Bing Crosby supported numerous charitable organizations, focusing on children's welfare, education, and healthcare.

How many films did Bing Crosby star in? 

Bing Crosby starred in over 70 films throughout his career, earning critical acclaim and commercial success.

What was Bing Crosby's net worth at the time of his death?

At the time of his death, Bing Crosby's net worth was estimated to be between $50 million and $60 million.