Chapter 7

Transcription and Transformation, 1946–1949

The period began with headlines on the front page of Variety magazine’s first issue of 1946 illustrating the extent of Bing’s success.

Bing’s Bangup Box Office in ’45

400G from Decca Records alone

No other figure on the show business horizon has managed to parlay his multiple pix-radio-music talents into the gross yearly earnings wrapped up by Bing Crosby during 1945. That he’s the hottest guy in show biz today is reflected in the unprecedented royalties (more than $400,000) from the 1945 sale of Decca records. Add to that the current jockeying among every top advertising agency in the business and the top bankrollers in radio to latch on to Der Bingle’s radio services in the wake of his Kraft Music Hall divorce, plus the record four-week grosses racked up by the Radio City Music Hall, N.Y., for his current starrer, “Bells of St. Mary’s” (those 7:30 a.m. lines of customers circling the Rockefeller Center theater building have been one of the top attractions for New York holiday oglers) and you can credit El Bingo with copping, hands down, all laurels for emerging the one-man industry in show biz today.

As Decca’s all-time disk grosser, the Groaner has recorded during the year virtually every pop song that struck the public’s fancy. It’s by far the top royalty slice to any disk performer in modern times, and maybe of all time, with the current Crosby fan wave making him even potentially bigger in ‘46. . . .

Crosby is said to have a royalty deal with Decca which gives him 10% of the retail price of every record sold (his disks retail at 50c). On that basis, the 400G royalty total indicates that some 8,000,000 of Der Bingle’s needlings went across the counter and into jukeboxes in 1945. That’s considerably in excess of the number he must sell in order to earn the $300,000 he’s said to be guaranteed annually by Decca.

(Variety, January 2, 1946)

While this sounded marvelous, it was also true to say that Bing was increasingly beset by difficulties all around him. The issues at home with Dixie’s drinking were continuing, he may well have been engaged in an extramarital relationship with Joan Caulfield, his health was affected by his kidney stone problems, he was locked into a legal dispute with Kraft, his singing was reflecting the uncertainties in his life and, incredibly bearing in mind his income, he had cash flow considerations to worry about too.

The long-running Kraft contract duly ended after the legal battle as Bing fought to have the right to record (or “transcribe” to use the jargon of the times) his radio show in the same way that he had previously recorded broadcasts for the armed forces. He moved to Philco in 1946 and problems emerged not only with the recorded show, but also with Bing’s voice which had fallen from its previous high standards. However, Bing came back strongly in 1947 after his troubles and he regained his vocal prowess, albeit with a narrower range in a lower key. His record sales were aided considerably by Decca issuing 36 albums of his songs during the years 1946-49. Many were repackages of earlier releases although some contained new recordings. Initially issued as 78rpm albums they were also released as 10" long-playing vinyl records when that format was introduced during the late 1940s. 

The Philco show achieved good ratings although the impact of television was becoming apparent. A switch to Chesterfield in 1949 kept Bing in the forefront as a radio star, but the medium was undoubtedly starting to lose out to television as the decade ended.

Although Bing’s income had indeed been enormous during the 1940s, his net income had not been well managed by his brother Everett and on his attorney’s recommendation, he recruited an accountant called Basil Grillo from Arthur Andersen to restructure his financial situation and find more tax effective ways of earning money. During the war, the special income tax levied on American citizens to fund war production and mobilization had taken over 90 percent of Bing’s income and although tax levels reduced, they were never to return to prewar levels. He sold his interest in the Del Mar Turf Club and rolled the funds over into a share of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team. His home at Rancho Santa Fe was sold and he increased the size of his working cattle ranch in Nevada. In 1949, he raised a large sum of money when changing radio company from ABC to CBS and he went on to invest lucratively in oil wells.

Bing spent a considerable amount of his time away from his Holmby Hills home and he and Dixie were infrequently seen together although the myth of the happy marriage was maintained. He tried to spend periods with his sons whenever possible and each summer he took them to his ranch at Elko, Nevada, and then on to a holiday home at Hayden Lake, Idaho.

After being suspended during the war, his annual golf tournament was relaunched at Pebble Beach in 1947.

Commercially the 1940s belonged to Bing but, after the war, it was apparent that the huge pressures on him from various sources had transformed him into a more introverted personality and he started to avoid live appearances and social events. A trip to Vancouver in 1948 brought him back into contact with a large unruly crowd again and the local press carried a perceptive article which was probably fairly close to the truth. The article is reprinted courtesy of The Vancouver Sun.

Bing Puzzled Over Mass Hero–Worship

Man Forced into Limelight Glare Prefers Shadows of Private Life

Bing loves ‘em individually; but collectively people are perhaps his greatest problem. His life, say those who know Harry Lillis Crosby, is one long pursuit to “get away by himself and be natural.”

Semi-retiring, genuinely friendly, taken aback by crowds, “a man of more depth than most people give him credit for”—that’s Bing, say his friends. And yet few personalities on the Canadian-American scene are so surely calculated to draw crowds wherever they go. That’s Bing’s quandary. The whole show company traveling with him are well aware of his allergy for crowds, though few admit it. Hence the public find this company, constantly “running interference” for him.

Bing, meanwhile, keeps as few formal appointments as possible, although he is always punctual when committed, sings and jokes his programs, then runs “to get away from it all.” Then he is likely to show up a few minutes later at a boys’ club, or on a sandlot pitching the ball with the kids.

“He realizes the responsibility grown-ups have to youth. That’s why he’s here,” said one of his company.        

“People love Crosby. But when they show it in such large numbers he seems actually a little frightened. Bing likes people too. But he doesn’t like crowds.”

But crowd conscious or not, he is still the day-to-day quarry of a relentless horde of idolizing youngsters who want his autograph, wide-eyed women who want to “just pinch him,” men who tell him they think they have a voice, etc. In Vancouver, something new has been added. An English inventor traveled all the way here from the Old Country to see Bing. He wants the crooner to sponsor the manufacture of a new-type auto trailer. Life’s like that for Bing “a little guy who likes people, but not crowds.”

(Bill Ryan, The Vancouver Sun, Wednesday, September 22, 1948)

However, despite all of his problems, Bing generally managed to continue to maintain his public image of the easygoing crooner, and as a film star, he was the top box office performer for a record five years. This, allied to his vast record sales, his highly-rated radio shows and the constant publicity made him, arguably, still the most famous man in the world for most of the period.

In 1949, $100 was equivalent to $721 in the year 2000.

1946

January 2, Wednesday. John O'Melveny and Everett Crosby join Bing in New York. Bing sends a telegram to J. Walter Thompson stating that he will not return to the Kraft program on January 3 as requested. In the early afternoon, he goes for a brisk walk and meets the Barsa girls (two young fans) and takes them for a frankfurter at Howard Johnson's.

January 3, Thursday. Kraft files suit against Bing as he will not complete his Kraft Music Hall commitments. The process server hands Bing the summons as he opens the door to his New York hotel suite. It is revealed that Bing has been receiving $5,000 a show since 1939.

January 5, Saturday. Bing attends the opening night of the revival of Show Boat at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York.

January 7, Monday. Dixie’s mother, Nora Matilda Scarbrough Wyatt, dies from a heart attack in Santa Monica at the age of 63. There is a private service at 2 p.m. at Pirece Bothers, Beverley Hills on January 10 and she is buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Los Angeles the same day.

January 9, Wednesday. Rumors about Bing's relationship with Joan Caulfield are starting to circulate and in an effort to calm these, he writes to Hedda Hopper stating that he and Joan have a very firm friendship and that there is nothing clandestine about the relationship. However around this time he goes to see Archbishop Spellman and tells him of his marital unhappiness. Spelllman makes it clear that divorce is out of the question and recommends that Dixie is put into a sanitarium as soon as possible.

January 12, Saturday. After indications that the dispute between Bing and Kraft was to be settled amicably, John Kraft changes his mind and decides to go to court.

Round And ‘Round Kraft And Crosby

Dispute between Bing Crosby and Kraft Foods over former’s desire to ease out of his Kraft Music Hall contract which seemed likely to be settled amicably, last week, after several huddles between representatives of both principals will now go to court due to a reported, last minute, change of heart on Saturday (12th) by John Kraft. As a result, Crosby’s attorneys are now preparing an answer to Kraft’s application for an injunction.

      Kraft claimed Crosby has reneged on a 1937 contract which it states runs on until 1950. The Groaner, however, maintains that last summer when he gave notice to quit, he was merely taking advantage of California’s seven-year employee law which says an employee can’t make a contract beyond seven years. In its application for injunction, Kraft acknowledges the Crosby statute but maintains that Crosby was not an employee but an independent contractor. This claim is based on the fact that Crosby himself picked the four songs which he sang on the Music Hall program each week. Crosby denies he’s a contractor, pointing out that he hired no one for the program, merely presented himself and used Kraft scripts handed to him. He also maintains that his weekly Kraft pay check had US Withholding Tax deducted from it, proving that he was an employee.

      Furthermore, according to Crosby, Kraft Foods promised that they wouldn’t go to court over the matter but would sit down and discuss it first. Crosby or his manager brother, Everett were in constant touch with Kraft or their agency, J. Walter Thompson. They came East, three weeks ago, after John Kraft, in Chicago, phoned them to do so, to thrash the matter out, then the injunction application was filed. Despite this, according to Crosby, the two sides met amicably. Crosby offered to do two broadcasts while Kraft countered with a request for twenty-six broadcasts before they would release him. Crosby came up to six, Kraft replying it would take the six now, with five more guest shots, next Fall. Crosby countered with an offer to do thirteen broadcasts and two guest shots, next Fall; whereupon, according to Crosby, Kraft reps asked for thirteen now and four guest shots in the Fall. This was the situation last Thursday.

      On Friday, after consultation with John Kraft, in Chicago, according to Crosby, their offer was withdrawn. Kraft reverting to their original for twenty-six broadcasts, whereupon Crosby decided to go to court.

(Variety, January 16, 1946)

January 14, Monday. The annual Photoplay Gold Medal Awards formal banquet takes place in the Palm Room of the Beverly Hills Hotel. Bing has won the Gold Medal for the most popular actor of 1945 as determined by the Gallup Poll of America's moviegoers. As he is still in New York, his mother accepts the award on his behalf.

January 15, Tuesday. Bing attends a party at Eddie Condon’s apartment in Washington Square which goes on until the early hours.

January 16, Wednesday. (10:00 a.m.) The Eddie Condon band meets to rehearse with Bing at Condon’s apartment in New York. At 3:15 p.m., Bing arrives at the Decca’s Studio A in New York and between 3:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. he records three songs with Eddie Condon, including “After You’ve Gone.” A different pianist is used for each song with Joe Bushkin accompanying Bing on “Personality.” The latter song enters the Billboard best-sellers chart for three weeks and peaks at No. 9.

The old studio clock had just struck 3 p.m. Condon’s barefoot-boys-with-shoes-on were on hand but showing visible signs of strain at the early hour. Decca types hustled—keeping a sharp eye on the door. At about 3:15 p.m. the Crosby arrived. Stripped of his bright yellow scarf, tweed coat, and inner-lined battle jacket, he was left naked in a brown felt hat, bright red checked shirt, brown slacks, and the sort of shoes ordinarily seen in the Alps at this time of year. Came 3:45, and in rushed Condon. No taxis, he said.

      “Blue and Broken-Hearted,” the first number to be waxed, didn’t go so well. A large blue screen-like sound absorber stood between Bing and the boys. Kicking it aside, he commented: “Got to see if anybody’s alive out there.” Another run-through or two and, at his question: “Will this be the deathless disk? Shall we, men?” the side joined history.

      “After You’ve Gone,” went rather quickly. Although trouble loomed when Jack Kapp, president of Decca and Crosby-adviser-extraordinary on record policy, walked in and asked if “Wild Bill” Davison’s trumpet ought to stay so dirty. “You go back to the board of directors if you make one more remark,” Crosby said. “I’ve flown these boys in at great expense. Eddie flew in without a plane.”

      The clock was falling away from 5 when the group assailed “Personality,” a sock potential from “Road to Utopia.” Since Dorothy Lamour sings it in the picture, Bing had never seen the music. But no matter. He smoked his pipe (“the kinda singing I do, you can’t hurt your voice”), achieved one of his rare grimaces at what he called Newsweek’s “nostril shots”, and the side was done. Exit the Crosby—fast.

(Newsweek, January 28, 1946)

January 21, Monday. Bing records “On the Sunny Side of the Street” and “Pine Top’s Boogie Woogie” with Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra. Hampton subsequently announces that he will give half of his royalties from the recordings to the Sister Kenny Foundation in which Bing is heavily involved. Bing goes to see the New York opening of Nellie Bly at the Adelphi, Broadway. Marilyn Maxwell has been replaced by Joy Hodges and the play has been extensively revised. The reviews are again poor and a “notice to close” is posted after the first week. The show closes after sixteen performances on February 2. Bing is reported to have lost $50,000 on the production.

On the Sunny Side of the Street

It’s only because of the combination of the Groaner and the Hamp that the side is bound to attract undue attention, both in coin boxes and across the counter at the retail marts. And while Crosby’s chant may not be in the groove, Hampton’s music definitely is. Moreover, the vibe pounding maestro provides some of the lyrical joshing that Crosby fails to deliver. Flipover is a solid eight-beat rider in the classic “Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie,” which features Hampton’s flash knuckling of one or two fingers on the keyboard while Crosby staggers thru a prepared script with stop-and-go boogie woogie exhortations.

(Billboard, June 14, 1947)

NELLIE BLY

Story Synopsis

Frank Jordan, managing editor of the New York Herald, is excited by the threat of a promotional beat staged by the New York World. The World assigns a reporter, Nellie Bly, to circle the globe in an attempt to beat the eighty-day record of Jules Verne. Jordan of the Herald engages Phineas T. Fogarty, who has been working as a “stable boy for the Hoboken Ferry,” to race Nellie. To be sure Phineas doesn’t loaf on the job, Jordan goes along and manages to fall in love with Miss Bly before the evening is well started.

Review

It is reliably reported that the musical show, Spring in Brazil, which failed on the road to the tune of 300,000 dollars and was not brought to New York, suffered from so much rewriting that by the time it reached Chicago the only line remaining from the original book was properly enough, “Good God, what an awful mess!” The insistence of the grimly vengeful leading comedian, Milton Berle, is said to have been responsible for its retention, a compromise having being effected with the show’s understandably obdurate producer in the elimination of the qualifying adjective “awful.”

      It is also reliably reported that this Nellie Bly, which was nevertheless brought into New York and failed to the same 300,000 dollar tune, underwent so much outside rewriting that the original authors, the Messrs. Ryskind and Herzig, wrathfully severed all connection with it on the road when the management declined to permit them to incorporate the line from Spring in Brazil. Just what the natal shape of the show was, I have no direct means of knowing, but it may be allowed from first-hand observation that one of the two dozen or so final troubles with it was that most of the people connected with it did not seem to know in the least what they were talking about. . .  . Mr. Cantor, co-producer of the show, who supplied the major portion of the 300,000 dollars wasted on it, is further said to have been infected to the point of inserting into it divers additional humors which he esteemed as irresistible novelties and which amplified Mr. Moore’s notion of sumptuous belly-laughs. As examples of their unsurpassed novelty may be cited a scene in which Mr. Moore was disguised as a harem siren and was made love to by an actor who believed that he was a female; another in which Mr. Moore stuffed his laundry into his bosom and observed that if he was going to drown in the sea he might as well get it washed free; still another in which Mr. Moore proclaimed that if he was lying to his female companion might St. Patrick send down a bolt of lightning and strike him, with the bolt promptly serving as a blackout; another still in which the desperately seasick and undone Mr. Moore was told “You give up too easily,” with his retort, “I’ll say I do!”; another yet in which Mr. Moore, carrying a pail of beer, was apprised that “It has a head on it” and his inquiry, “Is it anybody I know?” and such jocosities as “There’s a south south-easter blowing from the north-west.” . . . Nellie Bly found itself in the unfortunate predicament of going around the world backwards.

(George Jean Nathan, from The Theatre Book of the Year, 1945-1946)

January 22, Tuesday. Records with the Jay Blackton Orchestra in New York including the songs from Nellie Bly. Bing is in poor voice but his version of “They Say It’s Wonderful” reaches the Billboard Best-Sellers lists and spends four weeks in the charts with a peak position of No. 12.

January 24, Thursday. Everett Crosby announces that a settlement has been reached with Kraft Foods Co. following out-of-court negotiations. Bing leaves by train for the West Coast.

Ed Sullivan Speaking

What persuaded Bing Crosby to drop from the air? Why did he suddenly decide that he’d do one program a month, instead of one a week? Everybody has guessed at the reason. Instead of guessing, I asked “The Groaner” how the litigation with Kraft started.

“It’s simple, Ed,” said Crosby. “I got the idea as a result of those ‘Command Performance’ broadcasts we did for the troops overseas. It dawned on me then that the proper way to do a broadcast was to first play it before a studio audience, and learn from them what jokes to cut out, what songs to sing. Then when the thing is letter perfect, put it on a record. If the first record isn’t top-notch, well — break it, and make another record until you get exactly the pace you want. You rarely get a perfect studio broadcast to send out over the air. I think that a recorded program is the answer and correction of all the human errors that are inevitable in a studio broadcast.” 

Before he left New York and went back to the Coast, Crosby made at least a dozen records for Decca’s shrewd, able Jack Kapp. . . . Largely, they were Irish records. One of them you’ll be hearing is “Dear Old Donegal,” which Bing made with the Jesters and a hot band fronted by Bob Haggart. This number happens to be Pat O’Brien’s favorite, and Pat sings it at the drop of a shillalah. So Kapp and Bing determined that at some point in the lyric, they’d have to work in a reference to their pal, O’Brien. When you hear the record, as Bing reels off a list of Irish names, you’ll hear one phrase: “And Pat O’Brien showed up late.”

Just how many records Crosby has made since he first plattered “I Love You Truly” and “Just A’Wearyin’ For You” back in 1934 would require a staff of CPAs. I asked Kapp, instead, what records had won the greatest sales. Out in front is Bing’s Decca platter of “White Christmas,” which sold 2,500,000 in this country, plus 500,000 abroad. Second would be “Silent Night,” with a sale of 2,000,000.

(Ed Sullivan, Modern Screen, April 1946)

January 25, Friday. Bing tops the list of nominees for the “Best Actor” Oscar for his role in the film The Bells of St. Mary’s. The results are to be announced on March 7.

January 28, Monday. Bing arrives back in California on the Santa Fe Super Chief having played gin rummy all the way from Chicago to Pasadena with Spike Jones. On his return, he tells Dixie that unless she stops drinking, he will seek a legal separation and her partial custody of the children will depend on her ability to take care of them properly.

Wearing a screaming cravat and looking as if he were on the rough end of 30-day diet, Bing Crosby stepped from the Super Chief into the bright California sunshine at the Santa Fe depot in Pasadena yesterday morning. Bing, who likes a riot of color in his attire (the tie would indicate that he has a strong preference for pink), was returning from a six-weeks’ stay in New York. He arrived at 8:45 a.m., which may have something to do with his wan appearance. No doubt about it, though, Der Bingle has lost weight, and it shows up mostly in his face, which is no longer round.

(Bill Bird, Pasadena Independent, January 29, 1946)

…a field day in Pasadena, with Bing Crosby, Spike Jones, Gloria and Joan Blondell and Johnny Burke getting off the rattler. Their arrival in Pasadena ended a 19-hour gin rummy game for Bing and Spike. They started playing when the train pulled out of Chicago, and when they totted up the score Bing had won $1.25. Six cents an hour…

(Daily Variety, January 30, 1946)

January 31, Thursday. Bing makes an appeal for contributions for the Sister Kenny Campaign which is still struggling to reach its $5m target.

February 1, Friday. Bing attends a meeting with Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett regarding the forthcoming Emperor Waltz film. Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke are also present. Wilder indicates that he thought that some of the songs written for recent Crosby films were weak. A problem arises with the proposed inclusion of “I Kiss Your Hand, Madame” but eventually agreement is reached.

February 4, Monday. Bing and Bob Hope are featured on the cover of Life magazine.

February 5, Tuesday. Bing replies to his friend Father Corkery's letter about the situation with Dixie. Corkery had also ruled out divorce and suggested that Dixie had treatment. Bing indicates that he is reluctant to place Dixie into a sanitarium.

Dear Frank,

Mother called me just before I left New York and told me there was some chance your Los Angeles visit might be extended a day or so. I was hopeful of finding you here upon my arrival, but I can well appreciate that more important and vital affairs called you to Spokane.

I’m glad you took appointments to meet my wife and children, even if the visit had its unpleasant aspects. She was once a wonderful girl, and basically, is still a highly moral person. Unfortunately this appetite is a little too strong for her and has produced a split personality. The history of her case, of course, would take much more time than I would care to devote to it in a letter, and when you return in April (as you indicate you intend) I’ll supply the dreary details. I have no definite plans. This kind of a situation defeats planning. All I really know is that it’s impossible for me to do the amount of work my responsibilities require me to do, and abide this kind of a life at home.

I saw Cardinal Spellman in New York, and he told me the most important thing was to put her in a sanitarium at once. That the children should not be daily witnesses to what generally transpires. But she would have to be placed there by force, and being a very proud person, I am sure would not long survive such a move. Or if she survived, past experience hardly provides hope that she would be cured.

Since returning home, I've taken one step. I have told her that unless she improves I shall have to arrange a legal separation, and her partial custody of the children will depend on her ability to take care of them properly. This has frightened her some, and some improvement can be noted. The local newshawks have long heard the rumblings and smell a story - as a result every step must be carefully taken, and every precaution employed. I propose to go along on this line a few weeks and see what develops. I don’t start a picture for about a month, and am thus able to spend a great deal of time at home, which is a good thing, even if sometimes unpleasant.

It’s constantly amazing to me what a tough time these Crosby boys have with their wives. I guess our mother, by her example, led us to expect too much. I know I spoiled Dixie for the first eight years of our marriage. She had too much leisure, too much money, and lacked the background or experience to handle it.

I’ll look forward to your visit in April.

Your friend,

Bing

February 7, Thursday. (11:00–2:00, 4:30–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses for his Kraft show in NBC Studio B in Hollywood. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing returns to the Kraft Music Hall radio program for thirteen shows under a compromise to break the contract. Ken Carpenter, the Charioteers, Eddy Duchin, Frank Morgan, and John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra continue as regulars on the show. Audience share for the season overall for the Kraft Music Hall is 17.5 pushing the show down to twentieth position in the ratings. Bing’s absence for several months had obviously had an impact. The top evening show for the season is Fibber McGee & Molly with 30.8.

THE MAN WHO WALKS ALONE

Bing Crosby, a man who walks alone, walked back into his radio program in characteristic style this week. After months of arguments and a law suit, Bing came back to his old stand at the Music Hall. More than the usual number of songpluggers–about 45–were at NBC studios to press their tunes on him. He walked right through then, tossing a nonchalant greeting to those he knew.

      He sauntered into studio B, waved a casual “Hi kids” as though he had been gone 15 minutes and sat down on a stool by his microphone. The rehearsal began and things looked normal in the Music Hall again. Bing had his regular loud sports shirt hanging over his slacks and the pencil was tucked under his hat. John Scott Trotter supplied a downbeat and the world’s most famous voice began to wave its charm.

(Bob Thomas, Hollywood Citizen News, February 9, 1946)

Bing Crosby slid back into his old, Thursday night NBC slot, last week (7th) and once more everything’s as it should be on Kraft Music Hall. His belated entry into the ’46 programming sweepstakes automatically provided nighttime radio with a hypo. A half-hour with El Bingo and it’s easy to understand why his sponsor made a super production and a federal court case out of his exit threat.

      The Crosby style provides for a final thirteen week, smash semester for the Groaner on Kraft Music Hall, after which he’s privileged to talk terms with anybody but latest reports have it, that it is strictly within the realm of possibility that Crosby will be back again on the Kraft bandwagon, next season with the sponsor taking a cue from Texaco, willing to toss in a couple of cheese factories or anything his heart desires which would appear to be to Kraft’s advantage. Make no mistake about it, Crosby’s still got what it takes. It was demonstrated, last Thursday, when he moved in on Kraft with a naturalness that belied the months-old, bitter entanglements. Introduced as a guy just back from vacation, he bantered and sang his way through the Kraft session with the same casualness, ease and showmanship that have trademarked his picture-radio career, in recent years. “Aren’t You Glad You’re You”; “I Can’t Begin To Tell You”; “Personality” (from the Crosby/Bob Hope/Dorothy Lamour Road to Utopia pic) and “These Foolish Things.” With his knack for keeping the palaver rolling, here were the sock ingredients for a “boff” Crosby turn. As presently set up, however, the Kraft showcase is top heavy with talent and not without its imperfections. For instance, there is Frank Morgan who’s been holding down the spot since the start of the season; he’s committed to Kraft until June which takes him right through the thirteen week period with Crosby. It’s strictly a clash in personalities, there’s a discordant note about his brashness that isn’t attuned to the Crosby tempo. Fortunately, the scriptwriters were not over-sensitive in minimizing his contribution. On the other hand, Eddy Duchin, also a regular on the show, since his recent return to civvies, blended harmoniously into the stanza. In fact, the Crosby/Duchin parlay shapes up as a natural, this season, next season, with or without the Kraft auspices. His pianistics on ‘Where Or When’ and ‘It Might As Well Be Spring’ was top drawer and complemented the Crosby mood. The Charioteers and John Scott Trotter’s Orchestra gave an assist that was all in the show’s favor and Ken Carpenter is still turning over those Kraft commercials, smoothly.

(Variety, February 13, 1946)

February 9, Saturday. Bing is the host for 450 wounded veterans at The Masquers dinner.

February 13, Wednesday. He receives the Picturegoer Gold Medal Award from David Niven at the Paramount studios. The award by the British magazine Picturegoer is for Bing being voted  "Britain's most popular star in 1945".

Bing, at least 20lbs lighter from the combined effects of arthritis and worry – he has been going through troubles apart from professional ones, and these are all his own business – couldn’t take his eyes off the Gold Cup as it rested on the luncheon table ready for the various guests…He is, however, a buoyant personality and a great natural wit, and it is all the more regrettable to find him a bit off beam. His health is improving, however. There is nothing seriously wrong, and everyone hopes that other conditions around him may soon clear up so that he can feel his own happy, carefree self again.

      (W. H. Mooring, Picturegoer, February, 1946)

February 14, Thursday. (11:00–2:00, 4:30–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses for his Kraft show in NBC Studio B in Hollywood. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing’s Kraft Music Hall show on NBC. Guests include Les Paul. A song from the rehearsal is issued on V-Disc.

February 19, Tuesday. Press reports state that Gary Crosby (age twelve) is taking off some weight at Terry Hunt’s.

February 21, Thursday. (11:00–2:00, 4:30–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses for his Kraft show. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing’s Kraft Music Hall show on NBC. Frank Morgan and Eddy Duchin are guests.

February 27, Wednesday. Transcribes a special Command Performance Show for Army Day at the CBS Playhouse on Vine Street with Bob Hope, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra, Bette Davis and the Andrews Sisters. Harry Von Zell in the announcer and the show is broadcast on April 6. Elsewhere, Bing’s film Road to Utopia has its New York premiere at the Paramount and goes on to take $4.5 million in rental income in its initial release period.

That was a great command performance for Army Day with Bette Davis, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra all on stage ribbing one another at one time. The C.B.S Playhouse on Vine St. was packed. Others taking part in the big affair were Dinah Shore, who emceed; Jimmy Durante, who had much fun with big words; Spike Jones, Meredith Willson, Harry Von Zell, et al. Producer Art Van Horn was receiving plaudits.

(The Los Angeles Times, March 2, 1946)

Not since Charlie Chaplin was prospecting for gold in a Hollywood-made Alaska many long years ago has so much howling humor been swirled with so much artificial snow as it is in “Road to Utopia,” which came to the Paramount yesterday. And not since “Road to Morocco” have Bing (Damon) Crosby and Bob (Pythias) Hope been so crazily mixed up in madness as they are in this current vagrancy. For the latest of Paramount’s “Road” shows, in which the Messrs. Crosby and Hope again have as fellow-traveler the indestructible Dorothy Lamour, is a blizzard of fractious sport and clowning, a whirlwind of gags and travesty, a snowdrift of suffocating nonsense—and that is said without consulting a press book.

There is no point in telling anybody what sort of humor to expect when the Messrs. Hope and Crosby are turned loose together in a show. Their style of slugging each other with verbal discourtesies is quite as familiar as ice cream—at least to the patrons of films. And their can-you-top-this vein of jesting runs straight through our national attitude. The only difference, in this case, is that their style seems more refined, their timing a little more expert, their insults a little more acute. Bing and Bob have apparently been needling each other for so long that they naturally stitch along a pattern which shapes the personalities of both.

And the personalities of the rascals—Bing the debonair blade and Bob the bumbling show-off—are fully defined in this tale of a couple of vaudeville grifters caught in a race for an Alaskan gold mine. Mr. Hope is the chicken-hearted partner who wants to go back to New York; Mr. Crosby is the adventurer who wants to woo fortune in the mining camps. And that’s why (despite Bob’s demurrers) they find themselves in roaring Skagway, holding a secret map to a gold mine which is really Miss Lamour’s by rights, mistaken for two desperadoes and caught blindly between two villainous gangs.

Out of this lurid situation the Messrs. Crosby and Hope—with the help of the boys at Paramount—have ripped a titanic burlesque of brawny adventure pictures and of movies in general, indeed. A “Road” show is always an occasion for the cut-ups to have a marvelous time and in this case the comic inventors (stars and writers and director) ran wild. The late Robert Benchley is employed as a sort of commentator on the film, who pops in the frame at odd moments to give a goofy explanation of the cinema craft. Actors from other pictures walk across the sets and the Messrs. Hope and Crosby several times address the audience. And, of course, the whole nature of the action is in the grand style of ha-ha ridicule.

But where this sort of clowning might be juvenile and monotonous in other hands it has rich comic quality in the smooth paws of the gentlemen involved. To catalogue gags is boring, so we reluctantly won’t do so—other than to say the flow of same in this picture is abundant and sustaining to the end. Also the boys manage neatly to clean up a few poolroom jokes which have a particular subtlety, at least for the wise guys in the back. Several songs are also brought into the picture by the Messrs. Crosby and Hope and Miss Lamour in one or another combination, all of them handled pleasantly.

We understand this picture was made a few years ago and is just now released. The reason? They were waiting till the laugh-ceiling was off. Now look out for inflation. It will skyrocket laughter throughout the land.

(Bosley Crowther, New York Times, February 28, 1946)

The highly successful Crosby-Hope-Lamour “Road” series under the Paramount banner comes to attention once again in “Road to Utopia,” a zany laugh-getter which digresses somewhat from pattern by gently kidding the picture business and throwing in unique little touches, all with a view to tickling the risibilities. Very big boxoffice results assured . . .

      Though this one is rich in laughs and fast, the songs turned out for it are not of heavy caliber. Crosby and Hope’s “Put It There Pal” is on the novelty side and cute. Crosby single, “Welcome to My Dreams” and Miss Lamour’s number in a saloon setting, “My Personality” is nothing to get excited over. Quite good, however, is her “Would You.”

(Variety, December 5, 1945)

Gorgeous fun is provided by the famous two of the former “Road” films. This one takes them to the frozen wastes of Alaska, and is told in a flashback as the film opens with Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour an old married couple enjoying a visit from dashing old bachelor Bing Crosby. Bob and Bing are entertainers who have to make a quick exit from the port where they are performing, and pose as a pair of tough bad men, with plenty of trouble resulting from their theft of a map. It is packed with bright lines, comic situations, and unexpected laughs. Don’t miss it.

(Picture Show, December 29, 1945)

Mel Frank was responsible for a “Utopia” line which became a movie classic. In ‘Road to Utopia’, Hope and Crosby have to act tough to impress the local bad guys. They saunter up to a bar in the mining town, and the local heavy asks, “What’ll you have?”

“Oh, a couple of fingers of rotgut,” growls Crosby.

“What’s yours?” asks Douglas Dumbrille.

“I’ll take a lemonade,” squeaks Hope in a high pitched voice before responding to a nudge by Crosby and snarling, “in a dirty glass.”

(Randall G. Mielke, Road to Box Office)

February 28, Thursday. (11:00–2:00, 4:30–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses for his Kraft show. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing’s Kraft Music Hall show on NBC. Guests include Martha Tilton and Jerry Colonna. A song from the rehearsal is issued on V-Disc.

March 7, Thursday. (11:00–2:00, 4:30–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses for his Kraft show. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing’s Kraft Music Hall show on NBC. Guests include Lina Romay. Later, having been nominated again for the Oscar as “Best Actor” for The Bells of St. Mary’s, Bing loses out to Ray Milland (for his performance in The Lost Weekend) at the Academy Awards ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. The Bells of St. Mary’s has also been nominated as “Best Picture” but The Lost Weekend is the winner. Similarly, Leo McCarey, who had been nominated for “Best Director” for The Bells of St. Mary’s, loses to Billy Wilder for The Lost Weekend. Ingrid Bergman is nominated as “Best Actress” for The Bells of St. Mary’s but she is beaten by Joan Crawford for Mildred Pierce. Robert Emmett Dolan’s nomination for “Best Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture” is unsuccessful too as Miklos Rozsa wins for Spellbound. Two of Bing’s songs (“Ac-cent-chu-ate the Positive” and “Aren’t You Glad You’re You”) are nominated as “Best Film Song” of 1945, but the winner is “It Might As Well Be Spring” from State Fair. Bing is supposed to sing his two songs at the ceremony but he pulls out at the last moment.

March 8, Friday. The Crosby Investment Corporation obtains a court injunction against Bing's brother Ted claiming that he had failed to live up to a contract agreement.

BING ENJOINS HIS BROTHER FROM SELLING STOCK

Washington, March 10. - Bing Crosby got a temporary injunction in Federal District Court here Friday to prevent his brother Ted from selling 100 shares of stock in Bing’s Del Mar Turf Club

(Daily Variety, March 11, 1946)

March 9, Saturday. Bing is at Santa Anita to see War Knight win the Santa Anita Handicap in a photo-finish.

March 10, Sunday. Starting at 1 p.m., Bing and Bob Hope tee off on the new Long Beach Naval Hospital pitch and putt course. Jerry Colonna and Tony Romano are also in the foursome whilst Frances Langford keeps the score. Bing has a 28, Hope a 29. A crowd of 3,000 watches the event.

March 13, Wednesday. Ted Crosby says that he has been damaged to the extent of $10,000 by the suit brought against him by the Crosby Investment Corporation. He states that it is "an unfortunate family affair which has no place in court."

March (undated). Has dinner with the Russell Havenstrites at the Beverly Hills Club.

March 14, Thursday. (11:00–2:00, 4:30–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses for his Kraft show. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing’s Kraft Music Hall show on NBC. Frank Morgan guests. A song from the rehearsal is issued on V-Disc.

March 16, Friday. Has tickets to hear soprano Marjorie Lawrence sing at the Philharmonic Auditorium but it is not known whether he actually attended.

March–May. Films Welcome Stranger with Barry Fitzgerald and Joan Caulfield. The director is Elliot Nugent. Robert Emmett Dolan handles the musical score and Joseph J. Lilley looks after the vocal arrangements. Location shots are filmed at Munz Lakes in the northern Sierra Pelona Mountains in Los Angeles County.

March 21, Thursday. (11:00–2:00, 4:30–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses for his Kraft show. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing’s Kraft Music Hall show on NBC. Guests include Cully Richards and the Slim Gaillard Trio. A song from the rehearsal is issued on V-Disc.

“I would stand in line only to see Bing Crosby,” an out-of-town woman back of us was overheard to say as we waited for NBC’s Studio B’s doors to open for Music Hall. I wonder if she thought the same after the miserable performance he gave. Crosby didn’t seem to be putting anything into his songs–not even good tonal quality at times. He should keep two things in mind–the debt he owes the public for its loyalty and the fact that one comes down hill much faster than one goes up. The perfect spot on Music Hall was the song by the Charioteers. Eddy Duchin’s piano playing was smooth, the comedy, mediocre. The Slim Gaillard Trio probably was more interesting to see in action than it was to hear over the air. Its number was novel, at any rate. There was a lack of warmth, a feeling of something being missing from the Music Hall.

(Zuma Palmer, Hollywood Citizen News, March 25, 1946)

March 22, Friday. (6:00–9:00 p.m.) Bing records "Oh, But I Do" and "A Gal in Calico" in Hollywood with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra but both songs are unsatisfactory and are not issued.

March 28, Thursday. (11:00–2:00, 4:30–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses for his Kraft show. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing’s Kraft Music Hall show on NBC. Guests include Georgia Gibbs.

March 29, Friday. The first day of the first peacetime baseball season for 5 years. Lieutenant Gov. Fred Houser was supposed to waft the first pitch to Bing at Gilmore Field but bad weather prevents it and it is rearranged for the next day.

March 30, Saturday. Starting at 8:15 p.m. Lieutenant Gov. Houser duly makes the first pitch to Bing. Later, Bing and Dixie attend a party at the Clover Club on Hollywood Boulevard which is hosted by Cary Grant, James Stewart, Eddy Duchin and John MacClain.

The four hosts, all dressed in tails, formed a receiving line. Mike Romanoff’s food ranged from green turtle soup to oysters, crab, shrimp, trout, chicken, stuffed turkey, roast ribs of beef, ham, coq au vin, boned squab, vegetables and salads, and numerous desserts. At five in the morning, 250 guests were still there, sitting on the floor and listening to Bing Crosby sing every song he ever knew, to the accompaniment of Hoagy Carmichael.

(Peter Duchin, writing in his book, A Ghost of a Chance)

The last to go home at eight a.m. were Bing Crosby and Pat O'Brien. Eloise, Pat’s wife, couldn’t come to the party because of the expected baby — and when Pat saw what time it was, he insisted that Bing come home with him.

(Modern Screen, July 1946)

March 31, Sunday. Bing and Leo McCarey help out at the Garden Charity Bazaar given by Mrs. Bob Hope for Immaculate Heart College. They are put in charge of the religious booth

April 4, Thursday. (11:00–2:00, 4:30–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses for his Kraft show. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing’s Kraft Music Hall show on NBC. Guests include Georgia Gibbs. During the day, Bing and other stars send a telegram to Washington objecting to a new bill intended to curb the activities of James C. Petrillo, president of the American Federation of Musicians. They felt that it covered too much other ground and would restrict the labor rights of all radio workers.

April 6, Saturday. Dixie is reported to be in hospital with the flu. Earlier press reports had suggested that she was entering hospital for a major operation.

April 7, Sunday. Attends a garden fair and buffet supper at Bob Hope's home for the benefit of destitute children.

April 11, Thursday. (11:00–2:00, 4:30–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses for his Kraft show. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing’s Kraft Music Hall show on NBC. Guests include Marilyn Maxwell and the Les Paul Trio.

It’s now Prof. Trotter, if you please. Music Hall’s plump and affable conductor is now instructing a weekly class in radio orchestration at University of Southern California. But he won’t let the dignity of his new title prevent his joining Bing Crosby and Eddy Duchin in warm welcome to Marilyn Maxwell when the songstress goes visiting at 9 p.m.

(The Miami Herald, 11th April, 1946)

April (undated). Bing and Barry Fitzgerald are photographed receiving smallpox vaccinations following reports of increasing cases of the disease in Hollywood.

April 15, Monday. Filming of Abie’s Irish Rose commences. This is the second film made by Bing Crosby Productions and it stars Joanne Dru and Richard Norris. Edward Sutherland is the director and John Scott Trotter is in charge of the music. Everett Crosby has not put proper financing in place for the film and at the outset they cannot meet the payroll costs. Faced with this crisis, Bing hires Basil Grillo to run Bing Crosby Productions. Grillo subsequently reorganizes all the Crosby business activities and Bing Crosby Enterprises is formed. Everett Crosby’s influence on his brother’s business matters recedes.

Everett was just about persona non-grata over the “Abie’s Irish Rose” fiasco but he took Grillo to Paramount and faced his brother down, the last of many significant things he did for Bing Crosby.

      The two argued heatedly, during a break in filming, and enough of the conversation was audible for Grillo to realize Crosby regarded him as merely the latest in a long line of “geniuses” supposed to “fix everything.” As Grillo remembered the scene, Crosby seemed abruptly to give in. He walked off the set and over to where Grillo stood, extending his hand and offering an apology for the broken appointments.

      “He turned on that friggin’ Irish charm and I was his forever,” Grillo said. The brief meeting began a 30-year relationship and when it was over, Grillo would describe Crosby as:

      “The finest human being I have ever known.”

      “Abie’s Irish Rose” became Grillo’s first priority. Crosby was worried about the situation finding its way into the newspapers and asked him to talk with Sutherland whom he had known since his days at the Cocoanut Grove. Sutherland also had directed him in “Mississippi” in 1935. The director agreed to proceed without pay until financing could be put in place. Grillo then made the same plea to Joanne Dru who also agreed. He telephoned the news to The Singer, pointing out Sutherland and Dru’s cooperation did no more than win a little time. He suggested the simplest solution might be for Crosby to personally finance the picture. Crosby exploded and banged the phone in his ear.

     Ultimately, Grillo was able to negotiate a loan for $370,000 from Society First National Bank of Los Angeles and the film about a Jewish boy and a Catholic girl was released amid mild controversy in 1946.

(Norman Wolfe, Troubadour: Bing Crosby and the Birth of Pop Singing)

April 17, Wednesday. Completes the sale of his 35 percent interest in the Del Mar track for a reported $481,000 and soon sells the home at Rancho Santa Fe and his stables. His brother Ted sues him over the Del Mar sale. Elsewhere, Dixie Lee is named “Hollywood’s Ideal Mother” by the advisory committee of the United Home Finding Service.

April 18, Thursday. (11:00–2:00, 4:30–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses for his Kraft show. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing’s Kraft Music Hall show on NBC. Guests include Trudy Erwin and the Kraft Choral Club.

Kraft Music Hall (review), NBC, Thursdays, 9 PM, EST.

Well, Crosby’s back and Kraft has got him--at least until May. After getting off to a somewhat dispirited start, Bing has swung back into his free and easy method of entertaining, with informality the keynote. He heckles the orchestra, the announcer, the guests, and even makes fun of himself with well-timed ad libs that require more than casual listening to catch all of the fun that goes on. His singing on the air has improved since his vacation, even as it has on records; his backing from John Scott Trotter and band isn’t as good as the Haggart, Heywood, etc. he’s had on records, but he sounds as though he’s enjoying it and that produces fine Crosby singing.

      Regulars are the Charioteers who sing spirituals inoffensively, Eddy Duchin who makes with a bit of comedy and some strictly unhep piano solos, Ken Carpenter who plays straight man to Bing plus doing the commercials (accompanied by remarks from Bing), and the fancy work of Les Paul, who occasionally rounds up his trio for some really find plucking.

      It’s too bad if Bing is unhappy, as rumours riot, about a live show; it doesn’t seem as though this spontaneity could be carried into a transcription studio and come out equally merry. It’s anybody’s guess as to Bing’s sponsor for next fall, but with Crosby at his best it should be mellow stuff.

(Metronome, May 1946)

April 20, Saturday. Decca has issued a 6-disc 78rpm album set by Bing called Don't Fence Me In and it reaches the No. 2 spot in Billboard's best-selling popular albums chart on this day.

April 21, Easter Sunday. Dixie Lee and her four sons are in Carson City, Nevada during the morning on their way to Bing’s Elko ranch. Mrs. Crosby and the quartet of hearty youngsters had breakfast at the Senator and did some shopping. (12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.) Bing is on Can You Tie That, a radio program over station KLAC which is emceed by Al Jarvis and comes from Earl Carroll’s Theater/Restaurant in Hollywood. This is a record grading contest. Bob Hope grades “Who’s Sorry Now” by Bing while Bing grades Hope’s record of “Two Sleepy People” amongst several other records by other artistes. The other members of the panel are Ella Logan and Dave Dexter. The event is designed to generate funds for underprivileged people of the world and $14,000 is raised.

The occasion was a clothing drive for Catholic Charities, and the seven tons collected just about measure up to the amount of hilarity served up on the discs. Hope and Crosby jitterbugged their way through the first record played, Les Brown's "Good Blues Tonight," and each gave it 95. Ella Logan judged it at 67, and Dave Dexter granted it a tepid 59. At this announcement, Hope and Crosby got up to leave. "You can tell we're from the country," commented Bob sadly. Second record played was "Who's Sorry Now?" by a singer named Bing Crosby. Crosby leaned back and listened in rapt attention with occasional murmurings of "Beautiful—beautiful. Turn it up." Hope's first comment was, "Well, I don't follow the singers much!" But he thought it was nice that Eddie Heywood let his father sing with the band. "After careful consideration, I give it six and one half points!" he decided. From singer Shirley Ross, Jarvis borrowed an old record on which she and Hope shared the vocal, "Two Sleepy People" (now scheduled for release). A stunned Hope recovered to find that on nostalgia value alone even hard-to-get Dexter had given him a satisfactory score. One of the highlights of the show was the presentation to Crosby of a gigantic picture of Frank Sinatra. Bing countered by giving Bob an even greater enlargement of Red Skelton. Jarvis admits that throughout the program, the boys kept him laughing so hard that he forgot about emceeing. "It should have been television," he sighed. "I've never had so much fun in all my life!"

(Joan Buchanan, Radio Life, June 23, 1946, pages 7-8)

April 22, Monday. Bing attends Bob Murphy’s annual Sportsmen’s dinner with his brother Larry, Bob Hope and Joe E. Brown.

April 24, Wednesday. Bing is part of a syndicate which files an application for a 1946–47 franchise in the National Hockey League.

April 25, Thursday. Does not appear on the Kraft Music Hall broadcast and is said to have gone to San Francisco for a benefit performance. Frank Morgan deputizes for him. The book Bing by his brothers Ted and Larry, which was originally published in 1937, is brought up-to-date and republished as The Story of Bing Crosby with a foreword by Bob Hope. Ted Crosby is now shown as sole author. It sells 24,936 copies in the six months after publication, producing $450 in royalties on top of a $2,000 advance.

May 2, Thursday. (10:00–2:00, 3:30–5:00 p.m.) Rehearses for his Kraft show. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing returns to the Kraft Music Hall show on NBC. Guests include Joe Frisco and Peggy Lee.

Bing Crosby, celebrating his birthday on the Kraft Music Hall over NBC on Thursday night (2nd), came up with one of the most hilarious shows in the soon to be concluded series. Evidently, ad-libbing most of the way, Crosby broke up the show several times with aside remarks to the studio audience and his guest stars, Peggy Lee and Joe Frisco. The hilarity was topped during the last five minutes when Bob Hope appeared unexpectedly with Bing’s birthday cake and the two let go with some unmatched witticisms. Sore spot to some listeners occurred however, when the crooner went off the deep end with a gag line to Eddy Duchin—“Fan your fanny over to the pianny and waft some music this way.” It might have been better if Crosby, heretofore, lauded for the cleanness of his shows and for “priest” roles he’s portrayed in pictures had remembered that some parents object to their kids listening to such stuff on the radio.

(Variety, May 8, 1946)

Selling records was only half of the equation for a popular singer in Peggy Lee’s early days. In postwar America, it was radio that dictated the success of records. No artist could be declared major until she or he appeared on a network radio show. And no one had a network radio show to rival the Kraft Music Hall. On May 12, 1946, (sic) Peggy Lee took to the NBC airwaves and sang “I Don’t Know Enough About You,” not only for an immense audience—a few years earlier, the Kraft show had boasted a staggering fifty million listeners—but for the show’s host, the most beloved performer in the history of American popular culture.

When Peggy stepped in front of the microphone that night, it was with the introduction and imprimatur of Bing Crosby, the reigning god of song. It was the first of some fifty appearances she would make on Crosby’s shows over the next decade, a time during which Crosby would become a close friend and ally. Crosby’s love for Peggy Lee’s music, and for Peggy Lee the woman, was perhaps the single most important factor in the blossoming of her career—and how could it have been otherwise? As an artist, she was following a trail into pop-jazz that no woman had trod, but that Bing Crosby had not only discovered, but mapped. It was with Bing Crosby’s sensibilities that Peggy Lee truly identified, on every band of the spectrum.

(Fever – The Life and Music of Miss Peggy Lee, pages 146-7)

Bing was always so protective and so sensitive during my early days of nerves and self-consciousness. Just before air time on one of my first Kraft programs, he found me standing rigid outside the studio at NBC and asked me what he could do to help. I managed to say, “When you introduce me, would you please not leave me out there on the stage alone? Would you stand where I can see your feet?” From then on he always casually leant on a speaker or piano to give me the support I needed to learn about being at ease on stage.

  You have to love a man like that. He offered everything—money, cars, his own blood, and even volunteered to babysit with our little daughter, Nicki, while David was so sick in hospital.

(Miss Peggy Lee—An Autobiography, pages 105–106)

May 7, Tuesday. (6:15–8:50 p.m.) Records four songs with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra in Hollywood, including “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” and “A Gal in Calico”. The latter song reaches the No. 8 position in the Billboard Best-Seller lists, spending six weeks in the charts.

A GAL IN CALICO. Bing Crosby, with the Calico Kids and John Scott Trailer’s Orchestra Decca 23739. A bright and breezy rhythm ditty from the movie “The Time, the Place and the Girl,” contagion is added to the chant in the dittying design of Der Bingle who sings it free and easy, with vocal assist from the Calico Kids to heighten the appeal of the spin. Flipover is also from the same screen score, with Crosby chanting it alone and with persuasion from the slow ballad “Oh, But I Do.”

(Billboard, December 7, 1946)

May 9, Thursday. (10:00–2:30, 3:30–5:00 p.m.) Rehearses for his Kraft show. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing’s final broadcast as host on the Kraft Music Hall. The guests are Dorothy Claire and Spike Jones and his City Slickers.

The last airing (May 9) was a surprisingly subdued, if not to say mild, offering. No fanfares, no frills, no balloons going up, no bells. After all those hundreds of others, the listener might have expected something more appropriate than (Ken): “Well, Bing, this is getaway night on the old Kraft Music Hall”: (Bing): “That’s what it is, Ken.”

A bit later, Duchin tells Bing, “I want to wish you a happy vacation and - no kidding - thanks for everything.” At the moment before the close, Bing speaks directly to his audience. “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your tolerance and loyalty for this show.” This time, the applause runs on and on, then under Ken’s sign-off. Trotter’s orchestra carries all of it into yesterday with a few bars of the swing arrangement of HAIL KMH!

(Vernon Wesley Taylor, Hail KMH! The Crosby Voice, February 1986)

May 10, Friday. (5:00–9:00 p.m.) Records “Route 66” and “South America Take It Away” with the Andrews Sisters and Vic Schoen and his Orchestra.

May 15, Wednesday. (6:00–9:30 p.m.) Records “Pretending” and “Gotta Get Me Somebody to Love” with Les Paul and his Trio.

It is a sad, thankless, and sometimes presumptuous task to have to report that a champion has slipped up. If the champ happens to be a great one—personally as well as professionally—the task becomes inordinately difficult.

Bing Crosby has become that kind of champ.   He has been the non-pareil, the unprocessed cheese kid. From the days of “Just One More Chance,” down through the abundantly talented years, he has been wonderful, with a special kind of purity in his appeal. Of late, though, his seeming disinterest has become more and more apparent, until now it can no longer be ignored.

In the entertainment business, though, you think twice before you criticize an idol, for if it is kind of amusing to say that so-and-so has a clothespin on his nose, it is almost lese majeste to suggest that a Crosby is not what he used to be.  But be that as it may, the evidence is too stark. The Groaner, although his manner still has that incomparable kind of relaxation, no longer imparts the verve, the dash of his early disking, and if you think otherwise, listen to his newest releases.

Crosby’s “Pretending” and “Gotta Get Me Somebody to Love” (Decca 23661) are so inferior that you are apt to mistrust your own judgment when you hear them for the first time. You are apt to suspect that something is wrong with your phonograph. But you find out it isn’t your phonograph at all.  Bing is accompanied by Les Paul and his trio (an effective background) and the faces should have been good.  Five years ago, they might have been magnificent. Both tunes (“Gotta Get Me” is from Duel in the Sun) are the lazy sort of thing which Bing used to do better than anyone else.  But he sings them so indifferently that you cannot ignore the gloomy conclusion that Bing has slipped. Sinatra, Haymes, Como, Buddy Clark and a few others are cutting him.   If it sounds unduly harsh on him to say this, it would be harsher on the others to keep it quiet.

(George Frazier, Variety, October 2, 1946)

…Sheer routine are Pretending and Gotta get me somebody to love from the film “Duel in the Sun“ (03800).

(The Gramophone, December 1947)

Bing Crosby Named in Composer’s Suit on Song “Pretending”

Don A. Marion, composer, today asked for return of the song “Pretending,” claiming it had earned $250,000 since it was illegally appropriated by two other song writers. Mario’s suit for an accounting and an injunction, filed yesterday, also naming Bing Crosby and Andy Russell, Kate Smith and recording and radio companies for singing and selling the song without his permission. He said the song he composed in 1930 was stolen from him by Al Sherman, listed on the published version as composer of the melody, and Al Synes, credited with writing the lyrics.

(Hollywood Citizen News, January 7, 1947)

May 17, Friday. The Woman’s Home Companion poll names Bing as the leading male film star. He is similarly named for the next four years. Meanwhile, Bing finishes prerecording songs for The Emperor Waltz. 

May 17…The morning was devoted to sets. Lunched at the commissary and went to the sound stage where Bing recorded “The Kiss in Your Eyes” magnificently. He made eleven takes of it, which is unusual for him. Usually he gets a song in three…

(From the diaries of Charles Brackett, as reproduced in It’s the Pictures That Got Small, page 289)

May 21, Tuesday. Bing had planned to stay with Spike Spackman in Ketchum, Idaho for the opening day of the fishing season on the Wood River but he is held up in Hollywood by business and says he will not be able to get to Idaho until June 1. Dixie and Mr. & Mrs. Eacret have been staying with Mr. Spackman and they return to Elko.

May 31, Friday. Joan Fontaine and Roland Culver arrive at Jasper Park to join the crew filming The Emperor Waltz. Bing is still on holiday.

June 1, Saturday. Decca has issued a 4-disc 78rpm album set called Bing Crosby - Stephen Foster and Billboard reviews it on this day.

It was expected that sooner or later Bing Crosby would make an album of Stephen Foster tunes. Crosby does full justice to the popular composer’s music.

June 3, Monday. Bing is at Hugh Bradford’s Alturas Lake Ranch at Hailey, Idaho and he writes to Bill Morrow.

Dear Bill,

We leave here today for Spokane and then on up to the location at Jasper Park. Had a great time here with Spike & Dolly, the Eacrets, Ralph Smith and Vic Hunter. Quite a bit of ad-lib drinking went on and yesterday, by noon, Spike was leaning back quite a bit. We caught 80 red-fish yesterday morning and spent the afternoon dredging the bottom with some choice ??? trying to shake up a big one, but no luck. Too early I guess. I hope your plans have developed so you can come up to Nevada and on up here about mid-June. Johnny has several places cased for you and the Wild Horse Dam and the lake fishing will be available. Just phone or wire him at Tuscarora where and when to meet you.

      I should hear something from Kapp by the time I reach Jasper and I hope, for the benefit of all concerned, it is something favorable. If not we can apply some pressure in the rite spot. The General Motors transcribed show is very hot rite now for about September opening. I propose the following lineup.

Glen Wheaton - Producer

Bill Morrow - Writer

Trotter - Band & choir

Les Paul - guitar accompaniment, occasional specialties.

Skitch Henderson - Piano solo and accompaniment.

Charioteers, Specialties, accompanist Peggy Lee, or some ?? with a similar delivery.

Crosby

      This will be a package arrangement with possibly first four shows live and maybe one or two others during the year, at our option. It should be an easy show for you to write - with Wheaton doing documentary material - and such guests as we use, being of a type suitable for humor.

      Jack tells me he is going to Mammoth on the 15th., so you got yourself a nice parley, Mammoth to Nevada to Sun Valley. I’ll see you probably around July 1st and we can discuss the foregoing at that time.

      Take care of all the local grummet (?) in my absence.

Bing

  June 4, Tuesday. Bing arrives in Spokane by car from Sun Valley, Idaho and complains about the poor road conditions, having had four tire blowouts. He then calls in at the Athletic Round Table before playing a friendly game of golf at the Country Club with Roy Moe (local pro), Bud Ward, and Vic Hunter (a Hollywood advertising executive who is traveling with Bing). Subsequently, Bing is persuaded by the Athletic Round Table to stay on and play in a benefit golf match with Bob Hope later in the week as Hope will be putting on a show in the Gonzaga stadium on Thursday.

June 5, Wednesday. Bob Hope flies into Spokane during the evening and gets together with Bing straightaway. They go into the Desert Hotel and entertain the Athletic Round Table before Bob leaves to rehearse his show planned for the next night.

Bob Hope and Bing Crosby nearly put the Athletic Round Table out of business last night—or at least they tried.

      The famed twosome showed up at the Desert Hotel club unexpectedly about 9, donned waiters’ uniforms and went to work behind the bar.

      “Anybody want a drink?” yelled Hope.

      And customers immediately swamped the bar. Crosby and Hope promptly started handing away the club’s bottled goods—until the stock, at least all that was handy, was exhausted. The two then took off the jackets, autographed anything from blank checks to membership cards, and left.

(Spokane Daily Chronicle, June 6, 1946)

June 6, Thursday. Bing calls in at Gonzaga University and at the Athletic Round Table he joins in briefly with the Gonzaga Quartet who are rehearsing. At noon, Bing is the guest at a Gonzaga High School class of 1920 reunion at the Spokane Hotel. Starting at 1:00 p.m., Bing and Bud Ward play Bob Hope and Neil Christian (the local professional) at the Downriver golf course, Spokane, before a crowd of 2,500. The match, which is designed to raise money for the PGA rehabilitation fund, ends all-square and Bing has a seventy-six. Bing’s approach shot to the ninth green strikes a spectator breaking his binoculars but otherwise not causing any damage. Press reports indicate that Bing is suffering from a touch of arthritis in his shoulders and has played golf just three times in the last five months due to filming commitments. He is also said to be suffering from laryngitis and is unable to sing. He goes on to dine that night at the Desert Hotel with Mr. and Mrs. Bud Ward and others where he is photographed with the Gonzaga Quartet.

June 7, Friday. Bing lands a 16lb Rainbow trout while fishing at Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho with Vic Hunter and then leaves for Jasper Park, Alberta.

June 8, Saturday (evening). Arrives in Jasper Park over the Banff-Jasper highway to film The Emperor Waltz with Joan Fontaine, Roland Culver, and Richard Haydn. The director is Billy Wilder with Victor Young in charge of the musical score and Joseph J. Lilley handling the vocal arrangements. Young is subsequently nominated for an Oscar for “Best Scoring of a Musical Picture” in 1948 but loses to Brian Easdale for The Red Shoes. Bing is paid $125,000 for the picture. The location scenes are filmed at Jasper Park in five weeks during May / June. The weather is often too poor for filming and this gives Bing the opportunity to play plenty of golf on the Jasper Park Lodge course. In addition he fishes at Maligne Lake during the period in question. Bing stays in the cabin called Squirrel’s Cage at the Jasper Park Lodge during the filming. The studio work is completed in Hollywood by September 20, with Bing working until 1:00 a.m. some nights because of a threatened studio shutdown. The movie costs $4 million, some $1.2 million over budget. Because of a backlog at the studio, the film is not released until May 1948.

“I did The Emperor Waltz after coming back from the war, from Germany, where I was stationed in Frankfurt…It came out in ’48. We held it back as long as we could. We shot it in 1946, because I know that we were in the Canadian Alps, where I shot a lot of stuff, and we were celebrating my fortieth birthday. And I had made two grim pictures, Double Indemnity and The Lost Weekend…It came out of a bravado gesture that I made in a meeting of the front office. They did not have a good picture for Bing Crosby. And I just said, “Why don’t we just make a musical?”

“But it was not really a musical, because a musical is a thing where people, instead of talking, they sing to each other. The songs are plot scenes, and they sing. And I started fumbling around there for a plot, and that was kind of it, well, the dog, and it was just kind of ach. We had to go to Canada with that thing, for the Alpines. It was supposed to pass as the Austrian Alps, except there were many villages in the Austrian Alps. In Canada, there was just snow. And we were not very happy with Joan Fontaine, she didn’t have the part. We had nothing. I was just kind of improvising there. The less time you consume in analyzing The Emperor Waltz, you know, the better. There’s nothing to explain, there’s nothing to read into that thing. The picture was just…nothing. We were doing kind of little tricks that a good magician would have maybe been able to get something more out of than I did. I just had come back from Germany, from the war, from the job that I was doing there. And I was in the mood kind of to do something gay, and when they brought up Crosby. I jumped in with this idea…it was a favor for Paramount. No good deed goes unpunished.”

Crowe assesses The Emperor Waltz. “The movie is fascinating today, almost riveting, in how aggressively un-Wilder it is. For that reason, it stands alone and apart from all his other work. And still there is a jewel: Crosby’s musical number, “The Kiss in Your Eyes.””

(Billy Wilder, speaking to Cameron Crowe, Conversations with Wilder)

In the book Nobody’s Perfect: Billy Wilder: A Personal Biography, Joan Fontaine is quoted as saying:

“Crosby wasn’t very courteous to me. I remember he didn’t stand up when we were introduced.  I thought “Poor Dorothy Lamour!” This man didn’t have respect. Maybe he treated her better. There was never the usual costar rapport. I never enjoyed his songs after working with him. I was a star at that time, but he treated me like he’d never heard of me. I should have brought my sarong. Crosby’s personality was what you might have expected from the Emperor Francis Joseph. He was the Emperor of Paramount.  Bing Crosby had the power over Billy Wilder. Paramount would certainly have replaced Mr. Wilder, and Mr. Brackett, too, any day if Crosby had wanted it.  It wasn’t that he had anything against Mr. Wilder. He just didn’t pay much attention to him. He told me once that he had some trouble understanding his funny accent…Crosby was directing himself, and he had writers working on what he said, and sometimes he didn’t pay any attention to the Wilder - Brackett words, or even the words of his own writers.   He said it as he felt it at the moment.”

…“Bing Crosby operated for himself, not for the group or the film,” Wilder said. “He was a big star, the biggest, and he thought he knew what was good for him. He did. He sensed what his audience expected and he knew how to deliver that. The picture didn’t come out what I wanted, but that wasn’t Crosby’s fault. It was mine.”

(Nobody’s Perfect: Billy Wilder: A Personal Biography by Charlotte Chandler pp. 134-135)

June 9, Sunday. Bing plays on the Jasper Park Lodge golf course.

June 15, Saturday. At a colorful ceremony on the veranda of Jasper Park Lodge, Bing is made an honorary member of the Edmonton Highland Games Association, one of the largest Scottish organizations in Canada.

June 17, Monday. Bing is at the practice tee at the Jasper Park Lodge course when he is interrupted by eight-year-old Linda Wightman, the daughter of the local bakery owner, and presented with a picture of two bears taking a bath in Lac Beauvert. That evening Bing calls at the girl’s home and chats with the family, leaving a parcel for Linda containing a large picture of himself, which is inscribed “With love to my little pal, Linda, from Bing Crosby.”

June 24, Monday.  The tired old bus carrying the Spokane Indians baseball club across Snoqualmie Pass around 8 p.m. on a rain-slickened highway in Western Washington crashes and nine players are killed.

June 30, Sunday. The crew filming The Emperor Waltz leaves Jasper Park to return to Hollywood.  Bing calls in for lunch at Lake Louise lodge for lunch on his way south.

July 1, Monday. Bing arrives in Spokane. Says that the bad weather in Jasper meant that they only shot on six days. Golfs with Bud Ward and Curly Hueston at Indian Canyon.

July 2, Tuesday. Still in Spokane, Bing purchases $2,500 worth of tickets for a benefit baseball game in aid of the families of the nine Spokane Indians players killed in the bus crash on June 24. He specifies that his tickets should be given to convalescent and other servicemen. The Oakland Oaks play the Seattle Rainiers in the exhibition game in Spokane on July 8 and 6,000 fans attend.

July (undated). Bing fishes at Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho (near Spokane). During his visit he stays at the Hotel Hope.

July 3, Wednesday. Leaves Spokane for Boise, Idaho where he calls in to see Sib Kleffner, an operator of a sporting goods store, and gives him $11.04 to pass on to Matt Hally, the Idaho Highway Director, in respect of a debt which Bing has owed him since college days in 1924.

July (undated). At his Elko, Nevada, ranch.

July 6, Saturday. Billboard magazine announces the results of its 8th. annual college poll of favorite male singers. Bing is top with 559 votes followed by Sinatra (462) and Como (341).

July 8, Monday. Filming of The Emperor Waltz continues at Paramount Studios. Billy Wilder is in constant pain with kidney stones.

July 10, Wednesday. Bing is back in Hollywood. During his absence, the Rosary Confraternity of Greece has appealed to Bing for help in providing rosaries for 50,000 Greek Catholics following his Family Rosary broadcast. He arranges for 10,000 rosaries to be sent to Greece.

July 13, Saturday. (8:00–10:50 a.m.) Bing records “Lullaby” and “Where My Caravan Has Rested” with Jascha Heifetz (violin) and the Victor Young Orchestra. Later in the day, a birthday party is held at Bing’s Malibu home for all four of his children in accordance with their usual custom. In all 33 children attend.

Crosby’s other disk this week is in the nature of a stunt. Jack Kapp, Decca’s wily boss, long ago conceived the novelty value of coupling The Groaner with other Decca contractees e.g. the merry Andrews, Louis Jordan, Eddie (“I Hate Publicity”) Condon, etc. Now Kapp has Jascha Heifetz fiddling obbligatos to Bing’s renditions of “Where My Caravan Has Rested” and “Lullaby” (from “Jocelyn”) on Decca 40012. It is not disclosing any military secret to say that Heifetz—even if, on this, he’s no Heifetz—takes the honors.  Crosby sounds tired, disinterested, and, incidentally, badly advised not to rest his caravan.

(George Frazier, Variety, October 2, 1946)

The groaner goes concert with this cutting. And with no less a Strad scratcher than Jascha Heifetz tearing off the obbligatos as well as stringing in a bit of the theme himself, Bing Crosby gives with some real lullabying for both of these standard songs. “Lullaby” from Godard’s “Jocelyn” and “Where My Caravan Has Rested” is the classic chant of Herman Lohr and Edward Teschemacher. Victor Young brings up the orchestral background for the desired effect. Crosby crowds will like these better for home spinning.

(Billboard, October 12, 1946)

July 14, Sunday. (starting at 10:00 a.m.) Plays in Frank Borzage’s Invitational Motion Picture Golf Tournament at the California Country Club with Eddie Sutherland, Eddie Mannix and George Marshall. Bing has a poor round recording an 82. A crowd of 3000 watches the event, which is in aid of the AWVS. Other stars taking part include Don Ameche, Randolph Scott, Bob Hope, Nigel Bruce, Ken Murray, Mickey Rooney, Bob Crosby and Johnny Weissmuller. Some of the action is included in a novelty newsreel called Rough But Hopeful produced by Courneya-Hyde Productions.

July 18, Thursday. (8:00 a.m.–12 noon) Records six songs from the film Blue Skies with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra. Decca issues them on a 78rpm album set and the album reaches the No. 2 spot in Billboard's best-selling popular record albums chart.

Don’t miss this show album. Any of the complete score albums that Decca turns out have rotten tunes thrown in with the good. This one is no exception - but it does have Crosby, and Astaire in what may very well be his last wax appearance. Astaire may be no singer, but even on wax, his personality comes through. (Decca A481)

(Downbeat, November 4, 1946)

Another winner is Bing Crosby’s “I’ve Got My Captain Working for Me Now,” a good revue number on the subject of every G.I.’s dream. The smart lyric is set to appropriate music, and Crosby once again recalls the great days of the Rhythm Boys before the crooner swept all before him. You can see what happened by turning over and hearing how “Blue Skies,” which calls for a nice easy relaxed rhythm is dragged by the singer, who twenty years ago might have done it to perfection.

(The Gramophone, May, 1947)

July (undated). Films a cameo role in Bob Hope’s film My Favorite Brunette. Bing arranges for the fee of $25,000 to be paid directly to Gonzaga University.

July 24, Wednesday. (6:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing records three more songs from the film Blue Skies with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra. Fred Astaire duets “A Couple of Song and Dance Men” and Trudy Erwin joins Bing in “I’ll See You in C-U-B-A.”

July 26, Friday. Bing takes delivery of his new Dodge 6 car registration number AB 4662.

July 29, Monday. Recording session at Paramount for the 'Masque Ball' scene in Emperor Waltz. Joseph Lilley leads the orchestra.

July 31, Wednesday. Bob Hope and Bing are photographed sending off 15-year old caddy Roger Dunn to the National Caddy Tournament to be held at Columbus, Ohio. The two men have sponsored Roger who will be representing Southern California.

August 1, Thursday. (4:00–7:05 p.m.) Records “The Things We Did Last Summer” with Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra in Hollywood. Goes on to the premiere of Night and Day at Warners Hollywood Theatre and is photographed with Alan Ladd.

August 8, Thursday. The Dreyfuss family sells the Pittsburgh Pirates National League baseball team to a group headed by Frank McKinney (50% holding), John Galbreath (20%) and Thomas P. Johnson (15%) for a reported $2,250,000. Bing also has a 15 percent interest in the syndicate. It is announced that Bing will again head the National Executive Committee of the Sister Elizabeth Kenny Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The fund-raising drive is to begin on November 3 with a target of $2 million.

August 9, Friday. (7:00–8:40 p.m.) Bing records “When You Make Love to Me” and “So Much in Love” with Victor Young and his Orchestra in Hollywood.

When You Make Love to Me—FT; V. It Could Happen to You—FT; V.

September Song—FT; V. Temptation—FT; V.

Mine—FT; V. Connecticut—FT; V.

The groaner gives out on a batch of ballads for these six sides bringing on Judy Garland for one set. (23804). And while the song selections, for the most part, are not out of the top drawer, Bing Crosby’s dittying leaves little to be desired of the lyrics. His piping plenty listenable and the spinning smoothsome, Victor Young’s music provides the lush musical background for “When You Make Love to Me” while John Scott Trotter commands the music stand for the companion “It Could Happen to you.” Trotter still on deck, Crosby spins most soothingly for “Temptation,” the scoring set to a bolero beat while mixed voices blend with the band to make for richer background color. Flipover finds lush lyricizing for “September Song,” making the lovely song sound as lovely as ever. Joined by Judy Garland, with Joseph Lilley laying down the musical background, it’s a lively pace set for “Connecticut,” dipping back to the slow ballad tempo as they share the wordage for George Gershwin’s “Mine.” While neither voice lets loose on either set of lyrics, their chanting is in good style and taste. The Crosby fans will listen to these at home.

(Billboard, February 8, 1947)

August (undated). At Bel-Air Country Club, Bing gets his first hole-in-one at the par 3 fifth hole.

August 15, Thursday. (5:00–7:30 p.m.) Records a reading of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Old Ironsides” with Victor Young and his Orchestra. The records are included on a Decca 78 rpm album called "Our Common Heritage".

The Star Spangled Banner—FT; V.

…Instead of singing the national anthem, he recites a meaningful poem while Victor Young provides the incidental background music that weaves around the anthem theme. It all makes for an impressive and dramatic spin.

(Billboard, September 20, 1947)

With considerable beating of the drums, Decca has issued an album called “Our Common Heritage” (eight 10 inch records). It contains sixteen poems commemorating “milestones in the history of America.” Jack Kapp, president of Decca is keynoting the campaign for this album [and writes] “Who else but Bing Crosby, who symbolises America to the world, should read The Star-Spangled Banner? And who else should make it a living experience, read as we believe Francis Scott Key felt it?” Who else, indeed? Unless of course, it should occur to you that you could read it for yourself....If it makes American ideals shine more brightly for them to hear Bing Crosby, Pat O’Brien and the others dramatize them, only a bounder would disagree with Mr. Kapp.

(Howard Taubman, New York Times, April 27, 1947)

Later, Bing signs a contract with Philco Radio Corporation to perform his radio show as a transcribed program. Bing is said to be paid a minimum of $24,000 and a maximum of $30,000 per show depending how many stations take it. Out of this he receives $7,500 as a salary with the remainder going to Bing Crosby Enterprises Inc. to meet the other expenses of the show. This arrangement is tax advantageous to Bing.

Everett Crosby, who handled the negotiations for his brother Bing, said last night that the contract covers a three-year period and that it would be a straight transcription show. It was learned that Philco wanted a five-year contract and Bing a one-year deal and that Everett Crosby negotiated the compromise three-year agreement.

(Daily Variety, August 16, 1946)

Primary change was the absence of Carroll Carroll who had not been invited to work on the new program. Vernon Taylor felt the reason may have been that Carroll’s writing had turned inward in the final seasons of The Kraft Music Hall, and Crosby wanted something fresher. There did not seem to be any animosity between the two and Carroll made the point he had never worked for NBC or Kraft in any case. He had always been on the J. Walter Thompson payroll and remained there.

     The new writer and coproducer was Bill Morrow, a loosely knit bachelor who played the field with Hollywood ladies. He had written for Jack Benny and was brought on to impart some of the brisker pacing of the Benny program. Better writer than producer or businessman, Morrow tended to overpay for guest stars and musicians. The program consistently ran over budget until Grillo was placed in charge of all contracts.

(Norman Wolfe, Troubadour: Bing Crosby and the Birth of Pop Singing)

So everything was daisy until I launched my battle for a transcribed radio hour. At the time that warfare was practically front-page news. There was great opposition to the notion, not only from Kraft, with whom I’d been for ten years, but from the whole radio industry.

I had confidence that a show on tape would be just as satisfactory entertainment-wise as a live show, better in many ways. There were two reasons why I wanted to transcribe my radio shows. The first, and most important one, was that it gave me a chance to do a better show. By using tape, I could do a thirty-five or forty-minute show, then edit it down to the twenty-six or twenty-seven minutes the program ran. In that way, we could take out jokes, gags, or situations that didn’t play well and finish with only the prime meat of the show; the solid stuff that played big.

We could also take out songs that didn’t sound good. It gave us a chance to first try a recording of the songs in the afternoon without an audience, then another one in front of a studio audience. We’d dub the one that came off best into the final transcription. .It gave us a chance to ad lib as much as we wanted, knowing that excess ad libbing could be sliced from the final product. If I made a mistake in singing a song or in the script, I could have some fun with it, then retain any of the fun that sounded amusing.

A second consideration—and a mighty important one to me personally—was that it would give me a chance to get around the country more if I could tape in advance. If I had to go to New York, I could do two or three shows ahead, which eliminated the necessity of transporting a cast and musicians across the continent. If I wanted to go fishing or hunting or play in a golf tournament, that too could be arranged.

Then, too, once when we knew a musicians’ strike was coming off, we taped ten or twelve weeks’ shows in advance. We knocked them off in about two weeks, working every day and every night. This gave us a chance to stay on the air with good shows while the strike was being settled.  

But everybody was against the idea—the networks, the sponsors of other shows, the advertising agencies. They thought it might hurt the network financially. They felt that if entertainers were allowed to tape, they could sell to individual stations instead of having to use the network. Then at the psychological moment when the issue seemed in the balance, Philco said that it would be okay with them if I taped a certain number of shows. The way it worked out, it didn’t seem to hurt the networks. To my mind, the only things which lose impact on tape are sports events, or important news events.

(Call Me Lucky, pages 151-152)

August 20, Tuesday. Rags Ragland, who had toured army camps with Bing, dies at the age of forty.

August 21, Wednesday. Variety magazine reports that Bing and Tommy Dorsey have fallen out following the breakdown of negotiations for Bing to take part in the film The Fabulous Dorseys. Dorsey retaliates by saying that he will not perform songs published by the Edwin H. Morris and Burke-Van Heusen publishing firm as Bing has an interest in this.

August 22, Thursday. (3:30–7:35 p.m.) Bing records four songs with Russ Morgan and his Orchestra, including “Among My Souvenirs” and “Does Your Heart Beat for Me?”.

Bing Crosby’s newest Decca cut couples “My Heart Goes Crazy” with “So Would I” (both from My Heart Goes Crazy). If not top flight Crosby, they are unquestionably superior to most of his recent stuff. He sings carefully, feelingly, and, on the whole, rather as if he were concerned about his sponsors renewing. Better side is “So Would I” and you’ll be hearing it everywhere.  Russ Morgan batons the accomp on both sides.

(Variety, January 22, 1947)

Sweet Lorraine / The Things We Did Last Summer / Among My Souvenirs / Does Your Heart Beat For Me / September Song / Temptation

If you have any doubts that Bing is both losing his voice and getting increasingly sloppy  about his singing listen to these six sides and come away a little sick at the residue (relatively speaking) of a good binger. “Lorraine” is extremely nasal in its opening chorus of phrasing, “Things” is dead and unimaginative. “Souvenirs” is better though the top tones wobble (“rest” for example). The tenor sax solo (Russ Morgan accompanying) is for the books, “Me”, written by Morgan has long been identified with him. “Song,” a reissue, is the one that will really stop the stoutest Crosby fan in his tracks. He just has no tone in it, is consistently off pitch, and fades to nothing on high tones. Bing is a comparatively young man—losing his voice at his age is a result of either incorrect over use or complete sloppiness while making these records.

(DownBeat, January 29, 1947)

“So Would I” - “My Heart Goes Crazy”

Russ Morgan accompanies Crosby on Decca—Dave Barbour accompanies Peggy Lee on Capitol—now you know why Capitol’s vocal discs, by and large, are better. Why saddle Bing with this sort of thing rather than giving him the best possible background—certainly the way he’s been singing lately he needs it. (Decca 2374)

(DownBeat, March 12, 1947)

Bing Crosby has done “Among My Souvenirs” on Bruns. 03779 with the sinister “Temptation,” a contrasted record to interest the fans, but frankly not otherwise anything to write about.

(The Gramophone, August, 1947)

August 26, Monday. (7:00–7:30 p.m.) Bing stars in the Lady Esther Screen Guild Players radio version of The Bells of St. Mary’s on CBS with Ingrid Bergman and Joan Carroll. Wilbur Hatch leads the orchestra.

Spotting of the Bing Crosby Show for Philco was finally cleared up, yesterday (Tuesday). Once Philco executives completed negotiations with ABC, the Crosby ‘wax in your ears’ half-hour production goes into the Wednesday night at ten segment on all stations, in the East, with the Central, Mountain and Coast zones, carrying the show at 9 o’clock on the same evening. Crosby show tees off on October 16th on 211 basic ABC Stations. In addition, 400 other Stations, around the country, are being pacted separately to carry the program. These, of course, would include affiliates of other webs in cities not carrying the show. Spotting of Crosby at ten o’clock in the East and not at nine as was anticipated, is believed to have been motivated by the Groaner’s feeling that it would be labelled as ‘spite’ work, in view of the fact that Frank Sinatra’s Old Gold Show is also heard at 9 pm on CBS.

(Variety, August 28, 1946)

September 1, Sunday. (5:15-5:30 p.m.) Louella Parsons returns to the air after her summer absence with Bing as her guest. Later, Bing and Louella go on to a big party at the home of Donn Beach (of Don the Beachcomber).

…Bing Crosby, who had been on my radio show with me earlier in the evening, wore the brightest red shirt I’ve ever seen. He looked like a fireman on a holiday and didn’t mind the kidding he took in the least… Later, everyone sang island songs, led by Bing Crosby. Everything considered, I think it would have been best if we had all shut up and let Bing do the warbling.

(Louella Parsons, writing in “Party Postscripts” in Modern Screen, October 1946)

…improvement in her diction, delivery and relaxed manner of conducting the interview with Bing Crosby. Not a line was fluffed and the excited inflections toned down. Gone, too, was the gushy treacle that formerly dripped from her gabby sessions with guestars if we can excuse her “Bing, dear” as a slight reversion…

(Daily Variety, September 3, 1946)

Miss Parsons’ initial broadcast for the new season had more than usual interest; with Bing Crosby, on hand to receive her special award for his Paramount “Blue Skies” contrib, making what will be one of his few live appearances on the air this season. (He also owes his ex-employer, Kraft Music Hall, a couple of guest shots). For a briefie insert, it was crammed, with some revelatory comment. Challenging a crack anent rumors that he was getting lazy, the Groaner gave the first off-the-cuff explanation of his desire to transcribe his air show in the future; (1) it’ll permit for editing similar to pix studio retakes: (2) you can pattern your shows to the availability of guest talent: (3) you can spot the show in the best time slots for public reception. Too, his announcement that he’s planning an album of hymns of various religions, with proceeds to go to the National Federation of Churches, also gave the Parsons stanza a news “exclusive.”

(Variety, September 4, 1946)

September 11, Wednesday. Whilst completing the filming of Emperor Waltz at Paramount, Bing pays a surprise visit to Ingrid Bergman’s set on Arch of Triumph and toasts the box office queen on her twelfth role in U.S. pictures.

September 18, Wednesday. Using the NBC Studio B in Hollywood, Bing rehearses for his first Philco show.

Bing Crosby will be a busy little bee this weekend and the hive will be a mass of honey by the time he oils up his shootin’ irons for a go at the deer and pheasant in the general vicinity of his Elko, Nevada ranch.

(Daily Variety, September 18, 1946)

September 19, Thursday. During the morning, Bing continues to rehearse for his first show for Philco using NBC Studio B. (1:07–3:07 p.m.). Transcribes his first Philco Show with Bob Hope which is broadcast on October 16. (3:40–5:10 p.m.). Rehearses for his second Philco show. (5:10–7:25 p.m.). Transcribes his second Philco show and this is transmitted on October 23.

Downey Did It First

It all depends upon who does a thing. While there’s a great fuss about Bing Crosby going network via transcriptions (October 16), it’s been ignored that Morton Downey has been going over the Mutual network via e.t.’s for some time without the network falling apart or the Downey rating doing any fIipflops. Nevertheless what happens to the Philco-Crosby show will determine in part just what Bob Hope and a number of other stars will want to do, come the end of their present contracts. The subject of transcriptions is a touchy one at both NBC and CBS. What happens to the show will have a bearing on what ABC will be in the future also. The Burl Ives show on Mutual for Philco is also transcribed. That fact hasn’t even raised a ripple.

(Sponsor magazine, November 1946, page 2)

September 20, Friday. (8:30–10:10 a.m.) Rehearses for another Philco Show. (10:10 a.m.–12:10 p.m.) Records a Philco show for broadcast on October 30.

September 22, Sunday. (8:30–10:10 p.m.) Rehearses for a Philco show. (10:10 a.m.–12:10 p.m.) Records a Philco show which airs November 6.

September 30, Monday. A radio program “End of the Oregon Trail” commissioned by Olympia Beer in celebration of its 50th Anniversary is broadcast on 26 western radio stations at various times. Bing plays the part of his great grandfather, Captain Nathaniel Crosby, part operator of Crosby Flour Co., Tumwater, Washington. He briefly sings a couple lines of “She Had Pearls in Her Hair”.

October 1, Tuesday. (4:00–7:00 p.m.) In San Francisco, Bing rehearses for his evening broadcast with Bob Hope. (7:00–7:30 p.m.) Bing guests on the Bob Hope radio show on NBC with Carole Richards. Jerry Colonna and Vera Vague are also in attendance with Desi Arnaz leading the orchestra. The show is broadcast from the American League Convention in Marine Memorial Park, San Francisco.

After Fibber and Molly” came Bob Hope and Bing Crosby as his guest. The repartee between these two was priceless, and dotted with genuine ad lib stuff with the funny man and the groaner vieing to run each other down. Hope’s quip, “It’s not too late to replace you, Bing, with an old cracked transcription,” perhaps was the funniest of all.

(Allen Rich, Valley Times, October 3, 1946)

October 5/6, Saturday / Sunday. Attends a dinner party in his honor given by Dr. & Mrs. Charles Crocker at Pebble Beach.

October 7, Monday. For the second time in the year, Bing appears on the cover of Life magazine, this time with Joan Caulfield with whom he is said to have a very close relationship.

October 8, Tuesday. (12:00 noon –2:00 p.m.) In KFWB Studio 4, Bing and Ezio Pinza rehearse for a Philco show. (2:14–4:15 p.m.) Records the Philco show with Ezio Pinza which is broadcast on November 13. (6:00–7:45 p.m.) Rehearses for his next Philco show with Burl Ives. (8:05–10:05 p.m.). Transcribes the show for transmission on November 20.

October 10, Thursday. The film “The Jolson Story” premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

October 13, Sunday. (5:00–5:30 p.m.) Paul Whiteman’s radio show on ABC has a tribute to Bing and highlights his imminent return to the air on the same station.

October 16, Wednesday. Bing is at his ranch at Tuscarora, near Elko. Bing’s film Blue Skies is released and in many cities the first day’s receipts go to the Sister Kenny Foundation. In its initial release period in the USA, the movie takes $5.7 million in rental income making it one of the box office successes of the year.

“Blue Skies” is another in the show biz cavalcade cycle and it’ll spell beaucoup blue skies and black ink for any exhibitor. With Crosby, Astaire and Joan Caulfield on the marquee, a wealth of Irving Berlin songs and lush Technicolor production values, this filmusical can’t miss for terrific grosses.

      The cue sheet on “Blue Skies” lists 42 different song items but some of it has been excised and the rest so skilfully arranged, orchestrated and presented that the nostalgic musical cavalcade doesn’t pall. The songs are pleasantly familiar to the World War I generation and, for the youngsters, they are refreshing and solid, especially as Berlin has modernized them.

      …the dialog is inclusive of such tongue-in-cheek cracks as “I like kids even better than horses” (Crosby), along with other topical innuendos on Bing’s bangtails [racing] penchant. It’s in a rather corny scene with the baby that one of the three new Berlin numbers, “Running Around in Circles (And Getting Nowhere)” is done by Crosby to Karolyn Grimes, a rather self-conscious five-year-old. (Incidentally, of the other two new Berlin numbers, “You Keep Coming Back Like a Song” and “A Serenade to an Old-Fashioned Girl,” the former is the most promising of all three new tunes).

      …Certainly, for Astaire, it’s perhaps a new triumph. If he ever seriously thought of retiring, ‘Skies’ should postpone any such ideas.

      …Crosby is Crosby although a slightly heftier Bing. He’s the same troubadour, chirping the ditties as only Crosby does even though his waistline is somewhat more generous than behooves a juve.

(Variety, September 25, 1946)

So many screen exercises in the music-album line have been so cluttered up with “biography” that it is a pleasure at last to see one in which a tune-vender’s life and his music are not mutually and mawkishly abused. Such a one is the Paramount’s current and cheerfully diverting “Blue Skies,” which catalogues some songs of Irving Berlin without catalyzing that gentleman’s career. And with Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby as its bright particular stars, everyone’s probity is honored by it—especially Mr. Berlin’s.

There’s a lot to be said for any picture in the musical comedy groove which adheres to the oft-forgotten dictum that a film should be seen as well as heard, that variety and vitality in the visual are the stuff of which musicals are made. And when the evidence of that adherence is so enthusiastically displayed as it is by Messrs. Astaire and Crosby in “Blue Skies,” you may depend upon being entertained.

The story? Let’s not argue about it. It’s a standard and harmless little thing about the casual and genial competition between two song-and-dance men for a girl. One of them very soon gets her, but as he is a rolling stone, his interest is slightly sporadic. On that track, it ambles along. As a plot, it is no more elusive than the peg for “Holiday Inn,” in which the two above-mentioned performers and Mr. Berlin’s tunes were also combined. And the worst—or the best—to be said for it (you can tolerably take your pick) is that it does have a few soggy moments which are quickly and obligingly dismissed.

But it does serve as adequate hanger for some sparkling and stimulating turns of song, dance and general fancifying to Mr. Berlin’s familiar tunes. Best of the lot, for our wampum, is Mr. Astaire’s electrifying dance to that ancient and honorable folk-song, “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” Turned out in striped pants and top hat, Mr. A. makes his educated feet talk a persuasive language that is thrilling to conjugate. The number ends with some process-screen trickery in which a dozen or so midget Astaires back up the tapping soloist in a beautiful surge of clickety-clicks. If this film is Mr. A.’s swan song, as he has heartlessly announced it will be, then he has climaxed his many years of hoofing with a properly superlative must-see.

And that’s not his only contribution. In company with the redoubtable Bing, he doubles in song while that nipper doubles in dance in a comedy gem, written especially for the occasion, entitled “Two Song-and-Dance Men.” He also kicks his heels glibly in a fancy production of the torrid “Heat Wave,” and trips through the plot and other numbers with the elasticity of a happy rubberman.

Naturally, Mr. Crosby, as the rolling-stone character, has his share of the spotlight and holds it with aggressive modesty. He makes something lively, slick and novel of “Cuba,” along with Olga San Juan, and groans with his customary competence a new hit “You Keep Coming Back Like a Song.” Joan Caulfield, the “you” of this ditty, is most lovely and passive as the girl who stands none too seriously or firmly between Crosby and Astaire. And Billy De Wolfe, an obnoxious sort of person, is allowed only once to get too much in the way.

For the rest, there are no less than twenty of Mr. Berlin’s melodious tunes jammed here and there onto the sound-track, either as production numbers or incidental bits. And we must say that Robert Emmett Dolan has directed the music as distinctively as Stuart Heisler has directed the actors—or maybe more so. That’s why they sound so good. Or maybe it’s because they’re used as music and not as milestones in somebody’s awesome “life.”

(Bosley Crowther, The New York Times, October 17, 1946)

(9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing commences his first season for Philco Radio Time on ABC which continues at weekly intervals until June 18, 1947. This is the first major transcribed radio series and most of the shows are recorded in Hollywood. The scripts for the shows are mainly written by Bill Morrow who also acts as coproducer with Murdo MacKenzie. The program has an audience rating of 16.1 during the season which makes it one of the ABC network’s top shows but leaves it outside the top twenty shows nationally. Fibber McGee & Molly again top the Hooper ratings with 30.2 but they have to share the position with Bob Hope. In addition to the 211 stations on the ABC network, up to another 400 independent radio stations also take the show. Bob Hope appears on the first broadcast with regulars Lina Romay, the Charioteers, Skitch Henderson, Ken Carpenter, and John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra.

Crosby’s Clicko Wax Radio Network - Debut For Philco History Making (Front Page Headline)

The Bing Crosby disc show for Philco, probably the most publicized debut on record, hit the air lanes via ABC and a flock of Indie Stations last Wednesday (16th) and make no mistake about it, it’ll go down in industry annals as a precedent shattering event. The long awaited ‘wax in your ears’ debut is fraught with significant undertones and overtones. The implications from a standpoint of radio entertainment are as far reaching as anything to hit show business since the advent of talking pictures. The boys who have long contended that it would take no less a personality than the Groaner (and Philco and the dealers backed them up with one of the top coin investments in radio sponsorship) to cue a whole new pattern in broadcasting which would invite a mass exodus of radio’s top headliners from live broadcasting to transcribed shows have even a more solid base for argument, today. For on the basis of Crosby’s initial show and it was a honey, you can’t minimise the importance of that argument and what it might well do to bring about an entire new change in NBC and CBS policy, regarding their present ban on transcriptions.

      Once the switch-over of top names from live to transcribed shows gets under way and that’s inevitable, the NBC/CBS brass, rather than risk the loss of their star-studded rosters will have no other recourse but to let down the bars. Today, they still say it won’t happen but get a flock of wax shows under their belt that will pitch in the same high register as last week’s opener and they’ll be singing a different tune. Crosby proved it can be done. It was argued that wrapping up the transcribed show would strip it of the spontaneity that an on the spot performance before a live studio audience invites. Also, the ad-lib quality and the off the cuff bantering that made Crosby’s Kraft Music Hall semester one of radio’s real boffs would be lost forever. Through the simple expedient of waxing his shows before an audience, Crosby has invalidated these claims and you can match Philco’s Number One on the Crosby Disc parade with any of the live shows he’s done in the past and that goes for the spontaneity and the ad-libbing and the overall free play on the banter which only leaves us a possible pitfall, the element of timeliness and topical slant. A sufficient reserve of substitute transcriptions could be the obvious solution.

      The pay off on the Philco premiere was that without the tag-line revealing the transcription auspices, this might just as well have been done live, thus accenting the Groaner’s own claims as to the multiple advantages of “going platter” i.e. you can eliminate ‘muffs’ via re-takes similar to pix, you could spot your show at the most advantageous time and it virtually solves the problem of wrapping up guest talent. As one of radio’s top coin packages, the Philco half-hour is solid showmanship but that not only goes for Crosby but in the permanent cast line-up, including Lina Romay, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson and John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra, as well as the overall production under the strict ‘pro wand’ of Bill Morrow and Murdo McKenzie and the scripting contribution of Morrow, Jack Benny’s ex-writer Al Lewis and Larry Clemens. Show business, in general had its ear tuned to this new Crosby show, in view of distributing reports that the Groaner’s voice ain’t what it used to be, however the Crosby three-way vocalizing of, “Sun In The Morning”, “Moonlight Bay” with The Charioteers and Orchestra and “Cynthia’s In Love” with Skitch Henderson and the band should put a quietus on the rumor mill. If there is any deterioration in the groaning department, it wasn’t audible.

      Last Wednesday’s show format adhered pretty closely to the Kraft Music Hall lay-out where principal emphasis on the vocal, with the glib Crosby cross-firing. The Trotter Orchestra and The Charioteers have moved over from KMH along with Der Bingle. Spotting of Bob Hope as the guest star on the getaway show was a natural with the two ‘B’s’ slugging it out in their now, standard needling routine and chirping a novelty tune, “Put It There Pal” to accent their Pittsburgh Pirates versus Cleveland Indians baseball ownership rivalry. Ken Carpenter does the announcer chores - he’s as smooth as ever, both on script, continuity and the sales pitch. The Philco commercials weren’t commercials as such. The plugs were so inoffensively integrated, so sparsely used, as to make them an innovation. The Jimmy Carmine welcome of Crosby to the World’s largest radio audience on behalf of Philco was a blending of commercial copy with showmanship. The rating on the new Crosby show will be watched closely. It will have a lot to do with charting radio’s new pattern.

(Variety, October 23, 1946)

…In practically all other respects it was a typical Crosby half hour with Trotter's socko arrangements to back up I Got the Sun in the Morning (Crosby solo), Moonlight Bay (Crosby and the Charioteers, who are superb); Put It There, Pal (Crosby and Hope), and Cynthia, Bing alone. Those Trotter arrangements are plain whammo, doubly valuable because they so perfectly complement Crosby's lazy larynx style. The Crosby-Hope crossfire, similarly, had belly after belly, following the usual style of trading insults. Only the way these two guys do it, it’s good. Topper of the lot, probably, was Hope’s crack that he was glad to help Crosby make his “comeback.” So fast was some of the delivery that it was hard to tell where the script left off and the ad libs came in. Lina Romay did a vocal, not too painful.

Only deviation from the norm was Ken Carpenter's announcement that “this program was produced and transcribed in Hollywood,” certainly a smart way to dispose of the FCC-required e.t. identification. Public reaction to the difference, if any, between Crosby live and Crosby plattered will be found elsewhere in the radio section, in a report tabulated by C. E. Hooper, Inc.

Carpenter also handled the brief Philco commercials, done in good taste. First was a welcome to Crosby from Jimmy Carmine, Philco veepee; the other was a socko bit of selling, which came just before Bingle’s getaway tune. On it Crosby noted that Hope, as usual, had overstayed his welcome, leaving little time for a commercial. However, he added, he had prepared for just such a contingency, arranging with Carmine to tear up the last sales plug if the show ran over. Whereupon he proceeded to tear it up, with accompanying sound effects. It was smart merchandising—as smart as all the merchandising which so far has accompanied the Philco-Crosby enterprise.

All concerned with this one can take a bow, not the least of whom is bald Bill Morrow, ex-Jack Benny scripter, now co-producing and co-directing Philco Radio Time with Murdo MacKenzie. Morrow also is in on the script, co-authoring with Al Lewis and Larry Clemmons. It’s big league stuff, all around.

(Billboard, October 26, 1946)

October 23, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Spike Jones and his City Slickers.

Bing Crosby’s customary unruffled calm will be attacked by the cleverly raucous noises of Spike Jones and his City Slickers on the second WTJS-ABC broadcast of Philco Radio Time, to be heard tonight at 9:00 p.m. “The Groaner’s” great versatility as a singer will be on display in the contrast between his rendition of ballads and his collaboration with the Jones crew in an outrageous arrangement of “Love in Bloom.”

(The Jackson Sun, October 23, 1946)

October 30, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are the Les Paul Trio. Bing is in Boise, Idaho, having come from Weiser where he had been pheasant shooting. He meets up with some old Gonzaga friends in the office of T. Matt Hally (class of ‘26), state highway commissioner. The other schoolmates are Sib Kleffner and Dr. Jack Garrity.

November 1, Friday, Bing gives an impromptu concert for schoolchildren at a small school near Weiser, Idaho. He then leaves for Elko. Elsewhere, his house at 23844 Roosevelt Highway, Malibu is sold to Dr. and Mrs. Becka.

November (undated). Dixie throws a birthday party and baby shower at her home for Sue Carol, who is now married to Alan Ladd.

November 6, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Ralph Mendez.

Crosby Distress Signals Up - Wax Future Hinges On Hypo (Headline)

Bing Crosby’s troubles apparently are just beginning. That initial 24 rating on his Philco transcribed show is now down to 12.2. Latter rating based on last Wednesdays’ (6th) Show and it is understood that word has gone out to The Groaner from his Philco sponsors to get busy and do something in a hurry. Everett Crosby, brother and business manager for the crooner, who has been in New York for the past few weeks, getting agency/sponsor/trade reaction on the Philco Time Show, admitted before leaving for the Coast, Sunday 10th, that the platter show is due for some drastic re-vamping. Just who goes off the show and what hypos are contemplated hasn’t been determined yet. There are only two shows left in the advanced wax works (with Ezio Pinza and Burl Ives as guest stars) and The Groaner is due at the Hollywood recording studios, this week, when the boys will sit down and thrash out the whole advanced pattern of the show. Meanwhile, the rating nose-dive plus the unfavorable reaction to Crosby’s last few shows have contributed to putting a quietus on the ‘live to transcription’ flurry of trade excitement that followed in the wake of Crosby’s premiere and Philco’s super promotion job. In view of the original contract stipulation which calls for Crosby to go ‘live’ in the event that his ratings slip under 12 on four consecutive broadcasts, some of the boys are wagering that The Groaner segues back to live programs. The fault, they say, doesn’t lie in the transcriptions as such but in the quality of the show. While others say let Bergen go into the same spot on NBC and you will get a more accurate appraisal of transcription potentialities. The new musician’s contract is also raising havoc with the show, with Everett Crosby tipping off that the 31 piece John Scott Trotter Orchestra will be reduced to 18 men, to bring the show in under the talent cost budget.

(Variety, November 13, 1946)

November 8, Friday. Bing sends a postcard to Billy Wilder at Paramount. S. P. Eagle is presumably Sam Spiegel.

I tried to call you several times but you were not in the studio and the Green Gables refused to call you on the phone. Hope you took cognizance of Blue Skies New York business—S. P. Eagle can have the ‘artistic triumphs.’ Regards to Charles B. and the Sisters D.

Bing

November 13, Wednesday. (10:00–11:00 a.m.). In the NBC Studios, rehearses for a Philco show with Judy Garland. (12:15–2:15 p.m.). Records the Philco show which is broadcast on November 27. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Ezio Pinza.

Crosby show’s face lifting.

Philco switch adopts name guestar policy.

Hollywood, Nov. 16— Breathing now is a little easier in the Bing Crosby crowd since the Philco show’s 12.2 Hooper dive straightened out last week (13) to a 15.8. However, show will still get a P.D.Q. hypo to avoid another rating dip. Bill Morrow, Groaner’s producer-writer, says the airer will use “good, solid names,” listing among future guesters, Judy Garland for Thanksgiving week broadcast, Jimmy Durante, Jack Benny, Jascha Heifitz, Edgar Berger and a return engagement for Bob Hope. Show for the most part will be plattered only two weeks prior to airing with Morrow feeling that any weaknesses in the first six programs can be blamed on too many cuttings crammed into a short period of time. Der Bingle is of the opinion that the advance recording should in no way impair the program’s listener appeal and in the future he will avoid doing too many shows in a short span of time. Lina Romay, who appears on the first six platters, will now “occasionally” drop in on the show, as will other fem chirps. Miss Romay was not included in the Thanksgiving program cut last week. Morrow, however, stressed that changes now being made in the show are not to be mistaken as “panic or emergency moves resulting from the 12.2 rating.” According to Morrow, some of these changes were planned after the first platter was aired, with others to have evolved naturally as the show progressed. He denied that Miss Romay is being eased out, saying the Latin lass was not intended as a cast regular originally and that the only reason she is on the first six shows is because the platters were cut within the same period of time. Morrow pointed out that if the show were live, gradual changes would have been made during the six weeks it had been on the air, brushing up certain weak spots. By waxing all six at one shot, nothing could be done until this time.

(Billboard, November 23, 1946)

November 14, Thursday. (9:00–11:50 a.m.) Records songs from his film Welcome Stranger with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra.

November 16, Saturday. (6:00-6:30 p.m.) Bing, Kate Smith, and Rosalind Russell broadcast on the Mutual network on behalf of the Sister Kenny Foundation.

A star-studded array of personalities will be lined up tonight at 8 via WIBC-Mutual to appeal for funds to support the Sister Kenny Foundation for infantile paralysis treatment. Far from being the sober, dramatic type of appeal, there will be a comedy sketch with Rosalind Russell as Sister Kenny and Bing Crosby as Father O’Malley. Bing is chairman of the executive committee for the foundation and Rosalind has the title role in the movie, “Sister Kenny.” Along with these stars is Kate Smith, national chairman of the campaign committee.

(The Indianapolis News, November 16, 1946)

November 18, Monday. (3:30–5:00 p.m.). In the NBC Studios, rehearses for a Philco show with Jimmy Durante. (6:45–8:45 p.m.). The Philco show recording takes place and the show is broadcast on December 4.

November 19, Tuesday. (8:30–10:15 a.m.) Bing records “Country Style” and “My Heart is a Hobo” with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra. Later he checks in to St. John’s Hospital for what is said to be a minor surgical operation at first but is later corrected to “x-rays and a routine check–up.”

Album Reviews

Welcome Stranger – (Decca A-531)

Bing Crosby covers four songs from his Welcome Stranger movie in this set of two records. And with John Scott Trotter’s music, emphasises the hit quality of the score’s ballad song, As Long as I’m Dreaming. Other songs have only production value, Crosby singing it in easy and rhythmic style for Smile Right Back at the Sun and My Heart Is a Hobo. And with the Calico Kids on the chant, Crosby is also the caller for the country style square dance ditty. Picture of the singer graces the album cover. Accompanying is a booklet more ambitious than the recordings, giving the screen story, Bing’s bio and the song lyrics. Screen showings will hypo interest in this set.

(Billboard, May 24, 1947)

Country Style / My Heart Is a Hobo / As Long As I’m Dreaming / Smile Right Back at the Sun

Better sides than Bing has made in a long while.  Sounds if he actually felt like singing. In Style it’s mostly his engaging half-singing manner that sneaks him through the by now apparent faults in his upper tones - and it’s a square dance too (Decca A531)

(DownBeat, June 4, 1947)

You’ve probably heard this in all the juke boxes by now but we’d still like to recommend ‘Country Style’ as the best Crosby disc of the season. Crosby’s easy-going humorous arrangement takes you for a rural hayride and he does a bang-up job calling the turns at the village barn dance. Farmer Crosby certainly didn’t lay an egg with this one.

(Song Hits Magazine, October 1947, p14)

For the more sophisticated there are no less than six new records by Bing Crosby. Everybody will enjoy Country Style from the film “Welcome Stranger,” though the reverse may be confined to the fans As Long as I’m Dreaming (Bruns. 03801). From the same film are Smile Right Back at the Sun and My Heart Is a Hobo, both with a comfortable lilt on 03802.

(The Gramophone, December 1947)

November 20, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Burl Ives. Lina Romay drops out of the show after this program. The Hooper rating is 15.6.

November 21, Thursday. Bing checks out of St. John’s Hospital.

Bing Crosby back home over the weekend after three days in St. John’s Hospital, Santa Monica, where he underwent minor surgery.

(Daily Variety, November 25, 1946)

November 23, Saturday. June Crosby, Bob’s wife, gives birth to a son, Stephen Ross.

November 24, Sunday. (3:00–4:00 p.m.). In the NBC Studios, rehearses for a Philco show with Peggy Lee and Jerry Colonna. (6:25 –8:30 p.m.) The Philco show is recorded and airs on December 11.

Radio icon Bing Crosby extended no fewer than forty-nine invitations to Lee over eight years to join him as a guest on his popular radio show. The two shared several duets and scripted skits, giving Lee plenty of experience managing the challenges of performing for radio broadcasts.

(Tish Oney, Peggy Lee – A Century of Song, page 46)

November 27, Wednesday. A test screening of The Emperor Waltz is held at Long Beach and Wilder and Brackett decide to cut the song “Get Yourself a Phonograph” from the film.  (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Judy Garland and the Les Paul Trio.

Nov.27…Drove to Long Beach for the preview of The Emperor Waltz. It was the right kind of a first preview, not breath-takingly enthusiastic but proving that we have a solid fairy-tale kind of a picture if the terms be not contradictory, a mousse with a reliable skeleton, which will be infinitely improved when the minutes are cut from it. One song “Get Yourself a Phonograph” laid a complete egg and must go. The violin concerto is too long, the style of writing the titles is appalling—illegible. Some official jokes don't warrant their laugh, but the whole thing is going to be all right. Everyone from the studios seemed pleased with it, Frank Butler having a couple of excellent suggests.

(From the diaries of Charles Brackett, as reproduced in It’s the Pictures That Got Small, page 296)

Judy Garland, whose acting, charm and appealing singing have won her top honors in the movie capital, will be the special guest of Bing Crosby when Philco Radio Time is heard over WTJS-ABC, at 9:00 p. m. Possibly thinking of her young daughter, Judy has selected “Liza” as her solo. She also will join Bing in a duet of the old favorite, “Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nelly,” a song which they have sung together before and with pleasing results. Showing off his guest’s dramatic ability, “The Groaner” and Judy will tee off on a humorous skit concerning turkey hunting. In this epic, the Charioteers will join in with some of their special effects. Another attraction will be the new song by Hoagy Carmichael, “Ol’ Buttermilk Sky,” sung by Bing with the John Scott Trotter orchestra.

(The Jackson Sun, 27th November, 1946)

November 28, Thursday. Bing and Dixie entertain his parents at their home for Thanksgiving Day.

December 1, Sunday. Press comment states that after a brilliant start on the ABC network, Bing’s transcribed radio show is now “the season’s major disappointment.” The transcribed discs are felt not to be satisfactory and appear metallic and fuzzy. Bing is said to be too casual, with even his singing not tidy and sure and sometimes off-key. His relaxed charm seems to be missing and there is an apparent preoccupation to get each program done. Major revisions are planned for the future of the show with top performers such as Al Jolson being engaged.

December 2, Monday. (2:45–3:30 p.m.). In the NBC Studios, Bing rehearses a Philco show with Peggy Lee. (6:30–8:23 p.m.) Records the Philco show for transmission on December 18.

December 4, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Jimmy Durante.

Jimmy Durante hypoed the Bing Crosby-Philco Show into easily the best since the debut program when Bob Hope guested. Crosby needs a sprightly comic to give the proceedings that bounce which is so necessary.

(Variety, December 11, 1946)

Bing Crosby always had a great love for Jimmy Durante and enjoyed doing vaudeville routines with him. Durante appeared as a guest on Crosby’s Philco Radio Time five times from 1946 to 1949 on ABC. The funniest of those guest appearances was Crosby’s show of December 4, 1946. Durante tried to sing Bing’s theme song, “Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day),” and “I Surrender Dear” as a duet. Bing, for his part, tackles Durante’s theme song, “You Gotta Start Off Each Day with a Song,” as part of a duet, and bravely sings without help Durante’s “I’m Jimmy, the Well Dressed Man,” changing it to “Crosby, the Well Dressed Man.” The show closes with both singing “Blue Skies.”

(Jimmy Durante - His Show Business Career, page 125)

December 5, Thursday. Bing attends a baseball banquet at the Biltmore Bowl. He sings “My Old Kentucky Home” with Bob Hope, George Jessel and Baseball Commissioner A. B. ‘Happy’ Chandler.

December 9, Monday. (2:00–3:30 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for his Christmas show for Philco. (5:45–7:45 p.m.) Records the Philco show and it is broadcast on December 25.

December 7, Saturday. Bing’s recording of “White Christmas” enters the charts and eventually reaches number one again during its six-week stay.

December (undated). Bing and Bob Hope perform a golfing sketch and sing “Harmony” for the film Variety Girl, a Paramount extravaganza packed with guest stars performing cameo roles. Among those taking part in the final section of “Harmony” are Gary Cooper, Barry Fitzgerald, Dorothy Lamour, Ray Milland, William Holden, Burt Lancaster, William Bendix and Cass Daley.

December (undated). Plans are being made for Bing to go to England in February 1948 to make a film for Alexander Korda. While there he will record some Philco shows with British talent and make some records. British comedian Sid Field is thought likely to be in the film which was to be written by Damon Runyon. However Runyon dies on December 10 and the project does not proceed.

Bing Crosby has canceled his British picture. “I wanted to go there but they didn’t have a script for me,” Bing tells me at Paramount on the Road to Rio set. I guess they haven’t yet heard in England that Bing is the three times winner at the box office in this country. And when I ask Bing his reaction to this he replies, “Now I believe it, three times makes it official.” And you can bet that Bing won’t be doing any more pictures featuring a minority race. He is really upset with the Jewish-Irish controversy over Abie’s Irish Rose.

(Sheilah Graham, Hollywood Citizen News, January 1, 1947)

Runyon’s Death Kayoes Crosby-Korda British Pic

Damon Runyon’s death—without leaving a word on paper of the screen story he was working on for Bing Crosby’s slated picture under Sir Alexander Korda’s banner in England this spring—will probably result in cancellation of the Korda-Crosby deal. Crosby had his U.S. commitments arranged to go to London March 1. In light of Runyon’s death, he has given Korda an extra 60 to 90 days to dig up another story for him, but it appears unlikely that the producer can locate a satisfactory yarn and provide a shooting script in that time. Runyon was working out a story idea provided by Korda. It was supposed to be ready Dec. 15. A few months previously Korda had asked him to write out the story as far as he had it completed, but Runyon said he’d rather stick to his custom of getting it all worked out in his head, after which he could bang it out in two or three weeks. Before he could get to his typewriter, however, he turned critically ill.

Spokesman for Korda said Crosby had been extremely gracious in extending the time limitation and otherwise expressing willingness to cooperate. However, the story was a tailor-made affair, not only for Crosby’s talents, but for Runyon’s, it was said, and Korda is experiencing difficulty in getting another writer to pick up the threads or in locating another suitable yarn. Korda idea on which Runyon was working was to have Crosby an American cowhand who suddenly, via the death of a distant relative in England, finds himself a British nobleman, with a castle, hunting preserve and the other standard prerogatives. There’s then a comparison of American ways with British, which prove that while there are superficial differences, people are the same the world over.

One of the humorous ideas in the story, for instance, was to have the British, with whom Crosby goes grouse-hunting, amazed to find that while they use the traditional fowling piece, the American cowhand gets his grouse every time by shooting from the hip. Another was his insistence on using a western saddle, instead of the conventional English saddle, but getting there faster nevertheless.

It was hoped that Runyon might have left some scraps of the story among his papers and a thorough search of his efforts was made with that possibility in mind. Not a line has been found, however.

(Variety, February 12, 1947)

December 8, Sunday. (Starting at 1:00 p.m.) Bing and Bob Hope take part in the International Blind Golf and Shooting Tournament at Inglewood Golf Club, California. Bing plays with Charles Boswell and Bob has Clinton J. Russell as his partner. Hope and Russell win 1-up in the 9-hole match.

December 9, Monday. Leo Lynn, Bing's stand-in is admitted to hospital with a heart ailment.

December 11, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee and Jerry Colonna.

Opinion is divided as to whether Jerry Colonna’s role as Bing Crosby’s guest tonight will be that of fugitive or spy from the Bob Hope show. The only certainty is that he will be funny in either capacity. In addition to his own stylized banter, Jerry will join Bing and the Charioteers quartet in a questionable singing of “Wyoming.”. Colonna will not be the only guest-celebrity. The program to be heard at 9 o'clock over WCLO also lists Peggy Lee, whose singing talents have earned her high praise and many contracts…Just for the record, it’s worth mentioning that back in 1938, when Jerry Colonna first appeared in Hollywood, his initial public appearance was on Bing Crosby's show. Unknown to the listening audience, Jerry was billed as Giovanni Colonna, the celebrated Italian Opera star. It took just a few bars of “The Road to Mandalay” for Colonna to convince his listeners that a new comedian was born.

(Janesville Daily Gazette, 11th December, 1946)

December 16, Monday. (12:30–2:15 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show with Peggy Lee and Joe Frisco. (3:50–5:50 p.m.) Records the Philco show and it is broadcast on January 1, 1947.

December 17, Tuesday. (9:30–11:45 a.m.) Bing records “That’s How Much I Love You” and “Rose of Santa Rosa” songs with his brother Bob’s Bobcats and The Chickadees in Hollywood. “That’s How Much I Love You” briefly charts in the No. 17 spot.

At first, Nelson served as a ghostwriter for Trotter. Over a three-year period, he wrote about two dozen charts for Crosby, one of which, “That’s How Much I Love You,” reached #17 on the Billboard pop chart in April 1947.

Finally, Nelson got his chance to actually conduct a recording date with Bing. Bob Bain, who played on that date, recalled calling Doreen as soon as they had finished recording. “Nelson wasn’t nervous but Doreen sure was,” Bain recalled. “I had promised her that I would call her to let her know that everything went okay, which it did.”

(Peter J. Levinson, September in the Rain: The Life of Nelson Riddle, page 74)

December 18, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Peggy Lee.

December 21, Saturday. Press releases show a photograph of W. C. Fields with a report that he is to appear on the Philco show on January 1st. Fields had been in poor health in recent times and it did not prove possible to record the show. He dies a few days later on December 25. Meanwhile, Decca has issued a 4-disc 78rpm album set called Bing Crosby - Jerome Kern and Billboard magazine reviews it on this day.

With the forthcoming of the new movie keyed to the music of Jerome Kern, there is more than casual interest in this packaging of eight melodies by the master, some of which had been issued earlier as singing sides. Attention is also directed to two of the eight sides Bing Crosby had the missus, Dixie Lee, joining him vocally. Mr. and Mrs. Crosby share the lyrics for the ballads A Fine Romance and The Way You Look Tonight with Victor Young providing the musical background. Album plays down Mrs. Crosby, which is easy to understand once the sides spin out. Much more effective are the other six sides that has the groaner giving out in his usual easy and relaxed style, bearing out all the expression and understanding of the Kern songs… Booklet included with the package includes copious notes on the singer and the composer…Movie association will heighten the merchandising appeal of this slap-together set.

December 22, Sunday. (10:00–11:30 a.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show with Mickey Rooney and Peggy Lee. (1:38–3:38 p.m.) Records the Philco show and it is broadcast on January 8, 1947.

December 23, Monday. (11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m., 1:30–2:45 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show with Al Jolson. (5:40–7:38 p.m.) The Philco show is transcribed. One of the duets with Jolson is issued on V-Disc. The show is broadcast on January 15, 1947.

I watched a theatrical history-making event the other evening. I watched Al Jolson and Bing Crosby do a broadcast, that is to make a recording for a “Bingsday” show, which was really something! It was a thrill and something unique to watch these two masters of two entirely different techniques work together. It was the first time that Al and Bing had ever performed together. This recording, which the public will be able to hear on the Jan. 15 broadcast, will be a collector’s item.

Jolson represents a definite type of singing, of selling a song, and Crosby represents an entirely different type of singing and selling a song. Yet both Jolson and Crosby are a distinct part of Americana, both leaders who set styles that had many imitators, both are permanent representatives of American theatricals.

It was fascinating to watch these men perform together. When they did the broadcast at NBC before a regular studio audience, you could feel that the audience knew that they were watching something entirely out of the ordinary. In fact, practically every performer and musician who was at the broadcasting station left their job to crowd into this studio to watch Jolson and Crosby.

Both Jolson and Crosby, you could tell while you watched them go through their routines, had great admiration and respect for each other. They kidded each other, but it was not the usual type of radio kidding and insulting. You felt that these two men were admiring each other and inspecting each other. And when they sang together, they do three different types of songs together, you were aware that you were listening to the best in the manner of popular singers that this nation had produced during our time.

There was Jolson, who pushes a song, who sells it somewhat in the manner of a fighter in the ring, who punches from the shoulders and gives it everything he has. There was Crosby, who almost listlessly croons a song, and who does it with almost a studied indifference. Jolson appeared concerned about putting the song over, and Crosby appeared unconcerned about putting the song over. Yet together they put over songs as they have never been put over before.

Crosby wasn’t really fooling when he said, “Al, you were my idol when I started in the business. I went to hear you sing and admired you.” Jolson wasn’t really fooling when he said, “Bing, I didn’t believe you’d get anywhere with that slow and easy manner of singing.” Yet they both realized that they were the leaders in their distinctive styles for their different generations of admirers.

Yet, as Crosby commented, “It is remarkable that the Jolson technique is still favored and again a vogue by a generation who had never seen him but his technique in The Jolson Story.”

During the broadcast, Bing sang and played strictly to the microphone, and not to the actual audience watching. Jolson, who was popular before the day of the microphone, played mainly to the gathered audience, regardless of the microphone. Like the theme of the picture about him, Jolson was singing so he could watch the faces of his audience.

I could go on–but wait until you hear the broadcast. It’s a hunk of theatrical history.

(Sidney Skolsky, Hollywood Citizen News, January 2, 1947)

December 24, Tuesday. (3:00–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses with Bob Hope for an evening broadcast. (7:00–7:30 p.m.) Bing guests on Bob Hope’s radio show on NBC with Desi Arnaz, Jerry Colonna, and Vera Vague. The show comes from Sawtelle Veterans’ Hospital. (9:00 –10:30 p.m.) Bing appears at the conclusion of the radio show Paul Whiteman’s ABC Christmas Party on ABC. He reads the Nativity story from St. Luke’s gospel and then sings “O Little Town of Bethlehem”.

December 25, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC.

December 26, Thursday. Bing and Bob Hope entertain at the Los Angeles Times National Sports Awards dinner at the Biltmore Bowl. Bing sings three songs.

...Messrs. Bing Crosby and Bob Hope broke loose during the evening. So did bedlam. The bowl, which was as hard to get into last night as the Rose Bowl will be Jan. 1. rocked with laughter as the comedian and the crooner quipped and quarrelled. Jerry Colonna and Tony Romano aided the headliners as did Russ Morgan and the Biltmore band.

(The Los Angeles Times, December 27, 1946)

December 27, Friday. The Bing Crosby Productions film Abie’s Irish Rose is released by United Artists and creates Jewish-Irish controversy which upsets Bing. The film is based on a very successful stage play from the 1920s about an Irish girl marrying a Jewish boy but it fails badly at the box office. Some of the material is now regarded as offensive to religious and racial groups and Jewish observers attribute the change in feeling about the story to the heightened awareness of religious and racial tensions which the intervening years since the stage play was shown have produced. Several cuts to the film were made following complaints before release.

...It still is a source of intermittent laughter; laughter which stems from the exaggerated racial and religious prejudices of Solomon Levy and Patrick Murphy, whose youngsters, Abie and Rosemary, are married first by a minister, secondly by a rabbi and lastly by a Catholic priest. But somehow in this day, one does not relish this sort of humor. In fact, it is downright embarrassing to see characters upon the screen insulting each other because one happens to be a Jew and the other an Irish Catholic. Of course, it is all intended as innocent joshing and the principals come to love and respect one another before the fadeout, but this does not quite remove the distaste of what has gone before.

(New York Times, December 23, 1946)

The essence of film fare is obviously to entertain. This one doesn’t. It can’t, when the fundamentals are as meretricious as unwind in these hokey 96 minutes. Nor does it suffice to dismiss it as merely hokum. There is commercial hoke and there is spurious buncombe [sic]. This celluloid concoction, for all its elementary plot development, is untimely. . . Fundamentally, the story has become a topical misfit.

(Variety, November 27, 1946)

Rosemary is the daughter of Patrick Murphy, an American-Irish Catholic; Abie is the son of Solomon Levy, an American orthodox Jew. The two young people meet in London on VE Day, when Rosemary is entertaining American troops, and Abie, a wounded soldier, is one of the troops. They fall in love at first sight and are married by a Protestant Army chaplain. Back in America the problem arises how to break the news to their respective parents. . . .

(Picture Show, March 6, 1948)

December 30-March, 1947. Monday. Films Road to Rio (the fifth of the series) financed this time by Bing, Bob Hope, and Paramount. Bing, Bob, and Dorothy Lamour star as usual with Gale Sondergaard in a featured role. The Andrews Sisters appear in the film to sing “You Don’t Have to Know the Language” with Bing. The director is Norman McLeod with the regular team of Robert Emmett Dolan and Joseph J. Lilley being responsible for musical direction and vocal arrangements respectively. Dolan’s work on Road to Rio is unsuccessfully nominated for an Oscar for “Best Scoring of a Musical Picture” for 1947 and he loses out to Alfred Newman for Mother Wore Tights.

The Road To Rio was an entirely different ball game for Bing and me. This time his company and mine each owned one third of the picture, and Paramount owned the other third.

Bing and I were partners in other businesses as well.

We had both invested in a Texas oil venture that had brought us money by the gusher. We found another promising investment, a soft drink called Lime Cola. A promoter from Montgomery, Alabama, convinced us to invest $25,000 apiece with the promise that he was going to put Coca-Cola out of business.

The thought occurred to us: why not use The Road to Rio to help sell Lime Cola?

Why not indeed? We ordered a large sign to be displayed prominently in one of the scenes.      

“You can’t do that!” argued the Paramount attorney, Jack Karp. “That’s advertising!”

“We can’t do that, huh?” I said. “Say, Bing - who owns this picture?”

“Why, you own a third, and I own a third,” Bing replied.

“Let’s see - one third and one third makes two thirds, right? I guess Paramount is outvoted.”

The Lime Cola ad remained in The Road to Rio.

Unfortunately, Lime Cola didn’t put Coca-Cola out of business: Lime Cola went out of business itself. Bing’s and my 25 Gs were gone with the wind.

There was no way to remove the Lime Cola ad from the picture. When the sign came on the screen at the preview, the only thing Bing and I could do was slump down in our seats and crawl up the aisle on our hands and knees.

(Bob Hope, writing in The Road to Hollywood)

Following the 1946 release of “Road To Utopia,” described by Crowther as the funniest film about prospecting since Chaplin’s “The Gold Rush,” Paramount announced it would be the last in the series.

The studio said coordinating shooting schedules for the three stars had become all but impossible. Billboard quoted a Paramount spokesman saying the radio schedules of Crosby and Hope cost the studio $250,000 in delays and rescheduling during shooting of the last one. Media and the public rose up in protest and some 75,000 irate letters were received by Paramount before the studio waived a white flag, which read “Road To Rio.”

Hollywood was changing once more, listing back in the direction of Little Mary’s glorious legacy of control by inmate whim. Stars of the sound era were learning to “talk” money as their silent predecessors had. More of them were retaining financial advisers and the need for advantageous income tax positioning was bringing about a restructuring in the wage-slave relationship with studios.

Hope and Crosby incorporated themselves and demanded the right to have their companies invest in their films and share in the profits. They put $350,000 into “Road To Rio,” each getting one-third ownership which made them equal partners with Paramount. Dorothy Lamour did not have a company and was not given a chance to participate although Hope and Crosby did make certain she received a small percentage of the profits, apart from her base salary. She was unhappy but no enduring breach resulted.

For The Singer, “Road To Rio” produced the last of the memorable songs from the series, “But Beautiful,” in the top ten four weeks.

(Troubadour, page 302)

Early in 1947, Bing picked up the Los Angeles papers and read some unpleasant news about an old friend, a trombonist and singer whom he’d known for almost twenty years and whom he’d used in several of his pictures. The musician had become a band leader, but times were bad for band leaders, and he was stranded in Los Angeles without enough money to pay off his band. In addition, his wife was suing him for divorce in an unsavory court action, which was bringing him just that more ugly publicity. Bing, working on “The Road to Rio” at Paramount asked the musician to come out to the studio. He greeted him warmly and then made an abrupt about-face.

“You know”, he told the troubled bandsman, “I’m getting sick and tired of seeing your face around here. When can you get out of here, and how much will you need to get back to New York? Answer one at a time.”

“Immediately” was the answer to the first. “Four hundred dollars,” answered the second. Bing turned to his stand-in, Leo Lynn and directed his next movements. “Get him $600 and put him on the next train out of here.” He turned to the musician.  “Now git! And don’t let me see you around here until you’re persona grata with everybody. Honestly, every time my back is turned…” He winked and went back to work whistling.

When he got back to New York, the musician told friends, “All he did was to save my life and career. That’s all.”

(The Incredible Crosby, page 289)

In the spring of 1947, Jack Teagarden was unemployed and in debt, when he received a message from Bing Crosby to call at his office the following day. Bing was well aware of Jack’s troubles and when Jack said he could not make a fresh start in California, Bing suggested that he should pick up where he had left off in New York. He then had a cheque made out to Jack for six hundred dollars for, as he put it, some fares and some snacks. When Teagarden assured him that the loan would not be for long, he was told with a smile, “I know, you’ll pay me back. Make sure that you do. I need the dough, son.”

(From Jack Teagarden: The Story of a Jazz Maverick by Jay Smith and Len Guttridge)

Bing hosts the University of Illinois grid team to lunch at Paramount after they visit him on the Road to Rio set.

Bing’s 1946 income is put at $867,500. He is named the top movie box office star in the U.S.A. for 1946. In the annual poll by Down Beat, Frank Sinatra is voted top male singer of 1946. Bing is second with Perry Como third. During the year, Bing has had thirteen records that have become chart hits and also Decca has issued ten 78rpm albums of his recordings in the twelve-month period. A scholarly book Bing Crosby and the Bing Crosby Style by Dr. J. T. H. Mize has been published by Who Is Who in Music Inc. and this commences as follows:

The best-liked, best known, and best-paid singer in the world is Bing Crosby. He is the person most deserving of the appelative “a truly typical American,” or “Uncle Sam without the Whiskers,” or “Mister America.” Comparable to the late Will Rogers, Bing has truly captured the hearts of America’s millions, for his unique and flexible manner of musical utterances possesses unparalleled mass appeal, and his appeal is not confined to any class nor age. Indeed, his popularity is not confined to America, for it is validly stated that his voice has been heard by, and is readily recognized and enjoyed by, more people than any other voice in the history of the human race. Because his musical, social and cultural contributions are immeasurable, because he has achieved an unprecedented and deserved popularity in the world’s musical scene, because he has achieved this ascendancy in so many media of expression, and because his manner and style of singing, has exerted such a distinct and string influence on practically all style of singing, this Biographical Bookette is devoted to him alone: Bing Crosby and the Bing Crosby Style.

1947

January 1, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee and Joe Frisco. The Hooper rating is 16.1.

     January 7, Tuesday. (12:30–2:00 p.m., 4:00–4:15 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show. (4:20–6:12 p.m.) Transcribes his Philco show with George Jessel and Lina Romay. The show is broadcast on January 22.

January 8, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee and Mickey Rooney.

Since it is Wednesday and since this is Bing Crosby’s night to howl, I feel that it is about time to fly in the face of those malcontents who have expressed their disapproval of this particular program.

      There is, naturally, no accounting for tastes and if you don’t like Crosby’s show, yours is the perfect right to level the finger of scorn. As far as I am concerned, and I have said this before, he has one of the happiest musical half-hours in broadcasting.

      So perhaps some of his gags do fall flat; who, among radio performers, is immune from that recurrent fever? He can still out sing any popular baritone currently airing his pipes before the public . . . .

(Paul Speegle, San Francisco Chronicle, January 8, 1947)

January 9, Thursday. It is announced that Bing has leased 33,094 acres of the Fatjo ranch in Santa Clara and Merced counties to use as a cattle ranch. He pays $156,000 for a 6-year lease.

January 10–12, Friday–Sunday. The Bing Crosby Pro-Am Tournament resumes at the new location of Pebble Beach on the Monterey peninsula as a fifty-four-hole competition. For the first time it is known as the National Pro-Am and Bing puts up $10,000 in prize money. All of the gate proceeds go to charity. The format is that the first round is played at Cypress Point, the second at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club and the final round at Pebble Beach. Bing’s own play is praised after the first round when he and Cam Puget, the home professional, are in second place in the pro-am competition. However, they do not win. Bing’s handicap is quoted as five. The professional tournament is tied between George Fazio and Ed Furgol with Sam Snead and Roger Kelly winning the pro-am. Others playing include Bob Crosby, Johnny Weissmuller, Dennis O'Keefe, Van Johnson, Frank Borzage and Richard Arlen. Bing and Jimmy Demaret sing a duet at the stag dinner following the tournament.

…Durein took the lead in writing to Crosby. Crosby thought it was a great idea and in early September 1946 it was announced that he would bring his $5,000, 36-hole National Pro-Am to the peninsula. Which course would host it was yet to be determined. As was the case at Rancho Santa Fe, Bing’s brother Larry would be general chairman and Maurie Luxford, tournament chairman. Locals formed a committee headed by Dan Searle, a 1-handicap golfer and past champion at Monterey Peninsula Country Club (MPCC), to attend to local details. His club agreed to supply the army of volunteers needed to manage the details on the peninsula.

In late October, Searle and Durein met with the Crosby team to hammer out the details. It was Crosby that suggested using three courses rather than just one. The PGA initially objected, “It’s never been done.” Crosby countered that nowhere else were three world-class courses—Cypress Point, Monterey Peninsula Dunes and Pebble Beach—in such close proximity. When the PGA announced that for 1947, the minimum purse would be $10,000, any concern was calmed when Crosby agreed to put up the larger purse.

They agreed that 76 pro-am teams would play one course each day. The PGA would qualify the pros and Crosby would invite the top amateurs and celebrities, like Bob Hope and Johnny Weissmuller, and even four women. Crosby hoped to again include Babe Zaharias, who not only got her amateur status back, but won the 1946 U.S. Women’s Amateur. Runner-up Clara Callendar Sherman was also on the initial list. She had grown up at MPCC, where her father was the first pro, and she, at age 12, won both the 1932 MPCC Women’s championships.

Proceeds from the tournament would again go to charity. For 1946 the funds would be split between the Sister Kenny Foundation for Infantile Paralysis and the Monterey Peninsula Community Chest.

Durein proudly announced the results of the meeting in the October 29, 1946 Monterey Peninsula Herald as “the most sensational, colossal, stupendous, breathtaking spectacle in the history of golf.” Following immediately after the Los Angeles Open, the tournament would be played January 10-12 and “officially known as the Sixth Annual $10,000 National Pro-Am Championship, Sponsored by Bing Crosby.” It wasn’t until 1966, “the 25th” tournament, that the tournament program acknowledged the numbering error, which was blamed on forgetting about the nearly washed-out event in 1937. Despite the acknowledgment, there was no correction. The errant numbering continued through 1985.

The tournament came off nearly as planned, although neither the ladies nor Bob Hope made it that first year. Celebrities besides Crosby included Dennis O’Keefe, Randolph Scott, Richard Arlen, Edgar Kennedy and Johnny Weissmuller. The latter, famous as Tarzan, paired with Ed “Porky” Oliver as part of the top-drawing foursome that also included pretournament favorite Ben Hogan, winner of the prior week’s Los Angeles Open, who was paired with top-ranked amateur Frank Stranahan.

(Neal Hotelling, Carmel magazine Winter 2023/24)

January 13, Monday. Attends the Photoplay Awards star-studded black-tie ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel and picks up the Gold Medal for Most Popular Actor for the third successive year. Bing sings and entertains, accompanied by Skitch Henderson. ABC radio broadcasts the event between 10:30 and 11.30 p.m. Part of the proceedings are captured by newsreels.

Photoplay Gallup awards party went very smoothly by comparison with the 1946 event, thanks largely to presence of Danny Kaye at the helm. Champ Bing Crosby’s singing of “Buttermilk Sky” was amusing, especially when he ran out of words, carrying “ine” rhyme, and suggested the matter would have to be referred to “Sylvia Fine,” Kaye’s spouse.

(Edwin Schallert, Los Angeles Times, January 15, 1947)

…The other guy — well, he was none other than Mr. Harry Lillis Crosby, complete with tuxedo, which was for him an almost unheard-of bow to the occasion. And he was utterly and enchantingly Bing. A lesser showman would have sung “The Bells of St. Mary’s” — but Bing knew better. He wasn’t pretentious. He wasn’t mock-modest. He caroled “A-Huggin’ and A- Chalkin’ ” and “Ole Buttermilk Sky.” He did a duet with Danny. He grinned and radiated charm — and kidded Bing Crosby. In three words, he was perfect.

(Photoplay, April, 1947)

Hollywood had an award party last night where nobody stroked a long whisker or pointed with pride, and everyone loved it. For a while I thought some of the editors of Photoplay were a bit alarmed with Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby and others started to gallop off with Gallup, but they fell into the spirit of it and realized presently that it was the best prize-giving soiree we’ve ever had in these parts. Some fun.

Danny was master of ceremonies. He put the gang in his pocket at the outset and kept ‘em there. He sang gobbledegook in the inimitable Danny Kaye manner, he kidded Gallup, he grew sentimental about his new baby, Dana, and sang a new specially composed sandman song dedicated to her, and he couldn’t do anything people weren’t crazy about. Too bad Sylvia Fine wasn’t there to hear him.

Any Hollywood crowd is a pushover for Crosby. It’s so unheard of for Bing to get up and start adlibbing like he did last night that people couldn’t believe their ears, but he really gave. Some fun. Not a long whisker anywhere. I remember Bing ambling up to get his Oscar a couple of years ago, a solemn guy feeling the importance of the occasion. Last night was important too but it wasn’t so weighted with dignity....Skitch Henderson and Anita Colby at the David O. Selznick table and Skitch played Bing’s piano accompaniment.

(Florabel Muir, Hollywood Citizen News, January 14, 1947)

January 15, Wednesday. (2:30–3:30 p.m., 4:00–4:30 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show with Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. (4:30–6:00 p.m., 8:00–8:30 p.m.) Transcribes the Philco show. The show is broadcast on January 29. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Al Jolson and the Hooper rating is 20.6.

Crosby and Jolson read like a good combination and sounded as well, spinning on Philco’s half-hour platter, last week (15th). No question that it was among the top and best shows Crosby has done for his new sponsor. The program was good, principally because the crossfire between the pair, stood up. For it was a cinch that with these two guys there wasn’t going to be much wrong with the singing. The comedy premise was a switch back to a dressing room with neophyte, Crosby, calling on the star, Jolson to ‘try out’. Of course, they had to be a little careful about just how early they keyed the sequence, in order to skip having to blow out the footlights. But the comedy writing job stood up and had a good ‘tag’ of Jolson telling Crosby that if Paramount does “The Crosby Story” he will be glad to do for him what he did for Larry Parks.

      Previously, they had teamed on “April Showers”; “Rosie” (sic); “The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else” and Jolson had whipped across “Swanee” alone, in Hit Parade tempo with a dynamic orchestra which guarantees to get him out of any jam and does. He was in no difficulty here, although the repeat on his very familiar standard tunes was sufficient to hint that Jolson might shuffle the deck and thumb through it in search of a couple of not so familiar songs. For instance, what’s become of “Rum-Tum-Tiddle” and there are surely, others. Perhaps the surprise part of the broadcast was when Crosby and Jolson were taking turns splitting a chorus. It wasn’t always easy to distinguish who was singing, especially in the lower registers. A singing commercial by both, also was, inevitably, funnier in the studio than over the air, as it came through not as the pause that refreshes. Yet the combination can obviously stand a repeat, anytime. Most everybody thought this would be a good one - ‘Twas!

(Variety, January 22, 1947)

I’ve heard a lot of talk from people about what a break it was for Al Jolson when I gave him two or three radio spots. There was talk that it revitalized the old boy and gave him a second birth in show business.

Al did as much for me as I did for him. Signing him was a lucky stroke for me. Some of the best radio shows I’ve ever had involved Al. If they helped Al make a comeback—that is, if he needed a comeback—they helped me as much. Al happened to me at a time when I needed good shows, and getting him to go on with me gave me a big boost.

He was indefatigable. If you’d let him, he’d sing all night. Some people had trouble controlling Jolson on the radio because he wanted to do the things that had been successful for him for so many years on the stage, in vaudeville, and in pictures. Al loved to do things for a studio audience which were strictly visual. His gestures and his mugging would make the audience in the radio studio laugh, but the people listening at home were baffled. They figured they weren’t in on the gag and that they were being left out of things. It steamed them. Radio producers didn’t think those things were good radio fare, and for that reason Al was in Coventry. But Bill Morrow, my writer, had the knack of handling Jolson. He would talk Al out of those things so reasonably that Al would think he was getting his own way.

(Call Me Lucky, page 153)

    January 17, Friday. (8:30–9:50 a.m.) Bing records songs from the film The Emperor Waltz in Hollywood with Victor Young and his Orchestra. Decca later issue the songs as 2-disc 78rpm album and this reaches the No. 2 spot in the Billboard best-selling popular record albums chart on August 7, 1948. It is 9th in the year’s top-selling popular record albums listing.

January 19, Sunday. Larry Crosby’s son, John, marries Beatrice Turner (age 16). Larry knew nothing about it and had not met the bride.

January 21, Tuesday. (2:15–2:45 p.m., 6:00–6:53 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show. (2:45–4:15 p.m., 6:53–7:29 p.m.) Bing transcribes the Philco show with Peggy Lee and Beatrice Lillie which airs on February 5.

Crosby ET Show in Steady Climb: Hooper Hits 20.6

New York, Jan. 25. Bing Crosby’s transcribed Philco show continues to climb, rating-wise, and is nearing the socko 24.0 Hooper registered by the opening show on October 16 which had Bob Hope as guest. Wednesday’s (22) session with Al Jolson guesting, registered a 20.6—giving ABC and Philco cause for rejoicing. Next Wednesday’s show (29) is also expected to hit a high mark, the groaner having lined up Hope again, with the added attraction of Dorothy Lamour. Ratings since show opened reveal an initial high rating followed by a sharp drop, in turn followed by a steady climb. Figures are as follows and include special Hooper studies made in addition to the regular Hooper taken at two-week intervals.

October 16, 24.0; November 6, 12.2; November 13, 15.8; November 20, 15.6; December 4, 13.4; December 18, 15.8; January 8, 16.1 and January 15, 20.6.

      This pattern of diving and climbing bears out thinking of ABC execs who predicted such a course. Show opened on the wave of socko promotion. Weak guestars, plus a fade in the initially strong promotion helped account for the dive; and a return to a stronger guest policy plus Crosby’s strong personal draw is held accountable for the upward swing. Proponents of the transcribed feature of the Crosby-Philco operation also point out that the boost in listening audience is a strong indication that it matters little to listeners whether a program is live or disked.

(Billboard, February 1, 1947)

By common consent [Crosby] is the head man of American entertainment in just about every branch but sidewalk magic. But none of the other achievements measures up to the magnitude of his assault on the established framework of radio. For two decades the tycoons of the ether have snuffed out rebellions like so many cigarettes; it took Crosby to bring them to heel ( . . . ) That he had his way is the clearest testimony that he is the No. 1 man in entertainment—certainly, as Variety called him, ‘Mr. Radio himself.’ Radio is a tough business, and characteristically merciless to nonconformists. That the whole roster of radio stars is planning to follow Crosby’s lead next year [in transcribing their programs for broadcast on later dates] is plain enough tribute to his leadership.

(Fortune Magazine, January 1947)

January 22, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Jack McVea and his All Stars, Lina Romay, and George Jessel.

Memories of many years of show business will awake in the minds of listeners when Bing Crosby’s guest, George Jessel, does a special medley called “Themes of Oldtimers” on the ABC program at 10 p. m. today. Jessel’s long experience on the vaudeville and musical comedy stages of the country has given him an enormous fund of nostalgic material and his unusual ability as a mimic makes him an ideal performer tor this number…Several guests, namely Jack McVea and his All-Stars, here enter the picture to collaborate with Bing on the novelty number which they have popularized, “Open the Door. Richard.” McVea and his boys are a five-man band, three years old as a unit on the day of the broadcast, whose recording of his opus has become a smash hit. Latin Songstress Lina Romay will return for this program.

(Battle Creek Enquirer, 22nd January, 1947)

January 26, Sunday. Loyola University's 9-hole pitch and putt course is opened with Bing and Roger Kelly beating Bob Hope and Johnny Dawson 1-up in an exhibition match. Crosby and Kelly have a best ball score of 24 for the par-27 course.

January 28, Tuesday. Bing's stand-in. Leo Lynn, is discharged from St. John's Hospital following a heart attack and told to have 6-month's rest. (2:25–2:45 p.m., 6:20–6:47 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show with Groucho Marx and Peggy Lee. (2:45–4:15 p.m., 6:47–7:17 p.m.) Transcribes the Philco show which is broadcast on February 12.

January 29, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour.

Never did Bill (Morrow) put me in worse jeopardy than the time when I had Dorothy Lamour on our broadcast as a guest. She did a song on the show and it was very good, too, but we had Hope on the show. He ad libbed all over the place, up and down the aisles, milking laughs until unconscious. The result was that the show ran over-long and something had to be edited out. Bill Morrow did the cutting and the axe fell on Dotty’s song. The night the show went on the air she had a dinner party. Included among the guests were a couple of people she’d been talking to about a night club tour and whom she wanted to hear the song. Dorothy is very easy to get along with but I must say that on this occasion she was really steamed and justifiably so.

We were shooting The Road to Rio at the time and I stayed away from the set until well after lunch time, until she had had a chance to cool out a little. Although it was Morrow’s doing, she still jumps me out about it every once in a while.

(Call Me Lucky, page 273)

February 1, Saturday. Bing attends a reception for the major Paramount executives, hosted by Henry Ginsberg, vice-president in charge of production, at Paramount Studios.

February 4, Tuesday. (2:25–2:45 p.m., 6:05–6:52 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show. (2:45–4:15 p.m., 6:52–7:22 p.m.) Bing transcribes the Philco show with Judy Garland and William Frawley. The show is broadcast on February 19.

February 5, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee and Beatrice Lillie.

Bea Lillie, who is Lady Peel to the plush-chair set of England, and a great comedienne to the Americans, will be Bing Crosby’s guest…She and Bing will sing songs together, enact sketches and do a top line job of adlibbing. Those who have already heard transcriptions of the show say it is a good program.

(Des Moines Tribune, 5th February, 1947)

February 9, Sunday. The Bob Hope film My Favorite Brunette is shown at a New York trade show and is released nationwide at the end of March. (10:15–10:30 p.m.) Bing is thought to have been featured in the Here’s to Veterans radio show. This was a fifteen-minute NBC program which was broadcast on Sundays.

Bing Plays Role Without Billing

Bing Crosby sneaks “under the wire” to make an appearance in the latest Bob Hope-Dorothy Lamour laugh riot, “My Favorite Brunette” at the Paramount Hollywood and Downtown theaters. You won’t find his name in the billing, but Bing plays a very important role in Bob Hope’s life as a private detective in “My Favorite Brunette”.

(Valley Times, March 31, 1947)

February 11, Tuesday. (2:15–2:54 p.m., 4:12–4:18 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show. (2:54–4:12 p.m., 5:50–7:30 p.m.) Transcribes the Philco show which is broadcast on February 26. The guests are the Andrews Sisters and Les Paul.

February 12, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee and Groucho Marx. The transcribed Philco disks are being sent to the various radio stations along with instructions as shown below.

INSTRUCTION AND CUE SHEET – ATTENTION STATION MANAGER

PHILCO RADIO TIME STARRING – BING CROSBY - PROGRAM NO. 18

This sheet will give your play-back Engineers and local Announcers information about their part in the production of “PHILCO RADIO TIME” STARRING Bing Crosby. Program No. 18. The recordings are to be played continuously from beginning to end.  The pick-up is not to be lifted from the records until their conclusion since the show has been timed out to approximately 29:30.  At points where the local Announcer cuts into the program, the record should be cut out, but it should continue to play and the local Announcer should match his reading time with the recording, in accordance with the Cue List set forth below.

IMPORTANT

PART 2 OF THIS PROGRAM STARTS INSIDE!  PLEASE MAKE CERTAIN YOUR PLAYBACK ENGINEER UNDERSTANDS PART 2 STARTS INSIDE:

This recording should be played at the orthacoustic or (equivalent) setting on your play-back and at a constant level.  There is no necessity to ride gain.

It is not necessary for the local Announcer or the Station to identify these recordings as transcriptions, on the air, since this is already done in the program at both the beginning and end.

CUE SHEET  

1.  At approximately 3:57 after the beginning of the program Crosby finishes singing “RAINY NIGHT IN RIO”.  At approximately 4:21 Carpenter says “CERTAINLY THAT APPLIES TO PHILCO RADIOS AND RADIO-PHONOGRAPHS”.  This is the cue line for the first Commercial. (Note: Since Crosby talks immediately, it will be necessary to make a fast fade-out as soon as Carpenter gives the cue line.)

2.   First cut-in Commercial as read by the Local Announcer should run not longer than 1:06.

3.   At approximately 5:27 the play-back engineer should cut back to the record with a fast fade picking up the music which immediately follows the Commercial, which ends with Crosby saying “YOU’RE BRAVE MAN, KEN” and Ken saying, “I THANK YOU”.

4.  At approximately 14:28 in the middle of the Groucho Marx spot, Marx says “WHEN SHE FINALLY GETS HIM CORNERED YOU SPLASH MUD ON HER AND HE JILTS HER”  This is the cue to switch over instantaneously to Part 2, Program 18, picking up with Crosby’s line “OH! I’M A BEAST”.

5.   At approximately 23:15 after the beginning of the program, Crosby and Peggy Lee finish singing their duet “THE BEST MAN”.  At approximately 23:23 Crosby says “NOW WE SHALL HEAR FROM PHILCO’S BEST MAN”…This is the cue for the second cut-in Commercial.

6.   Second cut-in Commercial as read by the Local Announcer should run not longer than 1:08.

7.   At approximately 24:31 after the beginning of the program the playback engineer should cut back to the record with a fast fade picking up the music which follows the commercial.

8.    Carpenter’s closing begins at approximately 28:54 after the beginning of the program and concludes at approximately 29:19.  Closing theme “BLUE OF THE NIGHT” fills to approximately 29:58.

A stroboscope is affixed to the back of both transcriptions – Part 1 and 2.  It is requested that you check your turn-tables with this stroboscope to see that they are running at exactly 33 1/3 RPM’s.  Any slight variation in the speed of your tables will alter the length of the program and put the cue times in error.  It is requested that when checking your tables with this stroboscope you place your pick-up in the blank grooves provided on the transcriptions and play the record since the weight of the record and the pick-up drag will noticeably slow down the speed of your table.

We are most anxious that local station production of Philco Radio Time be top-notch in quality.  We’re certain you also want that.  We, therefore, request that if it is not already your practice, you have your Engineer and local Announcer run a dress rehearsal of the program before it goes on the air. As is stated on the records these transcriptions must be returned within 7 days to Philco.  A return label is enclosed for your convenience in making this shipment.  TO INSURE THAT YOU ARE CREDITED WITH RETURNING THESE RECORDS PLEASE INSERT YOUR CALL LETTERS IN THE SPACE PROVIDED ON THE LABEL.

Thank you very much for your effort and co-operation in helping us make Philco Radio Time a success.

HUTCHINS ADVERTISING COMPANY

8619 Sunset Boulevard

Los Angeles 46, California

CAUTION: THE TRANSCRIPTION FOR THE BING CROSBY PHILCO RADIO TIME PROGRAM IS NOT TO BE PLAYED PRIOR TO BROADCAST FOR OR WITHIN THE HEARING OF ANYONE EXCEPT THE NECESSARY STATION PERSONNEL FOR REHEARSAL AND CUEING PURPOSES.

February 13, Thursday. (8:00–10:05 a.m.) Bing records three songs with Les Paul and his Trio in Hollywood.

February 16, Sunday. (10:15–10:30 p.m.) Again thought to have been featured on the Here’s to Veterans radio program on NBC.

February 18, Tuesday. (1:30–3:30 p.m., 5:15–5:26 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show. (5:26–7:33 p.m.) Bing records the Philco show with Al Jolson and it is broadcast on March 5.

Bing Crosby and Al Jolson made another record for a broadcast which will be heard on March 5th. I thought after their recent great show that Bing and Al shouldn’t try it again. Why not leave superb alone? However, I went to watch them make the record and I take it all back! They should continue doing broadcasts together. The records would be best sellers and also collectors’ items. Bing Crosby and Al Jolson are the greatest combination I’ve ever seen in show business. It was interesting and thrilling watching them work together. Bill Morrow, who wrote the show and put it together, rates plenty of credit. I came in at the start of the rehearsal. There was Bing, nonchalantly drinking a bottle of milk and eating a chicken sandwich. Al was already at work, running through a song with the orchestra. ‘I haven’t sung much since I was here last,’ said Al, ‘so don’t expect much’. Crosby smiled.

      These two performers of entirely different styles and generations have great admiration and respect for each other. There is absolutely no display of temperament. I did notice a slight difference from the initial broadcast. Crosby acted more like a fan entranced by Jolson, which is really something coming from the great Crosby. When Al did his solo, ‘Rockabye’, Bing went into the control booth and listened to him. After Jolson finished, Bing said, ‘I wish I could sing like that guy.’ Later, to a group, Al said, ‘I never met anyone like Bingie. He’s in a league by himself.’

      After they had done the broadcast, Bing couldn’t contain himself any longer. He leaned over and kissed Al.  Jolson never looked so pleased. They are a mutual admiration society in themselves which may be why they are so great together. If you thought the original broadcast was great and thrilling, well, in the words of a fellow I know, you ain’t heard nothing yet!

(Sidney Skolsky, Hollywood Citizen News, February 25, 1947)

February 19, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Leo McCarey, William Frawley, and Judy Garland. The Hooper rating is 17.3.

Bing Crosby will be all but overwhelmed by the profusion of top rank guests appearing on his program tonight…At first glance it would appear that two or three programs were being telescoped into one, but a second look shows that they all have something in common. Judy Garland, Leo McCarey, and William Frawley are the headliners. Director McCarey and Crosby were associated in the prize-winning films “Going My Way” and “The Bells of St. Mary’s.” Together with Miss Garland and actor William Frawley, they will attempt a rendition of “Tearbucket Jim.”

(The Capital Times, 19th February, 1947)

February 21, Friday. Bing is reported to have boosted his contribution to a new engineering building fund at Gonzaga to $75,000. The Rev. Francis Corkery, S.J., president of the university, announces receipt of a $50,000 check. Bing earlier had given $25,000 to the fund, which now totals $223,500. (6:30–7:00 p.m.) Bing guests on the Jimmy Durante–Garry Moore Show on CBS. Suzanne Ellers and Candy Candido are also on the show and the music is provided by Roy Bargy’s Orchestra. The announcer is Howard Petrie and the sponsor is Rexall Drug Products.

February 25, Tuesday. (1:30–3:15 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show. (5:20–7:30 p.m.) Bing transcribes the Philco show with Peggy Lee and the Ernie Felice Quartet. The show is broadcast on March 12. Peggy Lee’s husband, Dave Barbour, is seriously ill in hospital at the time.

A surgeon cut away a portion his stomach. Barbour survived, but stayed in critical condition for days. Lee drew comfort from her girlhood idol Bing Crosby, who had hosted her numerous times on his radio show and in turn became her friend. Crosby called her each morning to check that Barbour had made it through the night. He offered money, blood, even his babysitting services.

(James Gavin, Is That All There Is? The Strange Life of Peggy Lee, page 96)

February 26, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Another transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast and Bing’s guests are Les Paul, Joe Frisco, and the Andrews Sisters.

February 27, Thursday. (7:00-7:30 p.m.) Bing takes part in a Family Theater radio production of J. Smith and Wife on the Mutual Network with Irene Dunne. The host is Dana Andrews and music is provided by Meredith Willson and his Orchestra. The Family Theater productions started on February 13, 1947, and ran until 1969 with Father Peyton heavily involved.

Bing Crosby went straight Friday (sic) night on Mutual’s Family Theater in a warm captivating dramatic vignette tabbed J. Smith and Wife with Irene Dunne playing opposite him. The story of a married couple (who die in a boat sinking) outside the gates of the Elysian Fields was full of tenderness and beauty key to the thematic purpose of the Family series.

(Variety, March 5, 1947)

March 1, Saturday. The Paramount newsreel issued today includes film of Bing and Bob Hope discussing baseball.

March 3, Monday. (1:30–2:56 p.m., 6:05–6:27 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show. (2:56–4:56 p.m., 6:27–7:03 p.m.) Bing transcribes the Philco show with Al Jolson and John Charles Thomas. The show is broadcast on April 2.

March 4, Tuesday. (2:15–4:15 p.m., 6:59–7:34 p.m.) Bing transcribes a Philco show in NBC Studio B with Danny Kaye and Peggy Lee. The show is broadcast on March 19.

March 5, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Al Jolson and the Hooper rating is 21.7.

March 8, Saturday. Decca has issued a 5-disc 78rpm set called St. Patrick's Day and it is reviewed on this day by Billboard magazine. The album quickly reaches No. 4 in Billboard's best-selling popular record albums chart on March 22, 1947 and is still selling well the following year when it reaches No. 1 in the same chart on March 20, 1948.

Aiming at maximum holiday sales, this package of five platters brings together 10 Erin faves cut at varying times by Bing Crosby, getting vocal assist on some of the sides from the Jesters and the King’s Men, while the music making belongs to Bob Haggart, Victor Young and John Scott Trotter. Der Bingle in good Erin form for each of the sides and song selections are tops ... Photo of the smiling Bing on the album cover, with notes on the singer and the songs in the accompanying booklet.

(Billboard, March 8, 1947)

Bing’s album, despite his usual graceful ease of interpretation, lacks his old fullness of voice. If Crosby is going to keep on making records with his evident sloppiness and lack of interest, it would be better if he would stop now and let his millions of fans remember him by his older and far better discs.

(Down Beat, March 26, 1947)

On the same day, Billboard reviews two 5-disc 78rpm album sets called Favorite Hawaiian Songs, vols. 1 and 2

This is an over-ambitious attempt to coin extra-added out of Bing Crosby’s early recordings. In this instance the label is packaging Der Bingle’s Hawaiian diskings, putting 10 sides in a set. And there’s enough here for two such sets, using the same cover design of smiling Bing against a geographical picture of the islands with a descriptive booklet accompanying each set. For the first set, they are all slow and dreamy spinners, with instrumental and vocal support from Dick McIntire, Lani McIntire and the Paradise Island trio. Top faves in the first volume include Song of the Islands and Sweet Leilani…Both McIntire strumming ensembles are included in the second album, also of 10 sides, with two sides cut with Harry Owens’s full band. Second set includes several selections at a livelier beat, with Trade Winds the top song favorite…For Der Bingle and hula fans, there’s enough in these two packages to last a lifetime.

(Billboard, March 8, 1947)

March 11, Tuesday. (1:30–2:00 p.m., 6:10–6:40 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show. (2:00–4:00 p.m., 6:40–7:15 p.m.) Transcribes a Philco show with Jack Benny which airs on March 26.

March 12, Wednesday. Bing is interviewed by telephone by Australian sports writer Hugh Dash and the interview is broadcast on March 14 on the Telegraph Sports Parade radio program on station 2AW, Sydney, Australia. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Another transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast and Bing’s guests are Peggy Lee and the Ernie Felice Quartet.

March 13, Thursday. The 1946 Academy Awards show takes place at the Shrine Auditorium. Bing’s “You Keep Coming Back Like a Song” has been nominated as best film song but the winner is “On the Atcheson, Topeka, and the Santa Fe” from the Judy Garland movie The Harvey Girls. Bing has been asked to sing at the event but is said to have declined indicating that it had been so long since he sang in front of an audience he would feel uncomfortable. Robert Emmett Dolan’s nomination for “Best Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture” for Blue Skies is unsuccessful as Morris Stoloff wins for The Jolson Story. Norman Panama and Melvin Frank are nominated for “Best Original Screenplay” for Road to Utopia but the winners are Muriel and Sydney Box for The Seventh Veil.

March 14, Friday. Universal releases a film called Smash-Up, The Story of a Woman about a lady alcoholic which is said to be based on Dixie Lee. The film stars Susan Hayward, Lee Bowman, and Eddie Albert and is directed by Stuart Heisler. Susan Hayward is unsuccessfully nominated for an Oscar as “Best Actress.” It is rumored that Bing makes a point of not working with anyone who had anything to do with the film.

There isn’t much doubt that Smash-Up -- the Story of a Woman will be tagged as “the ‘Lost Week-end’ of a lady,” since it has so fortuitously to do with a female alcoholic, synonymous to the gentleman lush in that previous film. But don’t let this flattering parallel fool you. The Lost Week-end was a hard and plausible binge, while the current booze drama at the Capitol is soggy and full of (figurative) corn...All it lacks to make it outright melodrama is a pair of swinging doors.

(Bosley Crowther, New York Times, April 11, 1947)

Sordid story of a night-club singer who takes to drink before shows to fortify her nerves. She marries a radio crooner who becomes famous, surrounds her with luxuries, but takes away from her all feeling of independence. This eventually drives her to drink, to separation and, when he takes away her child, nearly to death.

      (Picturegoer, May 10, 1947)

March 16, Sunday. The FBI files indicate that a police raid on Dancara Stock Farm, Burbank, during the early hours of the morning finds illegal gambling. About one hundred patrons, including Bing and Bob Hope, are allowed to leave without being charged. (4:00–4:30 p.m.) Bing guests on the Jack Benny radio show on NBC with Dick Haymes, Andy Russell, and Dennis Day. Forgetting it was a live show, Bing says “hell” on the air when reaching for a high note while singing “Always” and causes a mild upset in the press. The event is subsequently captured on a V-Disc.

Bing Crosby should know better. There was no excuse for his slip-of-the-tongue on the Jack Benny show on Sunday. Crosby is an old hand around microphones, so such slips can’t be termed accidental.

(Bee Offineer, Radio Editor, Akron Beacon Journal, March 18, 1947)

Jack Benny’s new quartet produced hilarious results, particularly when Bing, who isn’t used to live broadcasts, hit a high note and ad libbed: “Who the hell set this pitch – Dennis Day?” The puritanical NBC erased the remark from the transcribed re-broadcast for the Pacific Coast.

(Bob Thomas, Associated Press, March 18, 1947)

The next season, though the Sportsmen Quartet was still on the program, I began trying out other vocal groups. I was going to prove to Mr. Riggio I could find a better quartet. On one show, the quartet consisted of Bing Crosby, Dick Haymes, Andy Russell and our own Dennis Day. Now to appreciate the next story you have to realize that in those days there was no such thing as taping shows in advance and editing out fluffs and profanities. You did your broadcasts live and what was said in the studio, spontaneously and otherwise, went out over the four winds.

      During the quartet spot, Crosby had to sing a note that was much higher than his normal baritone range. Instead of the usual sweet Crosby sound, he sang a hideous squeal. This upset him and when his voice cracked on the high note, he forgot about the quartet and snarled into the microphone, “Who in the hell picked this key—Dennis Day?”

      I have to explain two more things. In 1947 you did not say words like “hell,” “damn,” “syphilis,” “bastard” or “pregnant” on the air. Secondly, in several recent pictures, most notably in the Academy Award winner, Going My Way, Crosby had been playing priests. In those sweet innocent old days, all performers, network executives and sponsors walked in fear and trembling of a vague indefinable monster known as “public opinion.”

      As soon as Crosby said the magic word “hell,” all heck broke loose on every member station of the NBC network and all the switchboards began lighting up and buzzing as thousands of irate listeners telephoned to register their shock at “Father” Crosby’s blasphemy.

      After the show ended, an NBC vice president was waiting for me in the dressing room. He was shaking his head. He was fretting and fussing and fuming. He was sure one of my writers had purposely written in this line for Crosby and had given it to him just before the show so it had not been on the mimeographed script and the NBC censors had not been able to censor it. He did not believe me when I told him it was one of those little improvised sayings that a person utters in the heat of a tense broadcast.

      He blamed me for the whole business. “You did an awful thing,” he said. “An awful thing. What an awful thing you did. You’ll have to apologize, Jack, for the awful thing you did. Your writers will have to issue some sort of a statement justifying themselves for the awful thing they did. Your producer, Hilliard Marks, will have to apologize for the awful thing. Lucky Strikes will have to apologize. NBC will have to apologize. Bing Crosby will have to apologize.” I waited and waited while he, like my imaginary Mr. Riggio, finished blowing off every molecule of steam. He was full of steam. Finally, he was out of breath.

      “You listen to me,” I said. “Nobody is going to apologize.” He started to scream again. I raised my hand to silence him.

      “The only thing that is going to happen is that in his next movie, Crosby will wear his collar frontwards, that’s all.”

      He didn’t think I was very funny.

(Jack Benny, Sunday Nights at Seven)

March 17, Monday. (9:00–11:50 a.m.) Records with Victor Young and his Orchestra in Hollywood. Lee Wiley joins him on “I Still Suits Me.” (1:30–1:45 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show. (1:45–3:45 p.m., 5:45–6:45 p.m.) Bing transcribes the Philco show with Alec Templeton and Peggy Lee which is broadcast on April 9.

Joined by songbird Lee Wiley and Victor Young’s music, both sell it strong for the specialty show lyrics of Jerome Kern’s “I Still Suits Me” song sophistication.

(Billboard, August 16, 1947)

March 19, Wednesday. (9:00–11:40 a.m.) Bing rerecords “White Christmas” and “Silent Night” as well as cutting other tracks with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra plus the Ken Darby Singers. This version of “White Christmas” becomes the world’s best-selling record. (5:00–7:45 p.m.) Bing goes on to record two tracks with Dick Haymes and the Andrews Sisters. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee and Danny Kaye. The Hooper rating is 17.1. This is The Charioteers last appearance as regulars on the show. Press reports state that Bing and Claude Binyon have bought stock in Variety Records, a local odd-label record concern founded in the previous fall.

Danny Kaye, whose radio appearances have been few and far between since his sponsor dropped his contract, will be heard on the Bing Crosby show. Kaye will serenade his daughter with “Dena’s Lullaby” and join “The Groaner” in what promises to be a jarring interpretation of Brahm’s “Lullaby.”

(The Indianapolis Star, 19th March, 1947)

There’s No Business Like Show Business - Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

Take two Irving Berlin favorites from an “Annie, Get Your Gun” legiter, give them to Bing Crosby to record, or Dick Haymes or Andrews Sisters—or, hey, wait a minute, give’m to all three and don’t you wish you could buy shares of Decca stock. It’s a buck platter, we know, but triple talent such as this on one black biscuit won’t do until the next thing comes along. Great material…Great recording…should go over solid.

(Billboard, June 28, 1947)

 ...Crosby is joined by Dick Haymes and the Andrews Sisters with Vic Schoen in those two lively numbers from Annie Get Your Gun, “Anything You Can Do” and “Show Business.” This last is undoubtedly a wow, and any gramophonic glossary would distinguish between a wow and a nap. I would stress the fact that Crosby often makes records that appeal to those who despise common crooning, and both the first and last records in this recital are in this category and should have universal appeal.

(The Gramophone, December, 1947)

Although they had no personal problems working with Crosby and Haymes—both on records and on radio—the girls were not accustomed to Haymes’ style of song arranging. He insisted on dividing segments of the song equally between himself and the sisters. According to Maxene, the trio was more concerned with the quality of the finished product rather than who sang how many lines, so they usually let the crooner have his way. One session proved troublesome, however, when the trio and Haymes joined Bing Crosby in March of 1947. Maxene recalled,

The only artist we had problems with was Dick Haymes. I guess maybe they figured we were a strange act to work with because we didn’t read music. So, when we would come into the recording session, we would have the secretary type out all of the lyrics and type out the direction of how it would go. And nobody ever disagreed. Crosby said, “Anything the girls want to do.” Dick counted lines, so he ruined a wonderful recording session that we could have had with “There’s No Business like Show Business” because he made everybody change things in it.

(John Sforza, Swing It! page 113)

March 20, Thursday. (5:45–8:55 p.m.) Records the Christmas story “The Small One” with Victor Young and his Orchestra.

This Christmas story is narrated by Crosby when, in Old Mexico at the hour of siesta, he sees the boy Pablo berating a disreputable looking donkey. He explains that what is mistaken for stubbornness in the breed is, in fact, the pride that was brought by one that fulfilled their destiny. He relates how, many years ago a boy was sent by his father to take an old donkey (the “Small One”) to the tanner and obtain a piece of silver for its hide; of how the boy first tried to save the animal by selling it to a new owner at an auction where he was scoffed at and re-buffed; of how, entering the tanner’s gate he is stopped by a stranger asking if he will sell the donkey to him as he has to undertake a long journey and his wife is not well; of how, when the new owner is stopped at the town gate by a soldier and asked his identity, replies that he is Joseph, his wife is Mary and that they are on their way to Bethlehem. There, in a stable, a King was born and the Small One was envied for becoming part of a great miracle.

Bing tells the charming story with conviction and he is well supported by the other actors and the background effects and music provided by Victor Young with a “Silent Night, Holy Night” conclusion. The “hoofbeats” effects (the same notes that the angels sang in their rejoicing) are adroitly interpolated.

(Fred Reynolds, The Crosby Collection 1926-1977 (part three), pages 186-7)

March 21, Friday. (2:00–4:00 p.m., 6:20–7:20 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing transcribes a Philco show with Burl Ives which is broadcast on April 23.

March 22, Saturday. Another 78 album of Bing's records - Cowboy Songs, Vol. 1 - has been released and Billboard reviews it.

Another anthology of Bing Crosby, this time packaging eight of his cuttings of western songs of early vintage but still standing up for the most part to the test of time. Supported by the music of Victor Young, John Scott Trotter and Jimmy Dorsey, plus Eddie Dunstedter at the organ for There’s a Gold Mine in the Sky, the Crosby chanting is heard again for Home on the Range, When the Bloom Is on the Sage (the Foursomes on the vocal assist), I’m an Old Cowhand, Mexicali Rose, Silver on the Sage, Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle and My Little Buckaroo. Bing in 10-gallon hat and riding a broncho makes for the album cover design with an accompanying booklet for the folk music.

(Billboard, March 22, 1947, page 110)

March 24, Monday. (2:30–1:15 p.m., 5:40–5:55 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for another Philco show. (1:15–3:15 p.m., 5:55–6:55 p.m.) Bing records the Philco show with Jimmy Durante for transmission on April 16.

March 25, Tuesday. (10:00 p.m.–12:30 a.m. on the 26th.) Makes his only two records with Al Jolson, “The Spaniard That Blighted My Life” and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” Morris Stoloff and his Orchestra furnish support. “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” spends two weeks in the Billboard Best-Seller charts in the No. 20 spot.

Good natured joshing by two great show business figures. Get Jolson’s mimicking an aria on Life. (Decca 40038)

(DownBeat, June 4, 1947)

ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME BAND - THE SPANIARD THAT BLIGHTED MY LIFE Bing Crosby and Al Jolson with Morris Stoloff’s Ork Decca 40038 It takes no genius to tout the “greatest.” But if this pairing by Crosby-Jolson doesn’t plough little aisles all over the country for people to lay in, then there are no prophets. Casey didn’t strike out and the atom bomb won’t work. Without boring you with details, it’s simply colossal. Crosby and Jolson (in the same easy informality that has Hooperocketed Bing’s Philco show) do two American favorites with charm, humor, grace and, leave us face it, class. With “Alexander” benefitting from exploitation of the same-titled Fox pic revival; with “The Spaniard” a natural for the mass audience that loves it when Bing and Al clown it up, there’s no more question. Decca’s Jack Kapp can take a fast bow and run for cover before the orders swamp him under.

(Billboard, April 26, 1947)

Decca cashed in on the situation. Both artists were under contract to the label and they issued a new version of one of the numbers Al and Bing had sung on the Philco show—“Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and backed it with a novel version of “The Spaniard That Blighted My Life.” Stoloff did the orchestrations for this. It was Jolson’s way of showing how much he appreciated the value of the balding musician who had begun his professional life as a violinist. However it was to be the only commercial recording Jolson and Crosby made together.

(Al Jolson, page 234)

March 26, Wednesday. (5:00–7:25 p.m.) Bing records “Go West, Young Man” and “Tallahassee” with the Andrews Sisters and Vic Schoen and his Orchestra. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, and Peggy Lee. This is Skitch Henderson’s last appearance as a regular on the show.

When Jack Benny and Mary Livingston drop in for a visit to Bing Crosby’s program this evening at 9:00 p. m. Bing will bring to light one of his hidden talents. Violinist extraordinary Benny offers Bing a summer job as a member of his band playing at a beach resort. Unable to afford Bing’s crooning services. Benny suggests that Bing could handle a light band chore playing the cymbals. For an hilarious finish. Bing, Jack and Mary Livingston form a trio offering “Margie” with Benny playing the violin.

(The Jackson Sun, 26th March 1947)

Tallahassee – Go West, Young Man

Strong material, a solid record-selling name combination—maybe not at their very best, yet good enough to be better than most—and this twosome certainly stacks up a sure-fire two-sided juke attraction. Newly hatched Decca promotion activities will be employed much in the same, and a successful manner that was applied to the Jolson-Crosby “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” on this disking and should cull for it added retail attraction. But “Tallahassee” with its very clever second-chorus Crosby-Patti Andrews duet and its strength as song material, and “Go West,” with its light-hearted lyrical ribbing of the California Chamber of Commerce given the Crosby and Andrews touch, should hardly require a fanfare to make the hit grade. Both tunes are from films, “Go West” from “Copacabana” and the other from “Variety Girl.”

(Billboard, May 17, 1947)

March 28, Friday. (9:00 –11:10 a.m.) Records three songs with Victor Young and his Orchestra and the Ken Darby Singers.

The Chistmas Song—FT; V. O Fir Tree Dark—W; V.

Of greater merchandising import are the lovely “Christmas Song” ballad and the caroling for the hymnal “O Fir Tree Dark.” For the seasonal songs, vocal gloss is added to Crosby’s soulful chanting by the Ken Darby Singers with John Scott Trotter (sic) providing an effective musical base. “The Christmas Song” will catch the holiday coins.

(Billboard, November 8, 1947)

March 29, Saturday. A Certificate of Merit signed by President Truman is issued to Bing in recognition of his service to the United States. It is awarded for "Outstanding fidelity and meritorious conduct in aid of the war effort against the common enemies of the United States and its allies in World War II." It is subsequently presented to him on April 6, 1948.

March 31, Monday. (12:30–1:15 p.m., 4:30–4:40 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing rehearses for a Philco show. (1:15–2:15 p.m., 4:40–6:40 p.m.) Transcribes a Philco show in Hollywood with Al Jolson and Irving Berlin which is broadcast on May 7. During the day, Bing and Bob Hope are at Paramount looking at a rough cut of Road to Rio. (9:30-9:45 p.m.) Bing, Jack Benny, Burns & Allen, and Bob Hope appear on a Pacific Coast League baseball preview radio show on station KLAC. This has been transcribed.

April 2, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Al Jolson, John Charles Thomas, and the Ken Darby Choir. The program recreates an old-time minstrel show. The Hooper rating is a massive 25.8. During the day, Dixie arrives home from a trip to the east coast.

Revival of the burnt cork era on the Bing Crosby Show (2nd) on ABC with Al Jolson and John Charles Thomas as guests was one of the stronger packages delivered by Der Bingle since he espoused the cause of transcriptions. The informality, knowing humour and sophisticated and yet respectful ribbing of minstrelsy by a set of experts, created a mood that warmed old-timers who have memories of Dockstader, Primrose et al and gave the youngsters a look see into a theatrical form that’s long since gone. Mixture of old-time tunes and ‘Who was that lady you wuz with last night?’ cracks hit constant bullseyes as far as laughs and sentiment were concerned. The duets, trios and solos by the participants produced the essential nostalgic atmosphere and even Ken Carpenter’s commercials took on the mood of the rest of the show.

(Variety, April 4, 1947)

AI Jolson, by now an old hand at hypoing the Hooper wherever he guests, took Bing Crosby’s Philco series for a sky ride last week and sent the show soaring to its highest rating since the first disc was spun. Checkers caught the show at 25.8.

(Daily Variety, April 9, 1947)

Bing Crosby, John Charles Thomas and Al Jolson took no chances on offending us squawkers when Bing’s WJZ air program did an old fashioned minstrel show recently. The show was good and corny but funny without ridiculing the Negro. Bing paid tribute to the late pantomime master comedian, Bert Williams, when he sang, “I Ain’t Done Nothing to Nobody.” Baritones please note: Bing and Al changed the word ‘darkies’ to ‘voices’ when they sang James Bland’s nostalgic In the Evening in the Moonlight. How about a little more consciousness on the part of all who sing songs which contain this and other similar words? ‘Tis very easy to do, as Bing and Al proved in their hilarious broadcast.

(The People’s Voice (New York, New York), April 19, 1947)

April 3, Thursday. Bing leaves for the east coast.

April 4, Friday. (8:00–8:15 p.m.) Bing guests on Burl Ives’ radio show on ABC. This was a transcribed program. Bing sings “Red River Valley” and duets with Ives on “Three Green Bottles”.

April 6, Sunday. In Chicago, Bing attends Easter services at St. Ita’s Church, Catalpa Avenue and stays at the Edgewater Beach Hotel (suite 471-71A).

April 8, Tuesday. Bing sends a hand-written letter to a Mrs. Frances Sullivan of Chicago.

Dear Mrs. Sullivan

I’m agreeably surprised that you and your husband should consider me well-dressed. Even tho I was in my finest for Easter – don’t you know I’m notorious as the worst dressed man in show business? And I have been for years. I must be slipping.

Warmest regards, your friend, Bing Crosby

April 9, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee and Alec Templeton. During the evening, Bing transcribes his Philco show at the Hines Hospital for Veterans in Chicago. Groucho Marx guests with Dorothy Shay on the show which is broadcast on April 30.

April 10-12, Thursday-Saturday. Plays in the 54-hole Twelfth Annual Midwest Amateur Golf Tournament at the Hill Course, French Lick Springs, Indiana and finishes 12th with a score of 240 (85-78-77). His handicap is 4 and he had recently been afflicted with a shank but the local pro (Mel Smith) cured it for him. Whilst staying at the French Lick Springs Hotel, he despatches a hand-written letter to Bill Morrow at the Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago.

Dear Bill,

That was quite a hassle last eve, but I guess we’ll get away with it. You know I told that ass, Banks, to kick the P.A. way up to overcome the size and volume of the band in that small room and playing from that shell - I think he turned it off altogether. It was a tough audience, but suitable. We should pre-cut songs downtown again as we’re using Hank, show at base can be later. Any home the hospital authorities approve. And I think we should definitely go to the base. Also all shows in New York area should be from hospitals, with pre-cuts made at studio unless inordinately expensive. We should have more time at the hospital for dialogue rehearsal and piano rehearsal on songs, and for a suitable warm-up, and this last named (?). I don’t think they heard half of what was said or sung. It seems to me, when we’re working from a hospital, announce it as such, no one is going to be so captious as to criticize quality. We have the pre-cuts on the songs in any case. On this show we should use pre cuts of all numbers save Shay’s solo and possibly Albuquerque. These may have been best at the hospital. I want to use Shay for a solo and some small talk next week or some dame equally should be set.

      I left a large brown envelope containing some mail in Charlie Crane’s apt at the Churchill. Have Ja(y)ne pick it up. It has a letter in it for you. Be sure and use the Edgewater clippings. You can work better there, and be free from interruption whether engaged in social activity or literary endeavor. Don’t use Shay if you’re going to be short and cut her anyhow. I heard show last nite but we used wrong take on Glocca. Otherwise it (illegible).

      Weather balmy here - nice trip down - hope phones go in soon and we can discuss these things more in detail.

      Tell Sam they’re running at ???? and I may ease a few heats (?).

Regards, Bing

      Have Ja(y)ne call Bennat at Hines and ask for some photos taken at show and before.

April 12, Saturday. The Paramount newsreel copyrighted today includes footage of Bing at the Paramount studios greeting actress Corinne Calvet.

April 13, Sunday. Bing arrives in Columbus, Ohio to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates lose to Columbus two to one in an exhibition game at Red Bird Stadium. The attendance is 10,234.

April 14, Monday. (Starting at 11:30 a.m.) Bing plays golf at Scioto Country Club, Columbus, with Red and Bud Trautman and Carroll Widdoes. Bing cards an even par seventy-two. He goes on to see the last hour of the Ohio State football squad’s spring drill before returning to Chicago and the Edgewater Beach Hotel. Bill Morrow has been allowed to occupy Bing’s suite during his absence.

April 15, Tuesday. (Starting at 1:30 p.m.) Bing and Groucho Marx watch the Pittsburgh Pirates play the Cubs at Wrigley Field in freezing temperatures. Star First Baseman Hank Greenberg makes his debut for Pittsburgh and helps the Pirates to a one to nil win. The attendance is 29,427.

In 1948 Groucho was doing a show with me in Chicago when our radio troupe was touring in that area. It happened to be opening day of the National League baseball season. It was a cold and blustery spring-afternoon, with the wind whipping off Lake Michigan. But the Pittsburgh Pirates were engaging the Cubs just the same and we were determined to see the game. With a view to the threatening temperature, all members of our gang put on plenty of extra warm clothing except Groucho. He turned down my offer of a suit of long-handle underwear. He gave a five-minute monologue covering his reasons for doing this, although at the time he didn’t even sport a mustache for added warmth.

He soon regretted declining the woolies because it was really cold at the ball park, and he was even more vociferous in bemoaning his congealed condition than he’d been in turning down my offer of clothing. His body was cold but his jokes were sizzling. A big fellow sat in front of us wearing one of those luxuriously thick, cashmere-soft, three-hundred-dollar camels-hair overcoats, or maybe it was a vicuna. Groucho tapped this fellow on the shoulder and said, ‘Would you mind removing your overcoat? I can’t see the game.”

He really broke up the box with his sallies, his observations about Chicago, the weather, and the Pirates. He even made a bonfire of our programs to keep warm. Finally, he gave up, shivered his way to a taxi and went back to the Ambassador East to catch the rest of the ball game on the radio.

(Call Me Lucky, page 277-8)

April 16, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Jimmy Durante and Peggy Lee. Bing records another Philco show at Ross Auditorium, Great Lakes Naval Training Center with Groucho Marx and Hank Greenberg. The show is broadcast on May 14.

“My husband said he wouldn’t walk across the street to hear a crooner, so I had to come alone,” explained a matronly woman as she took a seat in the section reserved for navy brass at Ross stadium, Great Lakes.

Well, Bing Crosby, who was the attraction that night, is considerably more than a crooner. He’s the minstrel of the era, the No. 1 entertainer of our times, if we can believe what we hear from the movies’ box office, Mr Hooper’s radio ratings, and Jack Kapp’s Decca statistics.

The 1,800 navy men (200 of them on stretchers and in wheel chairs) who gathered to watch him transcribe his ABC radio show found him a swell guy, a great singer, a very funny fellow, and generous with his time and talents.

To us he is all that – and somewhat of an enigma too. For two weeks we had been striving without success to talk to Bing and to look in on his rehearsal. Bob Hope answers the phone himself; so does Jack Benny. And even the President of the United States meets the press. But Bing is elusive.

We were about to give up the chase when word came that radio editors would be welcome to watch Bing record his show at Great Lakes. After we reached the station we were cautioned that if we met Bing (which we didn’t on this occasion although I had met him at the Quiz Kids’ session and found him very old shoes) we were not to ask him any questions.

So we didn’t meet him but we had sandwiches and coffee with the Crosby entourage, which included Bill Morrow, his writer-producer, formerly with Benny; Murdo MacKenzie, co-producer; John Scott Trotter, that genial, courteous North Carolinian whom we have admired since his Hal Kemp days; Hank Greenberg, a pleasant fellow, and his heiress wife, and Society Kid Hogan, bon vivant, vocal coach, chronic aesthete, horse authority, and Randolph Street fashion plate. (The Kid was wearing a pearl gray suit and a bright red sweater.)

A Crosby rehearsal and transcription is as relaxed as a cat lying in the sun. It has about as much tension as a piece of spaghetti and about as much hurry as a child getting to bed. An air of exaggerated carefreeness pervades the scene. Crosby leans against a piano in an attitude of complete unconcern. With his balding dome he isn’t recognized immediately by the navy men. His trade-mark – the flowered shirt – is missing. A dun colored garment hangs over brown slacks.

Groucho Marx, sans mustache and hair, in a bilious green shirt and loud suspenders isn’t easy to identify, either. Trotter carries on an amiable conversation with musicians: Greenberg, Warren Brown, and Morrow gab. MacKenzie hasn’t a care in the world. It’s a scene of contrived casualness. That apoplectic air that precedes the curtain raising of most radio shows is missing. Only Jane Hill, secretary to Morrow, seems concerned. She is rushing about, teetering on spiked heels.

Finally, well after the designated hour for starting, Bob Murphy, Chicago announcer, introduces “The Man” (That’s what Bing is called by his henchmen.)

“Sorry to keep you fellows waiting,” says Crosby, “but we had to get a few things lined up. At least we’ll know pretty soon whether they’re lined up."

The show was largely devoted to the first day of baseball – that Cub-Pirate deal in which Greenberg showed signs of earning the money Crosby pays him as a co-owner of the team. It was funny then, but won’t it be a little stale by the time the show is played on May 14th?

Bing did a wonderful job that night singing that paean to status quo, “Glocca Mora,” but even if he hadn’t it wouldn’t matter. All his songs had been transcribed earlier in the day at the Merchandside Mart and the best rendition is picked for the radio show. A transcription has the advantage that it is subject to editing and revision. And we have a feeling that some of those jokes about Groucho’s girl baseball team will get the blue pencil, but we hope that one about “a curve on every bag” will be spared.

We thought it all went off smoothly but afterwards we heard one of the Crosby crew say: “It was a hassel.” A local radio expert explained: Hassel is Hollywood for rat race.”

(Larry Wolters, Chicago Tribune, April 27, 1947)

April 17, Thursday. (Starting at 1:30 p.m.) The Pirates beat the Cubs seven to one at Wrigley Field and Bing was probably there. (6:15-6:45 p.m.) A special presentation titled “Going His Way” by New York Catholic Charities with appearances by Bing, Barry Fitzgerald, Ruth Hussey, and Jimmy Durante among others is heard on NBC.

April 18, Friday. Bing arrives in Pittsburgh by train for the Pirates opening home game in the National League. Starting at 3:00 pm., he sees his team win twelve to eleven against the Cincinnati Reds in front of a record crowd of 38,216 at Forbes Field. He also takes a turn at broadcasting the play-by-play commentary with Rosey Rowswell. Later he attends a Baseball Banquet at the William Penn Hotel when the Chamber of Commerce honors the new owners of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bing sings “Goodbye Mr. Ball, Goodbye” and “The Anniversary Song.” The after-dinner proceedings are captured by radio station WWSW.

Bing Crosby was all dressed up for the Chamber of Commerce dinner last night at the William Penn Hotel. Der Bingle wore a tie!

Crosby was one of the honored guests at the banquet to pay tribute to the new and old management. And, as usual, he stole the show, much to the delight of almost 1000 who turned out for the affair.

Before Bing got to the microphone, President Frank McKinney of the Pirates prepared a surprise.

He secretly installed Buzz Aston, KDKA crooner, at one end of the hall, and had him sing two of the songs he did in the Baseball Writers’ Show last February, when he imitated Bing. Aston, who can croon low, was accompanied by Cap Davies and Frank Natale, and his skit almost knocked Crosby off his chair.

When it came Bing’s turn, he turned on everything. Charm, songs, sweet talk and a personality that can’t be beaten.

Bing sang one song without benefit of accompaniment and for an encore, crooned “Anniversary Waltz,” (sic) aided by the pianist. Gosh, if he could only pitch!

(Les Biederman, The Pittsburgh Press, April 19, 1947)

April 19, Saturday. Golfs at the Allegheny Country Club in the morning and has a 76. Starting at 1:30 pm., the Pirates beat the Reds six to one at Forbes Field to complete their fourth straight triumph and they reach the top of the National League.

April 20, Sunday. Golfs at the Oakmont Country Club and has a 78. (Starting at 3:00 p.m.) A double-header at Forbes Field sees the Reds win thirteen to five in the first game while the Pirates win the second seven to five. Bing arrives midway through the first game when the Reds are already winning 7-0.

April 23, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Burl Ives, Peggy Lee, and Les Paul.

April 25, Friday (afternoon). Bing is one of several stars who entertain 150 wounded veterans in the ballroom at the Delmonico Hotel in New York. Others advertised to appear are Mary Pickford, Ethel Smith and Ralph Bellamy.

April 27, Sunday. Bing is thought to have been at Yankee Stadium for “Babe Ruth Day”. A ceremony is held during which Babe Ruth gives a short Goodbye speech over the microphone to the crowd of 58,339 (the highest of the season).

April 29, Tuesday. (9:00-9:30 p.m.) Bing makes a non-singing guest appearance on a CBS radio program called Vox Pop as he is cut in from New York to be interviewed by Parks Johnson and Warren Hull.

April (late in month). Bing commences transcribing Philco shows in New York which are broadcast from May 21 onwards. During his time in New York, Bing stays at the Hotel Drake at 440 Park Avenue.

April 30, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Dorothy Shay and Groucho Marx. Bob Murphy is the announcer.

Groucho Marx, comedian of vaudeville, Broadway, the movies and radio, and Dorothy Shay, who travels under the banner, “The Park Avenue Hillbilly” will visit the Bing Crosby show…The show originated in Chicago, the trio made with comedy, both in patter and music, for the boys at Vaughn Veterans Hospital.

(The Des Moines Register, 30th April, 1947)

The West is benefiting from Daylight Saving on the radio, even if the East isn’t. The shows that are being transcribed are being released at a time when Westerners are home to hear them. The quality of the platters is excellent, except, of course, the Bing Crosby e.t. which still sounds as if Bing and cast were doing their broadcasting from a barrel. What’s the reason for that?

The explanation is easy. Crosby platters are not cut continuously, then simply played back. A Bing Crosby recording session produces a whole bunch of records. The best of these records are then dubbed on to the platter which is finally broadcast. Some records are dubbed and even re-dubbed, and with each dubbing there is a loss in tone quality. The question now is this: The sponsor is paying $3,000,000 a year for Bing’s show with Bing getting $35,000 a week, so when is he going to conclude he’s entitled to the original Bing, not a carbon copy.

(William Moyes, The Oregonian, May 6, 1947)

May 7, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Another transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast and Bing’s guests are Irving Berlin and Al Jolson.

Bing Crosby and Al Jolson in their now familiar act with an assist from Irving Berlin, really wrapped it up last Wednesday (7th) on Der Bingle’s ABC platter show; parlaying nostalgia and sock showmanship for a bang up half hour session. Take off on the Ralph Edwards “Mr. Hush” give-away with “492 huge prizes”, including a herd of sheep, a kit of burglar tools, a case of Chevrolets and a town in Indiana, gave the program an added comedy fillip. Jolson and Crosby sweetened their harmony with every duo and they really got together on the Berlin medley. It’s radio’s top parlay today, bar none and if Philco has that kind of dough to kick around next season, a Bing/Joly permanent team-up could be a sure bet for Number One spot in the 1947/48 Hooper sweepstakes.

(Variety, May 14, 1947)

May (undated). Transcribes a Philco show at Radio City, New York, with Fred Allen and Connee Boswell which is subsequently broadcast on June 4.

May 8, Thursday. Records “Feudin’ and Fightin’” and “Goodbye, My Lover, Goodbye” with Bob Haggart and his Orchestra and the Jesters in New York. “Feudin’ and Fightin’” reaches the No. 9 position in the Billboard charts and spends four weeks in the lists.

Feudin’ and Fightin’—FT; V. Whiffenpoof Song—V/; V. Goodbye, My Lover, Goodbye—FT; V.  Kentucky Babe—FT; V.

Bing Crosby, surrounding himself with good vocal company and fine musical assist, brings a full measure of enjoyment in his singing for each of these four sides. In high order in striking rhythmic style is his vocal fancying for the catchy mountain novelty “Feudin’ and Fightin’,” bringing out all the mountain humor of the lively ditty. The Jesters join their voices with Crosby on the chant with Bob Haggart’s music providing pert rhythmic beats. In the same lively fashion, with Bob Haggart’s music in support, Crosby and the Jesters make it just as tasty for “Goodbye, My Lover, Goodbye.” For the second set Crosby calls in Fred Waring’s glee club, and in a capella style sings it most expressively and with beautiful vocal harmonies for the “Whiffenpoof Song” and “Kentucky Babe.”

      “Feudin’ and Fightin’” will find its way into jukes.

(Billboard, July 26, 1947)

May 11, Sunday. (3:00-3:30 p.m.) Mother's Day. Bing has a short spot in Father Peyton's Family Rosary Crusade radio program The World’s Greatest Mother on the Mutual Network. (8:30–9:00 p.m.) Guests on Fred Allen’s radio show on NBC. The show is titled “The Hollywood Mikado.”

...Titled “The Story of the World’s Greatest Mother,” the broadcast will trace events in the life of Mary as the mother of Christ. Music will be produced by Meredith Willson’s orchestra.

(Chicago Tribune, May 11, 1947)

Just before Bing Crosby went on the air from Mutual’s New York studios, during the all-star “World’s Greatest Mother” program yesterday afternoon. He sat in the network’s offices calmly listening to a radio description of the St. Louis Cards- Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game. He did so with interest, being part owner of the Pittsburgh club.

(Daily News, May 12, 1947)

Bing Crosby, himself in person and not transcribed, and his host Fred Allen will do a take-off on the foibles of Hollywood life tonight at 8:30 over WIBA. Set to the music of “The Mikado” the popular Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, the comedy dialogue will be in the true Crosby-Allen tradition. Busy-boy Crosby, who just returned from a visit to his ball club, the Pittsburgh Pirates, will be making one of his rare “live” appearances when he saunters into Allen’s Alley.

(Alan Beaumont, The Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin), May 11, 1947)

May 12, Monday. (3:00-3:30 p.m.) Bing appears on the Barbara Welles show on the Mutual Broadcasting system radio station WOR. The show is hosted by former model Florence Pritchett calling herself Barbara Welles. During the day, Bing has a recording session with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra plus the Skylarks in New York at which three songs are recorded.

Florence Pritchett, who’s riding the WOR kilocycles under the monicker of Barbara Welles and who was the whilom Barbara Bruce of the N. Y. Journal-American women’s page, had an auspicious launching Monday (12) of her daily half-hour gab spot which was formerly occupied by Martha Deane. Bing Crosby was her guest and he pushed the program off at a pace that’ll be difficult to match in future sessions. With Crosby blooming in the spring with an iridescent and irrepressible line of chatter, there wasn’t much room or time on the preem for anyone else. It's unfair, moreover, to evaluate any gabber when he or she is up against such a free-wheeling maestro of the flippant phrase as Crosby. Miss Welles didn’t manage to hit any home runs during her few times at bat but she fielded Crosby’s line drives neatly and kept the conversational ball from being lost in a pocket of dead air. Definitely in her favor for the daily grind is her bright, clear voice, her unaffected manner and an average quality of educated speech that’ll make any hausfrau feel right at home. And the graceful way she hurdled the obstacle of a plug, for a fudge company by making Crosby take the leap with her indicates smooth traveling for her through the jungle of afternoon commercialism.

(Variety, May 14, 1947)

I Do, Do, Do Like You—FT; V. The Old Chaperone—W; V.

Senor Bing dips down below the border. And on him, it looks good. Assuming a calypso pose, with the fem voices of the Skylarks adding vocal assist and John Scott Trotter’s music making the rhythmic background toes-teasing, Crosby chants it with full calypso fancy for “I Do, Do, Do Like You.” And just as potent is his piping the comedy wordage for “The Old Chaperone,” a lilting Mexicali waltz melody about thwarted lovers. Crosby rings the bell with both sides for coins.

(Billboard, July 12, 1947)

…“Kokomo, Indiana,” a folksie specialty song from the “Mother Wore Tights” movie which Bing Crosby chants in breezy style with the assist of the harmonizing Skylarks and John Scott Trotter’s music…

(Billboard, August 16, 1947)

May 13, Tuesday. (8:00-8:30 p.m.) Makes a guest appearance on the radio show "Musical Caravan" on WNYC. This is in behalf of aid for veterans and disabled men

May 14, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Hank Greenberg, Groucho Marx, and the George Barnes Octet. Bob Murphy is the announcer.

Bing Crosby puts emphasis squarely on variety tonight with a guest line-up which includes Groucho Marx, Hank Greenberg, slugging first baseman of the Pittsburgh Pirates; Warren Brown, sports-writer for the Chicago Herald-American, and the George Barnes Octet. “The Groaner” who lists himself as the Pirate’s “vice president in charge of watching games, eating hot dogs and keeping my mouth shut” will air a comedy sports skit with Greenberg, Marx and Brown in the cast. On their second times at bat Groucho and Bing will sing a duet on “Good-by, Mr. Ball, Good-by”. (9 p.m., WISH-ABC)

(The Indianapolis Star, May 14, 1947)

May 16, Friday. Bing plays eighteen holes of golf at the Pine Valley club in Philadelphia. A compilation film Road to Hollywood is released by Astor Pictures which features the first four of Bing’s film shorts for Mack Sennett.

Astor Pictures has come up with what looks like a goldmine of an idea with its compilation of four old Mack Sennett - Educational two-reelers starring Bing Crosby into a feature-length production appropriately titled “Road to Hollywood.” Shorts were bought by Astor prexy Bob Savini several years ago when Educational went bankrupt. Entire cost of this production is some $20,000 and, with the film already booked into several of the major circuits. Savini should realize several times that amount in profit.

Savini was aided in the compilation by Bud Pollard, prexy of the Screen Directors’ Guild, eastern chapter, who re-edited and tied together the shorts with a live narration, in which he is seen on the screen seated in a director’s chair. With Crosby’s name as surefire marquee lure and with some zany Sennett slapstick for good word-of-mouth, the film should bolster double bill situations wherever played, if properly ballyhooed. It’s not strong enough nor long enough to hold up by itself.

Savini and Pollard did a creditable job on editing the briefies, managing to integrate a faint story line with them. Opening with Pollard explaining to the audience that this is how Crosby got his start in Hollywood, the film fades into one of the shorts depicting the Groaner starting off to the Coast in a dilapidated jalopy (a stock Sennett trademark). Then, with Pollard bridging each gap with his explanatory narration, the other three shorts have Crosby in typical Sennett comedies, things which he probably wouldn't deign to do now.

    Stuff, besides being hilarious, has a certain nostalgic quality which should please any audience. Interspersed with it all, of course, are eight oldtime faves sung by Crosby. There’s been considerable speculation lately about whether his voice is as good now as it was several years ago and this picture proves, at least, how terrific he was when he first hit the Coast. He dishes out “I Surrender, Dear,” “At Your Command,” “Out of Nowhere,” “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams.” “I’d Climb the Highest Mountain,” “Just One More Chance” “Mine All Mine,'' and “When I Take My Sugar to Tea,” all of which he almost single-handedly boosted to Hit Parade status. Sound track is free of fuzz, stacking up with present-day standards of recording.

(Variety, May 21, 1947)

May 17, Saturday. Plays in the National Celebrities Golf Tournament at the Columbia Golf and Country Club, Washington, D.C. Bing tees off at 2:40 p.m. with Senator Robert Taft, A. B. (Happy) Chandler, Hildegarde and Arthur Godfrey. He has an 80. A crowd of over 7,000 is in attendance.

May 18, Sunday. Bing takes part in the second day of the National Celebrities Golf Tournament playing with Gene Sarazen, Bobby Jones, and General Omar Bradley. Bing comes second with 158 in the special division excluding established golfers. Film of the event is included in the Paramount newsreel of May 24.

May 21, Wednesday. (6:00–7:00 p.m.) Bing sings three songs outside a house in Columbus Circle, 59th Street, New York, which is the HQ of the Damon Runyon-Winchell Fund for Cancer Research. A crowd of 5,000 help raise money for the Fund. Ken Roberts acts as MC and others appearing are Henny Youngman and Monica Lewis. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Maurice Chevalier. Bob Murphy is again the announcer.

Bing Crosby has added another honor to his already imposing list. The editors of “Song Hits Magazine” have named him first male singer of the country and added: “Probably the most outstanding popular singer of our time.”

…But getting back to top singers, Maurice Chevalier and Bing Crosby combine the top singing talents of two continents and the thrill of fondly remembered songs when the French entertainer makes his first post-radio appearance on the Crosby show tonight at 9 o’clock on WTS-ABC.

Fun and nostalgia follow each other when Crosby and Chevalier imitate each other’s singing styles and Maurice is heard once again in “Louise” from his first Hollywood film, “The Big Pond,” in which Claudette Colbert was his leading lady and which the parents of many of the younger folks listening saw during their courtship days.

Raising the singing commercial to unheard heights of grandeur the pair make duet of a parody on “Valentine” in which the sponsor’s product is extolled in a special lyric fitting the tune that has become associated with gentle ribaldry.

Tonight’s Crosby show promises to be the most discussed, quoted and praised radio show in a season of memorable Crosby programs.

(Glen Johnson, The Jackson Sun, May 21, 1947)

May 23, Friday. Bing and Bill Morrow arrive in Quebec and Bing is interviewed at the railway station by Station CKVL. He goes on to play golf at Laval-sur-la-Lac with J. P. Emile Collette, vice president of Associated Textiles, and has a 74.

May 24-26, Saturday-Sunday. In a four-man fishing party with Bill Morrow at Clear Lake at the Seigniory Club, Chateau Montebello at Montebello, Quebec. On one day the fishermen catch 20 brown trout in three hours. J. P. Emile Collette is the host of the party.

May 27, Tuesday. Bing and Bill Morrow leave Quebec on the Canadian National Railways “Washingtonian” train in car 82 (Room A) to Boston. While he is in Quebec, Bing cuts two transcriptions of "Calling All Hearts", Allan McIver's theme song for the Federation of Catholic Charities.

May 28, Wednesday. Plays nine holes at the Brae Burn course at West Newton, Massachusetts, with Elmer Ward and Fred Corcoran. (2:30 p.m.) Bing plays in the Goodall Round Robin pro-am for the Children’s Hospital Medical Center Campaign at Charles River Country Club, Newton, near Boston. He and Jimmy Demaret play Elmar Ward and Frank Craven in front of a crowd of 5,000. Bing has an eighty. After the golf, Bing entertains the crowd with a few songs whilst standing on a table.

Sixteen of golf's top professionals teed off with relief today in the Goodall round robin—for Bing Crosby and his stampeding bobby sox fans were gone from the again-pleasant acres.

Pressure is one thing and the shrill squeals and screams which rolled over the hills and echoed through the dales at Charles River country club yesterday are another. Golf etiquette was fractured beyond recognition as several thousand fans followed Bing down the road to par oblivion.

Surrounded by 17 protecting local gendarmes, Bing played 18 holes in the pro-amateur kickoff to the Goodall tournament. With him were Jimmy Demaret, host Elmer Ward and Frank Craven. Suffice it to say that Craven is club champion and shot somewhere in the neighbourhood of an 80

Nobody in the foursome got close to par but it was a neck and neck race between Demaret and Crosby for “best dressed” honors with Bing off his recaing record again, no doubt, winding up in the place spot. The crooner's ensemble was a brown hat with blue polka-dot ribbon; blue-green shirt; gold sweater; mustard slacks and brown shoes. Demaret upheld his sartorial prestige with a white cap of the gay nineties auto duster type; yellow shirt. Nile green slacks and honest-honest—green and grey alligator shoes.

“The sunlight glaring off those shoes is ruining my game,” Crosby complained as they jostled their way through a tough road show.

It was a new experience for such stars as Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Lloyd Mangrum. Accustomed to large galleries, they played practically in private. It was so upsetting that Hogan, out in five under par 31, slipped off his game and came in with a 36.

“The silence got me,” he grinned.

But there was little silence between Crosby and Demaret, who must have been substituting for Bob Hope. They heckled, sang and whistled all the way until tee shots looked like five iron pokes and three putts were the rule. And when they putted out on the 18th the crowd closed in tight.

Standing on a table, Crosby sang several songs and then told his adoring public that he was sorry he couldn’t stay.

“I’ve got to get a plane to Pittsburgh and give Hank Greenberg a rubdown.” said Bing….

(Oscar Fraley. (UP), May 29, 1947)

(9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Margaret O’Brien and the Charlie Magnante Quartet. Bob Murphy makes his final appearance as announcer.

Margaret O’Brien, the screen’s youngest celebrity, will make her debut as a radio singer when she visits Bing Crosby…In addition to joining Bing in a duet of “You Won’t Be Satisfied Until You Break My Heart,” Margaret will discuss the qualifications of her host’s four sons as suitors…Accordionist Charlie Magnante and his quartet, including electric organ, guitar and bass viol, will play Chopin’s “Minute Waltz.”

(The Birmingham News, 28th May, 1947)

May 29, Thursday. (9.30 to 11:00 a.m.) Back in New York, records “The Freedom Train” with the Andrews Sisters and Vic Schoen and his Orchestra. Later, stars in the transcribed fifth anniversary Command Performance radio show with Jack Benny, Fred Allen, and Judy Garland.

…Hardly had the ink dried on Berlin’s manuscript when Jack Kapp, Decca’s prexy, decided the tune would be recorded by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. Crosby came down out of the Canadian woods, where he was vacationing, and within one week after the tune was written Decca had it on a master. Decca is also cooking up special promotional plans in connection with its record.

(Billboard, August 30, 1947)

…While The Billboard does not necessarily believe that “Freedom Train” will be a great nickel-grabber, the song, nevertheless, is a jingly melodious tune which was written with the patriotic theme in mind, but Irving Berlin also had one eye cocked on the general public and with Der Bingle and the Andrews Sisters doing it, the potential is indeed great. The Decca version of the tune is selected for possibilities because public-spirited Jack Kapp was the first to hop on the rattler, and paired off Crosby and the Andrews Sisters to assure the widest possible coverage.

(Billboard, August 30, 1947)

In early June (sic), the Andrews Sisters joined Bing Crosby again, this time to record “The Freedom Train” by Irving Berlin—a red, white, and blue recording session that lacked only Kate Smith and apple pie for completion. Irving Berlin happened to be at Decca Studios the day Crosby and the sisters recorded his song.  Maxene remembered: “We didn’t get to know him too well…We talked about the song with him. Then we listened to an hour of him talking about himself.” Sponsored by the American Heritage Foundation, the Freedom Train was a museum on wheels of the most important documents of the United States. The train was scheduled to visit all forty-eight states and give Americans the chance to view “about 100 documents of American history upon which the development of democracy and civil rights is based” and to rededicate themselves to the importance of freedom and the principles of the Constitution. It was partly a reaction to the threat of post-war communism and other “isms” perceived as threats to the United States. Berlin assigned all his rights to the song to the American Heritage Foundation. Other recordings of the song were made, but the Andrews-Crosby version was the only one to chart, albeit for only a week, and was used in the soundtracks of the major newsreels promoting the Freedom Train.

(Harry Nimmo, The Andrews Sisters: A Biography and Career Record, pages 239-240)

May 31, Saturday. (Starting at 2:30 p.m.) Bing watches the Pirates lose 10-9 to the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds in upper-Manhattan in front of a crowd of 35,000.

June 2, Monday. Bing is voted favorite male popular vocalist by Billboard in its annual poll of radio editors.

June 3, Tuesday. Bing plays in a pro-am at Meadow Brook Golf Club, Long Island with Cary Middlecoff. Bing has a 75 (which is better than some of the professionals playing) and he and Middlecoff score 70 as a team but are not placed.

June 4, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Connee Boswell, Fred Allen, and Skitch Henderson. Glenn Riggs is the announcer. During the day, Bing records “You Do” and “How Soon” with Carmen Cavallaro in New York. He may then have gone on to see the Brooklyn Dodgers beat the Pirates again, this time nine to four. The game starts at 8:30 p.m. “You Do” reaches the No. 8 spot in the Billboard Best-Seller lists and spends eight weeks in the charts. “How Soon” enjoys 14 weeks in the charts with a peak reached of No. 6.

You Do—FT; V. How Soon?—FT; V.

Singing in his usual easy and relaxed ballad style, and with Carmen Cavallaro’s piano sparking the accompanying rhythm instruments to create a background of lyrical intimacy, Bing Crosby chants it in simple and forthright fashion for an effective “You Do” movie ballad from “Mother Wore Tights,” and a pleasant plattering of sentimentality in “How Soon.”

(Billboard, August 30, 1947)

With Bing at Work - Preparing Recorded Show Is Different (Headlines)

With all the jocularity of a clambake getting started in barefeet and shallow water, a crew of performers skylarked through a robust performance, borrowing, impartially, from vaudeville, burlesque and back porch conversation, last week before a Radio City audience. Broadcasting was the vehicle. If you could have been there, the guard to the outer door of Studio 6b would have told you in an unnecessary whisper that ‘Bing Crosby is cutting’. Inside, radio was taking its longest and liveliest joshing since some of its vice-presidents began doubling as comedians, with Bing and Fred Allen, heavily buttering a script being recorded for delivery on June 5th. Whether all the gags that came to life without benefit of the script, ultimately will reach the air on the appointed date is problematical, for, as you probably know, Mr. Crosby’s habit now, is to record a show from five to twelve minutes overlong and then edit it into a master disc, running the allotted time for his audience. Fairly certain of reproduction however, would be Mr. Allen’s insistence that, ‘This had better be a good show’. He explained that he might find it disquieting a month later, ‘To be in the position of tuning myself out!’

      Although a number of potential sponsors demonstrated their shyness last fall to Bing’s insistence on a recorded broadcast, the performance of his troupe, last week, indicated that the procedure induces spontaneity and freshness at the microphone. Lacking were the tenseness, split second timing and the awed hush in the audience as a ‘live broadcast’ prepares to go on the air. For instance, the performance for this recording began at the absurd hour for radio of 7.37 pm. It ended almost forty minutes later. The recording process, apparently, stimulates more relaxed performance and freer ad-libbing. According to Bing’s reasoning, whatever is to be gained thereby can be retained while flat spots can be easily eliminated, in addition to which portions of the show can be repeated until the desired delivery is achieved. Yet, perfection isn’t always sought, the delight of the audience over a garbled line has been proved too frequently, an amusing ‘blow-up’ stays in. Thus, the final recording for broadcast is prepared from a series of ‘takes’. The uninterrupted performance for the studio audience is not entirely the version put on the air. As a matter of fact, a fair proportion of the program usually is ‘canned’ during the rehearsal before the studio show. If it weren’t for the microphone, to a casual passer-by, Mr. Crosby’s show, last week, might have been going on in one of the theatres that once advertised eight acts for a quarter, a Second Avenue tavern or a tent. Certainly there was nothing more nonchalant or leisurely in radio. Connee Boswell and Fred Allen who shared the guest spot and Bing bantered generally more times than not volunteering a line along with each one assigned them in the script. Presumably, the only dissident to the proceedings, in view of the audience’s reception of them, might have been a conscientious control engineer trying to carry out the show on a schedule.

      Strikingly unusual was the spendthrift generosity with which commercials were handed out to outfits other than the sponsor, out-hawking even those relatively impecunious stations which find it necessary to cram as many spot announcements as possible into their broadcasting days. This single performance grandly gave mention to ‘Tums’; ‘Alka-Seltzer’; ‘Hotel Drake’; ‘Harvard University’; ‘Toots Shor’s’; ‘Paramount Pictures’; ‘Nino & Nella’s’; ‘Tenderleaf Tea’ and ‘the Pittsburgh Pirates’ - Bing’s sponsor is ‘Philco’. Only the rehearsal followed conventional form, simultaneously scripts were scanned and lines were mumbled. The suitable tempo for a song was fixed; a telephone bell was kept ringing until it registered properly for the microphone. Except for those parts of the script which were recorded as suitable for the master disc, none of the program took life until the show for the studio audience. Rehearsal faded into a lull during which the studio audience was seated. The show and Fred Allen, almost immediately took up the cudgels against certain of radio’s other set, commenting, obliquely on the situation through Bing’s easygoing broadcasting ways, he admonished, ‘You stay relaxed like this and your blood pressure will never get any higher than your Hooper rating!’ If there were principle at all involved in the exhumation of the situation, in view of ABC’s sage aloofness to it, it would appear to be whether the now, attenuated gag, retains enough vigor for one more chuckle but that may very well be another Hooper story. As for Mr. Crosby’s style of broadcasting, perhaps Mr. Allen summed it up best of all when, as a line fell flat, he flipped. ‘OK folks, we can wait four weeks for the laughs.’

(New York Times, May 11, 1947)

June 5, Thursday. Another recording session in New York, this time with Fred Waring and the Glee Club and they perform the “Whiffenpoof Song” and “Kentucky Babe” together. “Whiffenpoof Song” spends seven weeks in the Billboard charts reaching a peak position of #7. Bing leaves early to watch the Brooklyn Dodgers versus Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game at Ebbets Field starting at 2:00 p.m. The Pirates are beaten three to nil and Bing leaves before the end of the game.

June 6, Friday. Travels to Cincinnati, Ohio.

June 7, Saturday. Bing has stayed overnight in Cincinnati and is mobbed by a huge crowd as he leaves his hotel. Goes on to golf in a National Cancer Fund Rally at Hyde Park Country Club, Cincinnati, before a crowd of 5,000. Playing with Toney Penna and Jimmy Demaret, Bing has a 5-over-par 76. At around 6:30 p.m., Bing takes part in a radio program from the course over station WKRC and sings several songs including “How Are Things in Glocca Morra” and a duet of “Home on the Range” with Jimmy Demaret. Later goes to the Turf and Fields Restaurant at Sixth and Walnut where Bing is able to place some illicit bets on his horses. Bing also visits the Beverly Hills Country Club in Southgate, Kentucky (just two miles from Cincinnati) where illegal gambling was available. It is believed that the club was run by the Cleveland Crime Syndicate.

Bing Swells Cancer Fund with Clowning

CINCINNATI, June 7—(AP)—Bing Crosby and four “name” golfers performed for a sell-out crowd of 5,000 in the Cincinnati cancer fund exhibition tournament today and Johnny Dell, fund chairman, said receipts were in excess of $10,000.

The radio-motion picture star “clowned” his way around the Hyde Park Country club course but managed to card a five-overpar 37-39-76. Tony Penna of Cincinnati, and Jimmy Demaret turned in 67’s, four under par, to lead the field of eight shot makers. Penna had a 36-33-67 and Demaret a 34-33-67.

‘Red” Strauss, Cincinnati pro, who was the fourth member of the Crosby - Penna - Demaret foursome shot a 39-40-79. Ben Hogan was best of the other foursome, which included Byron Nelson, with a two-under-par 33-36-69. Nelson had 36-36-72.

...Crosby told newsmen he was in the midst of a series of golf benefits for the National Cancer Foundation and Chicago was his next stop.

(Associated Press, June 7, 1947)

June 11, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Alec Templeton and Ethel Merman.

No less than 19—count ‘em—19 all time hit tunes in whole or in part will be included in Bing Crosby’s show tonight at 9 o’clock when musical comedy star Ethel Merman and Alec Templeton, pianist and songster-satirist, visit the all-star half hour of music and fun. Ethel and Bing are expected to bring the house down when they join in the duet, “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better,” from “Annie Get Your Gun,” seldom heard on the air.

(The Jackson Sun, 11th June, 1947)

June 12, Thursday. (9:00–12 noon) Back in Hollywood, Bing has a recording session with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra. One song— “Suspense”—has been written by Al Rinker. Bing’s version of “You Took Advantage of Me” is rejected as the performance is substandard. Buddy Cole is a member of the Orchestra. Press reports indicate that Bing has agreed to act as Honorary Chairman for the Louis Jordan Testimonial Dinner to be held on June 30 at the Hotel Pierre.

Suspense (03967) sounds like the old Bing, and the famous Anniversary Song which is the coupling is also up to standard.

(The Gramophone, October 1948)

June 13, Friday. (7:00–10:30 p.m.) Records the first part of the drama “The Man Without a Country” with Frank Lovejoy. Victor Young and his Orchestra provide support.

June 15, Sunday. Bing and Bob Hope have a featured spot in the transcribed Guest Star program #12 with Denes Agay. Guest Star programs were instigated by the Treasury Department for the promotion of US Savings Bonds and were produced and transcribed in New York. Material was frequently beamed in from Hollywood and other cities.

June 16, Monday. Records the second part of the drama “The Man Without a Country”

The characters in this dramatised story by Edward Everett Hale (a classic novelette which first appeared in the “Atlantic Monthly” in 1863) as adapted in poetic narrative by Jean Holloway, are shadowy figures to other than US citizens. In fact the recording was not issued in the UK until 1967. Nevertheless, the “love of country” theme is universal and requires little imagination for its message to be applied to any other native land.

Briefly, the story is of how Lieutenant Philip Nolan, through an association with political leader Aaron Burr, is accused of treason and in an outburst of fury declares damnation of the US and a wish that he never again should hear its name. The Court grants his wish and from 1807 until 1863 he is kept prisoner on board ships that sail the seas without his ever having sight or sound of his country.

In the Mediterranean, he meets ladies invited aboard for a ship’s ball and finds among them his long lost sweetheart but he is stubbed. He lives on for long years with an unbearably empty heart and when he lies dying his cabin is found to be a shrine to America: stars and stripes draped around a picture of Washington, his own painting of a majestic eagle and a map of the US that he had drawn from memory. His final wishes are to hear about his country (nine Presidents since 1807, momentous historical events and an extract from Lincoln’s Gettysburg address are related), to be buried at sea and to have a stone set up in his memory. The wishes were granted and thus, relates Bing, “the man without a country came home to America”.

All the actors speak their parts well; interestingly, two of them later found fame on television, Gale Gordon in Lucille Ball’s show and Jack Webb in the successful “Dragnet” detective series. Ira Grossel was the real name of Jeff Chandler who became a leading man in films.

Crosby’s narration includes some picturesque descriptions of the America that Philip Nolan would never see again. The background music and effects were composed and directed by Victor Young.

Hale’s story was based upon truth. In l804 Aaron Burr, a lawyer, was defeated in a bid for the Presidency by Alexander Hamilton whom he challenged to a duel for alleged aspersion to his character. Hamilton was fatally wounded and Burr was forced to retire from public life. In 1807, he was charged with conspiracy and treason when it was asserted that he was forming a private army to seize Mexico: he was tried but acquitted. Philip Nolan, born in Mississippi of Irish descent, had supported him and was arraigned before a court martial and sentenced. He was well treated on the ships where he spent fifty-five years of his life. The sentence was never rescinded and he died aboard in his eighties. One of the ships upon which he was confined was “Old Ironsides” including the time of its battle with HMS Java. The incident related in the recording about the reading from Scott’s “The Lay of The Last Minstrel” was possibly an elaboration although it was said to have been reported by one of the ship’s officers. It would certainly have been impossible for anyone to have read to him the extract from Lincoln’s address which was not made until six months after Nolan died.

(Fred Reynolds, The Crosby Collection 1926-1977 (part three), pages 203-4)

June 18, Wednesday. Bing records a plug for the 20th Century Fox film Mother Wore Tights. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) The transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. This is the final Philco show of the season. The guests are Bob Hope and Jimmy Demaret.

Bing Crosby-Bob Hope shenanigans on the former’s program, last Wednesday (18th), were of the usual high grade for some of the most amusing banter of the season. The program was smartly varied with the two quipsters gagging, Crosby crooning, then permitting golfer, Jimmy Demaret to sing a tune (and not badly!). It was a gay show - with one serious flaw. Studio audience laughter was so heavy and constant (as much, apparently, at the comics’ antics, as for their gags) that it marred the reception. Several times, Crosby or Hope were indistinct because of the laughter while at other times, home listeners might have wondered what brought on the frenzied guffaws. Smarter production on this disked show would have cut out or toned down a good deal of this studio audience hilarity to the program’s distinct benefit.

(Variety, June 25, 1947)

June 20, Friday. Bing sets off for the ranch at Elko with his four sons. Dixie remains in Hollywood. On the way, Bing golfs with British film producer, J. Arthur Rank, at the Cypress Point golf course, near Pebble Beach. Publicity releases on June 23 state that he signs with Rank to make a film in England during the summer of 1948. "Brigadoon" is in mind for Bing with Sir Harry Lauder co-starring. Similar publicity had been seen earlier in the year but the project does not come to fruition.

June 22, Sunday. En route to Elko, attends early morning mass with two of his sons at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Carson City, Nevada. Also Bing sends a postcard to Bill Morrow from Bijou, California (on the shores of Lake Tahoe) stating:

Just checking on various California fishing grounds. Think you could dunk your cuttyhunk (?) in these waters with some hope. Having lots of laffs with my companions.

Bing.

From Elko, it is likely that Bing and his sons go to Hayden Lake, Idaho, for a vacation. During his stay at Elko, Bing sends another hand-written letter to Morrow.

Dear Bill,

I had your note (?) the other day relative to Philco starting dates and length of contract. The way I feel now with the tax cut losing out and one thing and another, I’d just as soon chuck the whole deal and concentrate on pictures. The money isn’t enough to compensate for the work everybody puts into it. And if we can’t work at convenient times, what good is it? I think you better tell them we want 36 weeks. First show to be on October 1st. or we retire. Furthermore I hear nothing from ABC regarding their promise to give our corporation some stock - a substantial block. They apparently think I’m thinking about switching network, but I’ll either do that or quit. I wish you and Jack could get up here around July 4 from Mammoth and we can discuss this at greater length.

      It’s nice up here now. Warm days - cold nites. The boys, of course, are having a whale of a time. But it’s quite a chore looking after them. Joe Knowles is up for a couple days with his two kids and the six of them keep things jumping pretty good. Lots of laughs with them too, of course. Went fishing the other day up above the ranch and did good. Nice size but the water is low I don’t know how long it will last. We’re going on a 2 day trip this weekend with Oldham over on the ??? river. He rode guns up this week, so it’s virgin water, and very good, by all reports. Wild Horse is good and Smith caught a 10lb Rainbow in Ruby Valley. Alas the mountain lakes are contracted. Say hello to Jack.

Bing

July 12, Saturday. Billboard magazine announces the results of its 9th. annual college poll of favorite male singers. Frank Sinatra is top with 755 votes followed by Bing (740) and Como (616).

July 26, Saturday. It is announced that Bing is selling his ranch at Independence Valley and buying four ranches including the PX ranch near North Fork, sixty miles north of Elko, Nevada, from Newt Crumley (owner of the Commercial Hotel, Elko) for $221,000 cash, cattle at market, and ten dollars a ton for the hay. The ranches contain 25,000 acres and an unknown expanse of national forest. They are at an elevation of 6,400 feet and Bing runs 3,500 head of cattle there. John Eacret, manager of Bing's existing ranch, will manage the new Crosby interests.

August 4, Monday. Bing informally “adopts” an eleven-year-old Belgian girl, Zulma Scheinowitz, whose father was killed by the Germans and whose mother and sister are ill in a Belgian sanitarium. Bing has agreed to care for the girl as a sponsor through a children’s agency in New York.

August 6, Wednesday. The New York premiere of Bing’s film Welcome Stranger takes place. In its initial release period in the USA, the film takes in $6.1 million in rentals.

Welcome Stranger should find the boxoffice path easy treading. It’s crammed with all the ingredients that make for popular entertainment. . . Crosby and Fitzgerald take obvious pleasure in their friendly antagonist roles as young and old doctors, trouping parts to a fare-thee-well for audience response. . . .

Dialog has a flip flavor that pleases, punching over gags that are laugh-getters. Tag of many smart cracks will be lost in audience roars. Songs by Johnny Burke and James Van Heusen are well spotted and given the Crosby treatment vocally to pay off. Numbers are “Smile Right Back at the Sun,” “My Heart Is a Hobo,” “Country Style” and the ballad “As Long as I’m Dreaming.” Square dance sequence gives “Country Style” best production display to court audience favor.

(Variety, April 30, 1947, following the Los Angeles tradeshow)

The news most moviegoers must be waiting to hear about the new Bing Crosby-Barry Fitzgerald picture at the Paramount Theatre is, “How does it compare with ‘Going My Way’?”

Well, it can be said that “Welcome Stranger” is as genial as the day is long—just the kind of picture that is nice to have around, even though it may not prompt one to shout huzzas. While it is not the intention to sell short this amiable comedy-drama about a pair of smalltown medical practitioners, the fact is that “Welcome Stranger” misses by a considerable margin the high mark in entertainment established by its distinguished predecessor.

Comparisons are, at best, invidious, but sometimes they are unavoidable. And certainly Paramount invited such when it consciously determined to capitalize on the phenomenal success of “Going My Way” by reuniting Crosby and Fitzgerald under circumstances not too dissimilar in “Welcome Stranger.” This time the boys are joined by Hippocratic allegiance rather than ecclesiastical bonds, but the film still tells the story of a young man and his relationship with a crotchety elder.

It is an amusingly contrived story for the most part and gets off to a humorous start through a series of engaging misunderstandings between old Doc McRory, planning his first vacation from the good people of Fallbridge in thirty-five years, and his flashily dressed, tune-humming replacement. Jim Pearson’s breezy mannerisms and the obvious play he makes for the pretty school teacher at a barn dance going-away party for Doc McRory cause the townsfolk to turn on their New England acerbity. And it is not until circumstances cause him to save the old Doc’s life by performing an appendectomy with only the “teach” to assist that his medical ability is recognized.

Despite this blatantly melodramatic device and the sentimental circumstance wherein Pearson helps McRory to outwit the Chamber of Commerce president, who would deny him the office of superintendent of the town’s first hospital, the light bantering spirit of the film is never lost. Credit for this, no doubt, can be shared by Arthur Sheekman, who wrote the script, and Elliott Nugent, who directed, but we are inclined to give the lion’s share to the Messrs. Crosby and Fitzgerald.

Both tower over the script through sheer personality, and especially is this true in Mr. Crosby’s case, for Mr. Sheekman has not invested the character of Jim Pearson with much substance. Mr. Fitzgerald’s Doc McRory is a more rounded individual, and he does have some quaintly flavorsome dialogue—“blatherskite” is one of his less endearing terms for the young assistant. Joan Caulfield is lovely and competent as the teacher and several lesser roles are well turned out, notably Percy Kilbride’s taxi driver and Elizabeth Patterson’s housekeeper.

(New York Times, August 7, 1947)

This is certainly not Bing Crosby at his best but he nevertheless puts over an attractive performance as a young doctor addicted to crooning, who acts as a locum tenens for a grouchy but kind-hearted old medico. He succeeds in the end in saving him from being deprived of an important hospital appointment by jealous rivals. The formula is much the same as Going My Way, but it lacks that picture’s “heart” and appeal.

(Picturegoer, May 10, 1947)

August 10, Sunday. (3:35–5:35 p.m., 6:12–6:46 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Hollywood, Bing transcribes his first Philco show of the season with Gary Cooper and Peggy Lee. Buddy Cole is now a permanent part of the Orchestra. The show is broadcast on October 1. John T. Mullin of the W. A. Palmer Co. tapes the shows on two German Magnetophone recorders as an experiment and the results impress Murdo McKenzie, the producer of the Philco shows. Mullin is asked to arrange to tape the shows in future. The shows are taped and edited with the results being transferred to disc for distribution. Although Mullin can use the Magnetophone machines and the supply of magnetic tape he had brought back from Germany, he knows that these will quickly wear out and he contacts the Ampex Company to produce new tape recorders. Tape is ordered from 3M.

In June 1947, before Ampex really got involved, I was invited to give another demonstration — this time for Bing Crosby. He had been with NBC until 1946 doing the live Kraft Music Hall. He’s a very casual person, and he resented the regimentation imposed by live broadcasts. Some weeks he wasn’t in the mood and hated doing a broadcast. At other times he was ready to do two or three at a crack. He didn’t like having to keep an eye on the clock and being directed to speed things up or draw them out.

The obvious solution was to record the shows. But NBC had told Crosby flatly that it wouldn’t air a recorded show on the network: It never had, and it wasn’t about to start. So Crosby took a year off, and when he returned it was with Philco Radio Time. ABC and Philco had agreed to let him record. But because the process involved recording and re-recording on discs, quality did suffer — at times to the point where the sponsor threatened to cancel the show because, during that first year at ABC, the audience rating was falling off. Philco blamed the poor audio. Crosby’s voice didn’t always sound very good after two or three transfers.

During the 1946-47 season ABC’s engineers recorded each show in its entirety on 16-inch transcription discs at 33 rpm. If everything went perfectly, there was no problem — they simply would air it as transcribed — but that seldom happened. Almost invariably, there was editing to be done. That meant copying some discs onto new ones, making adjustments as they went, maybe substituting a song that had gone better in rehearsal for the final take. Since they recorded everything in rehearsal as well as what took place before the audience, there were plenty of bits and pieces to work with.

Sometimes it was necessary to make what were called predubs. Say they wanted to use three cuts from three different discs, all within a matter of a few seconds. That didn’t allow enough time to get each one cued up during re-recording. So they would make little pre-transfers, or predubs, making copies until all the cuts were added. The final record, therefore, might be two or three generations removed from the original.

W. A. Palmer and I had been using tape for soundtrack work (he already had a going business in the film industry before we joined forces), where magnetic recordings were far better in quality and more easily edited than the optical tracks that were standard for films at that time. We were introduced to Murdo McKenzie, the technical producer of the Crosby show, through our Hollywood contacts. And after our demonstration we were invited back to record the first show of the Philco Radio Time season. Crosby’s people didn’t say, “You have the job.” They only wanted to see how tape would compete with the disc system they had been using.

When I taped that first broadcast, they asked me to stay right there after the show and edit the tape, to see if I could make a program out of it. I did, and they seemed to like what they heard.

Once the Crosby people bought the idea, they had to find a place for me to work. The American Broadcasting Company had been the Blue Network of NBC until, a short time before this, the government ordered NBC to sell it. NBC and ABC were still in the same building at Sunset and Vine in Hollywood.

Crosby broadcast from what had been one of the major NBC studios. Prior to the breakup, there had been what they called a standby studio, scarcely larger than a hotel room, with two little control rooms at one end. One was the Blue control room, the other was for the NBC Red Network. There was nothing in this studio but a piano, a table, and two microphones. If one of the networks lost its feed from the East, as they did once in a while, somebody could dash into the standby studio to play the piano. An engineer would run into the control room for whichever network was out, and it was on the air again with local programming.

Once the networks split and ABC had adopted the principle of using recordings on the air, there was no need for the standby studio. So that’s where they set me up. I installed my machines, moved in a sofa and a couple of chairs, and it became a little living room. It was a delightful place to work.

Crosby’s taping schedule was determined by two factors: when he was available, and when Bill Morrow, the writer, could come up with the material. Sometimes we went right up to the wire. At other times we would be two months in advance. We might do three shows in a row — one a day particularly if we were in San Francisco, where Crosby liked to work because of the audiences.

Murdo McKenzie was a very meticulous man. It was his responsibility to make sure that a studio was available, that the musicians would be there, and that Morrow would have the script. After the show was recorded, it was Murdo’s responsibility to satisfy Bill that his script had been handled properly. And if there was anything at all that indicated where I had made a cut, I would have to rework it until it was inaudible — either that or abandon it. Sometimes it would take me a whole week to put a show together after Bing had performed it.

I had two recorders and fifty rolls of tape to work with — just what I had sent home from Paris. With those fifty rolls I was able to do twenty-six Crosby shows—splicing, erasing, and recording over the splices.

There were no textbooks on tape editing in 1947, so I had to develop my own techniques. There was no such thing as actual splicing tape, as we have it now. I began with a cement very similar to that used in film editing. The problem with it was that you could hear the splice — a sort of thump — if there wasn’t complete silence where it occurred. I then switched to ordinary Scotch mending tape, along with a pair of scissors and a can of talcum powder.

Mending tape was fine for the first day or so, but before long the adhesive would begin to bleed, sticking one turn of tape to the next. Then the tape would break, and we would have a real mess. Before I used a roll, I always went through it and rubbed powder on the back of every one of those splices. That would get me by for a while, but soon they would be sticky again. When the show was finally assembled on tape, it had to be transferred to disc because nobody — including me — had confidence that this newfangled thing could be relied on to feed the full network. When someone asked me what would happen if the tape were to break, I didn’t have an answer. Since each roll ran for twenty-two minutes (at 30 ips), a half-hour show took two rolls and required the use of both machines. I would have no backup if the machine that was on the air failed.

We continued to record all of the material from the afternoon rehearsals. Crosby didn’t always know his songs very well, and he might start one and blow it. John Scott Trotter, the music director, would play the tune on the piano. When Bing got it, we would record two or three takes. In the evening, Crosby did the whole show before an audience. If he muffed a song then, the audience loved it — thought it was very funny — but we would have to take out the show version and put in one of the rehearsal takes. Sometimes, if Crosby was having fun with a song and not really working at it, we had to make it up out of two or three parts. This ad-lib way of working is commonplace in recording studios today, but it was all new to us.

(John T. Mullin, writing in High Fidelity, April, 1976)

August 14, Thursday. (7:00–7:30 p.m.) Bing acts as host on the Family Theater radio presentation “The Windbag.”

August 15, Friday. (1:53–2:53 p.m., 4:40–5:17 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing transcribes another Philco show with guests Jimmy Durante and Peggy Lee.

August 21, Thursday. Bing is reported to be in Walla Walla, Washington with his “press agent.” 

August 22, Friday. Calls in at cafe in Colfax, Washington on his way to Spokane. Bing and Bill Morrow arrive in Spokane late on the Friday evening and are greeted by Ted Crosby. They spend time at the Athletic Round Table.

August 23, Saturday. (9 a.m.) Bing visits his dentist Herb Rotchford in Spokane and has treatment. Then Bing and Bill Morrow visit Bing’s boyhood home at E508 Sharp, Spokane before Bing golfs with Bud Ward, Frank McKevitt and Roy Moe at Spokane County Club. Bing has a 79 and he and Moe lose to McKevitt and Ward. At night, he visits the Bozanta Tavern at Hayden before going on to Hayden Lake Country Club where he sings a number of songs accompanied by John  McReynolds on the piano.

August 25, Monday. Fishes at Lake Pend Oreille in Northern Idaho with Bill Morrow.

August 26, Tuesday. Bing and Bill Morrow arrive at Jasper in Alberta, Canada at night. They stay at Jasper Park Lodge.

August 27, Wednesday. Bing golfs on the Jasper Park golf course. Playing with Davidson Herron, they are defeated three up by Leroy Goldsworthy (the local pro) and Mrs. Herron. Bing has a 75.

August 29, Friday. Bing and Bill Morrow fish for rainbow trout in Tonquin Valley in Jasper National Park.

August 31, Sunday. Bing has a practice round on the Jasper Park golf course. He has a birdie at the eighteenth hole and tells his caddy that he will buy him a new suit for each birdie he achieves at that hole in the Totem Pole golf tournament starting the next day.

I first spied Bing Crosby on the sun-lit steps of a small Roman Catholic church in the Canadian Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper, Alberta. He was in the company of two attractive young ladies, summer waitresses at Jasper Park Lodge where he was staying while preparing to play in the Totem Pole Tournament, one of his favorite golfing events. It was Sunday morning, August 31, 1947. The qualifying round of the six-day tournament would begin next day.

I tried to catch his attention as he and the girls descended the steps, but they disappeared from sight when mobbed by a small group of locals, all vying to get close to the great crooner and say something to him, like “hello..Bing, how are you?,” to which he reciprocated in his cheerful, carefree manner. After chatting briefly with a few in the crowd, Bing moved towards an empty black auto parked on the street before the church. The girls and, of course, the crowd followed. As for me, I was still attempting to catch his attention.  

Bing Crosby had reached the driver’s side and was opening the door when I shouted something or other of identification. He spotted me. “Get in,” he called out across the roof of the car. The waitress in the back seat opened the door and in I climbed. I peered out the windows at the envious faces peering in and tried to act as nonchalant as was possible under the circumstance, considering that there was a pretty young thing in the back seat with me, another up front, and the great groaner himself, at the wheel. He turned the key, the motor purred, and we moved off.

“Glad you could make it,” he said to me and reached back over the seat to shake my hand. Then he introduced me to the two girls. He suggested I conduct my interview over lunch and on the putting green where he wanted to sharpen his putting strokes for the tournament. Then, like a scene out of one of his movies, he started to sing and urged the girls and me to join him.

“Who wants to do the harmony?” he asked. The girl up front volunteered. The famous voice, deep and resonant, and carrying a twinkle, began to fill the automobile. I can still see the back and side of his head, his hat characteristically perched at a jaunty angle on his thinning head of hair, and his trademark ears thrust out defiantly. There we were, two waitresses and one green reporter warbling our hearts out with the great man. Me, singing with Bing Crosby! But it was such a natural thing; not contrived or obligatory to please, but a delightful sharing of friendship among the four of us. And lustily we sang and chattered all the way to the Lodge, a trip of about half an eternity.

Bing dropped the girls in the main area of the Lodge, then drove to his cabin where he ordered in lunch for the three of us — himself, his manager and me. I was of course enthralled by what was happening to me — a junior league reporter getting the royal treatment by his idol. Lunch over, Bing and I casually walked to the putting green where, between his putts, I completed my questioning, such as it was for a kid of 17. He straightened up to hail the Lodge’s official photographer strolling by, camera in hand.

“How about a shot?” Bing asked me. It was something I should have thought of. “How would you like to set it up?”

“Oh,” I said, “I think a shot of you putting.” The photographer arrived with his press camera. “How would you like it Mr. Crosby?”

“Oh, a shot of me putting,” he said, winking at me, “and one of Mr. Sims and me together.”

I was touched no end, a true fan. So the photographer shot Bing as he putted and suggested I move in for a shot of both of us. Along the way I lost the treasured photo, not that I minded losing it that much, but that my folks lost the opportunity to brag, with the evidence in their hands, about their son and Bing Crosby! In about half an hour the interview was over. We shook hands, he kidded me about something or other, then returned to putting. Walking off, I wheeled to have another look at the great man. He was hunched over the putter, the pipe clenched between his teeth, the hat shading his balding noggin. He caught me glancing over his way, waved and resumed what he was up to.

(John Sims, writing in BING magazine, spring 2004)

September 1, Monday. Playing with Davidson Herron, Bing has a seventy-four in the qualifying round of the Jasper Park Totem Pole golf tournament and passes through to the competition proper.

September 2, Tuesday. In his first round match of the Totem Pole golf tournament, Bing wins easily.

September 3, Wednesday. Bing beats Matt Berry of Vancouver in his second round match 5 and 4, shooting a sixty-nine. His caddy gets another new suit!

September 4, Thursday. In the next round of the Totem Pole golf tournament, Bing beats Norman Wilkinson of Vancouver.

September 5, Friday. Bing wins his semi-final match at the Totem Pole golf tournament against Carl Haymond of Tacoma two and one.

September 6, Saturday. In the final of the Totem Pole golf tournament, Bing is matched against Gordon Verley, and they are all square as they play the thirty-sixth hole in front of a crowd of 1,000:

Verley was only about a foot from the pin on his third while Bing’s second lay beyond the green, at least 30 feet astray of the mark. From this position Bing couldn’t see the pin. He was under the shade of a massive Douglas fir. To make matters more despairing a youngster maintained constant squirming just behind him. The Hollywood ace took his stance then broke it with a good-humored offer to change places with the lad. This little act cut the tension for the big gallery, and Bing followed up by almost nonchalantly chipping the ball into the cup.

(Jasper Tourist News 1965, as reprinted in Jasper Park Lodge by Cyndi Smith)

    Bing later apologizes to Verley for being so lucky. Also he had promised his caddy a new suit for every birdie on the eighteenth and every time he breaks 70 and has to pay up on five occasions! Bing then goes off for two weeks moosehunting in Alberta and is later photographed with his trophies.
     September 8, Monday. Leaves on a hunting trip to Alberta with three friends. Gary Crosby (age fourteen) becomes a boarder at Bellarmine Academy, San Jose as does Bill Gargan's son, Leslie.

September 13, Saturday. Decca has issued a 4-disc 78rpm set called El Bingo and it is reviewed by Billboard magazine on this date.

Packaging eight Latin lullabies which Bing Crosby cut in an earlier day, it all adds up to a likely El Bingo binge for the fans. A romantic ranchero, Crosby sings to Xavier Cugat's music for Siboney, Hasta Manana, You Belong to My Heart and Baia. For the other two records in the set, it’s the single spirited spin for Alla En El Rancho Grande with the Foursome adding their vocal harmonies and John Scott Trotter making the music just as spirited. Trotter frames the musical back for the pash Amor piping to complete the platter. For the fourth side, Crosby sings it in Spanish, with Victor Young conducting the orchestra, for No Te Importe Saber, recognized as Let Me Love You Tonight, and adds the English lyric for Flores Negras, best remembered as You’re the Moment of a Lifetime. Color photo of the singer wearing a sombrero makes for an attractive cover page, with personal notes on the piper for the inside page.

September 23, Tuesday. Bing and his hunting party return to Jasper.

JASPER - Bing Crosby has just returned here, from a two-week hunting trip along the northern boundary of Jasper National Park. His trophies included mountain sheep, mountain goat and moose, a growth of whiskers and a deep tan.

Fresh from his victory in the annual Totem Pole golf tournament, at Jasper, Bing left September 8, with three hunter friends from the United States and outfitter Stan Kitchen.

Their pack train of 35 horses headed into the hunting country from Brule, wound through Eagle’s Nest Pass and the Wild Bay River, then to the Muskeg headwaters and along the Snake Indian to Devon.

Dr Arnold Stevens of Beverly Hills, Calif., and two hunters from Elko, Nevada, Newton Crumley and John Oldham, all bagged moose and mountain goat, but Bing was sole boaster of a mountain sheep trophy, prized Big Horn of the Rockies.

Outfitter Kitchen described the Crosby party as one of the most congenial he had ever guided, with the crooner’s tireless good humor setting the pace.

He recalled the day Bing and he were caught in a sudden high country blizzard which whipped over the mountain they were climbing and forced them to seek the questionable shelter of a rock slab.

Dusting the snow from his collar and rifle, pounding his hands for warmth, Crosby turned to Kitchen.

Only one thing I could ask for,” he shouted above the storm," “I’d give up my chance of a Big Horn if Bob Hope were up here with us.”

Leaving his trophies in Canada for mounting, Bing is now motoring homeward. The remainder of the party took off from Jasper airport Wednesday in Mr. Crumley’s Beechcraft to fly direct to Nevada.

(The Vancouver Sun, September 25, 1947)

September 24, Wednesday. Staying at Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia, Bing sends a postcard to Bill Morrow. He goes on to the Elkhorn Guest Ranch at Windermere, British Columbia

Boiling out here after big Jasper post hunt celebration. ??? ??? ???, tho lots of snow. See you soon. Bing

September 25, Thursday. En route to Elko, Bing stays at the Davenport Hotel, Spokane, after three weeks at Jasper where he has been hunting with Newt Crumley, John Oldham (Bing’s Elko real estate broker), and Dr. Arnold Stevens. He sends another postcard to Bill Morrow.

Dear Bill,

Sorry I can’t make the program on October 3rd but this seems much more important to me and I’m sure you’ll agree. I’ve made arrangements with John M?? of TWA to fly parties in to case the collection. Having big time in Spokane. Rutherford and McGrath (?) are sure as hell to ensure Jon Chadst(?) come along. Bill, see you soon.

Bing.

September 26, Friday. Lunches with Bud Ward and Dr. R. T. Flaherty at the Davenport and then leaves for California during the afternoon.

October 1, Wednesday. Buddy Clark is killed in a plane crash.

(9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee and Gary Cooper. The Rhythmaires become the resident vocal group. Ken Carpenter and the John Scott Trotter Orchestra continue in their usual roles. This is the first Philco show of the season and the new recording method is welcomed because of the better quality. The shows are broadcast on Wednesday nights until June 2, 1948, and the audience share for the season is 16.8 which enables the program to scrape into twentieth place in the Hooper ratings. Fred Allen’s show is in top place with 28.7 and the Kraft Music Hall (with Al Jolson as host) reaches eleventh position with 21.4.

Bing Crosby’s on tape, from now on.

His season’s teeoff stanza on ABC tonight (Wed.) was tape-recorded, then tape edited, then transferred to platters. Until a better process comes along, all future shows will be similarly waxed. It’s claimed the fidelity of the playback has been improved by the new technique, on which Crosby Enterprises has been experimenting for months. Main advantage of the tape at this time, however, is that it greatly simplifies editing and putting together of the finished show.

Tests were made for Crosby by the Palmer Co. of San Francisco, which has possession of the only two German-made tape recorders in this country, as well as a limited supply of German tape. These machines and tape are being used.

Groaner’s first two shows for the fall, recorded in August, were cut on both platters and tape. Decision to switch permanently to the tape was reached following comparative tests by Crosby Enterprises in Hollywood and by ABC engineers in New York.

(Variety, October 1, 1947)

Any resemblance between this show as aired last week (1) and as aired Oct. 16, 1946, is purely coincidental. The preem platter of Crosby’s brand - new transcribed show last season was flat, tinny, choppy, more novel than entertaining. Last week’s kickoff of the Groaner's second season on wax was a socko triumph over the it’ll-never-work boys. Radio headliners tied to a weekly “live” sked must have greened-up with envy as they listened to this solidly entertaining crystal-clear airer and recalled that Crosby put the stint on ice last August.

Show seemed, to this reviewer at least, to have picked up markedly in quality of the reproduction, even over the final platters of last season — a fact apparently attributable to a switchover from acetate records to German-made “magnetaphone” tape recorders to transcribe the program.

Show is now edited on tape, then transferred to platters. Result, as it came through last week, is the most“live”-like tones yet fed over network skeins.

Aside from the stanza's achievements in waxed fidelity, however, it is additionally improved 100% as an entertainment article. A formula has been arrived at, as an outgrowth of last season's trial-and-error experimenting, in which El Bingo seems perfectly at home. Format has none of the rigidity of, say, Bob Hope's show, but rather allows Crosby to croon and caper through the half-hour in a leisurely, old-hat manner. Overall effect is a recapturing of that offhand air which made the Groaner’s Kraft Music Hall inning such a fave.

Preem opened with a couple of janitors sweeping out a studio “because Crosby's coming back.” “That’s a reason to sweep up?” one of them cracks. “His baggy pants’ll sweep up the place.” Groaner walks in leading a live moose he corralled on his summer hunting trip. His brother Everett was out front “strapped on the fender of the car.” Crosby said. Thus introed, sans fanfare, the show perked along at a jaunty pace. Crosby’s pipes never sounded better than when he swims into “My Heart Is a Hobo.” He was in top form too in a medley of “Mam'selle,” “Chi-Baba” and “Peg O’ My Heart” and in his closing “Who Knows How Much I Love You.”

Gary Cooper was a natural as a teeoff guest, permitting Crosby to go into his old cowhand act for a round of cutuppery with Cooper as a pair of tough hombres of the west.

Gags were fast and fancy, with Cooper obviously enjoying the fun.

Highspots were their duoing of “El Rancho Grande” and a ditty about all cowboys being movie stars. Whole sequence was capital stuff.

Peggy Lee, a regular from last season, returned with a neat chirping of “It Takes a Long, Long Train.” John Scott Trotter's backing throughout was tops. Ken Carpenter’s Philco plugs are models, pleasantly integrated or smoothly segued, and wonderously non-irritating.

It’ll be surprising if the Bingle doesn’t make Hooper's honor roll early this semester and stay there, if he continues to tape ‘em as clicko as this one.

(Variety, October 8, 1947)

When Der Bingle returns to the air each fall it seems that radio programming takes a jump forward. This year, too, the Groaner’s show promises a half-hour of lush melody, rhythm and bright chatter, all delivered in that facile, show manly manner inescapably coupled with Crosby.

The debut show Wednesday was essentially the same package that made network program history last year, although one difference was notable—the quality of the initial recordings of last year’s Philco series was much inferior to the 1947 debut program. The improvement is attributed to the use of the tape recording technique, which provides greater fidelity. Wednesday’s show had no noticeable mechanical defects.

Entertainment-wise, Crosby delivered with the old charm, scoring with a medley of such top pop as Mam’selle, Chi-Baba and Peg O’ My Heart— tunes which Crosby does as no one else can...

(Paul Ackerman, Billboard, October 11, 1947)

The new method of recording the Bing Crosby Show is far superior to that used previously. The program came over sharper, clearer and truer than last year. The singer had a more enjoyable program for another reason—he didn’t give the impression that he was bored and wishing he were somewhere other than before the microphone.

(Hollywood Citizen News, October 6, 1947)

October 2, Thursday. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Al Jolson returns as host of the Kraft Music Hall show on NBC after thirteen years. Bing is thought to have returned to Hollywood today.

October 3, Friday. (3:00–5:00 p.m., 6:45–7:20 p.m.) Bing records a Philco show with Dinah Shore which is broadcast on October 15.

October 6, Monday. (2:30–6:30 p.m.) Bing rehearses for a Screen Guild Players broadcast. (7:30–8:00 p.m.) Bing stars in another Screen Guild Players radio version of The Bells of St. Mary’s on CBS with Ingrid Bergman and Joan Carroll. It appears that the same script as the August 26, 1946 broadcast is used. This is the opening Screen Guild Theater program of the season and is sponsored by Camel Cigarettes for the first time. Wilbur Hatch leads the orchestra.

As for the “Screen Guild” seasonal opener, it had the loaded dice usual for first broadcasts of guest-star shows. In this case the marquee names were Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman, just about the current ultimate, and the vehicle was a repeat of last season's highly popular “Bells of St. Mary's,” from the Paramount picture.

It was, of course, excellent listening, but proved only that “Screen Guild” can periodically come through with top names and entertainment. For this occasion, Jean Hersholt, president of the Motion Picture Relief Fund, which benefits from the charity angle of the series, was present to introduce the stars and thank them at the sign-off.

Commercially, there was only one notable point, beyond the standard testimonial plug and the transparent claim about a “survey” showing that “more doctors smoke Camels than any other cigaret.” The additional factor was the closing spiel which Crosby had to deliver, about the sponsor's generosity in sending free cartons of Camels each week to hospitalized— vets. This, surely, is the limit of commercialized vulgarity.

(Variety, October 8, 1947)

October 8, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Jimmy Durante and Peggy Lee. Bing is thought to have made an appearance at a benefit event staged at the Paramount, downtown Los Angeles, in aid of an East Side Boys’ Club center. The film Variety Girl is premiered.

October 10, Friday. (2:30–4:30 p.m., 6:06–6:37 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Clifton Webb, Burl Ives, and Howard Duff which is broadcast on October 22.

October 13, Monday. (2:30–3:50 p.m., 5:37–6:09 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Victor Moore and Boris Karloff which airs on October 29.

October 14, Tuesday. The New York premiere of the film Variety Girl takes place. It had already been released elsewhere on August 29.

[The film] emerges a socko entertainment . . . [Hope] and Crosby click with their “Harmony” routine, a socko number for all its paraphrasing of the “Friendship” routine out of Du Barry Was a Lady which Bert Lahr and Ethel Merman made famous.

(Variety, July 16, 1947)

October 15, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Dinah Shore.

October 16, Thursday. (11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., 4:30–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses for a Kraft Music Hall broadcast. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Appears live on the Kraft Music Hall on NBC hosted by Al Jolson with Oscar Levant and Lou Bring and his Orchestra in support.

Bing Crosby will join Al Jolson on his program Thursday night when he will be greeted by Oscar Levant and Milena Miller. With the aid of Crosby, Jolson will sing “For Me and My Gal” and the balance of the show will be devoted to “A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody”, “Peg O’ My Heart” and “I Only Have Eyes for You”. Crosby is paying Jolson back for several guest appearances the famous black-face singer made on the Crosby program last year.

(Tom O’Connor, The Tampa Tribune, October 12, 1947)

October 17, Friday. (3:00–5:00 p.m., 6:25–7:05 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Ozzie and Harriet Nelson which airs on November 5.

October 18, Saturday. James C. Petrillo, chief of the American Federation of Musicians, announces that none of his members will ever make another phonograph record or transcription after December 31, 1947. This threatens to have a major impact on Bing who is recording his radio show as well as making many records.

October 20, Monday. Bing is named in the press as a charter member of the Hollywood Republican Club.

October 22–December 20. Bing films A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court with Rhonda Fleming, William Bendix, and Sir Cedric Hardwicke. The director is Tay Garnett with Victor Young as musical conductor and Joseph J. Lilley in charge of vocal arrangements. The songs written by Rodgers and Hart for the original stage show cannot be used as royalties would have to be paid to Warner Brothers. Burke and Van Heusen write new songs for the film. The picture has a shooting schedule of only forty-eight days. 

I have so many happy memories of having the chance to work with Bing in “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” - not only co-starring for the first time with him, but starring above the title since he never wanted to star alone! What a break for a relative newcomer. Bing and Tay Garnett, our director, chose me over many girls who had tested for the role of Princess Alisande - and it began a whole new chapter in my career - going from black and white character roles to starring in many Technicolor films.

Bing was a delight to work with and did everything he could to upstage himself and make sure I was being treated well - and to be able to sing with him was such a thrill, although he had me sing down one whole octave from my trained soprano voice to be able to sing with him in his key - that was a challenge.

When I’m asked about my favorite films I always say “working with Bing Crosby was one of the highlights of my life and my career.”

(Rhonda Fleming, in a letter dated February 4, 2003 addressed to Kathryn Crosby in connection with Bing’s centenary)

…A sideline musician is the fellow you see in the movie who looks as if he’s making music, but all the music has been pre-recorded. On the set there would be a grand piano with no strings in it. Violinists covered the strings with cellophane, so the bow slid across the strings making no sound. I played a guitar. I played the proper chords, but my picking hand was swinging about an inch away from the strings.

Who did this kind of work? Usually the studio musicians couldn’t be bothered with it, for they made more money recording the original sound track. Sideline musicians were usually fellows who played in nightclubs, just as I was doing on Vine Street. …

So here it was Monday morning, and I was in the makeup room. A couple of other musicians were sitting on little stools with people putting makeup on them. They gave me a costume and a wig that was fashioned like the hair people wore in King Arthur’s time. Right away I knew this was going to be a problem because makeup and wigs are hot, and the Technicolor lights made it even hotter on the set. Bing always said he hated to wear a wig. He was always trying to talk a director into working out a scene so he could wear a hat instead.

There were about six of us “court musicians” in the scene that I was in. They handed each of a strange-looking instrument. A couple of them resembled square ukuleles. One had the appearance of an ancient viola, and my buddy played an instrument that looked like a zither with little hammers on it. I can’t say whether these instruments were authentic.

Sir Cedric Hardwicke, the eminent English actor, played the part of King Arthur. In this scene he was made with a pale complexion and a red nose and was seated at a large round table. King Arthur had a perpetual allergy and was sniffling all the time. Around him were court attendants bowing and scraping, dancing and juggling. There were big bowls of grapes on the table which the cast and crew kept stealing when nobody was looking. One day all work ceased when the head property man grabbed a microphone and intoned, “Now hear this! Everybody stop eating the grapes! They are on the table for decorative purposes only. The commissary tells me they’re running out of them.” Two days later I saw Bing furtively grab a few grapes as he walked by…

The pre-recorded music started, and I began my fake strumming. Then Bing entered with William Bendix. Bing was dressed in a maroon suit and a pair of tights. The first thing I noticed was that he had athletic-looking legs. I was 5’10” tall, and Bing must have been an inch or two shorter than I...

In the film Bing notices the orchestra of court musicians sitting up on a balcony. The music we were “playing” was a kind of fifth century madrigal with moving parts like a fugue. They faked that a little, because the music sounded more like 15th century than 5th century. In fact, musical historians don’t know what music sounded like in the 5th century, but they had to come up with something credible.

In the picture Bing stops the band and gives each of us a little part to play, and then we put it all together. It was pre-recorded and very musical—even had a little jazzy swing. Bing laid a few lines on my buddies, such as “Do you have your guild cards paid up?” but these were cut from the finished film. He was always tossing off a funny line. When a knight walked by wearing something that looked like a long gown, Bing looked down the full length of his attire and said, “Tell me, Buster, who’s your dressmaker?”

The scene I was in took about two weeks to do. Most people do not realize how long it takes to make a picture. A scene is started, and if it lasts a minute and goes well, that’s considered a take. Later on they splice all the pieces together. Making a film is a dreary, slow business. Most of the time you have no idea of the meaning of the scene you’re in; you just do a little bit at a time. When you finally see the movie, you say, “So that’s what it was all about!”

As I rounded the corner every morning I saw Bing’s little dressing room. It looked like a big milk wagon with a frame and wheels, so it could be towed around. Bing would be sitting there, studying his lines or talking to someone or giving everybody a wave or nod in a friendly fashion…

Keep in mind that our “court musicians “ were really nightclub musicians who worked until 2 a.m., yet had to report every morning at 7:30 for makeup and costumes. The first two or three days weren’t too bad, but about the middle of the week the 18-hour day began to take its toll…

When we finally started a scene, Bing would walk in, and the assistant director would explain what was happening. He’d say, “Mr. Crosby will walk in from this door, and Mr. Crosby will come across here. He’ll meet the leading lady over there, and Mr. Crosby will then move up to the musicians.” The directors and assistant directors were always very correct and meticulous about the way they referred to the stars. But to us musicians and other workers he was always “Bing."

When at long last we started our scene, we stood there with our instruments while Bing came and stood in front of us with his back to me, about two feet away. The filming of this scene must have lasted two or three days… I noticed that Bing was always chewing gum. When it came time for a take, he’d tuck the gum somewhere in his mouth, but it would reappear when the take was over. As he chewed, his eyes were checking on everything that went on in the studio. He didn’t miss a single movement or detail.

When you’ve done a scene several times it gets a little wearying, and even Bing got impatient. After the fourth or fifth take, as soon as someone said “Cut,” Bing would shout “Print it! Print it! It’s a take!” The directors, of course, paid no attention to him.

When a scene started, the pre-recorded music would play, and the dancers would begin prancing around in their fifth century style. After about four bars the music faded out completely. We kept playing and the dancers kept dancing with the help of a string of lights which flashed the rhythm to us.

The mornings were difficult and the days were long, but Bing was always fresh at that early hour. He was awake when everybody else was half asleep. Bing always went to bed early. When he was in Spokane he put in so many years carrying the newspapers in the morning that he got used to arising early and had no problem with it. If he wasn’t working he’d get up at 5 or 6 in the morning to play golf.

While lounging around on the set between takes, Bing often broke into a spontaneous song, usually from some cornball melody that lingered in his mind. One was a tune from the twenties, “My Ohio Home.” It was a song that didn’t do much for me in the twenties, or any other time, but every time there was a lull Bing would sing a few bars of that melody or some other obscure tune from his Paul Whiteman days.

One day between takes a prop man brought in a stool, and Bing sat down on it. From out of nowhere appeared a barber with his comb, towel, and scissors. He approached Bing, who was wearing a wig, and trimmed his hair around the back of his neck. There really wasn’t much to cut, but here was Bing Crosby, one of the biggest figures in Hollywood, getting his hair cut like a little kid sitting in his mother’s kitchen…

The last day of our work, Bing, knowing that all of us court musicians were about ready to leave him, said, “Hey, you guys, when you get your makeup and all that jazz taken off, meet me at the Playboy and we’ll have a few laughs.” So we all ran in the dressing room, rubbed cold cream on our faces, and threw our wigs in a corner. About six of us walked into the Playboy, and there was Bing standing at the bar, the picture of cordiality and relaxed affability.

“Come on, you guys, sit down and order up your favorite poisons,” Bing urged. There wasn’t anybody else there at the time, so we sat down. The bartender came along and one by one took our orders. Then he said, “What’ll you have, Bing?” Bing looked at the ceiling, hesitated, and replied, “I will have my usual internal poultice.” A great line!

Yes, it was a great experience working with Bing Crosby!

(Don Eagle, writing in BINGANG, December 1989)

(9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Clifton Webb, Burl Ives, and Howard Duff.

Bing Crosby will have his hands full when suave, sophisticated Clifton Webb and open-hearted, unaffected Burl Ives meet, with surprising consequences, on Bing’s “Philco Radio Time” program at 9 o’clock tonight…Howard Duff, in his role as Sam Spade, the Private Detective, will also be on hand to aid in the hilarious doings on the initial broadcast of this program series on WOMI… The very formal Mr. Webb finds Bing’s informality quite distressing but when Balladier Ives arrives on the scene, Webb is completely flabbergasted. Bing and Burl ease the tension with their duet of “Sweet Betsy from Pike” and “Clementine.” Webb’s discourse on radio and detective programs leads to his burlesque of a “private eye,” Clifton Webb, with Bing, Burl and Sam Spade joining in the comedy antics.

(The Owensboro Messenger, 22nd October, 1947)

October 24, Friday. (3:30–5:30 p.m., 6:44–7:13 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Peter Lorre and Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers which airs on November 12.

October 28, Tuesday. (7:00–7:30 p.m.) Live guest appearance on Bob Hope’s radio show on NBC alongside Bob’s regulars, Jerry Colonna and Vera Vague. The show comes from Van Nuys.

October 29, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Gale Robbins, Victor Moore, and Boris Karloff.

Bing Crosby surrounds himself with Boris Karloff, the Horror champ, Victor Moore, the stage and screen's favorite prankster, and singer, Gale Robbins, for a hilarious Hallowe'en fun fest on his “Philco Radio Time” program today, from 9 to 9.30 p. m. over WOMI. The first of Bing's guests to show up will be Victor Moore, comedian of stage and screen fame, who will give Crosby some inside dope on how he was the original “beautiful hunk of man Vic” in his youth. Sultry Miss Robbins joins in the fun and sings “I’ve Got a Right to Sing the Blues.” Boris Karloff brings a pocket full of surprises for Bing and Victor when they suggest some Hallowe'en devilment. As a finale to their fun fest the three join in a special Hallowe’en song, written by Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen for the occasion.

(The Owensboro Messenger, 29th October, 1947)

October 31, Friday. (3:00–5:20 p.m., 6:40–7:20 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Dorothy Kirsten and Barry Fitzgerald which is broadcast on November 19.

It is difficult to find one word to describe my feelings about this great performer’s voice: sexy, smooth, suave, and ever so personalized . . . many have tried to emulate his sound. . . . Bing and I were close friends for quite a while and enjoyed some good times together. He was a warm person with a gay and light personality. At one time we actually became quite serious; however, there were two important careers to consider.

(Dorothy Kirsten, writing in her book A Time to Sing, page 124)

November 1, Saturday. Bing and Dixie throw their home open for a festival sponsored by the Southern California courts of the Catholic Daughters of America.

November 2, Sunday. (1:19–2:38 p.m., 4:00–4:37 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Frankie Laine which is broadcast on November 26. Later, the Friars Club throws a testimonial dinner for Bob Hope at the Biltmore Hotel. Bing is listed as a speaker but does not attend, which leads to some comment in the press with Bob Hope reportedly being upset.

November 5, Wednesday. (12:05–2:50 p.m., 6:45–7:30 p.m.) Rehearses for an appearance on the Jimmy Durante show. (7:30–8:00 p.m.) Guests on the Jimmy Durante live radio show on NBC for Rexall Drug Stores with Arthur Treacher, Candy Candido, and Roy Bargy and his Orchestra.

The Crosby guest spot on Durante’s show is very good, but pales by comparison with this Crosby show episode [see December 4, 1946]. On his November 5, 1947 show, Durante plugs his new MGM film. This Time for Keeps, starring Esther Williams, “opening this week in theaters throughout the country,” but he does not sing any of the several songs he did in that film. Instead he plugs “Chidabee,” Crosby grabbing hold of the tail end of the song. Bing plugs his new film for Paramount, The Road to Rio. They join to sing “The Song’s Gotta Come from the Heart,” segueing into “Ochi Chornya,” which Durante loved to interpolate into other songs, and back again to “The Song’s Gotta....” Dorothy Lamour is announced as next week’s guest.

(Jimmy Durante - His Show Business Career, page 125)

(9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Ozzie and Harriet Nelson.

Ozzie Nelson and Harriett Hilliard, the former orchestra leader and singer who carved themselves a new radio career from their marriage, will visit Bing Crosby, who is quite a family man himself, during the Crosby show tonight at 9:00. After a frank and humorous discussion of their children’s troubles, Bing, Harriett and Ozzie will become a vocal trio to sing “Sunday, Monday or Always” and “Why Don’t You Fall in Love with Me.”

(The Jackson Sun, 5th November, 1947)

November 7, Friday. (3:15–5:15 p.m., 6:30–7:07 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Al Jolson which is broadcast on December 3.

November 8, Saturday. (3:30 to 4:45 p.m.) Records “Now Is the Hour” and “Silver Threads Among the Gold” in Hollywood with the Ken Darby Choir. "Now Is The Hour" goes to the top of the hit parade where it remains for three weeks during its 23-week stay in the charts.

Bing has recorded “Now Is the Hour” in a most tasteful performance with a small choir. This has style and imagination and even if you are sick of this song Crosby gives it a freshness that is quite disarming. Coupled with “Silver Threads Among the Gold” 03839 should be a money-spinner.

(The Gramophone, April, 1948)

November 9, Sunday. (4:40–6:00 p.m., 7:38–8:18 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Walter O’Keefe which is broadcast on December 10.

November 11, Tuesday. Bing is named as America’s most popular actor for the fourth consecutive year in the All-American Annual Popularity poll carried out by Boxoffice, a weekly trade journal.

November 12, Wednesday. Records four songs, including “Pass That Peace Pipe” and “Embraceable You,” accompanied by John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra. “Pass That Peace Pipe” charts briefly in the No. 21 spot. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peter Lorre and Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers.

Peter Lorre, playing as sinister a psychologist as ever made a down payment on a black couch, will attempt to probe Bing Crosby’s mental processes during his guest appearance on the WTJS-ABC broadcast of Philco Radio Time tonight at 9:00. Kay Thompson, new West Coast nightclub comedienne, and the Williams Brothers Quartet also will be visitors on the show. Lorre’s conclusions, after a careful examination of the Crosby cranial content, are that Bing is slightly off balance on account of listening to many radio jingles. Assisted by Miss Thompson and the Williams Brothers, as well as Bing himself, the screen menace will sing a few to prove his point.

(The Jackson Sun, 12th November, 1947)

November 13, Thursday. (8:00 to 10:40 a.m.) Records “But Beautiful” and two other songs in Hollywood with Victor Young and his Orchestra. “But Beautiful” spends three weeks in the Best-Seller charts, peaking at No. 20.

November 14, Friday. (3:15–5:15 p.m., 6:30–7:10 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Joe Frisco and Ilene Woods which is broadcast on December 17.

November 16, Sunday. Jimmie Fidler announces the results of his 10-week poll to find "The Most Popular Man, Woman or Child in America." Bing is first, followed by Jackie Robinson, Frank Sinatra and Fulton Lewis Jr. 285,000 votes were cast. (5:10–6:30 p.m., 7:30–8:10 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Danny Thomas which airs on December 31.

In the evening, Crosby did the whole show before an audience. If he muffed a song then, the audience loved it—thought it was very funny—but we would have to take out the show version and put in one of the rehearsal takes. Sometimes, if Crosby was having fun with a song and not really working at it, we had to make it up out of two or three parts. This ad-lib way of working is commonplace in the recording studios today, but it was all new to us.

(John T. Mullin, writing about working with Bing in High Fidelity, April, 1976)

November 18, Tuesday. (4:30–7:30 p.m.) Bing records “Ain’t Doin’ Bad Doin’ Nothin’” and “Ida I Do” with Joe Venuti and his Orchestra.

Ain’t Doin’ Bad Doin’ Nothin’

Crosby pleasingly balladeers a new Joe Venuti song with the aid of Venuti’s fiddle.

Ida I Do

Der Bingle does a typically pleasing job on the evergreen

(Billboard, September 11, 1948)

“Ain't Doin Bad Doin' Nothin”— “Ida I Do.” (Decca).

Both sound like they were made last year, when Crosby didn't care much. But his lazy approach to “Ain’t” seems just what the tune needs: he develops a mood that seems to fit the song nicely. His version of the oldie “Ida” doesn’t carry much appeal.

(Variety, August 25, 1948)

November 19, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Dorothy Kirsten, Barry Fitzgerald, and the Ken Darby Choir. Reports in the press indicate that Bing has contracted “makeup poisoning” during the filming of Connecticut Yankee and that the cameramen are shooting only one side of his face at present.

The Metropolitan opera soprano, Dorothy Kirsten, joins Barry Fitzgerald, as Bing Crosby's guests on the variety fun fest “Philco Radio Time” program Wednesday night at 9 o'clock over station WOMI. The Ken Darby Chorus will also be on hand to supply spirited harmony. Bing, the Rhythmaires and the Ken Darby group hop aboard the “Freedom Train” for a stirring opening selection. Miss Kirsten, who began her musical career on the radio, joins Bing in a tongue in cheek dissertation on the “radio to opera road versus the opera to radio ladder to fame.” …Fitzgerald, one of Bing’s favorite  film partners, offers some typical blarney before re-enacting his whimsical meeting with Bing.

     (The Owensboro Messenger, (Kentucky), 19th November, 1947)

November 21, Friday. (3:15–5:15 p.m., 6:40–7:15 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Walter O’Keefe and the Lone Ranger (Brace Beemer) which airs on January 7, 1948. During the day, Bing dictates a letter to his son Gary at Bellarmine Academy, San Jose.

Dear Gary,

Once again I hear very bad news about you and your weight. You are 14 years old now and you should have acquired a little judgment, a little brains, a little commonsense. I am not going to have you grow up into a fat, unattractive slob. If there is anything I can do to prevent it, you can be sure that I will do it…

November 22, Saturday. Bing sings a long parody with piano accompaniment to raise funds at the Winter Ball benefit for St. John’s Hospital held in the Crystal Room at the Beverly Hills Hotel. He finishes with "White Christmas".

The scoop that comes once—that’s what I got the night my camera caught Bing Crosby and his wife Dixie stepping out together.

Bing’s murder on news pictures. Once in a while he’ll let us grab a few shots. But most of the time he ducks or puts all the photogs who are around on their honor not to aim his way—so he can relax and have fun.

Because this ball, held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, was a big benefit for St John’s Hospital, the committee decided it would be better to hire just one man to take pictures. Otherwise, because the cream of Hollywood was to be there, the place would be mobbed by guys with cameras. It was my lucky day all round, I guess. I was the photographer they selected.

When I saw Dixie sitting beside Bing I didn’t think I had a prayer. It is unusual for these two to step out together.

Just the week before when they had gone night-clubbing together they’d refused absolutely to allow pictures to be taken.

But I figured I had nothing to lose by asking.

“Sure, go ahead,” said Bing. “But let’s not make a big fuss about it. Just wait your chance and grab them.”

That’s why I can’t tell you why Bing’s laughing his head off. I was so busy getting him and Dixie in focus I missed the joke.

Later Bing sang a series of parodies on the tunes he’s done in his pictures. And his performance was so easy and smooth they wouldn’t let him go. He finally had to finish with “White Christmas.”

And I can tell you that Dixie, like all the rest of us, never gets tired of hearing him. She clapped as loud and long as anybody else. And when he came back and sat down beside her, she was all smiles.

(Al Brack, I Was There, Photoplay, March, 1948)

The Bing Crosbys, Pat O’Briens and David Butlers were the last to leave the Winter ball at the Beverly Hills Hotel, They left at 4 a.m., then only because a waiter, who was about to collapse, said to them, “Have a heart and go home, so I can go to bed.” It was a great evening. The ball, which was for the benefit of St. John’s Hospital, enabled Kay Kyser and Leigh Battison (who as co - chairman worked like galley slaves) to turn $25,000 into the fund to build a wing on St. John’s… Edgar Bergen, Bing Crosby, Jack Benny and his hillbilly band, Dorothy Lamour, Betty Garrett, Xavier Cugat, Danny Thomas and George Murphy entertained. Bing sang a parody, telling the reason for the ball, which Johnny Burke wrote to a medley of his top tunes. Crosby ended up with “White Christmas,” There is only one Bing.

(Hedda Hopper, The Los Angeles Times, November 27, 1947)

November 24, Monday. (9:30-10:00 p.m.) Bing, Bob Hope, Pat O’Brien and others participate in a program called “It’s Up To You” on the ABC network in connection with the National Catholic Welfare Conference being held in Cincinnati.

November 25, Tuesday. (4:30 to 7:00 p.m.) Records “Apalachicola, FLA” and “You Don’t Have to Know the Language” with the Andrews Sisters and Vic Schoen and his Orchestra.

November 26, Wednesday. (6:15-6:30 p.m.) Bing and Dinah Shore broadcast a radio appeal for Christmas Seals on station KHJ. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast and Bing presents the patriotic piece “The Man Without a Country.” The guest is Frankie Laine.

Bing Crosby was impressive on his Philco Show, Wednesday night (26th) on ABC, as the narrator of Jean Holloway’s dramatisation of Edward Everett Hale’s, ‘The Man Without a Country’. There was one other notable aspect of the broadcast. That was the impression on the listener, particularly during the present emphasis on patriotism, of the familiar story of Philip Nolan’s disgrace. There has always been something disturbing about that notorious incident but this broadcast suggested, as never before, (not even on several previous presentations of the same script) that the punishment imposed on Nolan was inhumanely cruel. It was deliberate and unrelenting and only death brought relief for the officer who, on thoughtless impulse, wished never to hear of the United States again. No one could seriously have thought Nolan really have meant what he had blurted out in a moment of rage. In fact, as Hale’s account says, Nolan’s epitaph contained the statement that no man ever loved America more than he. Only the most supremely self-righteous patriot would willingly face the same strict accountability of his everyday reckless word that Philip Nolan faced and this broadcast suggested that in the case of ‘The Man Without a Country’, the intended villain emerged a finer figure than did the zealots who judged him.

(Variety, December 3, 1947)

November 27, Thursday. (8:00–11:00 a.m.) Records three songs in Hollywood with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra and then records “Galway Bay” with an orchestra led by Victor Young. “Galway Bay” reaches the No. 3 spot in the Billboard Best-seller lists during a 19-week stay in the charts.

Pretty Baby

A spritely Crosby rendition of the oldie with good orking in back of him.

Swingin’ Down the Lane

More tongue-in-cheekish singing of an oldie by der Bingle.

(Billboard, December 18, 1948)

Bing Crosby “Pretty Baby”- “Swingin' Down the Lane” (Decca). Neither is up to Crosby standards of performance, although jocks will find use for the “Baby” side in opposition to the Doris Day (Columbia) disking, which is superior, incidentally. John Scott Trotter's backing is dated (it may be that this side was made some time ago). Reverse, a reissue of an Isham Jones-Gus Kahn piece, is ineffectively done by the Groaner. It, too, seems like it was made some years ago.

(Variety, November 10, 1948)

November 28, Friday. (3:10–4:38 p.m., 6:30–7:10 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records another Philco show, which airs on January 14, 1948. The guests are George Burns and Evelyn Knight.

November 30, Sunday. (4:45–6:25 p.m., 7:30–8:05 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Burns and Allen which airs on January 21, 1948.

December 3, Wednesday. (8:00–10:05 a.m.) Records four songs with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra, including “Ballerina.”  The latter song spends eight weeks in the Billboard charts reaching a peak position of No. 10.

Ballerina

Golden Earrings

Decca 24278 A special Decca pairing cut this week and available for the stalls Monday (15). Both tunes are currently moving along at a rapid pace on The Billboard’s popularity charts and the pairing by Der Bingle should get this platter an immediate and solid reaction. The Rhythmaires assist Crosby on the “Ballerina” side.

(Billboard, December 13, 1947)

(9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC and the guest is Al Jolson.

Al’s last 1947 Crosby show was in December—eight months after the one before. When the May show ended, Crosby’s agents had tried to sign Al up for another ten programs that autumn. But the two singers couldn’t agree terms.

      One report said that Bing and Al were at least $1,000 apart on what Jolson’s guest appearance fee should be. . . . It was to be two years before Al appeared again on the Crosby program although Bing was to join him on his.

      Bing had wondered at the very beginning of their association how the live studio audiences would take to Al appearing as himself. He thought they would be too amazed at the difference between Larry Parks on the screen and Jolson’s real appearance. But it never seemed to matter. They loved Jolson as he was—and of course the Crosby–Jolson team.

(Al Jolson, page 234)

December 4, Thursday. (1:30–4:15 p.m., 5:15–5:30 p.m.) Rehearses for an appearance on the Burns & Allen show. (5:30–6:00 p.m. & 9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing guests on The George Burns and Gracie Allen radio show on NBC with Gale Gordon, Hans Conreid, and Meredith Willson and the Maxwell House Orchestra. Bing sings “How Soon.” Press reports indicate that Bing has purchased an interest in the Billings, Montana baseball club.

Gracie Allen will try to talk guest Bing Crosby into retiring in favor of George Burns on tonight’s Burns and Allen show. Bing almost agrees until he hears George sing.

(The Valley Times, December 4, 1947)

December (undated). Bing is interviewed by telephone from Melbourne by radio station 3XY and he has a conversation with a young lady named Pam Fenton who has won a contest organized by the radio station.

December 5, Friday. (3:12–4:45 p.m., 6:40–7:20 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Esther Williams and Red Ingle which airs on January 28, 1948.

December 6, Saturday. Bing’s recording of “White Christmas” makes its annual appearance in the pop charts, peaking at number three over a five-week period.

December (undated). Bing and Dixie seen out together at Charley Morrison’s Champagne Room. They are with Bill Morrow and Iris Bynum.

December 8, Monday. Bill Balderston, Group Executive Vice President at the Philco Corporation writes to Bing:

Dear Bing,

I have intended all Fall to drop you a line and tell you how much we are enjoying your programs. As Jimmie Carmine says, “They are terrific!” We are all very happy about the results in the field - - as you probably know, radio is a complete sellout. Our distributors have no stocks, and we are pushing all the plants for maximum output!

       We have talked about our visit to Tuscarora many times. It was really the high spot of our Western trip. The movies we took of you and the boys are really very good, and we have run them many times for our friends.

       Under separate cover we are sending a very small gift for you and the boys. Hope it arrives safely. Tell Lin he had better practice up his “mumble-peg” so that the next time we get together he can win from us all.

       Susan and the boys join me in wishing all of you a happy, joyous Christmas. We are looking forward to seeing you in New York after the holidays.

Bing passes the letter to Bill Morrow with the pencilled comments “It’s about time.”

December 10, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Walter O’Keefe. During the show, Bing mentions the Hotel Drake in New York and this produces a letter from Helen E. Jones, the Hotel’s Publicity Director.

Walter O’Keefe and Bing Crosby will wax nostalgic about the time before sponsors replaced the wolves at their doors and neither of them had anything but a song for the landlady…Re-enacting the scene of their first meeting in the waiting room at New York’s Grand Central Terminal, their club room at the time, the pair will talk over old times and their respective rises in the show world…Bing will also be heard in one of O’Keefe’s tunes, “Little by Little”…

(The Jackson Sun, 10th December, 1947)

Dear Bing Crosby,

Everyone here at the Drake, from the valet to the manager, thanks you for your plug on the Drake on last night’s program.

       It’s good to know you haven’t forgotten your stay here and we often speak of your pleasant visit and the fun it was to hear that familiar voice right in our midst.

       I’ve chalked up as my best remembrance my birthday last May when you sang that song just for me. It’s the little things like that, and the thought you have of others that makes it seem like a darned good world. You’ve done more than your share in establishing that fact.

       Say hello for me to Bill Morrow.

       Sincerely

Bing annotates the letter with a pencilled instruction to his secretary “To Morrow and send Xmas card.”

December 11, Thursday. The production call sheet for Connecticut Yankee indicates that Bing is required on set 11 (stage 15) at 9:00 a.m. for the ‘slave market’ scene. Bing also starts a heavy recording schedule as a strike of the Petrillo-led American Federation of Musicians is scheduled for January 1. Three songs are recorded later that day with Victor Young and his Orchestra, plus the Ken Darby Choir. “Blue Shadows on the Trail” charts briefly with a peak position of No. 23.

“Blue Shadows on the Trail,” “A Fella with an Umbrella” (Decca). A corking coupling and an uncommon buy for the Crosby addict.

(Variety, May 5, 1948)

Laroo, Laroo Lilli Bolero

Bing with choral backing on top plug item.

The Story of Sorrento

Listenable and tasteful production built around the BMI version of the Italian folk tune.

(Billboard, April 17, 1948)

“Some performers will do maybe thirty-seven takes and do it better each time. A lot of guys I knew around then could do maybe five or six takes and then start to go downhill. Start to come apart. Find that their best take is about the fourth or fifth. They knew exactly how to gear themselves up for that. I always heard stories about how my dad was so relaxed and so natural and, you know, sort of everything. People made it seem as if it came out of the top of his head. Just as if he woke up and started doing it. I can tell you from being in the house at the time, that if he was going to a recording date, the day before, the night before as well as the morning, he always had dubs of the song with the piano player and usually the songwriter singing it, and these would be playing in the background all night until he went to bed. In the morning when he got up, while shaving, showering and getting dressed, it would be played and played again and again. He would sing it over and over again, so that my father had it pretty well set for words and melody by the time he got to the studio. Now when you have already got that down, the arrangement was simple, run through it a couple of times; when to come in, when to lay out, where the end is and where the beginning is. He would hit it two or three times and go. That was best for him. That was the best way to work.”

(Gary Crosby, speaking in an exclusive interview with Gord Atkinson, subsequently broadcast in Gord Atkinson’s The Crosby Years, www.whenfm.com)

December 12, Friday. Films further scenes at the ‘slave market’. (3:40–5:40 p.m., 6:30–7:10 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, records a Philco show with Jimmy Durante, Dick Haymes, and Mark Hellinger which airs on February 4, 1948.

December 13, Saturday. The production call sheet for Connecticut Yankee suggests that more scenes at the ‘slave market” are to be filmed.

December 15, Monday. The production call sheet for Connecticut Yankee again shows that more scenes at the ‘slave market” are to be filmed.

December 16, Tuesday. Scenes in the ‘peasant hut’ are due to be captured for the Connecticut Yankee movie.

December 17, Wednesday. On the Connecticut Yankee set, scenes in the King’s quarters are scheduled to be filmed. Randolph Churchill visits the set and lunches with Bing and Cedric Hardwicke. (5:30–8:15 p.m.) Bing records two tracks with the Andrews Sisters and Vic Schoen and his Orchestra in Hollywood.

Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters (Decca 24481)

At the Flying “W”

Surefire Rhythm novelty featuring a twin box office attraction.

A Hundred and Sixty Acres

Same combine do full justice to a tune that’s not up to the topside’s standard.

(Billboard, September 11, 1948)

Bing Crosby-Andrews Sisters “At the Flying W” — “A Hundred and Sixty Acres” (Decca), Two westerns. Crosby and the trio have a lot of fun with “W” and get out a side that tops all previous disks on the new pop. Cut at a medium beat, it's real bright under the treatment. Jukes and jocks will use it. Reverse, also a newie, is a pleasant companion piece. Vic Schoen's orchestra backs both sides.

(Variety, August 25, 1948)

(9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Joe Frisco and Ilene Woods.

Derby-hatted, cigar smoking Joe Frisco, whose wise-cracks are passed around Broadway like flawless gems at a jewelers exchange. Songstress Ilene Woods, and Rudolph Schmoehopper, a celebrity known only to Bing Crosby, are the guests scheduled to appear on the Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00 over WTJS-ABC. Frisco, who so far as anyone knows never has left large cities except for such country life as is found at a race track, now is devoting his life to hunting and fishing, according to the stories he will tell Bing. Miss Woods, who formerly was the featured singer of WTJS-ABC’s “Breakfast Club” will be heard in “That Old Feeling”…What if anything Rudolph Schmoehopper will do on tonight’s show is a secret known only to Bing.

(The Jackson Sun, 17th December, 1947)

December 18, Thursday. The production call sheet for Connecticut Yankee indicates that the scene in Merlin’s courtyard is to be filmed. Later Bing records “Once and for Always” with Rhonda Fleming and Victor Young and his Orchestra. There is publicity regarding Bing and Ampex as ABC orders twelve machines at $5,200 each. The machines are to be divided equally between New York, Chicago, and Hollywood. Bing Crosby Enterprises becomes involved in the sale of Ampex products.

BING CROSBY SIGNS BIG SAN CARLOS DEAL - Takes Over Full Output of New Recording Device

SAN CARLOS, Dec. 18.—Announcement of the first contract upon a new tape recording process that probably will revolutionize the broadcasting industry was made here today by the Ampex Electric corporation, which said that the contract has been completed with Crosby Enterprises, Inc., headed-by radio’s foremost personality, Bing Crosby.

Final completion of the contract was made by Crosby’s brother and business manager, Everett Crosby, and T. I. Moseley, owner of the Dalmo-Victor Corporation. Moseley and A. M. Poniatoff are the largest stockholders in Ampex Corporation.

A quartet of men at the local plant, Forrest Smith, manager; Charles McSharry, office manager; Harold Lindsay and Myron Stolaroff, engineers, jointly made the announcement of the perfection of the tape recording device which will be distributed by Crosby Enterprises with the entire first year’s output already sold to the American Broadcasting Company.

A demonstration of the new recorder, a shining 900-pound cabinet with two quietly whirring 35-minute tape reels on its top, left auditors breathless. Music and voices reproduced on the thin, brown plastic tape were more real than the sound of music or persons standing in the same room. An uncanny, almost ghostlike effect in which the actual breathing of musicians and singers could be detected marks the tremendous almost “open-end” sound range of the reproduction which also has-hitherto hidden qualities in the middle-register of sound made electrically, audible for the first time. It is the highest fidelity ever achieved by electrical engineers. Also new to recording is the ability of the tape to be reduplicated or “dubbed” without any loss in fidelity. A re-recording may be made by the machine from its own tape in an infinite progression of times without any loss whatever, where ordinary disc recording loses nearly 20 per cent of quality on each successive re-recording. The tape moves through the recorder so fast that it may be slowed down for editing, splicing and “dubbing” without the splicing being audible, thus uncovering a big short cut for all radio transcription.

Crosby’s interest in the new process stems from his own decision, made over a year ago, to record all of his programs instead of making “live”’ broadcasts. This object was endangered by quality losses in recording until last summer when Crosby began to record his shows on German-built tape machines which had been improved by the W. A. Palmer Company of San Francisco. These tape recordings were placed upon wax transcriptions for distribution and use by the American Broadcasting company and its affiliated stations.

Starting in 1948, the entire Crosby show will be recorded on the far more advanced Ampex recorder. These shows will also be re-transcribed to wax discs, probably until April, when it is hoped that high fidelity stations will have sufficient Ampex equipment to allow broadcasts directly from the tape.

Engineers Lindsay and Stolaroff, who have developed the new process, say that the effects of the new high fidelity transcription will be readily apparent on existing radio sets of the AM type and even better on FM broadcasts. Both said that the average AM home radio is capable of much better reproduction than present broadcast signals will allow.

Smith said that a chief worry now, here as well as throughout the entire broadcast industry, is what effect the recording ban set for January 1 by Caesar Petrillo and his national musicians union will have upon transcribed broadcasts.

”We don’t know the answer here,” said Smith.

From Los Angeles, however, today comes word that there is close liaison between Everett Crosby and Petrillo.

The Ampex instruments have been experimentally recording the Crosby broadcasts since October, it was revealed, and Bing Crosby was said to have personally ordered the connection between Ampex and Crosby Enterprises.

One of the astonishing effects of the new recordings in revealing full quality of spoken voices will probably cause top-flight radio announcers to change their methods of speech. The unctuous, richly furred voices of the announcers will have to approach more closely the normal since the exaggerated characteristics developed for present radio sound “over-done and silly” under the new recording process.

Smith said that the present plans of Ampex will be limited for the first year to production of high precision recording and play-back machines with an initial order of 500 of these to be completed. This, he said, cannot be done under normal mass production methods because of the precision elements involved. He said that the San Carlos plant will employ about 30 highest type electrical workers on the production.

Meanwhile the Ampex plant here is tapering off on production of electric motors for airplanes. It has been engaged in this work since war days when the plant was also busy in making radar parts. Smith estimates that a switch-over to the recording device manufacturing will start in about four weeks.

The plant is located at 1155 Howard Street in San Carlos. Smith said that the research on the recording device has been under way for more than a year. He also said that production of home recorders on a mass basis is under consideration but that it will be at least a year before this field is entered.

(George W. Whitesell, San Mateo Times, December 18, 1947)

December 19, Friday. The production call sheet for Connecticut Yankee has reserved this day for pickups and retakes. Bing records a Philco show with Robert Taylor which airs on February 18, 1948. Robert Taylor receives a fee of $3000 for his services.

December 20, Saturday. The production call sheet for Connecticut Yankee has also reserved this day for pickups and retakes. (6:00–7:00 p.m. Pacific) Bing is one of several guests who make brief appearances on “The Joyful Hour” broadcast on the 413 stations of the Mutual network. Others taking part include Perry Como, Ann Blyth, Dennis Day and Dick Haymes. The show has been transcribed and is produced by Father Peyton of the Rosary Crusade.

Many Hollywood Stars Will Appear on “The Joyful Hour” Planned by Priest

Father Patrick Peyton. C.S.C., founder and national director of the Family Rosary Crusade, has completed arrangements for a special Christmas Rosary program, “The Joyful Hour.” It will be an hour of music, drama and prayer. The Mutual Broadcasting System has made the time available for a nationwide network over its 413 stations. The program will likewise be shortwaved over the world through the facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. “The Joyful Hour" is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 20, from 8 to 9 p.m.. Oklahoma time.

The principal parts of the program will be broadcast from Hollywood with the following stars participating: Ethel Barrymore, Ann Blyth, MacDonald Carey, Jeanne Crain, Bing Crosby, Dennis Day, Pedro de Cordoba, Dick Haymes, Joan Leslie, Roddy McDowall, Ricardo Montalban, Maureen O‘Hara and Maureen O'Sullivan.

Perry Como, Christopher Lynch and the Mullen Sisters, singing Christmas selections, will join the program in New York where arrangements have been made for a special orchestra and glee club to provide background music.

In Hollywood, the Mutual orchestra, will be under the direction of Max Terr, and the St. Vibiana’s Cathedral Choir under the direction of Father Michael Ryan. The Ken Darby Glee club will provide the choral background for Bing Crosby, Dennis Day and Dick Haymes, who will sing traditional Christmas carols throughout the program.

Besides the music, the program will also include the dramatization of the Christmas story with special casts that are now in rehearsal. Ethel Barrymore and Pedro de Cordoba will be the narrators. Throughout the program will be interspersed the recitation of the prayers of the Rosary as a tribute to Mary, the Mother of the Infant Jesus.

At the conclusion of the program, Bing Crosby will introduce Father Peyton who will say a few words on family prayer and the Family Rosary. Father Peyton’s wish and hope in arranging and producing this program is that 10,000,000 families in America will kneel and join the stars to say the Rosary in honor of Our Blessed Lady.

The program is written by Mark Kearney and will be directed by David Young.

(The Southwest Courier, December 13, 1947)

December 21, Sunday. (5:00–6:18 p.m., 7:30–8:30 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Peggy Lee, Oscar Levant, and Joe Venuti which airs on February 11, 1948. (6:15-6:30 p.m.) Bing guests on the Louella Parsons radio show on ABC.

December 22, Monday. (3:20–4:40 p.m., 6:30–7:10 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records another Philco show, this time with Peggy Lee. The show is broadcast on February 25, 1948.

December 24, Wednesday. Records no less than eight songs with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra but “Oh, You Crazy Moon” is not issued. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. This is simply a rebroadcast of the December 25, 1946 show.

I’d Love to Live in Loveland – Decca 24471

Being revived now some 40 years after it originally proved to be one of the biggest pops ever, the Will Rossiter waltz is given a relaxed ride by Der Bingle with the usual able Trotter background.

(Billboard, July 31, 1948)

December 25, Thursday. The film Road to Rio is released, taking $4.5 million in rental income in its initial release period in the USA.

With Bing Crosby and Bob Hope on the tramp again in “Road to Rio,” recklessly scattering jokes and rescuing perennial girl friend Dorothy Lamour from dangerous hypnotic trances, there’s fun to be had at the Paramount. Maybe this is not the funniest picture ever made; maybe it is not even quite as rewarding as some of those earlier journeys, but there are patches in this crazy quilt that are as good and, perhaps, even better than anything the boys have done before. They are traversing more of a rollercoaster highway than usual this time and so there are some tedious uphill pulls when the huffing and puffing is excessive and the results negligible. However, when they reach the top “Road to Rio” is irresistible.

Hope reluctantly doing a highwire bicycle act and wrecking a carnival in the process, or being unceremoniously hung up as a side of ham in a ship’s refrigerator, or blowing musical bubbles out of a trumpet in a Rio de Janeiro night club may sound silly in cold print, but it’s the kind of stuff that gets laughs on the screen. And, naturally, Crosby, the smoothest straight man in the business today, is in there all the time getting situations started and feeding jokes to his pal when he doesn’t actually steal the play by adding a snapper to a snapper.

This mad caper is climaxed by a wild round of excitement at an ultra-lavish wedding party, when the boys bravely move in to rescue the dazed Miss Lamour from being duped into marriage by swindlers posing as friends. If this synopsis sounds sketchy, it’s only because the story doesn’t matter anyway. For the script merely serves as a means for getting a pair of impecunious musicians driven out of one state after another by irate husbands and boyfriends until they are cornered, forced to stowaway on a Rio bound steamer and meet up with a beautiful senorita and her problems. All that matters really is that “Road to Rio” is fairly well loaded with laughs.

(New York Times, February 19, 1948)

This celluloid junket along the Road to Rio should find smooth riding to sturdy box-office. The pattern established by other Paramount “Road” pictures is solidly followed by Daniel Dare’s production to keep the laughs spilling and the paying customers satisfied.

. . . Able song selling is given to “But Beautiful” and “You Don’t Have to Know the Language” by Crosby. Miss Lamour tosses of “Experience” for listening pleasure. Two male stars combine on “Apalachicola, Fla.,” for laughs as song-dance team, while the Andrews Sisters lend their special touch to “For What?” (Editor’s note: The latter song was not included in the final print of the film). Score is further abetted by inclusion of five rhythmical Latin standards...

Star trio is up to all demands and gives extra punch because of obvious enjoyment of playing roles.

(Variety, November 12, 1947, following tradeshow.)

What a grand way to spend New Year’s Eve—seeing Road to Rio. I am only repeating myself when I say that it’s the funniest of the Road pictures and, in my opinion, worthy of inspiring a special Academy Award for musical comedies. When you laugh so hard you fall out of your seat, you know this is one you must not miss. I have seen it twice, and I’ll see it again, because it’s better than any tonic.

(Los Angeles Examiner, January 1, 1948)

The Andrews Sisters join Crosby for “You Don’t Have to Know the Language,” one of many fine tunes written for the film by two of Crosby’s favorite songwriters, Johnny Burke and James Van Heusen. The girls appeared perfectly coifed and outfitted in sequined dresses. Their makeup was well done, and they had never before appeared so attractive on screen. This appearance marked the only time that the girls worked with Crosby in a movie, although they are often erroneously credited with having appeared in Road to Utopia. Watching Crosby and the sisters in Road to Rio, it is easy to see how much they enjoyed working with each other. Crosby is playful with all three sisters at different times during the performance, even trying to make La Verne laugh just before the song’s last line. One flaw occurs at the very end of the number when, after completing their final turn, Patty miscalculates her last step and collides with LaVerne as she swings out her hip. LaVerne keeps her composure, despite the substantial bump. The film out-grossed every other theatrical release of 1948, including MGM’s Easter Parade with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire.

(John Sforza, Swing It! Page 110)

December 26, Friday. (3:00–4:00 p.m., 6:30–7:30 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with James Stewart which is broadcast on March 10, 1948. Stewart receives a fee of $3000 for his services. During this show, James Stewart sings “I’m A Wolf” and Bing arranges for him to have some copies of the performance on disc. This leads Stewart to send the following telegram to Bing on January 23, 1948:

Dear Bing:

Thank you ever so much for the records of Wolf Creek Pass. I have offered some of them to several of my friends but my friends refuse to accept them so I will treasure them all myself for ever.

Best regards,

Jim Stewart

December 27, Saturday. Another recording session, this time with Victor Young and his Orchestra. Bing records a solo version of “Once and for Always” and with Sir Cedric Hardwicke and William Bendix, he sings “Busy Doing Nothing.”  All of the songs from the film are issued on a 3-disc 78rpm album set in 1949 and this reaches the No. 5 position in Billboard's best-selling popular record albums chart.

Bing Crosby—“Once And For Always”—”If You Stub Your Toe on the Moon” (Decca).

Two tunes from Crosby’s Connecticut Yankee pic. “Once” is nicely done by Crosby and has hit possibilities. On this pairing, however, it’s the “Stub Your Toe” side that catches the ear, similar to the same writer’s “Swinging on a Star” the tune carries heavy sales and popularity weight. Rhythmaires and Victor Young band help focus its values.

(Variety, March 16, 1949)

Once and for Always

Bing does one of his super old-time jobs with a melodic ballad from his forthcoming “Connecticut Yankee” flick.

If You Stub Your Toe on the Moon

Also from the “Yankee” score, Bing gets off a warm rendition of the novelty ditty that’s in the same vein as his sock “Swing on a Star” number.

(Billboard, April 2, 1949)

Connecticut Yankee album

Crosby’s in rare form for this album of tunes from the “Connecticut Yankee” flick. His work on the top ballad “Once” is more reminiscent of the Bing of the thirties than anything he’s done in a long while – and the song is a natural. (It’s done twice here – one by Bing as a solo and again as a reprise with Rhonda Fleming). Other tune to watch is “Stub,” which could have the makings of another “Swing on a Star”. Also represented from the original cast are Murvyn Vye, Bill Bendix and Cedric Hardwicke. If picture is as big as advance word has it, then album is in.

(Billboard, April 16, 1949)

December 28, Sunday. (4:41–6:21 p.m., 7:33–8:13 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records another Philco show, this time with Margaret O’Brien. The show is broadcast on March 17, 1948.

December 29, Monday. (2:00–3:30 p.m., 5:08–5:48 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing tapes another Philco program. This time the guest is Jack Benny and the show is broadcast on March 3, 1948.

December 30, Tuesday. Records “If You Stub Your Toe on the Moon” and “Lili Marlene” with the Victor Young Orchestra. Later, records “Ichabod” and “The Headless Horseman” with Vic Schoen and his Orchestra. “If You Stub Your Toe on the Moon” charts briefly in the No. 27 spot.

Bing Crosby (Decca 24508)

Lili Marlene

This is a Crosby record just for Crosby’s collectors’ sake; tune of course is the war-born German item.

A Bluebird Singing in My Heart

More meaningless Bing.

(Billboard, November 6, 1948)

Ichabod

Ditty from the Disney “Ichabod and Mr. Toad” flick gets a manly try from Bing, but doesn’t register as a potential pop item.

It’s More Fun Than a Picnic

An unballyhooed light waltz novelty from “As the Girls Go” is done deftly and airily by Cros and a vocal group—but doesn’t wallop.

(Billboard, September 3, 1949)

December 31, Wednesday. Bing records four songs with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra including “Haunted Heart” and “Love Thy Neighbor.” Another song – “A Fella with an Umbrella” – charts briefly in the No. 23 spot. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Danny Thomas. Bing continues in the recording studio until quite late and then accompanied by Dixie, they meet friends at the Beverly Hills Club where they celebrate the New Year.

Danny Thomas, one of the newest and brightest comedians, who promises to make 1948 a lot funnier that it would be without him, will be Bing Crosby’s guest tonight at 9:00. Rudolph Schmoehopper, Crosby’s unknown celebrity guest, who failed to appear a couple of weeks ago, again is scheduled for New Year’s Eve. Thomas envious of Crosby’s movie and radio success, will launch into a lengthy soliloquy in which he pictures himself as a movie mogul who hires Bing as a bit player. He also will present a series of familiar film play scenes which he promises will never appear in any of his pictures.

(The Jackson Sun, 31st December, 1947)

Haunted Heart

Bing’s tonsils entwine haunting legit tune, emerging with one top disking to date on ditty.

(Billboard, April 10, 1948)

During the year, Bing wins the Illustrated Radio Press Readers Award for 1947. He has had thirteen records that have become chart hits. Also Decca has issued nine 78rpm albums of Bing's recordings in 1947.

Most of his records made in the second half of 1945 and through much of 1946 were disappointing. His top notes seemed to come with great difficulty; his phrasing was not as relaxed and certain as it had been in the past. . . . There was a clear uncertainty in Bing’s work, and the blame for that could be laid at the door of his musical collaborators. For a long time during this so-called decline and fall, Bing was paired with various small groups on the Decca roster. Missing the sure baton and intelligent aid of John Scott Trotter, he had floundered between the notes of little units who were working with him to improve their fortune. The association with Bing was obviously more than just a shot in the arm for musical outfits on the way up, but unfortunately, though the collaboration was a hypodermic for their professional rating, it didn’t help Bing. As he worked more and more with John Scott Trotter on the Philco show, made a few records with him, and began to work more regularly as a singer, his voice emerged from the dark clouds of poor colleagues. It shone again, and in his mid-1947 records, he was clearly an assured vocalist once more.

(Barry Ulanov, in his 1948 book The Incredible Crosby, page 281)

1948

January 2, Friday. Bing is named top moneymaking star for the fourth consecutive year in the annual poll of motion picture theater owners and operators conducted by the Motion Picture Herald trade publication.

January 5, Monday. (8:15-8:30 p.m.) Bing is interviewed by Joe Hasel on Hasel's sportscast program on ABC about the forthcoming golf tournament. They also discuss the outlook for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

January 6, Tuesday. Bing attends the meeting of the Monterey City Council and is made Honorary Chief of Police of the city of Monterey as a "thank you" for bringing his Pro-Am to the area. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Walter O’Keefe and the Lone Ranger (Brace Beemer).

The Lone Ranger will tie up Silver at a hitching post in front of the Philco Radio Time bandstand when he and Walter O’Keefe are Bing Crosby’s guests over WTJS-ABC tonight at 9:00. The Masked Horseman, as The Lone Ranger also is known to his millions of fans, will be the central figure in a stirring drama of the Old West, in which Bing will play Sheriff Creepalong. O’Keefe and announcer Ken Carpenter will have important roles, too. O’Keefe, who is playing a return engagement on Philco Radio Time, is coming back because Crosby didn’t let him sing last time. Making amends, Bing will let Walter join him in a Calypso-style duet whose lyrics recite the feats which have contributed to the fabulous career of Al Jolson.

(The Jackson Sun, 7th January, 1948)

January 8, Thursday. Bing attends a party at Lawson Little’s house at Pebble Beach.

January 9–11, Friday–Sunday. Plays in the Bing Crosby Pro-Am Tournament at Pebble Beach with Cam Puget, the local professional. The professional winner is Lloyd Mangrum. Crosby and Puget have a best ball score of 216.  Ben Hogan and John Dawson win the pro-am with 197. Others playing include Dennis O'Keefe, Randolph Scott, Forrest Tucker, Van Johnson and John Hodiak.

January 12, Monday. Comes down with a temperature of 103 and 'flu-like symptoms. Has to rest at Cypress Point Country Club.

Singer Bing Crosby was taking a “few days” rest at Cypress Point Country Club today after his brother Larry confirmed reports that he was suffering from what he feared was “virus x” and had played in his own $10,000 pro-am golf tournament yesterday with a high fever. Golfer Ben Hogan disclosed Bing’s illness at the traditional stag dinner which ended the tournament. Virus x is the mystery malady which was prevalent in the Los Angeles area during the Christmas holiday season.

(United Press, January 12, 1948)

January 14, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Evelyn Knight and George Burns.

George Burns, who must have been told by a Hollywood psychiatrist to give his ego a suntan by emerging from the sprightly shadow of Gracie Allen’s personality, will try his solo appearance with wings when he, along with songstress Evelyn Knight, visits Crosby tonight at 9:00 over WTJS-ABC. George, it seems, having spent the greater part of his adult life feeding straight lines to his comically gifted spouse, now would like to become a singer like Crosby. After listening with sympathetic gravity to George’s entreaties, Bing will enlist the support of the Rhythmaires and John Scott Trotter’s Orchestra, as he and Gracie’s husband raise their voices in “It Might As Well Be Spring.” Miss Knight, one of the trio of stars heard regularly on WTJS-ABC’s Texaco Star Theatre which follows Bing’s, will sing “Betsy,” a delicately rhythmic ballad of the type with which she is identified…The non-appearance of Rudolph Schmoehopper, Bing’s elusive guest, a disappointment to which Philco Time listeners have come to look forward to eagerly each week will take place as usual.

(The Jackson Sun, 14th January, 1948)

January 15, Thursday. (11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., 4:30–6:00 p.m.) Rehearses for an appearance on the Kraft Music Hall. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Appears live on the Kraft Music Hall on NBC hosted by Al Jolson. Oscar Levant is also present and Lou Bring and his Orchestra provide support.

Once again, the “Groaner” and the “Mammy Singer” pair it off for an evening of song and patter on “Music Hall” over CBO at 9:00 o’clock.

The last time the two singers got together in October Bing arrived first and took over the “Music Hall” before Al was able to get to the studio. By the time Jolson arrived,

Crosby was back at his old job of singing “Blue of the Night.” It didn’t take Al long to remind him that he was now the “boss”. If Bing had any doubts he was assured that when he received his check he would be convinced.

Since then Bing Crosby has been selected as the number one "draw" at the box-office among male movie stars during 1947. With this in mind Bing will have something new to bring up to the “freshman” boss of the hall. He hopes it will have some influence on his reception.

(Claude Hammerston, The Ottawa Citizen, January 15, 1948)

January 17/18, Saturday/Sunday. Bing is seen with Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and others at the Ojai Valley Inn in Southern California. Meanwhile, his 1000-acre ranch at Tuscarora, Nevada is sold.

January 21, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Burns and Allen.

George Burns, whose current ambition is to be a crooner despite an astounding lack of musical talent, will bring his wife and radio partner, Gracie Allen, along to the WTJS-ABC broadcast of “The Bing Crosby Show” to help enlist the support of Bing during his regular appearance tonight at 9 o'clock. Burns, whose musical nickname is “Sugar Throat,” will demonstrate briefly an archaic singing style and Gracie’s addled efforts on her husband’s behalf will provide hilarity but no real help toward getting George out of his present tuneless classification.

(The Jackson Sun, 21st January, 1948)

January 28, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Another transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast and Bing’s guests are Red Ingle and Esther Williams.

In his usual time spot just ahead of “The Tony Martin Show”, the old groaner Crosby, has Esther Williams and the “Musical Maniac” Red Ingle as guests at 9:00. Miss Williams, who made her show business debut as a swimmer in a Billy Rose Aquacade in San Francisco when she was 16, will show what would happen if her proposed National Civility week becomes a fact when she directs Crosby and announcer Ken Carpenter, playing a batter and umpire during a baseball game during the week. A football game dramatization also will be used to show the benefit of Miss Williams’ proposal. Ingle, who sings dreamy ballads in a twangy, hillbilly style, will be hard in his version of “You Came to Me Out of Nowhere.”

(The Jackson Sun, 28th January, 1948)

January 30, Friday. Bing and Dixie spend time in Salinas while en route with their son Gary to his school in Santa Clara. They then have a brief vacation at Pebble Beach.

January 31, Saturday. Bing’s recording of “Now Is the Hour” enters the pop charts and remains there for 23 weeks.

February 3, Tuesday. Variety reports that James C. Petrillo of the American Federation of Musicians has agreed to a continuation of Bing’s Philco show on the understanding that all transcription discs are returned to Philco in Philadelphia for destruction after the Wednesday night broadcast. It is stated that Bing is recording three or four more shows to complete the programs for the season. Bing is apparently paying a rate one-third higher than the live rate to the musicians in order to gain their support.  Meanwhile, Bing and Dixie arrive in Elko, Nevada, during the morning in a brief snowstorm. He is to be made Honorary Mayor later in the week. After meeting several people, Bing and Dixie go on to their North Fork ranch.

February 4, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Dick Haymes, Jimmy Durante, and Mark Hellinger. The show had been taped in December but Mark Hellinger had died on December 21.

Bing Crosby gave a showman’s epitaph to Mark Hellinger on his Philco program, last Wednesday (4th). Several weeks before the columnist’s death, he appeared as one of Crosby’s guest stars and the plattered show was aired without any revisions, except for one mention by Crosby that, ‘just as his friends would like it, he’s here with us tonight.’ And because of this it was one of Crosby’s crackerjack sessions. Hellinger’s memory has a bit of lustre added to it. Hellinger gave a short plug to his latest film, ‘The Naked City’, exchanged a few gags with Crosby about the ‘good old days’ and set the stage for Dick Haymes and Jimmy Durante, in outlining a mythical Broadway, legit show. For the rest of the show, Hellinger played straight as Crosby, Durante and Haymes cut some incomparable vocal capers, in a comedy tune about the passing of vaudeville. Everything and everybody clicked with perfect precision and it was a fitting farewell to Hellinger that he should have appeared in this great show.  

(Variety, February 11, 1948)

February 5, Thursday. Bing announces that he will pay for all of the three-dollar tickets for the 360 persons expected to attend the banquet in his honor on the coming Saturday in Elko. When the news is flashed to about 100 people waiting in the line to buy tickets, an enormous cheer is heard.  Bing comes into Elko for a meeting and to pick up supplies.

February 6, Friday. Bing and Dixie pose for photographers at their ranch.

February 7, Saturday. (2:00 p.m.) At a public ceremony on the balcony of Ranchinn, Bing is made honorary mayor of Elko, a position he holds until his death. During his acceptance speech, Bing announces that he is giving $5,000 towards a new municipal swimming pool for Elko. Bing visits a number of Elko residents in their places of business during the afternoon and is photographed sweeping the streets and meeting the acting chief of police. (7:00 p.m.) Bing, accompanied by Dixie, is honored at a banquet at the Commercial Hotel and he entertains the crowd with a witty speech followed by several songs for which he is accompanied by Frank Brandt’s orchestra. Recorded excerpts from the event are broadcast by station KUTA on February 10.

Four hundred people jammed the lounge of the Commercial Hotel Saturday night and heard Bing Crosby make his first “promise” for reappointment as honorary mayor of the city of Elko. This special honor had been conferred upon the star of radio and screen earlier in the day by Mayor David Dotta.

      “I promise,” said Bing, “to close all the saloons in Elko within the next week.” Then he added, “Before we close them, we’ll be sure we’re in them.”

      Alternating between a serious and humorous mood, Crosby kept his listeners completely entertained and their thunderous applause showed their approval of his acceptance of the position of honorary mayor of Elko. . . . The crooner said that Karl Keppler, an Elko insurance agent, recently called him and wanted to insure his voice. “How about the rest of me?” asked Crosby.

      “You’ve already collected on that.” Keppler replied.

      In conclusion to his part of the program, the like of which radio companies pay $5,000, he sang several songs, one a parody on his activities in Elko, beginning with his first ranch purchase here. . . .  Those who heard him arose and applauded violently.

(Elko Daily Free Press, February 9, 1948)

February 11, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee, Oscar Levant, and Joe Venuti. A long Gershwin medley is performed.

A generous assortment of the late George Gershwin’s music will be sung and played by Bing Crosby and his guests, Oscar Levant, Peggy Lee and Joe Venuti, a quartet that can’t be topped in popular music during the WJTS-ABC broadcast of Philco Radio Time tonight at 9:00. Levant will display his customary lack of modesty, false or otherwise, when he swaps quips with Bing, but will prove also, his justification for braggadocio when he plays Gershwin’s “Third Prelude.”…Venuti, one of the country’s hottest fiddlers, will be heard in the title tune of “Lady Be Good.”

(The Jackson Sun, 11th February, 1948)

Bing’s guests were the best of the best—Durante, Jolson, Jack Benny, Groucho Marx, Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Dinah Shore, Connie Boswell. In a short piece about Peggy around this time, Newsweek described the circumstances that led to her hooking up with Bing: “Her staunch refusal to leave Hollywood kept her off several good radio programs. Then, last fall, Bing Crosby suddenly needed a good girl singer. He hired Peggy and got a girl who could sound as good on her own as she did in duets with him.”

Over the next few years, Lee and Crosby would pair up on “It’s a Good Day” several times; the song jibed well with Crosby’s philosophy of never complaining. They’d sing countless other duets, combining their extraordinary talents on any number of stylistic offerings. On one extraordinary show in 1948 they offered up a handful of Gershwin songs, duets including ”’S Wonderful,” “I’ve Got a Crush on You,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” “I Got Rhythm,” and “Summertime,” some featuring the singular jazz violinist Joe Venuti.

On one of his earliest shows with her, Crosby asked about her new house on Denslow and inquired about Dave’s health-all very personal, all very friendly, all very gentlemanly. It seemed he was trying to calm her down. Just before airtime, she had professed her nervousness. “When you introduce me,” she asked, “would you please not leave me out there on the stage alone? Would you stand where I can see your feet?” On that show, and thereafter, Bing made sure to stay within her sight-leaning on a prop, hovering somewhere nearby. “Bing was always finding ways to help give me confidence,” she would write. Professionally, they were an equally good fit: Both always arrived at the studio before the others for rehearsals. ”I was always impressed by his promptness, his honesty, and his modesty,” she explained.

(Fever – The Life and Music of Miss Peggy Lee, page162)

February 15, Sunday. Has his second hole in one, this time at the sixteenth at Cypress Point. Bing was only the second person to achieve this feat at the 222-yard hole. The golf ball manager at the United States Rubber Company later presents Bing with a medal for the achievement and he is photographed receiving it with press coverage seen on March 28.

Golfer Bing Crosby was elected to buy champagne at the Cypress Point clubhouse on Monterey Peninsula, Calif. On the 16th hole – 222 yards, with a 200-yard carry-over across an inlet of the Pacific – he shot a hole-in-one. “We were shooting into the sun,” he explained to the press afterward. “So I just stood up and smacked one blind.”

(Time magazine, February 23, 1948)

February 16, Monday. Bing wins the Most Popular Male Star award from Photoplay magazine for the fourth successive year but is criticized for not being present at the Gold Medal Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

February 18, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Robert Taylor. The film Road to Rio has its New York premiere and goes on to become the top film for box office takings in 1948 in the U.S.A.

Robert Taylor will expose an unknown side of his personality when he attempts to establish himself as a cello virtuoso on the Bing Crosby show. The film star, whose repertoire includes only the “Glow Worm,” operates on the theory that the audience might laugh when he sits down to play, but they’ll howl when he begins.

(The Indianapolis Star, 18th February, 1948)

February 22, Sunday. Bing and Dixie are back in Hollywood.

February 23, Monday. Takes three of his sons to see The Freedom Train at Exposition Park.

February 25, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Peggy Lee.

The accent will be on music with some fancy ukulele playing tossed in, when Bing Crosby and his guest Peggy Lee come up with Crosby’s second edition of the “Flop Parade,” 9 p.m… Several months ago Crosby and Dinah Shore got laughs for their program of “All Time Flops” and one of the cleverest was “These Lush Moments” which warrants a repeat on tonight’s performance…

(The Des Moines Register, 25th February, 1948)

Incidental Intelligence: To keep all ABC programs at their regular times when daylight saving time starts April 25, ABC just bought a dozen of the sensational new tape recorders which now make the Bing Crosby transcribed show actually better than a live broadcast The recorders are made by a San Francisco firm, Ampex Electrical Corp.

(Oakland Tribune, February 26, 1948)

February 26, Thursday. Bing goes into St. John’s Hospital again for another checkup. Later Bing, Dixie, and the four boys are seen in the Fox and Hounds.

February 28, Saturday. Decca has issued a 4-disc 78rpm album called "Bing Crosby Sings with Lionel Hampton, Eddie Heywood, Louis Jordan" and this is reviewed by Billboard on this date.

This album would be worth a 90 rating but Decca’s pressings, leave us face it, are loaded with surface noise. This deficiency, seemingly aggravated of late, may be minor for routine “singles”; in an album the consumer kickbacks could be important. Apart from bad surface, the material here consists of all old Bing singles on which he doubled. It’s great stuff in collection. Outstanding are the Eddie Heywood-Bing pairing on “Who’s Sorry Now” and Bing with Jordan on “My Baby Said Yes”. (Retail rating 85).

March 2, Tuesday. In Command Performance show #313 with Dinah Shore.

March 3, Wednesday. Bing takes part in the Pittsburgh Pirates practice drills at Hollywood Park in front of many newsreel camera men and magazine photographers. The Pirates are doing their spring training in Los Angeles. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Jack Benny and Tom Breneman.

Crosby Juke Skit

The Bing Crosby show, via American Broadcasting Company, Wednesday (3) was built largely around juke boxes. Jack Benny and Tom Brenneman (sic) guested with Der Bingle and music machine situations developed when Benny dropped a nickel in a juke in Brenneman’s joint to hear a Crosby disk and the machine stopped playing after the first couple of bars of the disk. Benny then “went across the street” to the Crosby studio to try to get his nickel back.

(Billboard, March 13, 1948)

March 4, Thursday. The Pittsburgh Pirates host various baseball journalists at the Hollywood Brown Derby and Bing and Bill Frawley take part.

March (undated). Records his section of the soundtrack for the Walt Disney cartoon The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad which is released in October 1949. Ken Darby handles the vocal arrangements.

March (undated).  Bing and Johnny Mercer record a transcription on safe winter driving for the National Safety Council. It is subsequently played on 678 stations in 36 snow-belt states.

March (undated). In the American Red Cross 1948 Fund Campaign broadcast Services to Veterans.

March 6, Saturday. Bing and his sons Phillip, Dennis and Lindsay take part in the Pittsburgh Pirates practice drills at Hollywood Ball Park. Gary is away at school. Decca has issued a 4-disc 78rpm album called "Bing Crosby Sings with Judy Garland, Mary Martin, Johnny Mercer" and this is reviewed by Billboard on this date.

Second in series of Decca packages with triple-talent peg featuring der Bingle’s former vocal wax compatriots. All disks are former single releases but album as a whole should appeal to all who are Crosby fans (who ain’t). Particularly valuable and as rhythmically appealing as when they first came out are the Mercer team-ups with Gallagher-Shean version of “Mr. Crosby and Mr. Mercer”; “Small Fry,” “On Behalf of the Visiting Firemen.” In fact whole album sparkles with the xairy, wunnerful Crosby touch.

March 7, Sunday. Starting at 2:30p.m., Bing takes Phillip, Dennis and Lindsay to see the Pirates beat the St. Louis Browns 12-11 at Perris Hill Park, San Bernardino.

March (undated). Bing and Dixie have dinner at King’s restaurant.

March 10, Wednesday. Starting  at 2:15 p.m., the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago White Sox 6-3 in an exhibition game at Gilmore Field.(9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is James Stewart.

Hollywood’s favorite bachelor compares notes with filmdom’s top “family” man when Jimmy “Wolf” Stewart is guest star on Bing Crosby’s laugh riot “Philco Radio Time” tonight at 9:00…Extolling single blessedness, Jimmy tells the Groaner some of his trade secrets on staying single. Bing, however, determines that Jimmy is missing the best things in life and shows him, via a sketch how easy it is to get married, with Stewart playing the blushing bride and Bing the groom. When their signals get crossed, they pull a switch with Bing as the bride and Jimmy, the groom. As a finale to the sketch, Stewart steps out of character to sing “I’m the Wolf of Wolf Creek Pass.”

(The Jackson Sun, 10th March, 1948)

March 11, Thursday. Starting at 2:15 p.m., the Pirates lose to the Chicago Cubs 4-3 at Wrigley Field.

March 12, Friday. Starting  at 2:15 p.m., Bing, accompanied by his father and Bill Frawley, watch the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 6-5 at Gilmore Field. After the game, Bing throws a big party for the Pittsburgh Pirates team and celebrities such as Pat O'Brien entertain.

March 13, Saturday. The Paramount newsreel of today includes film of Bing with the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team.

March 15, Monday. Bing tapes a Philco show with Fibber McGee and Molly (Jim and Marion Jordan).

March 17, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Margaret O’Brien.

Bing Crosby will reel off almost as many Irish names as there are in the Dublin Telephone Directory when he sings “Dear Old Donegal” during the St. Patrick’s Day broadcast of Philco Radio Time tonight at 9:00. His guest will be Margaret O’Brien. Bing and the very young Miss O’Brien will display prime samples of their ancestral brogue before enacting with the help of announcer Ken Carpenter and Maestro John Scott Trotter, a specially written version of the Cinderella story titled “Cinderella Goes to Town.” Gloria Woods, who has been heard all season as one of the Rhythmaires, will emerge as a personality in her own right to sing “Saturday Date,” with Bing, whose remaining tunes of the evening will be “Tumble Down Shack in Athlone” and “Galway Bay.”

(The Jackson Sun, 17th March, 1948)

Crosby Disks Circle New York Clock (Front Page Headline)

Bing Crosby can be described as the only singer who follows the New York metropolitan listener, around the clock. Judging from the amount of time devoted to programs made up exclusively, of his own recordings, there is hardly a quarter of an hour during the day or night, Monday through Saturday, that some station in the metropolitan area isn’t broadcasting Bing’s voice. Excluding the four network stations, the number of quarter hours of aired Crosby records almost matches the number of quarter hours that the average metropolitan station consumes in broadcasting. The airing time of the fifteen non-web stations, in and around New York averages eleven hours a weekday, this figures out at 44 quarter hours a day, whereas Crosby records have an accurate schedule of thirty quarter hours. There isn’t one of the nineteen metropolitan stations that doesn’t play a Crosby disk, during the weekday and even one of the network keys, WOR has its own program of Crosby recordings - that one comes on Monday morning. The three heaviest Manhattan pluggers of Crosby platters are WNEW, WINS and WHN. WINS currently clears 26 quarter hours a week of Crosby programs and plans to add another hour daily or twenty four quarter-hours a week which will give that station’s listeners, 50 quarter-hours a week of the crooner’s output. WHN schedules three daily Crosby shows for a total of four and a half hours a week and this does not include the airings he gets on several other record programs aired by this station at other times of the day and night. WNEW has two Crosby shows of twenty-five minutes each on weekdays and a forty minute one on Sundays, these add to ten minutes short of six hours a week. On the Jersey side, WAAT tops the list with two half-hour daily stanzas which count up to six and a half hours a week and also a fifteen minute round of Bing on Sundays.

(Variety, March 17, 1948)

March 18, Thursday. (8:15 p.m.) Bing is at Gilmore Field to see the Pittsburgh Pirates beaten four to one by Bob Hope’s Cleveland Indians at a specially arranged friendly match in Hollywood. Also, Bing and Dixie, plus Rita Hayworth are said to have had reservations for the Burl Ives concert at the Wilshire-Ebell Theater but it is not known whether they attended.

March 24, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee and Wild Bill Elliott.

“Wild Bill” Elliott, Republic Pictures' hard riding cowboy star, will set off some shootin irons and initiate Bing Crosby in the technique of producing a cattle rustling horse opera when he and songstress Peggy Lee are guests of the WTJS-ABC broadcast of Philco Radio Time tonight at 9:00 p.m. Elliott, who formerly played the title role in the Red Ryder series, recently finished a picture, complete with stage coaches and pounding hooves, titled “Old Los Angeles.” During his chatter with Bing, he will explain how a father should distribute the pop corn when he takes his sons to see a western movie on Saturday afternoon.

(The Jackson Sun, 24th March, 1948)

March 28, Sunday. (1:30–2:30 p.m.) Bing, together with many other stars, takes part in The Triumphant Hour, a program of the Family Rosary Crusade broadcast on the Mutual Network for Easter. During the afternoon, Bing and his sons and many friends take part in a Father vs. Son softball match on the diamond at Beverley Hills High School.

Rev. Patrick Payton, C.S.C; Impresario of “The Family Hour,” provided for the faithful on MBS Sunday afternoon (28) an hour of Easter service that was even better programwise than his reverential event of last Christmas Eve.
This session was as star-loaded as the previous one, but the music itself seemed to have a superior tonal and. emotional appeal. Interpolated between scenes from the “Pageant of the Resurrection” and the recital of “The Rosary” were solos by Bing Crosby, Dennis Day, Eileen Farrell and Christopher Lynch, the latter two originating from New York and being the only exceptions to an all-Hollywood cast.
(Variety, March 31, 1948)

March 31, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Another transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast and Bing’s guest is Dick Powell.

Veteran moviegoers who recall Dick Powell in his crooning days before he became a bullet-proof detective will get a reminiscent thrill when Powell, as the guest, joins Bing Crosby in a duet of six tunes from as many of his former pictures tonight at 9:00 p.m., over the American Broadcasting Company and WTJS. Bing and Dick will deliver the medley after Powell has explained the change of his celluloid character.

(The Jackson Sun, 31st March, 1948)

The first two Ampexes (modeled on the Magnetophon) finally appeared in April 1948 and were followed immediately by twelve more for ABC. The ABC order had, in fact, made possible the final financing of the first two-Ampex Model 200, serial numbers 1 and 2, which were presented to me. They went into service on the twenty-seventh Crosby show of 1947-48. Still, ABC insisted on broadcasting from discs until its technical people were sure of their backup capacity and of the reliability of tape. But we retired my Magnetophons, which were getting pretty tired by that time.

(John T. Mullin, writing in High Fidelity, April, 1976)

April (undated). The first Ampex tape recorders are delivered to ABC and the use of transcription discs declines.

April 3, Saturday. Bing is featured in the Paramount newsreel urging support for the American Cancer Society. Also, Decca has issued a 2-disc 78rpm album called "Selections from Road to Rio" and this is reviewed by Billboard on this date.

Two disk album featuring three novelty tunes and one ballad from the latest Crosby-Hope flicker, "Road to Rio," is directly aimed at the film fan market, with release date timed to coincide with national showing of pic. Previously out as single platters, all four tunes enjoyed some success with Crosby’s “But Beautiful” ballad easily taking top honors. Bing's “Language” with the Andrews Sisters will probably gain new popularity once public ganders gals and the groaner sell it on the screen.

April 4, Sunday. (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.) Rehearses for an appearance on the Jack Benny Show in Palm Springs. (5:00–5:30 p.m.) (10:30-11:00 p.m.) Guests on the Jack Benny radio show on NBC. Bing sings “Haunted Heart” with Phil Harris and his Orchestra.

April 5, Monday. Bing and his four sons are heard over the ABC network at various times in a 15-minute transcribed program discussing the best way of building a boys club with J. Edgar Hoover.

April 6, Tuesday. (5:00 p.m.) In San Francisco, Bing receives an award from General Mark Clark at a retreat parade ceremony as part of the San Francisco Bay celebration of Army Day. This is a Presidential Certificate of Merit for "outstanding fidelity and meritorious conduct in aid of the war effort during World War II." Goes on to see the Freddy Martin opening at  the Mural Room in the St. Francis Hotel with Buddy Cole and Hoagy Carmichael.

April 7, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Fred Astaire and Peggy Lee.

Fred Astaire’s reason for changing his mind about retiring from the movies will be disclosed by the dancer when he, along with Peggy Lee, appears on the WTJS-ABC broadcast of The Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00. Astaire, who recently completed the film, “Easter Parade,” will tell Bing and all his listeners, with a frankness rare in show business, exactly what made him return to the screen…Recalling that Berlin has written tunes about all the legal holidays, Miss Lee and Crosby will sing a few of the new ones. “Catalogue Day,” which tells of the arrival of the mail order catalogues and. “Kamehameha Day” which celebrates the exploits of the first King of Hawaii.

(The Jackson Sun, 7th April, 1948)

April 8, Thursday. Arrives back in Hollywood from San Francisco.

April 9, Friday. Bing has been asked to record “Nature Boy” in a cappella style with the Jeff Alexander choral group but refuses to go against the AFM ban. Frank Sinatra had recently recorded the song in a similar manner.

Reliable outside reports disclosed, however, that Decca had originally skedded the tune for a week-end session with Bing Crosby and a choral group. Date was abandoned late Friday when Crosby refused to go against the ban placed by American Federation of Musicians’ chieftain, James C. Petrillo. Sources close to Crosby said that Der Bingle wired Petrillo Friday (9) asking for permission to cut a special disking. When no reply from Petrillo was forthcoming Friday evening, Crosby dropped the whole idea…It is recalled that Crosby has enjoyed amiable relations with the AFM since the federation okayed the singer’s request to continue the transcription of his Philco airer.

(Billboard, April 17, 1948)

 April 14, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Fibber McGee and Molly (Jim and Marion Jordan). Variety states that Bing and Dixie have recently left Los Angeles for New York.

Although Paul Whiteman always has been credited with having given Bing Crosby his first boost up the ladder of success, since Bing first gained recognition in Pop’s band, McGee, the husband of Molly, will try to grab all the credit for himself when Fibber McGee and Molly appear as Bing’s guests during the WTJS-ABC broadcast of The Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00 p.m. McGee will explain to Molly how his ideas and advice were Bing’s sole inspiration in his early days. Confronting him a little later in the show, Bing will have a surprise for the boastful McGee.

(The Jackson Sun, 14th April, 1948)

Bing Crosby and J. Arthur Rank, ace British filmmaker, will work out plans for the Groaner's projected film stint in England while making the rounds of the Greenbrier golf course at White Sulphur Springs, Va. Rank heads for Greenbrier today (Wed.) as a guest of Robert R. Young and Crosby will join him there to play golf and talk production.

Understood that Crosby would like to play the lead in a filmization of the musical legit hit "Brigadoon" and that Rank has already sent out feelers as to the price tag for film rights. While no deal has been closed, if the price is right Rank will go for it. Crosby is committed to a one-pic" deal.

With Young hosting, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Max (Simon &) Schuster will also be in the party at Greenbrier with Rank.

        (Variety, April 14, 1948)

April 15–18.Thursday–Sunday. Bing takes part in the lavish reopening celebrations of the Greenbrier Hotel, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, after its use as an army hospital during the war. He attends a party for 300 at the hotel on the Friday and plays in a pro-am golf tournament teamed with Ben Hogan on the Saturday and Sunday. Bing and Hogan tie for fourth place with 128. On the Saturday evening, Bing attends the Diamond Ball and sings three songs; “Now Is the Hour”, “The Girl Friend” and “The Whiffenpoof Song”. Bing shares the center of attention with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Rose Kennedy is also there with four of her children (John, Patricia, Kathleen, and Eunice) as is J. Arthur Rank (a British industrialist and founder of the Rank Organisation), plus many Astors, Vanderbilts, and Biddles.

April 18, Sunday. (2:00-2:30 p.m.) Stars in a transcribed NBC radio program A Question of Pianos with Ann Blyth, Jimmy Durante, Bob Hope, Maureen O'Sullivan and Pat O'Brien for New York Catholic Charities. Gary and Lindsay Crosby also take part.

April 19, Monday. Bing sings four songs in a transcribed radio program Guest Star #56 which is heard at various times nationwide. It appears that all of the songs were dubbed from Bing’s Philco shows. This is a Treasury Department production and is the first in support of the Security Loan Campaign. Bing goes to the Pittsburgh Pirates opening game of the season in Cincinnati with Bill Morrow and sees the Pirates lose four to one to the Reds.

April 20, Tuesday. Bing arrives in Pittsburgh and goes to the William Penn Hotel. (3:00 p.m.) He is at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, for the Pirates game against the Chicago Cubs. A crowd of 38,546 see the Pirates win 3-2.

High in the broadcasting booth overlooking home plate, Rosey Rowswell was fidgeting like a nervous gnome, his firecracker-type voice describing the opening game of the season at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. Down below, the stands were jam-packed with Pirate fans, tile sun warm on their backs, gloom, deep in their hearts. The Pirates were trailing the Cubs 1-0 in the fourth inning.

Into the broadcasting cage slid a man with wide-angle ears. He was wearing a large grin. He also wore a loud, open-collared sport shirt and on his head was a jaunty hat with a wide, multi-colored band. At the sight of this character, old Rosey began to relax.  Mister “Good Luck” had shown and everything was going to be all right for the Pirates.

“Hi, assistant,” Rosey said. “It’s about time!”

The assistant, who goes by the handle of Bing Crosby, took over behind the microphone and, in a voice that is recognized by millions, said  easily, “The count on Stan Rojek is two and one, Wally Westlake on deck, here’s the pitch—“

Within a few moments, word spread like wildfire through the ball, park that Der Bingle was at the mike. The atmosphere cleared. The wild-eyed Pittsburgh fans remembered opening day last year when Bing went on the air, and the Pirates replied by slamming out seven runs in one inning! Now, ball players’ heads popped out of the dugout to snatch a glimpse of their boss, Bing, up there in the booth and their grins were wonderful to see. And then they went ahead to win the game, 3-2.

I like to think they won that one for Bing. I do know that whenever Old Man Crosby is hanging around their home grounds, the Pirates are almost impossible to beat. Maybe he’s just good luck—and ball players are a superstitious lot—but, somehow, I believe it’s more than that. I think it has to do with the way Bing feels about the Pirates and the way they feel about him.

… The players like to kid broadcaster Rosey Rowswell, telling him that if he continues to let Crosby relieve him on the air, Bing is going to get his job.

Crosby never uses a program when he broadcasts. He knows all the data about every major league player without consulting the book. His talk is spiked with zingy baseball lingo plus the unmistakable Crosby wit.

(Photoplay magazine)

April 21, Wednesday. Golfs with Davidson Herron at Allegheny Country Club in the morning. (1:30 p.m.) Goes on to Forbes Field to see the Pirates lose 6-3 to the Cubs. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Clifton Webb and Bing’s four sons. The show has an audience rating by Hooper of 18.5.

Youthful Bounce

It took his four kids to do it but Bing Crosby, missing for some time from the top fifteen Hooper ranks, bounced back and into the eleventh place in the latest tallies, just released. The rating was made on the night Crosby’s four boys appeared on the ABC-plattered Philco show with the advance build-up it got via the previous Sunday’s Walter Winchell and Louella Parsons programs, contributing towards the 18.5 rating pay-off.

(Variety, May 5, 1948)

April 22, Thursday. Still in Pittsburgh, Bing visits the Veterans Hospital at Aspinwall. Later he watches the Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0.

April 23, Friday. (2:15–4:30 p.m.) Bing has arrived in New York and broadcasts part of the play-by-play commentary on the Red Sox versus Yankees baseball game at Yankee Stadium. The Red Sox win four to nil.

Der Bingle Finds a Sideline - Pittsburgh, April 27.

Atlantic Refining Co. and Reich’s Sealtest Ice Cream, co-sponsors of Pittsburgh Pirates’ baseball broadcasts, practically got their investment back opening three days of the season when Bing Crosby monopolized the play-by-play mike over WWSW and a regional network to smack out the biggest local Hooperating in history. Der Bingle, v.p. of the National League entry, came on for the trio of clashes with the Chicago Cubs and spent game times in the broadcasting booth with Rosey Rowswell.

Crosby called the plays for five innings in the first game, about six in the second and seven the third. Rowswell wouldn’t let him get off the air, and general consensus of opinion among the listeners was that Bing could qualify for a job as an ace broadcaster any time he decides to give up groaning.

In addition, Crosby gave WWSW a beat by broadcasting a five-minute interview that was practically a monolog during the pre-opening game ceremonies from Forbes Field. The inevitable cracks about Hope were howls. Last season Crosby also came on for Pirates’ opener and likewise did some play-by-paly calling but not as extensively as this season

(Variety, April 28, 1948)

April 24, Saturday. Bing’s recording of “Now Is the Hour” is at number one in the charts for three weeks. This turns out to be Bing’s last number one record.

April 26, Monday. Tapes a Philco show with Henry Fonda at the Ritz Theatre which is broadcast on May 12.

April 28, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Claudette Colbert. Variety carries a critical comment from Fred Allen as Bing had pulled out of a guest appearance on his show at the last moment. Allen had already recorded a Philco show with Bing and Bing was supposed to reciprocate. Bing fulfills his obligations on May 23.

Claudette Colbert and Bing Crosby will peer into the future to speculate on what it will be like to go to the movies in 1955 when Miss Colbert appears as Bing’s guest during the WTJS-ABC broadcast of the Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00 p. m. The increase in the sale of candies, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, chewing gum, soft drinks and paper cups in the lobbies of theaters is what prompts Bing and Miss Colbert to play a movie-going couple seven years from today. The rare opportunity of hearing Miss Colbert raise her voice in song also will be afforded listeners to tonight's broadcast when the movie star joins Bing in the second chorus of “You Are Too Dangerous Cherie” which the pair will sing in French.

(The Jackson Sun, 28th April, 1948)

April 30, Friday. Starting at 2 p.m., Bing acts as grand marshal of the Grand Feature Parade of the 21st. Annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia. The crowd watching the event is estimated at 100,000. The proceedings are captured by Paramount News and featured in their newsreel of May 8. Bing goes on to a reception at Harry Byrd Jr.’s home at 112 S. Washington St. where he sings with Charles Anderson (guitar) and Kenneth Windle (piano). He then travels to Front Royal, Virginia, where he sings on the courthouse steps as part of a concert to help raise money for a new stadium. Bing is the first contributor to the Front Royal Recreation Center Building Fund when he donates $1,000. Stays at the home of State Senator Raymond Guest at Bayard, Warren County, Virginia. Mr. Guest is the cousin of Bing’s friend, Harvey Shaeffer.

May 1, Saturday. The funeral of Tom Breneman takes place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Bing is named as an honorary pallbearer as are Bob Hope and Jack Benny.

May 2, Sunday. Bing arrives back in New York.  During his time in the city, Bing stays at both the Garden City Hotel and the Westbury Hotel at various times. He records four Philco shows whilst in New York. A well-researched and balanced book called The Incredible Crosby by Barry Ulanov has been published by Whittlesey House of New York and part one commences as follows:

Few men have so completely captured the American imagination as Bing Crosby has. And just as few have had their imaginations so completely captured by America and its people as Bing Crosby has. Without waving a flag, with a noticeable avoidance of the Fourth of July oration, he has gone right to the heart of twentieth-century America. In his language, his looks, his dress, in his sports, his ambling gait, his shifting weight, Bing Crosby bespeaks his country. In his voice he sings America, and most of America sings with him.

The New York Times reviews the book which has 336 pages and costs $3.50:

There have been many attempts to explain the phenomenon known as Bing Crosby, including the one so obvious it has the ring of paradox -- that he may not be bad as an entertainer. Barry Ulanov, biographer of “The Incredible Crosby,” finds the full true reason quite easy. Bing, he says, is just the average American and “therein lies his genius.”

      ...As the editor of Metronome, the author has a decent respect for singers and musicians. Possibly it is this respect which at times make the account and his friends read a little like an account of Dr. Johnson and his circle. Possibly, indeed, an average American hasn’t as much colour as an unaverage American. Whatever it is and despite the fact Mr. Ulanov takes up all sides of Bing, his story does not trip along like a popular ballad. It is painstaking and detailed, but it does not trip...Mr. Ulanov goes into the movies in detail and when he doesn’t like them he says so. But he always likes Bing as a person, Bing, the incredible Crosby.

    (Lewis Nichols, New York Times, June 20, 1948)

May 3, Monday. Bing is appointed to the advisory council of Sports America whose principal purpose is to bring more boys and girls into sport and recreation.

May 4, Tuesday. ABC arrange a birthday party for Bing at the Chatham Hotel and this is attended by Mark Woods, Chairman of the American Broadcasting Co. and Harry Wismer, Sports Director at the American Broadcasting Co.

May 5, Wednesday. Paramount put on a belated birthday party for Bing at the Rainbow Room in New York to help promote the Emperor Waltz film. Marlene Dietrich, Veronica Lake, and Florence Pritchett are amongst the guests. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Barry Fitzgerald.

Barry Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby will present a preview of a mythical movie, which never will be seen on any screen and which will be known only to Crosby listeners, when Barry is Bing’s guest during his WTJS-ABC broadcast tonight at 9:00 p. m. The picture will include Fitzgerald as an aged plumber and Bing as his young helper. The somewhat reminiscent title of the film is “Welcome, Plunger.”

(The Jackson Sun, 5th May, 1948)

Paramount hung up another “first” yesterday. It was a birthday party for Bing Crosby in the famed Rainbow Room. Not that it was Bing’s first birthday, of course, but it was the first time a party had been tossed hereabouts for Br'r Crosby and Paramount, doing the honors, did ‘em royally. And festively. And with a notable array of industryites in attendance, Vic Damone, Gloria Gibbs, Helen Jepson and Giovanni Martinelli, with Duke Ellington at the piano, sang the traditional “Happy Birthday”.

There was a six-foot birthday cake, decorated with mike, bat, baseball, movie camera, plaid shirt, slouch hat, golf club, four little boys, piano, and topped with a statuette in color of Bing in “Emperor Waltz” costume. In that connection, be it noted Bing sported a Tyrolean hat from the picture, the guests paper duplicates. The party bids told guests they could bring presents for Bing provided they did not cost more than 50 cents. You shoulda seen the array, including books on how to be a comedian and how to sell songs and photos of Bob Hope.

Paramount group present was headed by Barney Balaban, Adolph Zukor, Charles Reagan, Paul Raibourn. Otherwise, it was the “cream of crop,” and too, too many to record. Included in the activities was a waltz named for Bing’s latest film in which he is coupled with attractive Marlene Dietrich.

(Film Daily, May 6, 1948)

May (undated). During his time in New York, Bing goes to see the musical High Button Shoes at the Shubert theatre. The stars are Bing's friends Phil Silvers and Nanette Fabray. Bing surprises them by walking on from the wings and singing with the chorus boys,

May 10, Monday. Golfs in a benefit for North Community Hospital at Piping Rock Golf Club, Locust Valley, Long Island. He and pro Jimmy Thomson come fourth in the competition. Bing has a 74. The Duke of Windsor and many other celebrities also take part. Later, Bing records a Philco show with Beatrice Lillie.

May 12, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Another transcribed Philco Radio Time show and Bing’s guest is Henry Fonda. The show has been recorded in New York with Kenny Delmar as announcer and with the Skylarks taking over from the Rhythmaires.

Henry Fonda and Bing Crosby will invite their radio audience on an imaginary fishing trip in Maine when Fonda is Bing’s guest during the WTJS-ABC broadcast of the Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00 p m. Before taking the audience on the economical but laugh-packed junket, Bing will try to impress Hank, who currently is starring in Master Roberts (sic) on Broadway, with the swank circle in which he moved at the opening of the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Spring, West Va. Although Bing won’t admit it openly, he will imply that the surroundings were sufficiently awesome to induce him to don a necktie. Kenny Delmar, who is heard as “Senator Claghorn” on Sundays will fill in for Ken Carpenter while Bing is broadcasting in New York.

(The Jackson Sun, 12th May, 1948)

May 14, Friday. Bing is in Philadelphia and is presented with a 17th century hall clock by the editor of Country Gentleman magazine in recognition of winning “The Country Gentleman Award”, a poll amongst rural motion picturegoers for the leading male movie star. This is the third successive year that he has won the award.

May 15, Saturday. Bing is said to have visited the Philco factory in Philadelphia and played golf at Huntington Valley Country Club with Philco executives.

May 16, Sunday. Bing plays in the National Celebrities Golf Tournament at the Columbia Country Club, Washington D.C. in pouring rain in front of a crowd of 6,000. Playing with Byron Nelson, Gene Sarazen, and Del Webb, Bing, with a seventy-six, ties with baseball star Dizzy Dean for the amateur prize. Margaret Truman (daughter of the president) keeps Bing’s score for nine holes. Film of the event is included in the Paramount newsreel of May 22. In the evening, Bing appears in a show before 6000 spectators at Uline Arena with Edgar Bergen, Ray Noble, and Henry Morgan. Part of the show is broadcast on NBC at 8:00 p.m. as The Edgar Bergen Show.

Bing Crosby guested Sunday night (16th) on the Edgar Bergen show from Washington and supplied the only bright touch. Although the writing for the guest spot was uninspired, Crosby’s offhand humor was infectious and his vocal number stand out.

(Variety, May 19, 1948)

A couple of wooden heads and a groaner drew over 6000 Washingtonians last night to the Uline Arena on the afterpiece of the double-barreled Celebrities program. The wooden heads were Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd, pals of one Edgar Bergen; the groaner was Bing Crosby, who got an ovation as soon as he sneaked his head around a stage drape....Crosby, relaxed and lackadaisical, tossed his nonchalance all over the place, singing one song—”Cherie”—and revealing the skullduggery that went on in the locker rooms before the day’s golf rounds. Charlie, it seems, was offered cash from Bergen and a snazzy scooter from Bing, for whatever low scores his card could contrive.

(The Washington Post, May 17, 1948)

May 18, Tuesday. Bing and Fred Allen meet at Bing’s hotel in New York to discuss Bing’s forthcoming appearance on Allen’s show.

May 19, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Ethel Merman and again the show has been recorded in New York. Ken Carpenter returns as announcer.

Ethel Merman, the “Annie Get Your Gun” star whose singing voice is so loud and clear that she should be able to be heard coast-to-coast even by people without radios, will be Bing Crosby’s guest during the WTJS-ABC broadcast tonight at 9:00 p. m. Bing and Ethel will present the third edition of Bing’s “Flop Parade,” a series of tunes which Bing has described as “Discouraged Ditties.”

(The Jackson Sun, 19th May, 1948)

May 21, Friday. Bing is thought to have golfed at Meadow Brook on Long Island. Later, he is at Ebbets Field Baseball Park located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn as part of a crowd of 8803 to see the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 8-4. The game commences at 2 p.m.

May 22, Saturday (2 p.m. start). Goes to Ebbets Field again to watch the Pirates beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 3-1. The crowd totals 12,821. Bing leaves just before the end and later he is at a party at the home of Brenda and “Shipwreck” Kelly. Elsa Maxwell and Florence Pritchett attend also.

May 23, Sunday. Starting at 2:30 p.m., Bing is at the Polo Grounds and sees the New York Giants beat the Pirates 2-1. He watches the game from a box alongside the Pirates dugout with Del Webb (Vice-president of the New York Yankees), Frank McKinney and Roy Hamey. (8:30–9:00 p.m.) Guests on the Fred Allen show on NBC sponsored by The Ford Dealers of America. The show is subtitled “Fred Wants to Do Bing’s Life Story.” Kenny Delmar is the announcer. Bing then leaves for Hollywood by train.

When in New York, besides the Stork Club, Toots Shor’s, and Club 21, there are two places in the Village that Bing usually hits; Eddie Condon’s and Nino & Nella’s. Nella knows all the Crosby’s. She’s known Bing since his days with Whiteman. Her guests are encouraged not to pester Bing when he does come in. One time, while sitting alone at a table, Bing spotted some photos of himself hanging on the wall. Bing’s face lit up and he said “hey fellas look, in that one I still had my own hair!”

(BINGANG, November, 1948)

May 26, Wednesday. Bing arrives back in Los Angeles during the morning and in the evening he and Dixie attend the Hollywood Paramount for the premiere of The Emperor Waltz. Amongst other personalities thought to be present are Lucille Ball, Eddie Cantor, Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford, Mona Freeman, Clark Gable, Betty Grable, Rex Harrison, William Holden, Bob Hope, Van Johnson, Alan Ladd, Hedy Lamarr, Pat O’Brien, Larry Parks, Edward G. Robinson, Mickey Rooney, Shirley Temple, Gene Tierney and Esther Williams. Bing and Dixie go on to the party afterwards at the Crystal Room of the Beverly Hills Hotel where Edward G. Robinson joins the violinists serenading them. This is the first film premiere to be televised (on KTLA-TV at 8:30 p.m.) and the proceedings are also broadcast on radio station KFWB. The Paramount newsreel of June 5 includes coverage of the film premiere. The Emperor Waltz takes $4 million in rentals during its initial release period in the USA.

A large turnout of Hollywood personalities is guaranteed at the world premiere of ‘The Emperor Waltz’ tonight at the Hollywood Paramount Theatre. Bing Crosby, arriving from New York this morning to attend his first world premiere event. The gala occasion is expected to draw a crowd of several thousand spectators and extra police will be on duty to handle the overflow throng on Hollywood Bvd.

(Los Angeles Times, May 26, 1948)

The Emperor Waltz should solve any ticket buyer’s entertainment problem. That’s the only kind of problem it attempts to resolve, and the way it goes about it is strictly enjoyable. Such a natural parlay as Bing Crosby, Johann Strauss melodies, comedy, and gorgeous color, played against a breath-taking scenic background is earmarked for the niftiest kind of grosses.

      …Picture has a free-and-easy air that perfectly matches the Crosby style of natural comedy. Costar Joan Fontaine, better known for heavy, serious roles, demonstrates adaptability that fits neatly into the lighter demands and she definitely scores with charm and talent as the Crosby foil.   

One complaint likely to be made by audiences is that Crosby doesn’t sing enough. What the crooner does deliver registers strongly, as to be expected, and there’s a load of music otherwise to fill the sharp Victor Young score. Johnny Burke wrote special lyrics for three Johann Strauss melodies and teamed with James Van Heusen on cleffing one new tune.

      Standouts in the music department is the Crosby touch on “I Kiss Your Hand Madame,” oldie by Fritz Rotter and Ralph Erwin; and “Friendly Mountains,” number based on two old Austrian yodel songs. “Madame” is reprised several times and Crosby reached back into his groaner past to give it the extra special treatment of “boo-boo-bah-boo”. In for romantic treatment is “The Kiss in Your Eyes,” old Viennese tune with lyrics by Burke…

(Variety, May 5, 1948)

(9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Alec Templeton and Beatrice Lillie. The show has been recorded in New York.

Beatrice Lillie and Alec Templeton are the talented twosome who will be Bing Crosby’s guests during the WTJS-ABC broadcast of the Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00 to 9:30 p. m. Miss Lillie, who recently became the toast of Broadway in the revue, “Inside U. S. A,” will present a fast moving travelogue titled “Inside U. S. A. - from the Outside” and sing a flock of memorable tunes with Bing. Alec, in addition to playing the piano, occasionally will raise his voice in song…Templeton, Crosby and Miss Lillie also will participate in a few minutes of rollicking musical nonsense titled the “Alec Templeton Opera House.”

(The Jackson Sun, 26th May, 1948)

May 29, Saturday. In the transcribed Command Performance show to mark its sixth anniversary, Bing is given the Kilroy Award for the outstanding male vocalist on the AFN of the AFRS.

May 31, Monday. Starting at 1:00 p.m., Bing stages a golf match at Lake Merced Country Club, San Francisco, as a benefit for the family of his friend Benny Coltrin, who had recently passed away after surgery at the age of forty. A crowd of 16,000 watch Bing (who has a 77) play with Marlene Bauer (age fourteen, who has an eighty-two), Bud Ward, and Jimmy Thomson. Other stars playing are Johnny Weissmuller and Dennis Morgan. About $17,500 is raised for the Coltrin family.

June 2, Wednesday. Starting at 8:00 p.m., Bing watches the Santa Rosa Pirates (a “farm” club for the Pittsburgh Pirates) lose 9-6 to the Redding Browns at Doyle Park, Santa Rosa. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Fred Allen and Joe Venuti. This is the last Philco show of the season and again it has been recorded in New York.

Fred Allen will visit Bing Crosby to play the title role of “Forever Everett,” a film biography of Bing’s brother that never will see a screen and which when finished will have Fred and Bing worried about being sued by the older Crosby, during the broadcast of The Bing Crosby Show this evening, 9:00 to 9:30, over WTJS and the American Broadcasting Company. Ham Fisher, creator of “Joe Palooka”, and Joe Venuti, jazz fiddle virtuoso, will be heard as well… “Forever Everett” begins back in the days before Bing was born and follows the career of the elder Crosby down to the present time in which he makes the “21” restaurant his New York office.

(The Jackson Sun, 2nd June, 1948)

Crosby’s Tape Success Scenes Spurring Networks To More Recorded Shows

Up in smoke with Bing Crosby’s summer hiatus, which started last week, goes the last remaining argument of NBC and CBS that transcribed shows aren’t acceptable to listeners. Aside from copping honors with a 14.6 in the last Hooper rating, two points higher than his nearest competitor, mechanical perfection of the Groaner’s tape recorded shows has disproved network arguments that transcriptions aren’t as good as live shows. Tape has, in the past year, completely altered not only the operation on top ABC shows but has changed the thinking of the entire industry regarding recorded programs. When the Crosby show first went on ABC two years ago, it was strictly a transcription job of editing and re-editing, editing and re-dubbing and re-editing, often requiring as many as four days after a show was originally cut on platters, before it was whipped into broadcasting shape. Then tape was used. At first it was transferred to platters for broadcast because equipment had not been perfected for broadcasting directly from tape. This method was still better than the previous years because there was only one transfer instead of six or seven with consequent loss of quality in each step. Time necessary for editing the show to its final broadcast form was reduced to a mere three or four hours when tape was first used, last fall, following a summer of intensive experimenting by both ABC and the Crosby office. Continuity editors operating in the same manner as film directors have now reached the point where they can wrap up the show in two hours. Programs edited on the original tape are now being aired and retain the original broadcast quality. It is so good that in a recent demonstration for engineers from Southern California stations, a live program was recorded simultaneously on tape and the experts weren’t able to tell which was tape and which was live, as the control booth engineer switched from live pick-up to tape pick-up. Since Crosby went recorded, two other shows have followed him, netwise - Groucho Marx and the Abbott and Costello layout. A number of others that did live repeats two years ago are now recording repeats. It is expected that there’ll be more top shows on the ET gravy train in the fall, as a result.

(Variety, June 9, 1948)

June 5/6, Saturday/Sunday. Plays with Harrison Godwin in the first annual Swallows golf tournament at Cypress Point and they run out as winners with a score 19 up in the 36-hole match against par.

June 15, Tuesday. Plays with Jimmy Demaret on the official opening day of the Ojai Valley Country Club. Bing has a 69. Meanwhile, Bing purchases the 3000-acre Laing ranch near Elko from Chester and Lillian Laing, who had retired.

June 16, Wednesday. Press coverage states that Bing has made a special test run of his radio show on video with the possibility that the show may be duplicated on home screens in the fall.

June 17, Thursday. The film The Emperor Waltz has its New York premiere.

It goes without saying that Bing is the master of the breezy remark, the flip crack, the practitioner of light romance and a warbler, but it is Miss Fontaine in a comedy role who equals the shining Crosby quality whenever they appear together. Paired off this way they delivered extremely well.

      Production is lavish. Attention has been given in the Brackett-Wilder script to optic as well as aural senses and the effort smoothly unfolded in the latter’s knowing direction is warmly rewarding and a constant pleasure.

      Comedy is not overlooked. The tale is strewn with clever gags which fit already light sequences. There is resourceful utilization of sound and this gives Crosby a fine session yodeling in the Tyrol while the echoes come bouncing back off the mountain walls.

(Film Daily, May 3, 1948)

Imagine our old friend Bing Crosby as a Yankee at Franz Joseph’s court, peddling a new-fangled phonograph and wooing a countess on the side, and you have a thumbnail synopsis of Paramount’s “The Emperor Waltz,” the light-hearted musical farce-romance which came to the Music Hall yesterday. Picture it all in Technicolor, with the courtiers in flashing uniforms, the ladies in elegant dresses and Bing in an old straw hat, and you have a fair comprehension of the prospect and atmosphere. For “The Emperor Waltz” is a picture which can be characterized in a few words, but which is much more entertaining if you see it from beginning to end.

Not that there’s anything staggering in the way of music or plot in this spoof which Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder produced, directed and wrote. A dash of “The Prisoner of Zenda,” a twist of old Viennese “corn” and plenty of any “Road”-show nonsense and you have a composite of the plot. Likewise, three musical numbers are the extent of the score—and only one of these items is unfamiliar and new.

But, even so, Brackett and Wilder have made up with casualness and charm—and with a great deal of clever sight-humor—for the meagerness of the idea. And Bing has provided the substance which the farcical bubble may lack. As the corn-fed American salesman whose fox terrier dog runs afoul of the countess’ fancy French poodle—and thereby inspires the romance—our boy is his usual delightful and completely unceremonious self, baffled by Hapsburg pomposity and candid in his confidence in love.

Nothing he says is likely to be mistaken for deep philosophy but it all has the sound of observation which lightens the weariness of life. If it’s boop-boop-adoing “Santa Lucia” while sculling a Tyrolean lake boat, with the off-hand explanation, “I used to travel for a Venetian-blind company,” or merely calling his sweetheart “Honey Countess” in a thoroughly natural way, Bing has the air of a fellow to whom the artificial is a bore.

And Joan Fontaine as the countess makes a beautiful counterpart for his open and genial directness. Icy and lofty at the start, she melts with magnificent acquiescence to his bland importunities of love. Maybe you wouldn’t think so, but she turns in a sweet job of farce and frets for her poodle’s torn emotions just as gravely as she does for her own. Likewise, Richard Haydn is cute as the emperor and Roland Culver makes a suavely snobbish courtier, while Sig Ruman is grand as the emperor’s vet.

Best of the musical numbers is “Friendly Mountains,” a yodel song which Bing ripples over his tonsils while walking down an alpine road, to be answered by magical echoes and a swarm of slap-dancers in the dells. It’s a charming, melodious ditty and as cute in its staging as a cuckoo clock. Also amusing is a pick-up of the oldie, “I Kiss Your Hand, Madame,” which is used to put the bashful canines—and also the countess—in the mood. Roberta Jonay and Bert Prival skip a lively dance to it, too. And the final romantic number, which Bing sings, “The Kiss in Your Eyes,” is a pleasantly sentimental re-write on Heuberger’s “Chambre Separée.”

Set against gorgeous mountain scenery and richly palatial rooms, “The Emperor Waltz” is a project which should turn the blue Danube to twinkling gold...

(Bosley Crowther, New York Times, June 13, 1948)

June 21, Monday. At a presentation at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, CBS demonstrates the long-playing microgroove recording playing at thirty-three and a third revolutions per minute.

June 23–July. Bing, Dixie and their sons are at the Elko ranch.

If there are any squares left who believe those radio gags about Bing Crosby being a lazy man, they should see the guy on his ranch at Elko, Nevada. As one of the lucky characters who has known him for twenty years and who gets a crack at visiting the ranch every summer, I can tell you with every creaking bone and aching muscle in my body that I only wish it were true. Gary, the oldest of the Crosby sons, undoubtedly wishes it were true, also. Then Gary could get away with a little loafing, a thing he purely enjoys. The twins, Phillip and Dennis, might pick up better than those two bucks a day wages they earn, if the old man were actually as dreamy as supposed. And a guest from the city might be allowed to sleep after five-thirty a.m. Of course, said guest can do that now, if he doesn’t mind starving to death — and never expects to be asked back to Elko again. The ranch is like a new world in the desert — all green. It is only 25,000 acres, but Bing and company call it home. There are trees and streams, even a lake — a Crosby-made lake where Bing himself dammed a stream.

It’s a hay and cattle ranch and like the man who owns it, everything about it is efficient and there’s no nonsense of wasted effort. There’s a big ranch house, where the ranch manager, Johnny Eckeart (sic), and his wife live the year ’round, and where the Crosby kids bunk during the summer.

There’s a barn, nearly big enough to stack the 3500 tons of hay they harvest. There’s a hydroelectric plant fed by streams coming from the mountains through twenty-three miles of pipe. There is machinery the like of which no farm ever saw for sheer efficiency — stuff like a hayrack made out of tubulous steel and another machine that does the work of eight men in stacking hay. There’s a complete woodwork shop and then scattered around a plot of green lawn, there are the guest houses — and the houses for the crew, cowboys, farmhands and cooks, fifteen in all.

Bing and Dixie’s house and the guest houses have a big living room with two bedrooms and a bath between, and are furnished in a comfortable California-Monterey style.

The routine on the ranch is wonderful. The Chinese cook rings a bell at five-thirty a.m. which means “get up.” The second bell at six means food’s on the table. It’s country style, even at dinner, which is at six p.m. The food’s down when you get there. You pass it around and pitch in. After each meal, you take your own dishes to the completely modern kitchen, which has garbage disposal, dish washers and all that. You are in bed at eight-thirty at the latest.

In between, you work and play in a very pleasant proportion, a la the owner’s methods. Nobody ever lolls. Dixie and my wife kept plenty busy, ordering the food and seeing to everybody’s comfort, and I had my own special task of loading trucks with sand to be brought to the lake, where some of the hands would take over to turn that sand into a beach.

Gary’s job was soaking fence posts in creosote and placing them. When he first hit the ranch from his school in the East, he weighed 183 pounds. By the time he returned he was down to a trim 160. The twins, who are fourteen to Gary’s sixteen, helped with the fence making and haying, drove rakes, etc. for six weeks. Linny, the comedian, aged nine, did odd chores. Meanwhile, Bing would be dictating letters and making phone calls, and then he’d join me on the sand patrol.

The kids have no concept of their father’s wealth. He impresses on them that he earned it, so it belongs to him, not them. The idea is, if they want money, they can earn it, too. He’s a very strict disciplinarian but he’d grin when we would be going by in the pick-up truck and at a distance, we’d see Gary sitting down at his fence-staking. Gary would jump up, the moment he heard us coming and get very busy all of a sudden and Bing would yell, “Get at it, there.”

But Gary had the laugh on Bing one night, when his father asked all the boys if they had written their grandmother lately. Kid-fashion they hadn’t, of course, so the orders were to sit down and attack a post card that moment. They all did. Gary wrote, “Fishing, hunting and boating up here. Dad’s having a wonderful time.”

Along about noon, most of the day’s work is over and the fun begins. They have barbecues like the one they had the day they wanted to christen the boat for their lake. Bing said if you were going to christen a boat, you had to crack a bottle of champagne over it. So we did that little thing. Bing and I took the boat, via the car, down the highway to the lake — and first thing we did was blow a tire.

Other days, we’d go fishing. One day on the way back we got stuck. We were driving a big truck and we couldn’t make it budge. It was five o’clock in the afternoon. There was a big pheasant dinner that night, which we were all looking forward to — and we were twelve miles away. So we started hiking. The first ranch we came to didn’t have a phone. So we hiked to the next ranch — seven miles. They did have a phone. Bing called Dixie and told her to go ahead and eat. We were so close in then, he said, we’d walk the rest of the way. Just another five miles, that was all. I let a moan out of me. Phil and Dennis were along, fresh as butter, but I said no dice so far as I was concerned. I’d starve and sleep under a mesquite bush, if need be, but no more hiking. Bing howled. I didn’t know that in some double-talk manner he’d already told Dixie to send a couple of cowhands over after us.

Bing has steadily improved with success. He always was an intelligent, unaffected, direct guy but today, with all the demands on his time and patience, he’s even more unaffected, and has a mighty mellow understanding. My wife tells me Dixie adores him, and I’ll chime in and say that even a man can see they are both deeply in love.

(Wally Westmore, writing in Photoplay magazine, February 1949)

From our home town of Bowling Green, Kentucky, a friend and I drove to Los Angeles during our 1948 summer college vacation. We worked at a warehouse in Los Angeles for a couple of months, then returned home via the “Northern route” - through Nevada.

Since the days of the blue label Decca records, I had admired Bing Crosby - I bought all his records, saw all his movies, and never missed the good old radio programs. Like millions of people, I admired Bing as a person as well as a premiere performer.

Knowing the Crosby ranch was near Elko, Nevada, I wanted to try meeting Bing, difficult as that might be. I simply made a phone call from a restaurant in Elko. I believe someone at the eatery helped me with the listing in the phone book. The housekeeper answered the phone, and after listening to my story said it would probably be all right to come out. We drove the fifty or so miles, passed several “No Trespassing” signs, and around noon pulled up near the front yard of a small white house. Bing Crosby stepped out of the house. It was evident he had not received our message as he looked rather stern. The situation was explained (calling him Mr. Crosby) and everything was O.K.

Can you imagine, Bing asked if we had eaten? We had not but said we had. (In fact we were extremely low on funds. Since then I have often thought how nice it would have been to eat at Bing Crosby’s house.) He must have sensed we were hungry as he went into the house and brought us some chocolate candy. Can you beat that!! Bing gave each of us a picture with his personal autograph, dated at Spring Creek Ranch. I recall we talked a little about his spread. While the house and buildings looked small, I believe the ranch was immense. One of the ‘cowhands’ joined us for a few minutes with some questions for Bing. Finally each of us took the other’s picture with Mr. Crosby. We then left.

I shall never forget the generosity of Bing Crosby to a couple of absolute strangers. When we first arrived it was “Mr. Crosby.” But as we left I distinctly recall saying, “Thanks Bing.”

This was a real experience. I had not known what to expect. Bing Crosby was very kind to us. It was some day, and it wasn’t long before everyone in our home of Bowling Green heard of our experience with Crosby!

(Richard Heman, writing in BINGTALKS magazine, July 1992)

June 25, Friday, Bing opens the Silver State Stampede in Elko.

ELKO – Bing Crosby, international famous star of radio and screen, opened the Silver State Stampede rodeo in Elko Friday in short order.

Introduced by Newton Crumley, Elko hotel owner, the honorary mayor of Elko, said, “I have never officiated at an opening of a show of this type before, however, when I was at a recent rodeo the fellow said “Let er buck” Bing was accompanied to Elko from his ranch in the northern part of Elko county by Mrs Crosby.

With these words, Elko’s first rodeo in 13 years was opened, and tons of horse flesh were pitted against some of the world’s best cowboys.

Crosby led a colourful parade to the Elko county fair grounds where the show will be held for three days. Outstanding horses were featured in the parade, while a 75 piece band, organized by Bob Zander of Elko and the veterans drum and bugle corps added color to the event.

(Nevada State Journal, June 26, 1948)

June 27, Sunday. The gardens of Bing’s home at 594 South Mapleton Drive, Holmby Hills, are used for a garden party and bazaar for the Carmelite Nuns of the Carmel of St. Teresa, Alhambra.

June (undated). Bing and Dixie visit Tahoe City and have breakfast at the Honeybunch cafe.

July 30, Friday. Stops over in Boise, Idaho en route to Hayden Lake. He is accompanied by Bill Morrow and Lindsay Crosby. Bing looks in on his friend Sib Kleffner.

August 1, Sunday. Bing and Lindsay plus Bill Morrow have arrived at Hayden Lake, Idaho for a 2-week vacation. They stay at a cottage owned by L. L. Whelen which is next door to one owned by Herb Rotchford.

August 2, Monday. Bing and Joe Lynch golf against Herb Rotchford and Tom Eley (the Hayden Lake pro) in the morning. In the afternoon, Bing visits Dr. E. J. Fitzgerald at Fitzgerald's home on Coeur d'Alene lake.

August 3, Tuesday. Golfs with Del Webb of the New York Yankees who has flown in using his private plane. Bing wins.

August 4, Wednesday. The local paper reports that Bing has a cold and will not play golf today.

August 5, Thursday. Golfs with Bud Ward, Roy Moe and Frank McKevitt at Spokane Country Club in the afternoon.

August 11, Wednesday (evening). Bing attends a party at the Clark House at Hayden Lake given jointly by Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Lynch and Mr. & Mrs. Charles Finucane.

August 12, Thursday. Bing is in Spokane to see the start of work on the construction of the new engineering building, Dillon Hall, on the Gonzaga campus. He is photographed with Rev. Arthur Dussault, Rev. Francis Corkery and a number of students.

August 14, Saturday. (Starting at 3:30 p.m.) Bing takes part in a golf match at Lewiston Golf and Country Club in Idaho for the benefit of Lewiston Boys’ Club of America. Bing and Bud Ward take on local professionals Joe Durgan and Bill Welch. A crowd of 2000 watches the proceedings. Ward and Crosby lose 1 down.

    August 21, Saturday. Decca has issued a 4-disc 78rpm set called Blue of the Night and Billboard reviews it on this date.

Another Decca collection of reissued Crosbyana containing eight standards, including Der Bingle’s “Blue of the Night” theme. To the simple and effective backing of John Scott Trotter’s ork, Crosby sings as only Crosby can sing, which is better than most anyone else in the biz can do. Good album cover.

August 24, Tuesday. Bing's sister, Mary Rose obtains a divorce in Oakland from glass company executive William D. Miller on  the grounds of "extreme cruelty". Miller is told to pay $100 per month in respect of the couple's son William (aged 7). Mary Rose had married Miller in Reno in 1938.

August (undated). John T. Mullin joins Bing Crosby Enterprises as chief engineer of its electronics division.

September 4, Saturday. Dressed as a clown, Bing takes part in the Ringling Brothers circus show on the Pan-Pacific grounds with many other stars as part of a massive benefit performance for St. John’s Hospital, Santa Monica. Nearly $250,000 is raised.

…So it was arranged. The circus came to Los Angeles for the Saturday night benefit. And the audience that jammed the big tent and circus grounds discovered the ballyhoo had not exaggerated. Kay Kyser, George Murphy and Ronald Reagan announced the acts. Harry James led the circus band. Bing Crosby circled the ring with the circus clowns. Van Johnson was a clown, too. So were Mickey Rooney, Frank Sinatra and Ronald Colman. Harpo Marx, Boris Karloff and Jack Norton performed a comedy Frankenstein. And Elizabeth Taylor and Gary Cooper did a scene from “Robinson Crusoe”.

Betty Grable and Ann Baxter rode on the floats. So did Mona Freeman, John Hodiak, Janet Leigh, Bill and “Mousie” Powell, Audrey Totter, Arleen Dahl and Ella Raines. Horseback feats were performed by Virginia Mayo, Lucille Ball, Ray Milland, Gene Raymond, Robert Stack Nelson Eddy, Diana Lynn, Ann Blyth and Gloria DeHaven. And Edmund Gwenn played Santa Claus. Louella O. Parsons rode in the parade with Rosalind Russell and helped pick the winning prizes…

(Photoplay, December, 1948)

September 6, Monday. Bing records the first Philco show of the season with Claudette Colbert and his four sons.

September 11, Saturday. Bing records another Philco show with Judy Garland. He has become a large stockholder in Vacuum Foods Corporation and has been elected a director. It is announced that Vacuum Foods will sponsor a new fifteen-minute five times a week daytime radio program featuring Bing acting as a disc jockey. The company’s Minute Maid quick frozen concentrated orange juice is to be promoted on the shows.

The program for Minute Maid occasioned some amusement in the press because of his long standing feud with disk jockeys over saturating the airwaves with his music. Suddenly he was one of them, playing three or four of his own records, in a 15–minute format, each morning Monday through Friday.

     He had been talked into it by Grillo and Jock Whitney, a wealthy sportsman he had met in horse racing circles. Whitney was an original investor in Vacuum Foods, a Florida company freezing foods, a novelty then. Frozen orange juice was one of those inventions mothered by necessity for troops who couldn’t get it fresh during the war. They had to drink it but Vacuum Foods was discovering civilians didn’t. Whitney came up with the idea of offering Crosby 20,000 shares of stock to educate the public and stimulate sales.

     Between records he and Ken Carpenter talked of frozen orange juice, as an acceptable alternate, and Minute Maid became a household word with sales in excess of $100 million within a few years.

     Grillo set up Bing Crosby Entertainment as producer and had Crosby work for union scale, again a matter of taxation. He accepted a seat on the board of directors of Vacuum Foods which was purchased a few years later by The Coca-Cola Company.

(Norman Wolfe, Troubadour: Bing Crosby and the Birth of Pop Singing)

September 13, Monday. Dennis and Phillip Crosby join their brother Gary at Bellarmine Academy, San Jose.

September 16, Thursday. Bing is photographed at the Santa Clara County Fair.

September 18, Saturday. Bing arrives in Portland, Oregon, and golfs at Portland Golf Club in the afternoon.

September 19, Sunday. Golfs at 1:30 p.m. at Glendoveer Golf Club, Portland with Hayden Newton against Bob Hope and George Schneitner. Bing and Hayden win two and one. At 6:30 p.m. Bing and Bob attend a charity dinner at the Multnomah Hotel, Portland, and afterwards they headline a show at Multnomah Stadium at 8:30 p.m. which includes Marilyn Maxwell, Buddy Cole, Joe Venuti, Perry Botkin, and John Scott Trotter. The proceeds of the day go to the Crosby–Hope Foundation Fund for the benefit of the PGA Junior Golf Program.

September 20, Monday. Bing and his entourage arrive at the Great Northern Railway Station in Vancouver, Canada, at 10:30 p.m. Despite the late hour, the acting mayor and other civic officials are there to greet them supported by a kilted police pipe band. An unruly crowd of 2,300 people causes chaos by mobbing Bing and damaging the civic cars being used. Bing and his party check in at the Hotel Vancouver. Bing has been persuaded by boxer Jimmy McLarnin to put on a show in Vancouver to raise funds for the planned Sunset Memorial Community Center.

Bing, Bill Morrow and most of his party arrived via Great Northern, on Monday evening, September 20. An advance party composed of Hal Malone of the News-Herald, Fred Bass, representing the radio station; Charlie Defleux, Public Relations Chairman; and Stan Thomas of Sunset Memorial Centre, boarded the train at Blaine and briefed Bing briefly on what to expect at the station.

The scene which greeted Bing on his arrival on the station platform, however, was not as it had been planned! Apparently, as the train came to a halt in the station, hundreds of fans who, a few minutes before were nowhere in sight, ran around behind the station to the platform and bedlam resulted. Perhaps you, also, heard the radio broadcast of that portion of the reception!

Acting-Mayor Miller, Chief Constable Mulligan, Alderman Cornett and Ed. Arnatt were introduced to Bing before the radio mikes, stationed on the platform. The ever-growing crowd surged around, trying to catch a glimpse of Der Bingle.   The Police Pipe Band struck up a march, two  burly policemen fell in behind, Bing was flanked by two tall and extremely competent-looking detectives, and, followed by the Mayor, Chief Mulligan and Stan Thomas, who in turn were followed by Alderman Cornett, Ed. Arnatt, Stan Thorpe of  Shaughnessy  Golf  Club,  then more police and hundreds of cheering fans.

They started down the platform to the station rotunda, preceded by scores of cameramen—professional and amateur—whose flash-bulbs, particularly those of the latter group, were set off at times dangerously close to the eyes of our distinguished guest. As the official party neared the rotunda, the cheering of thousands of citizens of all ages, rose in a mighty crescendo. Sunset Executive and Ladies’ Auxiliary members, standing in line at the station entrance caught a fleeting glimpse of Bing as he was guided into the building,

As Bing entered the over-crowded rotunda, the cheering reached a mighty roar. Men and women, particularly the latter, reached out in an effort to touch or grab the King of the Crooners. The crowd surged through the police lines at the curb as thousands of happy Vancouverities pressed forward for one quick glimpse of their idol of stage and radio.

Cries of “There he is!”  “It’s him!” “Hi, Bing!” “I touched him!” and “I pinched him!” etc., etc. were heard from many lining the aisle through which Bing and his escort forced their way. After the minute or so which seemed much longer—so much appeared to have happened from the time Bing entered through  one  doorway  and made his exit through the other—Bing, Acting-Mayor Miller and Thomas found themselves in the Mayor’s limousine.  Then the fun began all over again. Hundreds of fans, crowded beyond the sidewalk unto the roadway in front of the station, and still hoping for at least a peek at Der Bingle, blocked the roadway ahead of the Mayor’s car. Only the Herculean efforts of five or six stalwart policemen, who literally pulled the official car through the milling, cheering crowd, made it possible for the driver to finally put the car into gear and, preceded by a motorcycle escort, whisk Bing and the others to the hotel.

Another crowd waited at the hotel, both outside and inside. But Bing was soon settled comfortably in his suite where he kidded the other members of his party as they arrived.

(Sunset Review, November 1948)

September 21, Tuesday. Bing’s plan to play golf at Capilano Golf Course at 8:00 a.m. is canceled due to heavy rain. During the morning, John Scott Trotter rehearses the local musicians who have been recruited for the next day’s show. Later at 1:30 p.m., Acting Mayor George Miller presents Bing with a golden key to the city on the steps of City Hall. Bing sings along as the Firemen’s Band plays “Where the Blue of the Night.” He goes on to the site of the proposed Sunset Memorial Recreation Center at 51st and Prince Edward Avenue, where he speaks to the crowd of 1,000 and sings a chorus of “Blue Skies” as a joke about the weather. Bing then climbs on to a bulldozer in pouring rain and turns over the first few yards of soil to inaugurate work on the center. Later he goes to the Vancouver Sun newspaper offices where he spends time “editing” the sports pages.

Tuesday was a busy day for Bing and his party. Most of it has already been amply covered by the press and radio stations. Rehearsal at the Orpheum in the morning.   The Civic reception, presentation of the golden “Key to the City” and the slate totem pole by the Acting-Mayor in a driving rain on the steps of the City Hall. 

Bing, singing most unexpectedly, while accompanied by the Firemen’s Band, his famous theme-song, “In the Blue of the Night,” (sic) and the crowd there, under their umbrellas and galoshes, loved every minute of it!  Never before, and we doubt if ever again, will such a distinguished and charming person ever sing on the steps of our City Hall.

Indicative of the informality and free-and-easy manner of our star from Hollywood, was his suggestion that those accompanying him on his trip to turn the first sod at Sunset, join him over a sandwich at a wayside restaurant.  (It they arrived too early at Sunset, many would be disappointed and Bing was aware of it.) Needless to say, the waitresses had the thrill of a lifetime. Likewise, the twenty-odd members of a middle-aged ladies’ club who were dining there at the time.  “Ooohs” and “a-ahs” were all over the place!

Then came the trip out Fraser Avenue, renamed “BINGSWAY” in Bing’s honor. He was deeply appreciative of the honor. And on to Sunset, where more than a thousand had braved one of the wettest days of 1948 to be on hand when Bing operated a large bull-dozer to officially turn the first sod on the site  of  Sunset  Memorial  Centre. Many of those present had been there two hours and more, and great was the roar when Der Bingle stepped from his car onto the sodden field.

At Sunset, as if throwing a challenge right back into the teeth of old Jupe Pluvius, Bing broke out in a rich rendition as only Bing can sing, of “Blue Skies.” On the bull-dozer he was a panic. When Chief Mathias tried to explain the faces on the twenty-toot totem pole which Sunset Memorial had presented to Bing, the ever-ready Crosby wanted to know how come so many Hopes on the one pole. Chief Andy Paull’s daughter Yvonne was on hand to present Bing with a beautiful white moose-hide shopping bag for Mrs. Crosby. Bing liked it: said he’d keep his girdle in it.

(Sunset Review, November 1948)

September 22, Wednesday. After a morning rehearsal at the Orpheum Theatre where, as is usual, the musical numbers are recorded for possible use in the final version of the show, Bing, William Gargan, Marilyn Maxwell, and Ray Milland tape a Philco show at the Forum to produce funds for the Sunset Memorial Center. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. In due course, it is revealed that $21,000 has been raised. The show is broadcast on October 13. Marilyn Maxwell is paid a total of $1,500 for this show and a subsequent show in Spokane.

Harry Lillis Crosby, the cold eyed little crooner from Spokane whose smiles are as rare as the million bucks he makes each year, jammed the Exhibition Forum for two hours Wednesday night. Supported by a talented cast, including local musicians, he sent the capacity audience home obviously happy after half a dozen songs, and a line of gags which ran the gamut from pat to patter. Stan Thomas, president of the Sunset Memorial Community Center, estimates that 8,000 people attended the performance and that $33,000 was grossed.

In gratitude, the hall in the center will be called “Bing Crosby Auditorium” center officials announced as the show ended. Other tokens Crosby collected for his donated services included a life membership in the Squamish Indian tribe as “Chief Thunder Voice,” a Cowichan Indian sweater, emblazoned with the title, and a verse-laden wooden tomahawk.

The man who invented crooning some eighteen years ago celebrated his chieftainship by wrapping himself in a blanket and joining Squamish Chief Matthias Joe and his braves in a war dance. This gag, like several others, drew hearty laughter, even from the 1,500 paying customers in the north end of the Forum who got a fine view of the back of the orchestra, but hardly a glimpse of what was happening on stage. . . . Once Crosby noticed the plight of the 1,500 viewless in the north end. The crowd out front shouted “We can’t hear you.” From the back came a louder roar: “We can’t see you.” Crosby promised he would “work around” to the viewless. Thirty minutes of the show was recorded for release on U.S. networks October 13 after unsatisfactory sections have been substituted.

(Ralph Daly, The Vancouver Sun, Thursday, September 23, 1948)

The great show at the Forum will go down in the history of Vancouver as the most sparkling presentation of its kind ever staged here.  Records fell like ten-pins! Largest attendance ever recorded at any similar affair here!  Largest “gross” and “net” for any single performance.  The first time the top man in show business had ever appeared at a public performance in Canada, west of Toronto. Highest “gross” on first-day ticket sales and, we believe on Wednesday ticket sales also.  The price scale set a new “high” for this city.

The show itself was superb! The huge audience loved every phase of it, from the Indian Chief ceremony, right through to the final curtain.  Bing and his guests, Ray Milland, Marilyn Maxwell and Bill Gargan, were at their best. The script was a scream.  The whole show was a dream come true, not only for Sunset Memorial Centre, but, also, for thousands of Vancouverites who, for the first time, were seeing their idol in person on a Vancouver stage!

(Sunset Review, November 1948)

September 23, Thursday. Bing has a practice round at Capilano Golf Club, Vancouver.

September 24, Friday. Golfs with former Canadian champion Ken Black, Gordon Bowers, and Bill Mackenzie at Capilano Golf Club. During his time in Vancouver, Bing is interviewed by Susan Fletcher on her CBC show.

...An original and intelligent idea is her method of recording an interview each week with some prominent personality in show-world. She cuts her disks during frequent trips to Hollywood and whenever someone important drops into Vancouver, as case with Bing Crosby on show caught. Crosby once again demonstrated his great showmanship. Despite some weak questions, he cut some good capers as when he defined “the true American as one who chases the buck avidly” or when his kids appear on his program “their mother complains they are getting much too hammy.”

(Variety, October 27, 1948 )

September 25, Saturday. (8:30 a.m.) The train carrying Bing and his entourage pulls out of the Vancouver station and arrives at Spokane late in the evening.

September 26, Sunday. Golfs with Dr. Ed Fitzgerald, Herb Rotchford, Joe Lynch and Frank McKevitt at Spokane Country Club. Later, Bing rehearses another Philco show with Dan Dailey and Marilyn Maxwell at the Post Theater.

September 27, Monday. Plays golf at Hayden Lake with Bud Ward.

September 28, Tuesday. Rehearses at the Post Theater during the afternoon. Starting at 8:30 p.m., Bing records the Philco show at the Post St. Theater as part of a benefit to raise funds for the Spokane stadium. The show is broadcast on October 20. After recording the show, Bing goes to the Natatorium Park Ballroom in Spokane and sings with the Dutch Groshoff Orchestra. Subsequently he goes on to San Francisco to record more shows.

Bing’s Entertaining Shows Bring $10,000 to Stadium Fund

Bing Crosby and a company of talented Hollywood entertainers played a double bill in Spokane last night, jamming the Post theater to the roof for the Philco Hour broadcast and playing to more than 4000 persons at Natatorium park.

A benefit sponsored by the Athletic Round Table, the two shows netted the Spokane stadium fund better than $10,000. It was another Crosby gift to Spokane.

The broadcast will be aired Wednesday night, October 20.

It was almost a wedding anniversary celebration for Bing and Dixie Lee Crosby are observing their 18th wedding anniversary today. Mrs. Crosby is in Hollywood.

The show at the Post was top entertainment, with Bing presenting exactly the type of program he enjoys most: Songs and a liberal sprinkling of excellent humor.

With an orchestra made up of Spokane and Hollywood musicians, directed by amiable John Scott Trotter, the program opened with Bing and William Gargan, Hollywood motion picture actor, at the microphone. They kidded each other and a lone youngster in one of the balcony boxes and the audience was with them from the start.

Others on the regular broadcast were Marilyn Maxwell, blond Hollywood starlet, who sang alone and with Bing; Dan Dailey, lanky Broadway and Hollywood dancing star, who didn’t dance half enough to suit the crowd; Buddy Cole, Bing’s pianist; Joe Venuti, violinist and Perry Botkin, guitarist.

Settled Into Groove

But with the half hour broadcast out of the way, Bing and his company really settled down to entertain Spokane. Featured entertainers included Jim and Mildred Mulcay, harmonica artists, and a comedy dance team from Ken Murray’s “Blackouts,” Harris and Shore. The tall male dancer, immaculate in full dress, and the diminutive young woman who is his partner had the big crowd almost rolling in the aisles.

A surprise feature of the program was the appearance of the Gonzaga University glee club which on a last minute switch in arrangements replaced the Gonzaga quartet. The gleemen, directed by Lyle W. Moore, sang two numbers with Bing, the “Whiffenpoof Song” and “I Had a Dream, Dear.”

 It was a program packed with hilarity, good music, good-natured kidding and really funny gags. Bing sang one request number for Colleen Rotchford, daughter of Dr. Herb Rotchford, and mentioned numerous Spokane friends during the course of the evening. 

Dutch Groshoff, who was a schoolmate of Bing’s at Gonzaga high school, was director of the local musicians and also directed for the dance at Natatorium Park. There wasn’t much dancing. The big crowd thronged around the bandstand to see and hear Bing and the other entertainers.

Lloyd Vogel, park manager, said the crowd was the largest of the present season.

At the close of his program at the Post, Bing made an appeal for further support for the athletic stadium and for a municipal auditorium, with the prediction that Spokane would have a quarter million people within 10 years.

(Spokane Daily Chronicle, September 29, 1948)

September 29, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Philco Radio Time returns to the airwaves and attains an audience share of 15.7 for the season. It reaches nineteenth position in the Hooper ratings. The top evening program is the Lux Radio Theater with 28.6. Broadcasts of Philco Radio Time over the ABC network take place on Wednesday evenings until June 1, 1949. Guests in the opening show are Claudette Colbert and Bing’s four sons. Ken Carpenter, Jud Conlon’s Rhythmaires, and the John Scott Orchestra continue as residents.

Back for a third semester, under Philco auspices, the Bing Crosby Show is still one of radio’s choice half-hours and the pivotal point for ABC’s sock Wednesday night comedy lay-out which now finds Milton Berle, Groucho Marx and El Bingo, slotted back to back. If anything, ABC has strengthened its hold on the Wednesday audience pull and the play off will probably be found in the ‘48/’49 Hooper’s. Transcribed or live the Groaner can do no wrong. The same glib artistry is once more in evidence, be it his off the cuff banter with Ken Carpenter, John Scott Trotter or his guest stars. His vocal nifties or the assorted intros to the comedy patterned commercials (in this instance on behalf of the new Philco produced long-playing record machines). Play-off of the initial transcription for the new Crosby season, on the 29th, found the show grooved to the expected high entertainment level with its tradey by-play on Hope’s new sponsor and the Philco bank-rolling etc., strictly geared in the Crosby idiom. Claudette Colbert as the guest star on the initialler, parlayed her comedic talents with a visitation by the four Crosby boys for a loosely scripted kicking around of the gong. There were some obviously contrived and deliberate fluffs on the lines but the whole sequence, though overdrawn was so naturally patterned to the Crosby technique that it provided far more pleasure than embarrassment. The qualitative scripting has always been and remains one of the show’s plus factors and the Trotter Orchestra ‘assist’ rates a deep bow!

(Variety, October 6, 1948)

September 30, Thursday. Bing, Bill Morrow, Bill Gargan and Bud Ward take part in an angling competition on Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho. Bing puts his team in the lead with a 4 and a half pound cutthroat.

October 1, Friday. At Spokane Country Club, Bing is filmed by Pathe News endorsing the forthcoming Canada Savings Loan series 3. This is shown in Canadian cinemas commencing on October 12.

October 4, Monday. Has made a brief stop at his Elko ranch and whilst there goes hunting with Bill Gargan.  (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing is featured in a radio special called “The Waking Giant” over the ABC network celebrating the reactivation of the USO for members of the Armed Services. The host is Gregory Peck and other stars taking part include Bob Hope, Marlene Dietrich, Al Jolson, Dinah Shore, George Montgomery, and Jack Benny. Although it is suggested that Bing is taking part, his only involvement in the transcribed show is the playing of his record of “Oh What a Beautiful Morning”. The show is also advertised as the Community Chest National Campaign Variety Show as in future the USO is to operate under the banner of the Community Chest in local communities. Press comment is seen about Bing’s newly built mansion near Carmel, overlooking the Pacific on the thirteenth hole of the Pebble Beach Golf Club.

October 6, Wednesday. Bing and Bill Gargan arrive in San Francisco from Elko. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Judy Garland.

I don’t know when I have ever enjoyed a show more than the broadcast Bing Crosby did with Judy Garland. They sang so many of the old songs, and when Bing and Judy sing together it’s something to hear. I’ll be curious to hear how Mr. Hooper rates Bing’s two shows, both of which have been tops. Speaking of Bing, he’s going to do a benefit in San Francisco tomorrow night for the boys clubs. When he got off the train three days ago in San Francisco from his ranch in Elko, instead of luggage, Mr. C had a big deer he’d just killed. He was proud of himself.

(Louella O. Parsons in her syndicated article, October 8, 1948)

Bing applies to the Federal Communications Commission for permits to build television stations in Tacoma, Spokane, and Yakima, Washington.

Crosby to Enter Television Field

Washington, Oct. 7. Bing Crosby today asked authority to build three new commercial television stations on the Pacific coast at a total cost of about $592,000. The radio and motion picture singing star filed his applications with the communications commission under his legal name Harry L. Crosby, jr.

    He listed his net worth at $1,649,115. He said his gross income last year amounted to $734,000 which scaled down to $269,000 net after income taxes. The Crosby income in 1946, according to the petitions, was $606,000 before taxes and $276,000 after taxes.

    The singer proposes to operate television stations in his native city of Tacoma, Wash., where he was born May 2, 1904, and at Spokane and Yakima, Wash. The cost of erecting the Tacoma and Spokane outlets were estimated at about $209, 337 for each station, and $173,000 at Yakima.

    Crosby said his only present investment in radio facilities is 185 shares which he owns in standard station KMPC at Los Angeles.

    He listed his principle business connections as Bing Crosby Enterprises and Bing Crosby Producers, both of Hollywood and engaged in producing movies and radio shows, the Del Mar turf club at Del Mar, Calif., the Binglin stock farm at Camarillo, Calif., and the Bing Crosby Cattle co., which operates ranch properties at Elko, Nev.

    The applications were filed just a few days after the FCC announced a temporary freeze on further television grants, pending a review of current video operating rules.

(Associated Press, October 7, 1948)

October 7, Thursday. Golfs at Burlingame Country Club in the morning and in the afternoon watches his son Gary play football for Bellarmine at San Mateo High School. Bellarmine win 20-6. Later Bing's car keys and hat are stolen from his car at Burlingame Country Club. It takes an hour for a locksmith to get the car running and it makes Bing late for an appointment in San Francisco. The keys are eventually handed in at San Mateo High School.

October 8, Friday. Goes to the San Francisco Opera House to see Dorothy Kirsten in Madame Butterfly.

October 9, Saturday. (8:30 p.m.) Heads a major benefit show at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium with William Powell, William Gargan, and Peggy Lee as a benefit for the Boys’ Clubs of the Bay Area and the Bellarmine Preparatory College Building Fund. His Philco show is recorded as part of the proceedings and this is broadcast on October 27.

October 10, Sunday. Golfs at Burlingame Country Club. Sings with a quartet called “The Watchamacallits” at a benefit at Bellarmine Academy, San Jose, California.

October (undated). Goes shooting in Northern Alberta, Canada and then returns to Hollywood via his Elko ranch.

October 13, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Joe Venuti, Marilyn Maxwell, and Ray Milland. William Gargan acts as announcer. The show has been recorded in Vancouver, Canada, and is the only Philco show hosted by Bing to emanate from outside the U.S.A.

Bing Crosby will have a celebrated show entourage including Ray Milland, Marilyn Maxwell, William Gargan and Joe Venuti when he presents the Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00 p. m; over the American Broadcasting Company and WJTS from Vancouver, B. C. Designated “Chief Thundervoice,” Bing will be welcomed as an honorary member of the Squamish Indian tribe and will “make thunder with his voice,” in the bouncy cowboy song “Hair of Gold,” following which he will sing one of the country’s top favorite ballads, “It’s Magic.”… On the narrative-and-nonsense portion of the program, Milland will give listeners a hilarious account of his recent trip to England and his fellow guests will try to match his yarn with a description of their journey to Vancouver. From there, they will move into a detective sequence when Milland announces that he long has nourished a wish to become a radio sleuth. In no time at all, his wish will be granted as he finds himself embroiled in a riotous mystery skit titled “Ray Milland-Private Mounted Eye.” Gargan will fill in as announcer for Ken Carpenter and John Scott Trotter and his orchestra will provide the music.

(The Jackson Sun, 13th October, 1948)

October 14, Thursday. (8:00–8:30 p.m.) Stars in the Screen Guild Theater radio version of Welcome Stranger with Barry Fitzgerald and Mona Freeman on NBC. The program is sponsored by Camel Cigarettes and was probably transcribed. Music is provided by the NBC Studio Orchestra.

In the original story of “Welcome, Stranger” the school kids got sick from smoking behind the barn. For last Thursday’s (14) Screen Guild version with Bing Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald and Mona Freeman, the sick-making tobacco was revised into green apples. Camel cigarets sponsors the Guild.

(Variety, October 20, 1948)

October 18, Monday. Bing writes to Gord Atkinson, President of the Canadian branch of Club Crosby.

Dear Gord:

Sorry, I was out of town when Mr. Barron called at the office and left your letter.

Sounds like the club is really active, and I hope the effort proves interesting to all members.

Kindest regards, Sincerely, Bing

October 20, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show airs and the guests are Dan Dailey and Marilyn Maxwell. The show was recorded in Spokane and William Gargan again acts as announcer.

Bing Crosby will bring his songs and suave nonsense to Spokane, Wash., his own home town for tonight’s broadcast of the Bing Crosby Show at 9:00 p. m. over the American Broadcasting Company and WTJS. Dan Dailey, Marilyn Maxwell and William Gargan, subbing for announcer Ken Carpenter, will join Bing on the show, during which, for the first time in quite a spell, he will play the drums in an instrumental version of “Jada.” Dailey, known as “Dynamic Dan” to his friends in the movie colony, will disclose some inside information on his climb to cinema fame and imitate Bing singing “Thanks”… In memory of the days when he used to “Beat the Skins,” Bing’s drumming during the “Jada” number will be joined by Dailey on the trombone. Perry Botkin, guitarist, Buddy Cole, pianist, and Joe Venuti and his violin.

      (The Jackson Sun, 20th October, 1948)

October 23, Saturday. Decca has issued a 10" LP called "Bing Crosby Sings Cole Porter Songs" and Billboard reviews it on this day.

Crosby singing Porter standards is calculated to be a sure-fire formula, and this album will doubtless enjoy a good sale. Sides were all cut in recent years, however, and some of them aren’t top calibre for the Groaner. However, the incomparable Crosby intelligence and projection are there, even if the voice sometimes isn’t, and his interpretations are impressive. This is his second album of Porter tunes, but the selection is fine, with all the ditties familiar favorites, with the possible exception of “I Never Realized”. Subdued and competent backgrounds by John Scott Trotter. Retail rating 80.

“Bing Crosby Sings Cole Porter” (Decca - 10-inch album). Decca should have little difficulty pushing the combination of Crosby and Cole Porter into the top-selling album brackets. Combination of the finest songs and the Groaner in good voice, all solidly herded by John Scott Trotter’s accompaniments, is a package of highlight entertainment. Tunes are “Rosalie.” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Begin the Beguine,” “Easy to Love,” “Just One of Those Things,.”' “I Love You,” “Night and Day,” “I Never Realized.” What a catalog!

(Variety, October 6, 1948)

October 24, Sunday. Appears at a benefit in El Cajon, California to raise funds for a new Catholic school.

Bing Crosby drew $40,000 with a two-day benefit show for a new school at El Cajon.

(Variety, November 3, 1948)

October 26–December. Films Top o’ the Morning with Barry Fitzgerald, Ann Blyth, and Hume Cronyn at Paramount. The film is copyrighted by Bing Crosby Enterprises Inc. and distributed by Paramount. The director is David Miller with the team of Robert Emmett Dolan and Joseph J. Lilley looking after musical direction and vocal arrangements respectively. The original title was “Diamond in the Haystack.” Several days shooting are done at the Fox studio as they have an outdoor set which is ideal.

October 27, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Another transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. Bing’s guests are Peggy Lee, William Gargan, and William Powell. Peggy Lee receives $1250 for her appearance. Meanwhile, Bing goes into St. John’s Hospital for his annual checkup.

Bing Crosby will salute this city’s Gay Nineties period with a rollicking comedy sketch in which he will be joined by William Powell, Peggy Lee and William Gargan on tonight’s broadcast of The Bing Crosby Show at 9:00 p.m. over the American Broadcasting Company and WTJS. In the patter portion of the show, the demise of a deer plays a prominent part - one that Bing and Gargan shot recently at Elko, Nev. Both men fired their guns at the same moment, according to the story, and each insists that his shot was the lethal one. Before the argument is finally settled, a good deal of amusing proof is advanced by the two demon Nimrods, all of which is pondered by announcer Ken Carpenter who returns to the program after a brief vacation. Suave actor Powell discusses the contemporary scene with Bing before the two turn back, in a comedy sketch, to the events of the Gay Nineties in San Francisco. In the sketch, Bing and Powell play dashing young blades who have set their minds on capturing the hand of Miss Lee. Gargan will be heard in the role of Miss Lee’s hard-hearted father.

(The Jackson Sun, 27th October, 1948)

November 3, Wednesday. Harry S. Truman defeats the Republican candidate Thomas E. Dewey in the presidential election. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Edgar Bergen.

Bing Crosby will make a valiant bid for the Hall of Fame when he tries to teach Mortimer Snerd how to croon during tonight’s WTJS-ABC broadcast of The Bing Crosby Show at 9:00 p. m., on which Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, naturally, will be guests. The singing lesson, one that is apt to be long remembered, comes about as a result of a rumored break between Bergen and his wooden wunderbars, gossip having it that both Charlie and Mortimer intend to go it alone. It all began, a brooding and dejected Bergen explains, when Charlie learned to talk by himself, undoubtedly the most improbable feat of this era. Mortimer heard the rumor, took it seriously, and decided to get into some big industry like crooning, with Bing as his mentor. Happily, Bing is able to talk Charlie and Mortimer out of this notion and the rock maple moppets agree to string along with Bergen, the sound expert…For Mortimer’s singing lesson, Bing has chosen “Put ‘Em in a Box,” a number selected with some forethought.

(The Jackson Sun, 3rd November, 1948)

November 5, Friday. Bing, through his employee Clay Johnson, pays $13,475 (the second highest price on record) for a prize steer in an auction for the benefit of the Children’s Hospital in Oakland. The auction takes place at the Grand National Livestock Exposition in San Francisco.

November 8, Monday. Records a Philco show with Dorothy Kirsten which is broadcast on November 24. Mention in the press that Bing “is denying those yearly reports about his failing health.” Bing is thought to have moved into his new home at Pebble Beach during the week. There are rumors about Bing and Dixie having marital problems.

November 10, Wednesday.  (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee, Ziggy Elman, Red Nichols, Joe Venuti, and Oscar Levant.

Bing Crosby will swap sweet unpleasantries with the sardonic tongued Oscar Levant on tonight’s Bing Crosby Show at 9:00 p. m., over WTJS-ABC during a program on which Peggy Lee will be a featured guest. In a quiz session with Levant, Bing inquires about a septuagenarian named Jolson and learns that Al is a man with exactly no disrespect for a buck, an attitude which causes no surprise on the part of the interrogator.

(The Jackson Sun, 10th November, 1948)

November 17, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Another transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. Bing’s guests are Kay Starr and Adolphe Menjou.

Bing Crosby will have singer Kay Starr and Adolphe Menjou as his guests on tonight’s WTJS-ABC broadcast of the Bing Crosby Show at 9:00 p. m. For her first appearance on the top tune and comedy show, Miss Starr will do a torchy version of “I’m the Lonesomest Gal in Town” a song for which she has been widely acclaimed. Possessor of one of the biggest voices in radio, Kay is constantly the butt of a rumor that she works without a microphone.

According to a second rumor, Bing invited Menjou to be his guest on the theory that opposites attract, the latter being noted for one of the most extensive wardrobes in Hollywood. In any event, he will exchange good-natured banter with Bing on the subject of what constitutes a well-dressed man, a distinction not commonly associated with Der Bingle.

Turning from habiliments to their greatest enemy, the moth, Bing and Menjou discuss ways of permanently exterminating this menace to the family budget and arrive at an entirely dubious solution. This leads the pair to a hilarious sketch built around a monster moth attack which darkens the Sun and destroys practically all the wearing apparel in the country. Carl Stephenson's famous short story, “Leiningen Versus the Ants,” provided the basis for the sketch about the moth attack.

(The Jackson Sun, 17th November 1948)

November 18, Thursday. Bing walks onto the stage and walks off to a great reception while Al Jolson sings "Little Girl" at the opening of his live Kraft Music Hall radio show on NBC.

November 22, Monday. It is announced that Bing is the top film box office star in the U.S.A. for the fifth year in a row; Motion Picture Herald declares his feat “the all-time box office championship.” (9:45–10:00 a.m.) Bing starts to present daily transcribed fifteen-minute shows entitled This is Bing Crosby which use records and continue intermittently until October 1950. A number of different stations take the show with a variety of sponsors including Vacuum Foods, owners of the Minute Maid brand. As part of the deal, Bing has purchased 20,000 shares in Vacuum Foods at an advantageous price of $2,000 (ten cents each).

Minute Maid’s Man

In the middle of a round of golf one day last spring, Capitalist John Hay Whitney and Crooner Bing Crosby began to talk about—of all things—frozen orange juice concentrate. “Jock” Whitney thought he had hold of a good business proposition, and by the time they had got to the 19th Bing was all ears. Last week the Whitney-dominated Vacuum Foods Corp. (Minute Maid frozen orange juice concentrate) announced the deal they made.

Through a loophole.

Crosby, no mean businessman himself, became a director of Vacuum Foods, in which he recently bought 20,000 shares of stock at 10 cents a share. He has agreed, at an undisclosed salary, to plug the juice on a transcribed song & chatter program five days a week. (Philco Corp., which has Crosby under exclusive contract, has agreed to let him be Minute Maid’s man for a daily kind word for Philco products.)

      It looked as if Crosby and Vacuum Foods might have found a tax loophole which permitted 1) small companies to get big-time radio stars at comparatively small cost, and 2) big-time stars to keep much more of their income by making it in stock profits, taxable as a long-term capital gain (maximum 25%) instead of income (maximum 77%). In effect, if the stock should rise in value—thanks to Crosby’s radio plugging—and Crosby should sell his shares, the profits were expected to be taxed as capital gain. (Outsiders were already offering $7 a share for the stock.)

      The immediate paper profit for Crosby was around $138,000. The chances for long-range profit looked even better, for Jock Whitney has shown a sharp eye for picking and financing winners. Whitney got into the frozen juice business through National Research Corp., a war-boomed company that licenses the process by which Vacuum Foods concentrates and freezes the juice. When mixed with three parts of water, the frozen juice is the closest thing yet to fresh-squeezed juice.

Around the Corner.

Minute Maid (retail price: 29¢ a pint and a half) got into the field first in 1945, at a new $2,300,000 plant in Plymouth, Fla. With little cash to advertise, it lost $450,262 the first two years.

      Last year it finally turned the corner. Says Vacuum’s President John M. Fox: “Why, this orange juice thing is the wonder of the grocery world. Ask anybody.” Anybody in the frozen food industry agreed—and Birds Eye, Snow Crop and others began to put out their own concentrate. Nevertheless, Vacuum’s sales increased so much that President Fox announced last week that the net profit for its last fiscal year was $179,865.

      Demand is so great, said Fox, that Vacuum has had to allocate shipments and is thinking of setting up a California plant. The shortage temporarily takes some of the bloom off the Crosby deal. But Vacuum hopes to step up output enough to fill the new orders Crosby will bring in. And in the scramble for the new market, Vacuum figures that Crosby is just the Pied Piper needed to lure customers away from the old brand names.

(Time, October 18, 1948)

In a friendly gesture from Philco which sponsors his network show, Bing Crosby is putting in a friendly plug for Minute Maid Frozen Orange Juice via this new recorded airer. The fact that Crosby was recently elected a Director of Vacuum Foods Corp., which makes Minute Maid helps to explain the parlay. Program is a lazy, inviting one with Bing acting as sort of MC, disk jockey for a quarter of an hour of light banter and music. The opening program on Monday (22nd) had Crosby singing a new song and playing one of his old disks and to show his generosity, as well as good showmanship, playing an Ella Fitzgerald recording too. Crosby also did his own commercials, valiantly plugging frozen orange juice and doing a better job of it than announcer, Ken Carpenter. Met soprano, Dorothy Kirsten, wandered into the program to exchange a couple of words with Bing but didn’t sing anything, making the whole bit a bit silly. Otherwise, this is a pleasant ayemer.

(Variety, November 24, 1948)

This Is Bing Crosby

Whether Bing Crosby is as good a salesman as he is a performer may well be determined via his new platter disk jockey show for Minute Maid quick frozen orange juice, for in addition to doing the deejay assignment, Ole Wart-Larynx is also rendering a mighty pitch for Minute Maid. They’re done in his customary off-the-sleeve style of verbiage, directly at the hausfrauen calculated to be listening to his daytime effort. In one sense, this may be almost mandatory, since the program needs every angle possible to differentiate it from the Crosby-less Crosby platter sessions aired by so many stations. Irrespective of the sales palaver, tho, the Crosby introductions to the records, the tunes chosen (he doesn’t limit them to his own) and the inimitable Groaner style should emerge as a potent daytime session. Ken Carpenter is on hand with his usual nifty assist and the two combine to do an easy-to-take selling job on the juice as its edge over the competish.

(Jerry Franken, Billboard, January 22, 1949)

November 24, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Dorothy Kirsten and Bert Lahr. Variety states that Bing has received an offer of £10,000 ($40,000) from London bandleader and producer, Maurice Winnick, to make eight appearances at the Empress Hall, London in January / February 1949. Bing does not accept the invitation.

Metropolitan Opera star Dorothy Kirsten and comedian Bert Lahr will aid Bing Crosby in the music and merriment department on the Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00 p. m. over WTJS-ABC. Reminiscing about old-time “Dutch” comics, Bing and Bert will roll back the years to the turn of the century to offer a “Schultz and Rudolph” dialect routine, which will be interrupted by Miss Kirsten in time to turn the dialogue into a three-way rendition of “Friendship.” Not one to pass too lightly over Thanksgiving turkey-eating time, Bing and announcer Ken Carpenter will discuss their hungry plans for the drumsticks, giblet gravy and cranberry sauce they anticipate on the following day.

(The Jackson Sun, 24th November 1948)

November 25, Thursday. Makes his only two records of the year (“Far Away Places” and “Tarra Ta-Lara Ta-Lar”) and has to use rhythm and vocal accompaniment only from the Ken Darby Choir due to the continuing Musicians’ Union strike. “Far Away Places” eventually reaches number two in the charts during a 19-week sojourn.

Bing Crosby quietly sliced his first wax since the inception of the recording ban. Der Bingle, who early in the 11-month-old ban announced that he would do no recording during the ban period, sliced two sides, Far Away Places and Tarra Ta-Larra Ta-lar with the Ken Darby choir and rhythm (bass, piano and guitar) accompaniment for the Decca label. Sides were sliced in Hollywood, and it is understood that there were no musicians in the studio while Crosby cut his records. It is assumed that the rhythm instruments were either cut earlier on a track or were dubbed in after Crosby had sliced his lyricizing.

(Billboard, December 11, 1948)

Far Away Places

Bing is effective on this hit song by Kramer and Whitney with choral aid from the Ken Darby group.

Tarra Ta-Lara Ta-Lar

Crosby’s even better on this fast-moving lullaby, again with the aid of the Darby group.

(Billboard, January 8, 1949)

November (undated). Records “Many Happy Returns K.E.L.K.” for use by the Elko-based radio station KELK on its birthday, November 27.

November 27, Saturday. Decca announces that Bing’s recording of “White Christmas” has now sold 5 million copies.

November 28, Sunday. It is announced that Bing and Dixie have sold a residential lot at 10345 Strathmore Drive, Beverly Hills to Mr. & Mrs. Fred Zeder.

December (undated). Records “Silent Night” with the Bob Mitchell Choir for use with a filmed contribution to a forthcoming television show.

December 1, Wednesday. Bing's friend Ken Murray weds Betty Lou Walters at the Mission Inn, Riverside. Murray’s first marriage had been dissolved. Bing has recorded a special song for the wedding.  (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee and Bob and Cathy Crosby.

I met Bing at the Bel Air golf course, and he inquired if the rumor he had heard about my coming nuptials was true. I assured him it was, and he jokingly asked, “Do I get to sing again?”

      “Oh, no,” I answered, “I’m getting a whole new cast. I only got a five year run out of the last one!”

      Nevertheless, he was very thoughtful. He found out that my bride-to-be’s favorite song was “You Were Meant for Me”, and he made a record of it with special lyrics. His wife, Dixie, presented it to Betty Lou at her shower. It has remained one of her most cherished possessions. The words were written by Johnny Burke, and it was played by Buddy Cole on the piano, and Perry Botkin on the guitar.

      (Ken Murray, as quoted in his book Life On A Pogo Stick)

Bing Crosby will dig freely into his rich past when his Brother Bob turns up for a visit during tonight’s WTJS-ABC broadcast of The Bing Crosby Show at 9:00 p. m. Brother Bob will have company with him in the person of his nine-year-old daughter, Cathy, a youngster with a remarkably lyrical voice, and her uncle Bing will also have a vocalist, Peggy Lee, as a guest. On the patter and good-natured banter portion of the show, Bing and Bob will hark back to their school days in Spokane, where the two spent their youth, and recall some of the amusing incidents in which they took part. Following that, the two will take an amiable look at conditions in the band world: a region with which the brothers are reasonably familiar. During the latter chatter, Bob’s daughter, Cathy, will move into the scene with a shrill request to “stop the musical memories.”

(The Jackson Sun, 1st December 1948)

December 3, Friday. Bing gives a dinner for the visiting Notre Dame football team.

December 4, Saturday. At Paramount, films a spot for the Philco Playhouse television program lip-synching to the “Silent Night” soundtrack he has recently recorded. The show is broadcast on December 19.

Bing Making Vid Bow

Bing Crosby takes his television bow this weekend when he faces the cameras singing “Silent Night” with Mitchell Boys Choir. Musical spot will be kinescoped and flown to New York for inclusion in Philco’s TV Playhouse telecast of “Christmas Carol” Dec. 19

(Daily Variety, December 2, 1948)

December 5, Sunday. (2:30-3:00 p.m.) Bing receives an Air Force Association Citation on the CBS radio program "Skyway to the Stars." (9:00–9:30 p.m.) On The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet NBC radio show with Lindsay Crosby. Bing sings “Buttons and Bows.” David and Ricky Nelson make their debut on their parents’ show.

Bing Crosby will receive an Air Force association citation of honor from Col. Tommy Lamphier, Jr., president of the association and the pilot who shot down Admiral Yamamoto’s plane, today on KWKH’s “Skyway to the Stars,” at 3:30 p.m. The citation, which will be presented in Hollywood, honors Mr. Crosby for “his outstanding service in easing the burdens of battle for air men in the far corners of the world during World War II.”

(The Shreveport Times, December 5, 1948)

…And this is how the whole thing happened. Young Crosby and the two Nelson boys, David and Rickey play tennis together every week, so the Nelson lads invited Lindsey (sic) to appear on their parents’ show, knowing that he plans to become an actor. Lindsey asked his father’s permission, and Bing not only said OK, but added that he’d join him for the appearance.

(The Capital Times, December 5, 1948)

December (undated). Films a brief contribution to a 16mm film called The Road to Peace with Ann Blyth at the Twentieth Century Fox studios for Father Peyton’s Family Theater.

December 7, Tuesday. Bing signs a new seven-year deal with Paramount calling for 18 pictures, 10 of which will be made by the studio on a salary basis and eight on a 50-50 basis with Crosby Enterprises. First picture under the new agreement is Top o' the Morning, currently in production, in which the studio and Bing arrange the financing and Bing cuts in on the profits. Next will be "Broadway Bill," under the same deal. Under the dual arrangement the 10 pictures will be made for $1,300,000 or less. The budgets on the other eight are up to Paramount. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Guests on Bob Hope’s radio show on NBC with Doris Day.

Bob Hope and Bing Crosby who have not exchanged quips via the airways for some time now, trod the “road to fun” tonight when the “Groaner” guests with Hope at 8 p.m., WIRE-NBC. Hope plans to reciprocate the visit by appearing with Crosby later this month, December 15. Script outlines have not been released but as Hope says, “Bing will sing a bit, I’ll sing along and then we’ll kid each other. And when that starts you just never can tell what will happen.”

(The Indianapolis Star, December 7, 1948)

December 8, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Kay Starr, Morton Downey, and Joe Venuti.

Failure of radio’s top singing personalities, notably Bing Crosby and Al Jolson, to land a Top 15 Hooper berth this season, has occasioned no little comment within the trade. Current ratings finds Crosby's Wednesday night ABC Philco show faring no better than 45th place in the Hooper sweepstakes, with an 11.5 rating, while Jolson’s Thursday night NBC “Kraft Music Hall” is in the 26th spot with a 13.5 tally.

(Variety, December 8, 1948)

Bing Crosby’s reunion with two other Paul Whiteman alumni on Wednesday’s (8th) Philco show provided a session of entertainment rich in reminiscences of the Twenties. ‘Pops’ Whiteman probably did not draw an ‘in absentia’ guest shot fee but he should have. The way Morton Downey and Joe Venuti and Crosby took Whiteman apart made him an integral part of the display. Whiteman was alternatively pictured as living the life of an Oriental potentate, while LeGreeing his hirelings into line. One of this trio, Venuti, was the only one who played a legitimate instrument. Crosby held a rain catcher (a French horn) and Downey was given a sax, sans reed. Once, Crosby told, he was caught blowing some sour oompahs into his instrument, he was next in the fiddle section, holding a violin with rubber strings.

(Variety, December 15, 1948)

December 11, Saturday. Bing’s recording of “White Christmas” makes its annual appearance in the pop charts, peaking at number six over a six-week period.

Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” remains, eight years after its initial publication, bigger than in its first year, because the song didn’t really get, rolling until after “Holiday Inn,” from which Paramount picture it stemmed, got into distribution. It’s a seasonal standard, good for 250,000-325,000 copies every fall, and to date has sold over 10,000,000 recordings. Of these, Bing Crosby's platter sales exceed 2,000,000. The sheets have gone almost 3,000,000 copies, which incidentally is one of the keynotes for Paramount's desire to reunite Crosby and Fred Astaire in a picture with that title song. Berlin, who may close for a deal to do that Al musical after he gets through with, his current legit musical, “Miss Liberty” (libretto by Robert S. Sherwood), along with Par figures that the title alone insures a pre-sold buildup of inestimable value.

(Variety, December 1, 1948)

Crosby’s 5,000,000 Disk Sale on ‘Xmas’

Hollywood, Dec. 14. Bing Crosby's Decca platter "White Christmas," has passed the 5,000,000 sales mark, setting it further ahead as the all-time top-selling recording. Groaner's “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells,” latter waxed with the Andrews Sisters, probably will hit the 4,000,000 mark during the current pre-Yule season. Dave Kapp, Decca veepee, disclosed here that Crosby's platters are nearing 100,000,000 figure.

(Variety, December 15, 1948)

December 13, Monday. Records a Philco show with The Mills Brothers and Peggy Lee which is broadcast on December 29.

December 14, Tuesday. The American Federation of Musicians’ strike ends as a new five-year contract between the union and the phonograph record companies is signed.

December 15, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Another transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. Bing’s guests are Peggy Lee and Bob Hope.

Bing Crosby traded gags with guest star, Bob Hope in one of the best of the Philco shows on the ABC net, last Wednesday night (15th). The patter was free and easy with Crosby and Hope travelling down that well trod road of reminiscences and recriminations. The boys bring out the best in each other and they work together like an old team which can dump a prepared line for an ad-lib at the proper spot. Although transcribed and presumably, closely edited, this show had a spontaneous quality rarely felt on the live comedy airers. One casual crack about Crosby bucking for a CBS Capital Gains deal was aimed strictly for trade circle hepsters but was left in anyway. Crosby and Peggy Lee topped off the session with a couple of numbers rendered in their usual palatable style.

(Variety, December 22, 1948)

December 19, Sunday. (7:15-7:30 p.m.) Bing guests on Louella Parsons’ radio show. (9:00–10:00 p.m.) Philco Television Playhouse is broadcast on NBC-TV. (9:30-10:30 p.m.) Bing sings "Adeste Fideles" in the radio show The Joyful Hour on the Mutual Broadcasting System with Ethel Barrymore, Dennis Day, Maureen O’Sullivan, and Perry Como. The show is arranged by the Family Rosary Crusade.

The Mutual web and all of the stars who took part in the second annual “Joyful Hour” deserve a well-stuffed Xmas stocking for doing a religious program that was both good entertainment and always in good taste. This year, as last the network worked in collaboration with Rev. Patrick Peyton of the Family Rosary Crusade.

The all-star cast recreated the story of the Nativity with a musical background of vocal solos, mixed chorus and orchestras. Names of the participants were read at beginning and end of the stanza but otherwise there was no individual identification. However, most of the voices were recognizable as the story unfolded.

(Variety, December 22, 1948)

Philco Television Playhouse’s presentation of “A Christmas Carol” on NBC-TV, Sunday night (19th) was a warm, tender and wholly evocative interpretation of the Charles Dickens classic. As an epilogue, Bing Crosby made what was advertised as his first appearance on video, via film with a rendition of “Silent Night” but this highly publicized stint was completely overshadowed by the preceding dramatization. Film production on the Crosby number which had the Bob Mitchell Boys’ Choir backing up, was disappointingly flat. There was no mention of the fact that this section of the show was filmed but viewers probably guessed it from the faded texture of the screen image.

(Variety, December 22, 1948)

December 22, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are the Bob Mitchell Boys' Choir.

Bing Crosby will narrate one of the most moving of all Christmas stories, Charles Tazewell’s “The Small One,” during tonight’s broadcast of The Bing Crosby Show at 9:00 p.m., over the American Broadcasting Company and WTJS. The Mitchell Boy Choir, which appeared with him in “Going My Way” and other films, will be Bing’s special guests on the same program and will be heard with him singing “Adeste Fidelis,” “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night.” Several of Hollywood’s best known actors will join Bing in the narration of “The Small One.”

(The Jackson Sun, 22nd December 1948)

December 24, Friday. Bing establishes the Gonzaga Crosby Memorial Library Fund with a donation of $60,000.

December 25, Saturday. Bing sings at the Good Shepherd Church in Westwood. (2.00-4.00 p.m.) Bing takes part in a two-hour radio show Christmas Festival at the CBS Radio Playhouse, 1615 North Vine, Hollywood. This is broadcast live on CBS and is hosted by Gene Autry with Bing featuring as MC. Guests include Lionel Barrymore (as Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol”), the Andrews Sisters, and Burns and Allen amongst others. The show is sponsored by the Wm. Wrigley, Jr., Company and Bing receives a fee $10,000 which he passes over to his charity foundation. Also Bing and Bob Hope are amongst many stars featured in Christmas Command Performance. Andy Russell is the host.

CROSBY PUTS MUCH NEEDED ZING IN WRIGLEY SHOW

It took a fancy price to entice Bing Crosby into the Wrigley fold for the two-hour spree over CBS Christmas day, but after the results were toted up he proved a Saks value at basement-mark-down…

(Daily Variety, December 27, 1948)…

With a powerhouse of name values including Lionel Barrymore, Dan Dailey, the Andrews Sisters, Bing Crosby, Gene Autry, et al, Wrigley Gum unwrapped its seventh annual two-hour, super deluxe holiday package on CBS Christmas Day (25); Contents, in general, were high calibred and occasional letdowns can only be attributed to the show’s sheer length rather than to faulty material or talent…As host and emcee, respectively, Autry and Crosby helped weld the show together. Crosby was in there solidly with his vocaling of “White Christmas”' and joined with the Andrews Sisters on “Jingle Bells,” a top selling recording.

(Variety, December 29, 1948)

December 27, Monday. Bing Crosby and Betty Grable are selected as the top money-making stars of 1948 in the annual exhibitors’ poll conducted by the Showman’s Trade Review.

December 29, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee and the Mills Brothers.

Bing Crosby will bring some of the nation’s top musical talent to his microphone tonight when he welcomes the Mills Brothers, Peggy Lee, and Joe Venuti to The Bing Crosby Show at 9:00 p, m, over WTJS-ABC…One of the first strictly instrumental numbers in many a month of Philco Shows will be done on the program by Joe Venuti, Perry Botkin and Phil Stevens - a jivey arrangement of the hit tune from “No, No Nannette” – “Tea for Two”… Incidentally Crosby and the cast of his WTJS-ABC show will receive the National Safety Council’s Green Cross of Merit for the part they played in the successful safe winter-driving campaign last year. Bing is a member of the NSC’s Motion Picture and Radio Committees and the award will be presented to the “Groaner” during tonight’s broadcast. Also included in the presentation telegram which Bing received from Ned H. Dearborn, president of the National Safety Council, were announcer Ken Carpenter, musical director John Scott Trotter and The Rhythmaires, all of whom are featured on Bing’s show.

(The Jackson Sun, 29th December 1948)

During 1948, Bing has had nine records that have become chart hits and he receives the Down Beat Award for “Male Vocalist-Single”.  He has received $475,634 for his film work from Paramount during the year. Decca has issued twelve 78rpm albums of Bing's recordings in 1948.

1949

January 2, Sunday. (3:15–4:38 p.m., 6:30–7:10 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing tapes another Philco program. This time the guests are Ernest Whitman and Hattie McDaniel and the show is broadcast on January 19. (6:00-6:15 p.m.) Bing appears on Walter Winchell’s first radio show on ABC for Kaiser-Frazer but only to read the advertisement. While Bing and three other subsequent guest announcers each receive the minimum $30 fee, the sponsor puts $4,000 into the Damon Runyon Cancer Fund.

January 3, Monday. Bing films a short segment for the film Honor Caddie at Riviera Country Club when he sings, “Tomorrow’s My Lucky Day.” He lip-synchs to the version used in the film Don’t Hook Now (1942). (3:00–4:40 p.m., 6:30–7:10 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Peggy Lee and Abe Burrows which airs on January 26.

January 4, Tuesday. Records “So in Love” and “Why Can’t You Behave” with Vic Schoen and his Orchestra in Hollywood.

For the foremost pops in Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate score, at the moment “Love” is stepping fastest and Crosby does it up brown with a bright musical assist from Vic Schoen’s beguine background. The Bingo forms one of the best sides he’s made in recent weeks. It’ll be big with jukes and jocks. “Behave” is done with a rhythm twist. It too, is good but it doesn’t equal the companion. A male chorus, presumably the band, helps push it along.

(Variety, February 9, 1949)

So in Love

Tho Bing isn’t at peak form here, the combination of Crosby and a sock Porter ballad should be money in the bank.

Why Can’t You Behave

The Groaner does another pretty “Kiss Me Kate” tune in appealing, nonchalant style.

(Billboard, February 5, 1949)

January 5, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Harry James and Betty Grable.

Bing Crosby will give the new-year something to talk about when he welcomes Betty Grable and her husband Harry James to his program at 9:00 p. m. over the American Broadcasting Company and WTJS. In one of her very infrequent radio appearances Betty will sing a torchy version of “What Did I Do” a number that lends itself ideally to her type of singing. In the patter portion of the show, Bing hits upon a broadly nefarious scheme to get rid of a broken down horse who has been eating his head off in the stable. It is Bing’s idea to sell him to Miss Grable and Harry James, a couple who have little if any use for any kind of horse, being solidly addicted to more modern means of transportation, that fact however is not made known to Bing, until he gets a small lesson in nefariousness himself.

(The Jackson Sun, 5th January, 1949)

January (undated). Records a message for the Southern California State Dental Association. Other artists such as Bob Hope and Robert Taylor do the same and the discs are distributed to schools nationwide. The accompanying booklet is dated January 25, 1949.

January 10, Monday. Columbia Records and RCA-Victor make seven-inch microgroove records available for the first time. Meanwhile, freak weather conditions bring snow to California. Bing has to seek help from a passing motorist when his car freezes up near Castroville in Monterey County.

January 12, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee and Johnny Mercer.

The South will be on the spot tonight at 10 when Bing Crosby welcomes two top entertainers – songstress Peggy Lee and composer-comedian-singer Johnny Mercer – to his program over WCON-ABC. In the patter portion of the show, Bing and Johnny will exchange some good-humored banter about the foibles of the South (from which Mercer hails). Seems the two don’t see eye-to-eye on certain Southern customs, and Bing will offer a few pointed suggestions about improvement, while Mercer will counter with a description of his family’s planation which will put him in the “stranger-than-fiction” category. Sounds like fun.

(The Atlanta Constitution, 12th January, 1949)

January 13, Thursday, The competitors for Bing Crosby Pro-Am Tournament assemble at Pebble Beach and there is a driving contest and golf clinic run by the pros in the afternoon. In the evening, there is a Calcutta dinner.

January 14–16, Friday–Sunday. Plays in the Bing Crosby Pro-Am Tournament at Pebble Beach which is won by Ben Hogan who picks up the prize of $2,000. Bing is paired with Cam Puget and they have best ball rounds of seventy-one–sixty-seven–seventy-five. Entertainment at the victory dinner includes Jimmy Durante, Kay Starr, Joe Venuti, and Bing himself, who concludes the show by singing “Now Is the Hour.” This becomes a traditional feature of the tournament. Radio station KVOS broadcasts some of the proceedings from the dinner. The event produces $30,000 for charities with the Sister Kenny Foundation receiving half of this. Show business personalities playing include Randolph Scott, Forrest Tucker, Leo Durocher, Dennis O'Keefe, Frank Borzage, Buddy Rogers and Richard Arlen.

CBS Has Crosby Surrounded (Front Page Headline)

CBS Chairman, William S Paley from all indications has scored his most notable coup with Bing Crosby reported as the latest of the stars to latch on to ‘Paley’s Comet’. Out of the three networks jockeying for Crosby’s services, that have been operating in high gear for the past week with Paley and ABC Prexy, Mark Woods, among those on hand to major domo the maneuvers, it looks like Paley, alone, who is emerging triumphant. Nobody’s talking about it in any positive fashion, for Hollywood appears to have learnt its lesson on the penalty of 24 sheeted Capital Gains maneuvers and thus inviting D.C. repercussions but unimpeachable sources disclose that El Bingo is practically in Paley’s backyard, as far as Paley and CBS are concerned, this one is his greatest achievement, for not only is a Crosby radio/television deal involved but the contractual intricacies extend into Crosby’s Paramount Pictures deal. In effect it puts CBS in the picture business through its buy-in on the Crosby-Par set-up. Just how closely this maneuvering encroaches on Capital Gains appears to be speculative at the moment. A high CBS spokesman made the ‘off the record’ revelation that through the negotiations, Paley is buying into the multiple showbiz corporations headed up by Crosby (of which there are about six) but it is entirely exclusive of Crosby’s Decca holdings which won’t be disturbed. Chiefly, it gives Paley an exclusive on the singer as a radio/television personality, transferring him from his present Wednesday night, ABC occupancy into a similar Wednesday time segment on CBS, thus permitting the capture of a sustained listening habit. CBS is already in negotiation with Philco, Crosby’s current sponsor for continuance of the same bankrolling set-up. The purported CBS/Paley ‘understanding’ (nothing’s been signed, as yet) comes at a time when the Capital Gains fever is running low in the film/radio Mecca and in the face of denials that Crosby is doing anything more definite than talk.

(Variety, January 19, 1949)

January 15, Saturday. Decca has issued a 4-disc 78rpm album set called "Auld Lang Syne" and Billboard carries a review of it on this date.

This, the 12th Decca album of Crosby, shows Bing at his sober sentimental best, doing tunes selected for sacrosanct dignity and hallowed usage. Most of the sides have had field days as singles, but their group character is reasonably certain to insure the package of a wide sale. It’s a family album, with interest for almost anyone who buys pop music, gaffers and youngsters alike. Bing is especially mellow on the quality standards, “Whiffenpoof,” “Babe” and “Nellie,” and plenty good enough on the rest.

January 18, Tuesday. Signs with CBS for radio and television appearances. It is said that CBS has paid $1 million for a 25 percent interest in one of Bing’s corporations as a “sweetener” and also has guaranteed him $500,000 for a thirty-nine week season.

After winning Jack Benny, I went after Bing Crosby, whom I had wanted to get back on CBS for fourteen years. He had left CBS for NBC and then switched to ABC in 1946 when ABC was the only network which would allow him to pre-record his radio programs. He had been the first singing star to insist on recording his songs so that only his best renditions would go out over the air. NBC and CBS had a policy that everything the listener heard on radio was live. But late in 1948, with Crosby available, I changed my mind about our pre-recording policy. It seemed to me the public did not care that much about the issue. So I sang the praises of a new and dynamic CBS to Bing and offered to find him a sponsor who would sign a three-year, non-cancellable contract. Then I went to Liggett & Myers, makers of Chesterfield cigarettes, and announced that I was coming to them first but that I was in the position to sell Crosby, the top crooner in movies and on radio, to the first advertiser who would sign him to a three-year, non-cancellable contract at $20,000 a week for the whole program. They agreed without a squabble, but attached some conditions. When I telephoned Crosby with the good news, I was excited about getting him a sponsor so quickly. I spelled out the details and then told him his new sponsor’s two conditions.

“They insist that you stop knocking cigarettes, Bing,” I said.

“That’s easy enough to do,” said the imperturbable crooner.

“And you have to make it clear that you are associated with Chesterfields. They want you to carry a pack of Chesterfields with you when you go out in public.”

“But,” said Bing, after a long pause, “that’ll make a bulge in my pocket, won’t it?”

“Yeah,” I told him, “and so will the $20,000 a week.”

(William S. Paley, writing in As It Happened.)

January 19, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests include Ernest Whitman and Hattie McDaniel.

Bing Crosby will entertain a band of entertainers when Hattie McDaniel and the cast of her Beulah radio show visit him on tonight’s broadcast of the Bing Crosby Show at 9:00 p. m., over the American Broadcasting Company network and WTJS. Accompanying Hattie will be Ernie Whitman. Ruby Dandridge and Lasses White, all of whom have won wide popularity for their work in radio. Long one of Bing’s favorite cinema and radio characters. Miss McDaniel has run up something of a record of her appearances in these two fields. One of the movie roles for which she won high praise from the critics was that of Mammy in “Gone with the Wind.” In the patter portion of the show, Bing will play the part of a man whose car has broken down, and, in seeking help, runs across Hattie and the Beulah cast, none of whom is of much assistance. In the end, Bing is forced to resort to a non-mechanical genius who answers to Crosby…As part of the banter, Bing will sing a short duet with himself, a reasonably ingenious trick in any league.

 (The Jackson Sun, 19th January, 1949)

Bing Bags Another Million (Headline)

That $13,000,000 said to be laying around in CBS’ coffers, spoiling to be spent, is now only $12,000,000. Bill Paley, last week, made a $1,000,000 notation on his check book stub after talking long distance to Bing Crosby, up on the Monterey peninsula, following a few days conference with John O’Melveny, Bing’s attorney and business intimate. The cool million went for a 25% interest in one of the two Crosby Corporations which controls his radio and picture activities. It proved to be the ‘sweetener’ that stirred the deal to a full boil. Although everyone concerned with the big push by the Paley raiders have had their lips buttoned, it is fairly well established that Bing’s guarantee by CBS for a 39 week season is approximately $500,000. This figure is said to be around $200,000 more than his current Philco-ABC seasonal take. The differential being in the nature of a bonus arrangement because of Columbia’s greater collection of high power stations which would necessitate fewer of the whistle stops which are now supplementing the ABC line-up.

It is also fairly certain that Crosby will hold the same 9 pm time on Wednesday which both Philco and Crosby are said to have demanded and which is okey dokey with Paley because it fits so snugly into his plan to build up another big night. He’s well satisfied with Sunday, Monday and Thursday. The big argument of Crosby’s that had to be batted down by Paley before the Groaner would say, “I do” was the type and potency of programs to precede and follow him. Now it’s up to Paley to make good his promise, so the pressure is on again with MCA running interference and doing the missionary work.

(Variety, January 26, 1949)

January 22, Saturday. The mid-season Mardi Gras at Sydney, Australia’s Manly beach takes place and Bing participates in the opening ceremonies of the charity event by radio telephone.

January 26, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Another transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. Bing’s guests are Peggy Lee and Abe Burrows.

Abe Burrows, who calls himself ‘a singer who can’t sing’, guested on Bing Crosby’s Philco road show along with vocalist, Peggy Lee, last Wednesday (26th). It turned out to be one of the season’s highs. High spot of the show was a Burrows operetta, burlesquing the ‘Oklahoma!’- type musical with Crosby and Miss Lee giving him an assist. It was sure-fire. Yocks started with a ‘jolly bandit-type song’, increased with a ‘love-type ditty’ and reached a crescendo with a grand finale, ‘California’. Burrows said he’s terrific on television (a lot of the guys in the trade will go along with him on that). He addended that he’s looking for a bankroller: ‘If I stay out of work another year, is that a Capital Gain?’

(Variety, February 2, 1949)

February 2, Wednesday. (10:45 a.m.–12.01 p.m., 7:30–8:10 p.m.) In the NBC studios in Hollywood, Bing records a Philco show with Kay Starr and Bob Burns which airs on February 16. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Jimmy Durante and Gertrude Niesen. The show has been recorded in San Francisco at the Marine Memorial Theater, and Bing has a heavy cold.

The warmth of Gertrude Niesen’s voice and the shadow cast over the nation’s gopher holes when Jimmy Durante’s nose intercepts the beam of the spotlight will be Bing Crosby’s way of staving off “Six more weeks of Winter” during his Groundhog Day broadcast over WTJS-ABC tonight at 9:00 p. m. As Bing’s first guest, Durante will get things off to a rollicking start with a description of his new business in San Francisco, an enterprise that seems destined, in Bing’s opinion, to be a conspicuous success. That patter will be interrupted by Miss Niesen, who will sing a torrid arrangement of the popular, if not exactly timely, “We’re Having a Heat Wave,” after which a humorous sketch dealing with Bing's new home at Carmel. Cal., will feature Durante in the role of interior decorator.

(The Jackson Sun, 2nd February, 1949)

February 3, Thursday. Bing visits the Paramount studios to discuss his next film, Riding High.

February 4, Friday. (8:30–9:00 p.m.) Bing guests on the Jimmy Durante radio show sponsored by the Rexall Drug Company on NBC and sings “Sing Soft, Sing Sweet, Sing Gentle” with Durante and Roy Bargy and his Orchestra. Bing also solos on ‘So Dear to My Heart’. Other guests on the show include Alan Young and Candy Candido.

Bing Crosby who has been making news stories with his switch from ABC to CBS this fall, confounds everybody by bobbing up on NBC tonight. It’s for a guest appearance only, however, for the Groaner has accepted an invite extended by Jimmy Durante for 7:30 p.m. WIRE

(The Indianapolis Star, February 4, 1949)

February 7, Monday. (3:15–4:27 p.m., 6:40–7:15 p.m.) In the NBC studios, Bing records a Philco show with Peggy Lee and Abe Burrows which airs on February 23. He also records linking dialogue for a Guest Star program which is broadcast on May 29.

February 8, Tuesday. Bing, Jimmy McHugh, and Harold Adamson attend Freddy Martin’s opening at the Mural Room at the St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco.

February 9, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Connie Haines and Groucho Marx. Again, the show has been recorded at the Marine Memorial Theater in San Francisco. Variety magazine carries an article about Bing’s future career moves.

Bing Crosby can reasonably expect to be tossed in a blanket of banter when he welcomes Groucho Marx to his broadcast tonight at 9 p. m., over the American Broadcasting Company network and WTJS. Singer Connie Haines will be Bing’s other guest on the show. San Francisco’s sea food will provide the theme for Bing’s and Groucho’s withering chit-chat over which there will be an occasional spray of sardonic jest about the town’s hilly terrain. All this leads somewhat illogicality to Groucho’s discovery that Bing is a sick man and on a hasty trip to a Quonset hut clinic presided over by the mustachioed maestro, with Miss Haines playing the part of a nurse. After one of the most cursory examinations in medical history, Groucho decides that Bing needs his tonsils out and proceeds to operate using all the technique he picked up during a week s employment in a Chicago abattoir. By some miracle, Bing comes out alive.

(The Jackson Sun, 9th February, 1949)

Crosby Formula To Show The Way

Bing Crosby, who recently transferred his future radio and television allegiance to CBS’s William S. Paley for a $1,000,000, is mulling a two-way programming operation that may be the answer to radio stars going video, yet domiciling in Hollywood. The whole problem of shifting their base of operations to New York, key production centre of television, has become increasingly vexing to top air personalities who, despite recognizing that sooner or later, they must embrace TV, are nevertheless reluctant to relinquish Californian climes. With Hollywood retaining its grip on coast to coast radio production, the LA to New York problem has been a major factor in stymieing the pacting of big-time personalities for television.

It was considered inevitable that someone would evolve a formula that in one fell swoop, would permit to simultaneous radio/TV video casting to the theme of ‘California Here I Stay’ and if Crosby pioneers the practice which would involve taping for AM and kinescoping for TV at one and the same time, it’s considered a certainty that it would spark a succession of star-studded simul-casts, emanating from the coast. It would also provide the impetus for the taping (such as Crosby, Groucho Marx etc) of major radio programming from hereon in, a practice that has already been blessed or had already been given the blessing of Paley, NBC prexy, Niles Trammell (until this year was strictly verboten on both sides of the major networks).

Crosby, it is reported is peddling his show for next season. Philco is now paying him $25,000 a week for his taped AM program on ABC but the crooner it is understood wants $27,500 for next season - that’s for radio alone but he wants a simultaneous AM-TV showcasing on Columbia. This would be feasible by training the video cameras on his program while it’s being tape recorded (weeks in advance of airing) and kinescoping the stanza for a date release of the transcribed TV version. Such a parlay would also permit for separate sponsorship for the video edition with a commercial cut-in to dovetail with the AM commercial insert.

(Variety, February 9, 1949)

February 14, Monday. Records a Philco show at the Marine Memorial Theater, in San Francisco with Dinah Shore and Burl Ives. The show is broadcast on March 2. Bing is awarded Photoplay’s Gold Medal award for being the nation’s most enjoyed actor in 1948. Typically he does not turn up for the ceremony, which is held at the Crystal Room of the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Photoplay gave the cold shoulder to Bing Crosby last night. Voted best actor by mag’s readers for fifth consecutive year, the groaner failed to show up for second consecutive year. This time his name wasn’t even mentioned in the handout prepped by mag’s staff

(Variety, February 15, 1949)

February 16, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Kay Starr and Bob Burns.

Bob Burns, the man who yielded to the overwhelming demand of his admirers and quit radio for a farm, will tote his battered bazooka all the way from Arkansas to make a guest appearance on Bing Crosby’s broadcast tonight at 9:00 p.m. over the American Broadcasting Company network and WTJS. Bing also will have some help from Kay Starr, a girl who knows a great deal about the way to handle a torchy song. In the patter portion of the show, Bing and Burns dig into their rich pasts to fetch up a spate of reminiscence, much of which concerns the rare old, fair old, golden days when the two worked together in radio and television was hardly more than a gleam in Dr. Allen Dumont’s eye. From there, the boys go to work, figuratively, of course, on Burns’ farm, a rocky patch of ground which supports him in a manner endorsed by the more austere type of hermit. Burns has some relatives around the place and they come in for a bit of critical attention from him. Finally, he reports that his livestock are all brooding over the fact that a recording he used to play to them--one of Bing’s called “Just a Gigolo”--is worn out, a matter that is solved by having Bing make another with Burns’ help.

(The Jackson Sun, 16th February, 1949)

As we became more familiar with tape, and as blank tape became available from 3M and others, we found that we could do all sorts of things that weren’t possible on disc. One time Bob Burns, the hillbilly comic, was on the show, and he threw in a few of his folksy farm stories, which of course were not in Bill Morrow’s script. Today they wouldn’t seem very off-color, but things were different on radio then. They got enormous laughs, which just went on and on. We couldn’t use the jokes, but Bill asked us to save the laughs. A couple of weeks later he had a show that wasn’t very funny, and he insisted that we put in the salvaged laughs. Thus the laugh-track was born. It brought letters, because those big guffaws sounded ridiculous after the corny jokes.

We considered the ability to splice in laughs a technical achievement. We had to trim carefully so that, where we went into or came out of a laugh, the levels would be the same as those on the laugh we were replacing. It was pretty tricky; we had no way of fading in or out.

(John T. Mullin, writing in High Fidelity, April, 1976)

Variety announces that CBS has found a sponsor for Bing’s forthcoming radio series and that it is rumored to be Chesterfield. This is subsequently confirmed and it seems that Chesterfield is to pay between $30,000 and $35,000 per show. Bing is guaranteed $8,500 net per show by CBS.

February 21, Monday. Records a Philco show in the Marine Memorial Theatre in San Francisco with Louis Armstrong and Jack Teagarden. The show is broadcast on March 16.

February 23, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC and the guests are Peggy Lee and Abe Burrows.

Abe Burrows, author of the song “Darling, Do You Remember the Night We Didn’t Do Anything” and other unromantic-type tunes, and songstress Peggy Lee will be Bing Crosby’s guests on tonight’s broadcast at 9:00 p. m., over the American Broadcasting Company network and WTJS. In the patter portion of the show, Bing and Burrows will do a typical-romantic-type operetta in which a typical mythical kingdom is at stake. As the typical wise old counsellor, Burrows urges Bing to marry the Duchess of Dortendditten pointing out that, since she is something of a wanton, he has nothing to lose but his money, his reputation and his peace of mind. When Bing hesitates, Burrows resorts to a strictly low form of persuasion by singing to him, offering a little number called “Royal Wedding.” In retaliation, Bing counters with a song title “We Are We,” which does much to explain that he is he and that Miss Lee is she. In this number, he will have some help from Miss Lee. The operetta is brought to a typical happy end with a typical happy ending song called “Happy Happy Happy Days.”

(The Jackson Sun, 23rd February, 1949)

March 2, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Another transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. Bing’s guests are Dinah Shore and Burl Ives. The Philco shows broadcast today and for the rest of March were originally taped at the Marine Memorial Theater, San Francisco.

Burl Ives, the man mountain of minstrelsy, and Dinah Shore, will be Bing Crosby’s guests on tonight’s broadcast at 9:00 p. m. over the American Broadcasting Company network and WTJS… In the good-natured banter, Bing and Miss Shore swap some salty chatter about the song business with which they are reasonably familiar, and in the course of their chit-chat they touch upon a number of fresh anecdotes about the game. As a finale to their suave persiflage, Miss Shore will sing the bubbly new Cole Porter tune, “True to You Darling, in My Fashion.” Troubadour Ives, a handy man around a goat, will bring Bing some news of his ranch at San Fernando Valley, after which both boys take a somewhat acidulous view of the other’s chances of surviving in television. After trading a spate of oral wallops, the contest reaches a no-decision finish. Miss Shore will team up with Bing and Ives to try out a real television routine offering “Clementine,” following which Ives will chant one of his most popular numbers, “Lavender Blue.”

(The Jackson Sun, 2nd March, 1949)

March 3, Thursday. As part of the American Red Cross 1949 Fund Campaign, Bing links a transcribed 15-minute appeal with songs taken from his Philco shows of November 10, 1948 and December 29, 1948.

March 4, Friday. Tapes a Philco show with Ethel Merman at the Marine Memorial Theater, San Francisco which is broadcast on March 23. Jimmie Fidler, writing in his syndicated columm, reports that "Dixie Lee Crosby, under treatment recently in a Santa Monica hospital, has entered a sanatorium for a rest cure."
     March 9, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show. The guests are Peggy Lee, Phil Harris, and Elliott Lewis. Bing returns to Hollywood from San Francisco.

Radio plug campaign on tunes from Paramount's "A Connecticut Yankee" will be launched next Wed. (9) when Bing Crosby will introduce the entire score on his program. It's the first time he's introed the entire score of a pic on one film, and the ballyhoo is part of a $70,000 campaign being launched by the Edwin H. (Buddy) Morris music combine to sell four new tunes from the film.

Morris’ Mayfair and Melrose pubberies will split the score. Melrose will get “Once and for Always” and “Busy Doin’ Nothing” and Mayfair will handle “When Is Sometime” and “Stub Your Toe on the Moon.”

Although a total of 47 disks were cut on the four tunes (major labels etched several faces in November 1947) when the wax ban loomed. Morris and Paramount have succeeded in keeping them from the market thus far. They are now being shipped to wholesalers. Sheets are being printed against the film’s April 1 bow at Radio City Music Hall.

(Variety, March 2, 1949)

Phil Harris, a familiar figure in radio and an unfamiliar figure in public libraries and art galleries, will join Bing Crosby and Peggy Lee on tonight’s broadcast at 9:00 p. m., over the American Broadcasting Company network. The two will help Bing introduce some of the songs from Bing’s new Technicolor movie, “Connecticut Yankee”… In the battle of banter feature of the show, Harris brings his guitar player Frank Remley, to Bing in quest of a job. Although out of work, the guitarist is pretty gainfully unemployed according to Harris since he is living off the maestro. The latter is nothing if not fulsome in his praise of the guitarist’s talents and Bing is on the point of hiring him but decides to have his knowledge tested - a chore he calls upon John Scott Trotter to perform. Trotter does a highly competent job and polishes off the indigent but well-nourished guitarist in record time.

(The Jackson Sun, 9th March, 1949)

March 9–May. Films Riding High with Coleen Gray, William Demarest, and Frances Gifford. The film is produced and directed by Frank Capra and has a fifty-two day shooting schedule with a budget of $1.92 million of which Bing takes $150,000 in salary. The musical director is Victor Young with vocal arrangements by Joseph J. Lilley. Location shots are filmed in ten days at Tanforan Race Track in San Bruno, seven miles north of San Mateo, California.

The first day of photography I gave a nine o’clock call to Clarence Muse, Coleen Gray, Skeeter the banty rooster, Broadway Bill the black stallion, and of course, to the Bingle.

Nine o’clock—no Bing. I calmly began shooting around him with the other actors, improvising many new scenes. At ten thirty Bing showed up and found us busily shooting. I didn’t say a word about time.

“What’s going on?” he asked me.

“Just another little old picture, Bing.”

“I thought you said I was in the first shot.”

“We’ll take your first shot whenever you’re ready.”

Next day, same occurrence. The Cassandras chortled. [Art] Black shook his head, “Told you he’d drive you nuts, boss.” Again Bing found me shooting scenes when he came in at ten thirty.

“Frank, if I’m in the first shot, what’re you shooting before I get here?” he asked.

“Bing, I’ve got some forty days to shoot a mil-and-a-half picture. That’s at the rate of forty G’s a day, or five G’s per hour. Only way I can do it is to shoot from nine to six—constantly. So I start shooting at nine sharp with any actors that are around. If no actors show up, I invent scenes with dogs, cats, inserts, or actors I pick up on the streets.”

No words, no arguments, no recriminations. Bing was an actor-business-man; he respected persons who got the job done without fuss or feathers. Also, he realized that if he didn’t show up on time I would shoot with other actors.

Next morning Bing was on the set a half-hour earlier. Then—at nine. No word was said about it. He asked me what time I got on the set I told him seven thirty. “Why so early?” he asked. “To plan, rewrite, think of new ‘business,’” He wanted to know when we ran the rushes. I told him the crews ran them at the studio at seven thirty in the morning, but I ran them alone at home in my projection room at 6 A.M. On many a subsequent morning Bing would knock on my front door at 6 A.M. to see the rushes with me. . . .

Bing Crosby is not an easy man to know. In virtually everything he does—golf, acting, crooning, and, I imagine, necking—he is as relaxed as a cat stretched out in the sun. But if you let that lazy, old-shoe casualness fool you into thinking the Bingle doesn’t know what’s going on—you’re living in a dream world. His wit can devastate you, and what’s more, you can’t see it coming.

In his coordination Crosby is in a class by himself. Most actors must stop everything they are doing with their hands, or with props, in order to deliver an important speech. Crosby can recite the Gettysburg Address while juggling three balls and listening to Hope crack toupee jokes.

Crosby is blessed with a photographic mind. He can learn a two-page speech by reading it twice. And usually whatever he changes or adds in the speech is better than what is written. For he is the master of the literary ad-lib.

(Frank Capra, writing in his book The Name above the Title, page 407)

It’s fun just to think about the wonderful eight weeks I spent playing opposite Bing Crosby in “Riding High!” And to tell about those happy days is, in a way to re-live them. I never had an experience like that before; it’s the high spot, so far, in my career. The good luck of that magic combination of Bing Crosby and Director Frank Capra doesn’t happen every day, you know.

      Between shots on other pictures I’ve gone to my dressing-room to study my script, to write letters or to read. I’d come to work in the morning with the thought that here was a job to be done. But not on “Riding High!” There I’d be—perhaps the first to arrive every morning—perched on the edge of my chair waiting for things to start. Even if I weren’t in the scene I never left the set. I hung on every word for fear I’d miss something!

      And when I remember how nervous I was on the first day, how frightened of the two Big Names, I could pinch myself for being so silly. Why, those Big Names were the kindest, the most considerate, the gentlest men I’ve ever known.

      My getting the part in the first place was completely unexpected. After finishing “Sand” for 20th Century-Fox, where I’ve been under contract for five years, I went to New York to appear on the stage in “Leaf and Bough.” Unfortunately, the play bowed and left after one of the shortest runs on record. After the strain of rehearsals and production, I was in the midst of a wonderful whirl doing the town with a lot of friends when my agent phoned long-distance at three o’clock one Wednesday morning. He told me to take the plane that night for the Coast. I really didn’t want to. I was having so much fun! But obediently I packed—and caught not only the plane but a terrible cold. Didn’t get a wink of sleep and arrived more dead than alive. They told me I was to make the test that afternoon, but I begged them to wait until I felt a little better.

      So they thrust six pages of script in my hand and I tottered home and to bed, where I slept for forty-eight hours. Now and then I’d open an eye and try to memorize my lines. By Saturday afternoon I was ready. I knew I was keeping Bing from his golf game—and that didn’t help. I wasn’t too sure of the lines—and that didn’t help either. I knew, too, that many other girls had been tested before me. But the minute I came on the set, the tension eased. Bing, who knew I’d gone to Hamline University in St. Paul, began by telling me what a great basketball team Hamline had and said he was going to see them play that very night at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium. Imagine that! Bing knowing all about my basketball team!

      After that he talked about my singing with the college a capella choir one subject lead to another—and before I knew it, I was chattering along to an old friend. That’s the secret of Crosby and Capra: they’re so easy, so calm. They get an enormous amount of work done—"Riding High” was brought in two weeks under schedule—yet, they never seem to hurry or to force anything. As an example, even in this test we finished in a little over an hour scenes which ordinarily would have taken half a day. They started out by saying, “If something goes wrong, don’t worry. It doesn’t matter. We’ll do it again.   So how could a person fail to do well with that attitude?

      The end of the test was a dramatic and tearful scene; when we’d finished Bing turned and looked at me in the strangest way. He said slowly, “You’ve worked before, haven’t you?” and that compliment made me glow all over. After that there was a five days wait. The choice had narrowed down to another girl and me. I didn’t worry about it because worry doesn’t get you anything. I didn’t even think about it except to feel the trip out there would have been wasted if I didn’t get the part. There’d been two or three offers of plays in New York that I hadn’t wanted to turn down and I regretted those.

      But meantime the test was printed and the film flown Pebble Beach where Bing was vacationing. He ran it over and over there, then it had to be flown back and run over and over for the studio executives. And, too, in those five days I was turned over to a vocal coach but long before official word came through, two or three sources on the studio grapevine told me I was in!

      I was very nervous when I walked on the set the first day—and when I saw the five huge bouquets of flowers waiting for me there I almost burst into tears. It was like an opening night in New York! But before long the atmosphere of the Crosby-Capra set began to get to me, I realized I was in a very special place. For one thing, there was no noise. I never heard Mr. Capra give a command or order about it, but there just wasn’t any hammering or shouting. And for another thing, Bing put himself completely in Capra’s hands: they worked together in complete accord.

      I’d heard that Bing appeared on the set when he felt like it and left when he wanted to—but he didn’t on this picture. He was on time every morning, knew his lines perfectly and was among the last to leave at night. I’d heard, too, that there were lots of gags and jokes on a Crosby picture—but there weren’t too many on “Riding High.” Everything was strictly business, with a good picture the main goal.

      Somebody told me that Ann Blyth had brought Bing a pie she’d baked and that he’d been very pleased. I wanted to do something, too, so twice a week I brought a big jar—shaped like a cat—full of my mother’s marvelous Danish cookies. Bing was a little doubtful about the first one I offered him, took one tentative nibble—then ate six in rapid succession! After that it was, “Where are the cookies?” and we soon started having four o’clock tea just so he could eat some more of them!

      Bing is a most surprising man. You think of him as a sportsman, interested only in golf, baseball, race-horses—but there’s another side you’d never suspect. One day I saw him reading T. S. Eliot’s “Notes toward the Definition of Culture,” a deep, non-fiction book. Another time it would be a biography, another a work on world affairs.

      Bing’s ad libs are often cleverer than the script and he seems to enjoy them as much as everyone else. He transacts a lot of his business on the set, answering phone calls and dictating letters to a secretary in his trailer between takes. He is always surrounded by his radio-writers, gag-men and business associates. Often he would go off to the side of the set to discuss business deals with men who came to the studio to see him. All in all, I found Bing to be a happy, well-adjusted man. He’s completely relaxed and simply will not be worried by anything. For instance, in the musical number we had to do together there was some confusion because the dance director gave us too many instructions at once. These instructions would probably have been simple for professional dancers, which Bing and I aren’t. I was getting rattled and unhappy and could see that Bing was bothered, too. But did he allow it to upset him? Certainly not. He just said, “Hold on a minute. I can learn just one thing at a time.” and we proceeded on that basis.

      Incidentally, this dance sequence was the only uncomfortable episode of the picture for me. When you combine singing, remembering dance steps, ringing a cowbell and giving with the big smile and relaxing all at the same time, you really have something! But singing with Bing was a really happy experience. He knows so surely what he’s doing that it gives you confidence you never knew you had. I always could sing my little heart out with my college choral group because I was just one among sixty and I felt safe. I’d never dreamed of daring to sing all by myself. But with Bing there it was different. He’d watch me and then, putting his hand on the back of my neck, he’d say, “Wait a minute. You’re all tightened up. Relax, relax!”

      . . . Perhaps we had so much fun because we worked so hard. In one scene, Bing is supposed to return to me after having been away for two years. “You’re glad to see him,” Mr. Capra said. “Leap at him!” So I leaped. I not only knocked off Bing’s hat—but I split every hook off my own skirt! After that he called me the Durable Dane and pretended to dodge and defend himself whenever I came around. “Don’t ever make that girl mad!” he’d warn everybody. “She’ll tear you to pieces!

      There was a wonderful big party in the Paramount commissary for everybody and their best girl and beau when the picture finished, but it was a sad, sad day for me. Even though I got up and sang our favorite song, “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” into the microphone, with Frank Capra strumming the accompaniment on his guitar, there was an undertone of parting in my heart that made the tears come very close to spilling over.

      Bing left the party early so there weren’t any goodbyes. He waved once across the commissary, but I’ve never had a chance to tell him in person how grateful I am. How can you thank a guy like that?

(Coleen Gray, writing in an unidentified film magazine in 1949)

March 10, Thursday. Records “Bali Ha’i” and “Some Enchanted Evening” with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra in Hollywood. “Some Enchanted Evening” spends 20 weeks in the Billboard charts with a peak of #3 while “Bali Ha’i” reaches the No. 12 spot in a seven week stay.

Stand out tunes from South Pacific score. Crosby does them in the style to which he’s accustomed which means that they are fine jobs but neither is the equal of Perry Como’s versions, except that these are in a better dance tempo. John Scott Trotter backs Crosby lushly.

(Variety, April 6, 1949)

(8:00-8:15 p.m.) Bing appears on the Chesterfield Supper Club radio show on NBC with host Peggy Lee.

March 11, Friday. (6:00–7:00 p.m.) Stars in a Ford Theater broadcast of Welcome Stranger on CBS with Ann Blyth and Barry Fitzgerald. Fletcher Markle is the director with Bobby Dolan directing the musical accompaniment. Bing is reported to receive a fee of $10,000 for his participation.

Originally scheduled to star in “Dixie” as guest on CBS; “Theater of the Air” at 9:00 o'clock over CKCO, Bing Crosby will be heard instead in a full-hour version of “Welcome Stranger,” Paramount’s Crosby - Barry Fitzgerald hit of 1947. Fitzgerald will recreate his screen role on the broadcast.

Ann Blyth, previously announced as feminine lead in “Dixie” will be the leading lady of “Welcome Stranger”.

The plot concerns an old New England doctor (Fitzgerald) who feeling the need of a long vacation, asks a medical agency to send him a doctor to take over his practice temporarily. He is gravely disappointed and annoyed when the substitute (Crosby) proves to be a young doctor with dazzling sartorial tastes and a highly unconcerned attitude. The clash of their personalities and Crosby’s competition with a stuffy young executive for the attention of a pretty schoolteacher (Ann Blyth) are the source of the story’s comedy as well as some tense dramatic moments.

(The Ottawa Citizen, March 11, 1949)

March 12, Saturday. A pre-recording session for the Riding High songs. Decca has issued a 4-disc 78rpm album set called Bing Crosby Sings Songs by George Gershwin and Billboard magazine reviews it on this date.

Crosby singing Gershwin figures to be a winning parlay any time – and this album sounds like a winner, sure enough. Sides were made during various recent years, and it’s nice to be able to report that Cros was in form on each. Every tune here is a 20-carat imperishable, and plenty of earnest affection is lavished on each by the orks of Trotter, Malneck and Victor Young.

March 13, Sunday. (2:15 p.m.) Bing goes to watch an exhibition game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. The Pirates win 3-1. (6:15–8:15 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Kay Starr and James Stewart which airs on April 6.

March 14, Monday. Pre-records "Camptown Races" for the Riding High soundtrack with Coleen Gray and Clarence Muse. Later, Bing turns up for the testimonial dinner for song-plugger Tubby Garron at Lucey’s and he sings too.

March 16, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee, Joe Venuti, Jack Teagarden, and Louis Armstrong. During the evening, Bing goes out to Southgate where his stand-in, Alan Calm, is appearing in a nightclub. Bing is persuaded to sing a song.

Radio’s critics maintained that the medium’s musical product was necessarily inferior to what consumers heard on records. With new shows airing every week, hosts and guests couldn’t have the time to master complicated, more artistic arrangements; as a result, radio audiences would get simplicity or repetition or B-grade pap. But the generalization didn’t always reflect reality. Not when the lineup was inarguably top-of-the-trade. And radio never got any better—in terms of music, sophistication, entertainment, cool, or daring—than the show Bing Crosby aired from San Francisco’s Marine Memorial Auditorium in the summer (sic) of 1949 with guests Peggy Lee and Louis Armstrong—along with two more of the purest jazz virtuosos in the land: trombonist Jack Teagarden and violinist Joe Venuti. By now, Bing was happily married, and at the very top of his radio game.

“Now, Ken” —he nods to announcer Ken Carpenter as the evening opens— “Miss Peggy Lee approaches.” Carpenter’s response: “That’s what I call a slick chick.”

As Peg takes the stage, Bing implores the anonymous bandleader, “Please drop a downbeat and get those boys blowing and playing and stroking and swinging.”

Crosby and Lee duet on “You Was,” with music by the estimable Sonny Burke and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. (A few years later they would furnish Lee with one of the greatest jazz vocals of all time.) Warming up, seeming natural and terrifically simpatico, the two friends come together on the frothy, sweet bubble of a song with thrilling results replete with Webster’s trademark rhymes (the heart is a “spherical lyrical miracle”) and the coyly entrancing ungrammatical verbal hook: The question is who “the sweetest one I knew was.” The answer: “I’d say you was.”

As Lee walks off the stage, Bing says to Ken, “That’s the nicest thing ever to come out of North Dakota.”

Now enter Louis Armstrong. Side by side stand the two men responsible for making jazz rhythm accessible to a nation. “Three weeks ago,” says Bing, “1 got a big charge out of seeing a bright satchel-mouthed face beaming from the cover of Time magazine—the face of one of my best friends. Tonight I’m just poppin’ with pride to give a friendly five to the most sensational horn of them all, Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong.”

Then the banter begins—a scripted dialogue, no doubt, but their few seconds of verbal riffing provide an interesting window on an extraordinary cultural time and place, a moment when mainstream white America, embodied by its first true superstar, could overlap with mainstream black culture, embodied by Louis—its undisputed king.

Bing: “It’s fine as wine in the summertime to have you with us.”

Satchmo: “I’m pleasurated, pops.”

Bing: “How do you get those crisp, clear, clean notes?”

Satchmo: “Every night I dip my trumpet in Did.”

Bing: “’Did’? What’s that?”

Satchmo: “Did’s the stuff that’s already done what Does is gonna try to Do.”

Next, Teagarden and Venuti join Armstrong for a hopping ragtime-New Orleans-funeral “Panama,” with Teagarden’s trombone holding its own against Satchmo’s trumpet. The bliss is transporting as the pair’s artistry silences bop’s boosters and their jabs at the purity and melody of more mainstream jazz. Music could get no cooler than this.

Next, slow down for a duet by Bing and Satchmo, comes “Lazybones,” the Johnny Mercer-Hoagy Carmichael anthem, made into a hit in the thirties by Mildred Bailey. Armstrong, befitting the times, the place—and his lifelong friendship with Crosby—willingly plays Stepin Fetchit.

“I’ll do the singing,” says Bing, “if you do the mugging.”

It begins with Bing addressing “Lazybones” —Armstrong. How, Bing wants to know, “you ‘spec to get your cornmeal made?” Satchmo’s somnolent reply? “I don’t get no cornmeal made,” because, “morning til night” he’s sleeping in “that old shade.”

When Bing closes the show, bringing his guests to the stage, the verbal riffs reach jazzy heights. “I’d like to tilt my skimmer to Miss Peggy Lee,” says Crosby, “for buzzing up from Tinselville to be with us tonight.”

Answers Peggy, with a smile that’s obvious even on the radio: “It was a crock full of kicks for me, Bing. I really enjoyed hearing the mellow members of the society of hot.”

(Fever – The Life and Music of Miss Peggy Lee, pages 168-170)

March 17, Thursday. (6:00-6:30 p.m.) The Kraft Music Hall broadcast hosted by Al Jolson has been transcribed for the first time.

March 18, Friday. Records “Everywhere You Go” and “How It Lies, How It Lies, How It Lies” with Evelyn Knight and Vic Schoen and his Orchestra. Jud Conlon’s Rhythmaires also provide support.

Bing could be very intimidating, and his exterior was sometimes cool, if not cold. If he liked what was going on in the studio he gave it everything he had, although he didn’t appear to be making an effort to do so. He had a remarkable ability to create and improvise in front of a microphone. He expressed his acceptance by doing the things required of him. If he didn’t like something, he simply didn’t do it.

(Vic Schoen as quoted in the book Swing It! page 43)

Crosby and Miss Knight could break “Everywhere” for a hit, it’s been moving nicely due to Guy Lombardo’s and Eddy Howard’s Mercury diskings. This copy isn’t superior to either but it’s livelier and louder and could do the trick. Pairing do right well by “Lies” too, a piece that’s likely to get equal play with “Everywhere” everywhere backed by Vic Schoen’s Orchestra and Jud Conlon’s Rhythmaires, it rides solidly.

(Variety, April 6, 1949)

Everywhere You Go

Too much production hinders rather than helps the treatment of this promising and simple song. But the Crosby-Knight combine should be able to sell plenty of copies just on name power.

How It Lies, How It Lies, How It Lies

The powerful team works together more smartly on this new and fast moving rhythm ditty. Should be a big winner.

(Billboard, April 30, 1949)

March 21, Monday. Gonzaga University issues a press release confirming the intention to erect a library at the University. Building is to commence when funds are adequate. Under a trust agreement, the funds are to be held by the trustees who are Rev. Francis E. Corkery, Dr. Herbert Rotchford, Dr. Joseph Lynch, and Bing himself. (4:30–5:30 p.m., 5:30–7:30 p.m.) In NBC Studio B, Bing records a Philco show with Peggy Lee and Abe Burrows which airs on April 27.

March 22, Tuesday. (10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.) Records “Riders in the Sky” and “Careless Hands” with Perry Botkin and the Ken Darby Singers. “Careless Hands” spends ten weeks in the Billboard Best-Seller charts peaking at No. 12 while “Riders in the Sky” reaches the No. 14 spot during its ten-week spell in the lists.

Bing’s best this month is 04098, “Riders in the Sky,” being also one of his best for a long time, and one of the best versions of the tune. The backing is “Careless Hands,” which is good enough.

(The Gramophone, July 1949)

Bing Crosby—“Careless Hands”—“Memories” (Decca).

Good pairing but Crosby’s plenty late on “Hands,” a widely played melody that so far hasn’t reached solid hit status. It’s possible that he could provide the impetus. Ken Darby Singers assist on “Memories” a standard that is not really crack Crosby but it is solid enough for any library or juke.

(Variety, April 27, 1949)

Later, Bing throws a dinner at Lucey’s for the Gonzaga University Glee Club but fails to turn up at the function. Press reports state that Bing recently hurried to a hospital where Buddy Clark was facing surgery for a ruptured ulcer and sat for two hours waiting to contribute blood if necessary.

March 23, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Ethel Merman.

Ethel Merman, the girl with a voice as high as a star, will be Bing Crosby’s guest on tonight’s broadcast… Miss Merman, who recently finished a three-year run on Broadway in “Annie, Get Your Gun,” made a special trip to the west coast to be with Bing on the March 23 broadcast…In the badinage portion of the show, Miss Merman will tell Bing about her trip to the coast, a pilgrimage on which she had a small amount of trouble with her car. The subject is one that Bing knows something about, since he has had some trouble with a small car of his own. Following this, Miss Merman agrees to join Bing in a new “Flop Parade,” which is a parody on a popular radio program.

(The Jackson Sun, 23rd March, 1949)

March 24, Thursday. Bing is the guest on Hedda Hopper's Hollywood, a fifteen minute program on CBS.

March 25, Friday. Jack Kapp (president of Decca Records, Inc.) dies from a cerebral hemorrhage at his home in New York at the age of 47. Earlier in the day, his brother Dave Kapp had signed Bing on a new 7-year contract in the face of keen competition from Columbia Records. Bing postpones a recording of his radio show planned for March 28 when Rudy Vallee was to be the guest.

Bing Crosby and Decca Records have been like bread and butter - they just naturally go together. So, it is with both pride and pleasure that we are now able to announce that for the next seven years, as in the past, you’ll be hearing the magic voice of Bing Crosby on Decca records - exclusively

(Variety, April 13, 1949)

I will never forget the first day I met Bing a little over 17 years ago in the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. He was wearing a crew-neck sweater and he had the same casualness then that distinguishes him today. He was pleased with the progress that a couple of his records had made, but he was not impressed. We were paying him $200 a record at that time.

I remember how I appealed to him to come to New York, and how, a few months later, he arrived coming East with the money we sent him…his incredulity about all the excitement he had caused

We increased his fee to $250 a record because he was a “big star now.” I shared in the excitement. I can still recapture the thrill of those first records in New York—selections which included such subsequently standard classics as “Where the Blue of the Night,” “Stardust,” “Dancing in the Dark,” and “Sweet and Lovely.” I remember the orchestra players who accompanied him under the direction of Victor Young; the immortal Dorseys, Benny Goodman, Eddie Lang, Joe Venuti, and many others who later became famous.

Memories flash through my mind as on a brilliant screen: Bing’s first broadcast, when we came to escort him to the studio and found he had lost his voice from sheer nervousness—just couldn’t talk—those weeks at the Paramount Theatre in New York, and the subsequent tour—then the lack of bookings. Then there was his note from Florida that “the bubble had burst” and that he could always go back to California and get a job as a golf pro…the pressure exerted on him not to come with us at Decca because we couldn’t last long…his first recordings made without a contract—we didn’t have a contract for almost three years. I’ll never forget the large offer made by a competitor at that time, and his reply: “I’m not worth it, and you are only doing this to hurt a friend of mine. He had faith in me when others didn’t believe in me. Nothing doing!”

The beginnings of an organized recording program came with the recognition that Bing had not only a heaven-sent voice but a true soul—a voice and a soul which could be understood by all people all over the world. This combination of the human and the spiritual took him out of the category of a singer of popular songs. It laid the foundation for the institution that he became. It wasn’t sudden, and it wasn’t easy.

My first objection to Bing’s early style—I wasn’t as understanding and as tactful then as I hope I am today—was that he should eliminate the “boo-boo-boo-boo” manner, and that his accompaniment must really accompany him, instead of playing what Bing might like to hear. Bing is hep—he comes from a non-commercial school of musicians, if you know what I mean.

Then began the greatest recording career in the history of the business. There was no talk of money. During the next five years, in addition to singing the currently popular songs as well as the hit songs from motion pictures, Bing became the foremost artist in the most diverse imaginable fields. He became a peerless interpreter not only sacred songs, but of Hillbilly songs, Hawaiian songs, Irish songs, Cowboy songs. He sang the songs of America. He stressed the contribution of our native composers from Stephen Foster to Irving Berlin.

I hope I may continue to deserve Bing’s friendship for the rest of my life. I am “his obedient servant.”

(Jack Kapp, writing in Bing Crosby Album, published by Dell in 1949 just prior to Kapp’s death)

March 28, Monday. Jack Kapp's funeral takes place in New York. Bing postpones the recording of his Philco show due today. The golfing short Honor Caddie has its premiere at Riviera Country Club.

March 30, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guest is Dennis Day.

Dennis Day, a highly solvent young man with an Irish tenor, and two radio shows, will be Bing Crosby’s guest on tonight’s broadcast. Bing and Dennis will sing “Clancy Lowered the Boom,” a recent Day recording which has become a national best-seller. The version the boys have prepared for the broadcast departs substantially from the disc, being done in what is the called the high, wide and hilarious style…In the badinage and banter segment of the show, Day comes to Bing with a problem of the heart. His girlfriend, played by Janet Waldo, has fallen in love with Bing in the manner usually described as “helplessly” and Day figures that Nature will offer some corrective if he can bring the two principals together. His instinct proves to be a sound one.

(The Jackson Sun, 30th March, 1949)

March 31, Thursday. Loses 1-down to Bob Hope at Bel-Air Country Club.

April 1, Friday. Dixie Lee has a minor foot operation at St. John's.

April 4, Monday. In NBC Studio B, starting at 2:30 p.m., Bing rehearses a Philco show with Walter O’Keefe and Rudy Vallee. The actual recording begins at 6:30 p.m. and the show airs on April 20. Vallee is paid $1500 for his appearance.

April 6, Wednesday. Variety reports that Dixie is recovering from the operation on her foot. Elsewhere Phillip Crosby wins an elocution contest at Bellarmine Preparatory School. His topic is "Taking mother to a football game". He wins a $10 prize. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Kay Starr and James Stewart.

James Stewart, a young man whose unmarried state is gradually assuming the importance of a national disaster, will share the guest spotlight with Kay Starr on Bing Crosby’s show tonight… Stewart’s bachelorhood provides the theme in the badinage and banter portion of the show, being a subject of some familiarity to most people. In this case, Bing hits upon the idea of having his guest try his band at baby-sitting on the theory close to the hearts of all gamblers that beginners are apt to be lucky. The baby is a beginner as Bing points out and so is Stewart. So the odds on a happy outcome are top heavy. Never was a man more mistaken, though. As it turns out, Stewart, a man who knows when he’s licked, walks out on the infant after his (Stewart’s) crooning brings on some of the loudest wailing ever produced by a radio sound effects department.

(The Jackson Sun, 6th April, 1949)

April 7, Thursday. The film A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court has its world premiere at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

The solid, reliable humors of Mark Twain’s “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” which have already done yeoman service in two films and a Broadway musical show, have been given another going over—with eminently satisfactory results—in Paramount’s new film of the same title, which came to the Music Hall yesterday. And for this we can thank Bing Crosby, primarily and above all, because it is Bing in the role of the Yankee who gives this film its particular charm.

As the bumbling Connecticut blacksmith who gets an untimely bump on the head and fancies him-self transported, rather rudely, to King Arthur’s ancient court, Bing picks up this travesty on history and gives it his own characteristic stamp, just as Will Rogers did the same thing some eighteen years ago.

Not that he isn’t supported by a competent script and cast. Edmond Beloin has got a funny screen play out of Mark Twain’s fantastic tale and he has added a good many touches of contemporary spoof. For instance, the best laugh in the picture is recorded when King Arthur shouts at his trumpeting herald, “Stop the music!” There’s one that brings down the house.

And the people who play the various varlets, knights-in-armor and ladies-in-waiting around the court chip in unquestioned contributions. Sir Cedric Hardwicke is particularly droll as a drizzle-faced, rummy-nosed King Arthur who is slightly deficient in the head, and William Bendix is broadly comic as the lummox assigned to serve as squire. Murvyn Vye is hugely malevolent as Merlin, the villain in the court; Rhonda Fleming makes a beauteous cause for romance and Henry Wilcoxon plays a dark and stormy knight.

Indeed, even Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke have contributed some songs which, although they aren’t up to the classics of Rodgers and Hart, are obviously suited to be sung. And a fair Technicolored production doesn’t hurt matters in the least.

But it is still Bing’s delightful personality, his mild surprises and sweet serenities, and his casual way of handling dialogue that makes this burlesque a success. No one in current operation could qualify, we are sure, to play the Connecticut Yankee the way the old Groaner does.

Whether it’s snapping fire from matches to show his magical powers or jousting in cowboy fashion with an armored horseman, he is coolly confident. The old and familiar Crosby candor is forever on display. “If there were aught I could do to save thee—,” a friend tells him in the dungeon cell, while the Yankee is waiting execution. “Well, ain’t there aught?” the indignant Bing replies. And one episode in which he teaches a sixth-century orchestra how to play is musically delicious. “Putteth in the brass and taketh out the lead,” he says.

Best of the musical numbers is “Once and for Always,” which Bing sings, along with the lovely Miss Fleming. But “Busy Doing Nothing,” kicked around by Bing, Mr. Bendix and Sir Cedric, is a pleasantly sportive air, and Miss Fleming’s “When Is Sometime” won’t make anyone mad.

Mr. Crosby’s “Connecticut Yankee” is that good time to be had by all.

(Bosley Crowther, New York Times, April 8, 1949)

Picture wears the easy casualness that’s a Crosby trademark, goes about its entertaining at a leisurely pace, and generally comes off satisfactorily. It’s not high comedy and there’s little swashbuckling.

      Crosby does a lot better by the picture than its costumes do by him. His face and figure are comically displayed in tights, jerkin and wig without the heroic qualities that more modern tailoring endows, but such is his personality that he overcomes the handicaps. It’s his picture and he sparks it.

      He has three James Van Heusen-Johnny Burke tunes and gives them specialized treatment. Best of the lot for romantic flavor is “Once and For Always.” Opener number is “If You Stub Your Toe on the Moon” and comedy is emphasized with “Twixt Myself and Me,” which Crosby does with William Bendix and Sir Cedric Hardwicke (sic – it was “Busy Doing Nothing”). Rhonda Fleming has the fourth Van Heusen-Burke tune, “When Is Sometime.”

      …Jousting sequence in which Crosby uses a lariat in his duel with Wilcoxon has good comedy values. The Yankee’s tricks with watch lens, gunpowder and regular stick match, accompanied by quips in the Crosby manner, also are good fun.

(Variety, February 23, 1949)

April 8, Friday. Dixie and Bing make one of their rare appearances together at the King’s Restaurant.

April 13, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Peggy Lee and the Gonzaga University Glee Club.

Bing Crosby, alumnus of Gonzaga, the university which hasn’t won a football game in seven years, will play host to the school’s glee club on tonight’s broadcast of the Bing Crosby Show at 9:00 p. m…. Peggy Lee also will be on hand to sing and chat with Bing about the deleterious effects of higher education…In the rib and jape portion of the show, Bing's career at Gonzaga undergoes the searching scrutiny of announcer Ken Carpenter, Al (sic) Kantor and Miss Lee, with Bing emerging from the session in a somewhat battered condition. Later in the program, the Gonzaga Glee Club will sing, with some help from Bing, “Gongaza Men,” the school's new official song written by Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen. Bing and the 30 members of the club will do “You Tell Me Your Dreams,” and Miss Lee will join Bing in the popular “Down the Old Ox Road.” The closing song, sung by the Glee Club, will be the spiritual “Were You There.”

(The Jackson Sun, 13th April, 1949)

April 14, Thursday. Another recording session for the Riding High songs. (6:00 to 9:00 p.m.) Records “Be-Bop Spoken Here” and “Weddin’ Day” with the Andrews Sisters and Vic Schoen and his Orchestra in Hollywood.

Weddin’ Day

Tho Bing isn’t quite his relaxed self, this is a cute recording of an infectious bounce tune with the Andrews Sisters co-starring.

Be-Bop Spoken Here

Bing and Patti Andrews make an amusing platter out of the satiric bop novelty. Jocks should dig this one.

(Billboard, June 11, 1949)

… which have the Andrews Sisters in attendance, as has “Wedding Day” (04355). . .but the reverse is quite the worst Bing I’ve ever heard. It’s “Be-Bop Spoken Here”, and Bing and Patty Andrews bop-talk their way through one of the most inane ditties of all time. The singers may find it “easy on the ear” as they themselves assert, but I don’t, and I think few Bing fans will.

(The Gramophone, December, 1949)

April 15, Friday. Films the “Sunshine Cake” scene in Riding High. Perry Botkin  provides the guitar accompaniment.

In Riding High we did an impromptu number in the dilapidated tack room of a beat up barn, which included Bing, Clarence Muse, Coleen Gray, a horse, and a bantam rooster. It was called We Ought to Bake a Sunshine Cake (by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen). The occasion was Coleen’s joining the hungry Bing and Clarence to bake them a chicken. Bing picked up two spoons and played them like two bones in his fingers. Clarence played the guitar and kicked a large empty box, as the bass drum. Coleen danced, all three sang a three-part harmony. There was no off-stage background music, only the music they created for themselves from props that were handy. The number lasted over four minutes, replete with comedy, posturings, neighs from the horse, crows from the rooster. It had the prime essence of fun; impromptu gags and the wonderful charm of sounding as if the whole thing had been made up right on the spot. Of course, it had to be direct-recording because we had no way of knowing what we were going to do beforehand.

The music department had objected violently to direct recording; Bing would never accept it. He had always pre-recorded his numbers under proper musical directing and coaching. Bing came to me about it, slightly dubious. I told him not to worry. If he didn’t personally like the number after we shot it I would agree to pre-recording, but until then I wanted no piano players, no musicians, no song coaches on the set. He was a bit worried about playing the spoons as a pair of bones, so we flew in Freeman Davis from New York (“Mr. Bones” himself), an artist who could make a pair of polished ebony sticks do everything but talk, to help out Bing with a pair of spoons off stage.

With the first rehearsal, Bing got into the spirit of the impromptu fun. Everybody had a ball; so much so, Bing, Clarence, and Coleen kept breaking each other up. We had five other musical numbers in the picture. All were recorded directly, even the song “Camptown Races” which Bing, Clarence, and Coleen sang on the street as they were taking Broadway Bill from the barn to the race track. I put a pre-recorded band record of “Camptown Races” on a loudspeaker a block away—as if the music was being played by the band at the race track—and recorded the actors’ voices and the distant band at the same time with a two-camera dolly shot that took the actors from the barn to the race track, followed by a gang of kids who joined in the singing.

(Frank Capra, writing in his book The Name above the Title, page 409)

April 17, Sunday. (5:30-6:30 p.m.) Is one of many stars appearing in Father Peyton's "The Triumphant Hour" on the Mutual network. He sings "O Sanctissima".  (7:30–8:30 p.m.) Guests on the Welcome Back, Baseball radio program on CBS with his four sons plus Bob Hope, Dinah Shore, and Claudette Colbert.

Stirring and compelling was “The Triumphant Hour,” a partially transcribed traditional airing of the rosary service produced by the Family Rosary of Albany. N.Y. Seldom has any religious program marshaled such an array of Hollywood talent as did this full hour, with some 19 film and radio names With no advance announcement as to the identities of the stars, the naming of those in the cast at the close provided a surprise twist for those dialers who might not have recognized the Players’ voices. From Bing Crosby’s invitation to listeners to meditate on the glorious scenes to Jimmy Durante’s finale observation that the price of peace and happiness is “work and sacrifice.” “The Triumphant Hour" was a well produced Easter-tide program that likely appealed, to all faiths although the services were of the Catholic church.

(Variety, April 20, 1949)

Baseball never had a more auspicious, inaugural than the one bestowed on it, Sunday night (17th) on CBS when Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dinah Shore, Claudette Colbert and the Crosby kids parlayed their talents into one of the top one shot sixty minute shows of the year. . . . Crosby and Hope were never in finer fettle. The Groaner was in there pitching for the full 60 minutes...One of the sock sequences was a playback of the Claudette Colbert/Crosby four kids baseball routine heard earlier in the season on the Groaner’s transcribed Philco Show. It was as delightful on the reprise as on the initial hearing. The Bing/Dinah dueting of “So In Love,” the latter’s “Forever and Ever,” Crosby’s “Careless Hands” and “When Is Sometime” from Connecticut Yankee, the Bing/Bob parody on “Buttons And Bows” angled on the Pirates-Indians pennant chances, the Dinah/Hope/Crosby Wheaties commercial, these were but a few of the bang-up good ingredients in a show that rates General Mills as sponsor, a pennant all its own.

(Variety, April 20, 1949)

April 18, Monday. (3:15–5:15 p.m., 6:20–7:20 p.m.) In the NBC studios, Bing records a Philco show with Carole Richards and Alec Templeton which airs on May 4.  It has been announced that Bing is to be awarded the Downyflake Donut Award by the National Dunking Association as the radio star whose face is most conducive to dunking and this is mentioned on the show.

April 20, Wednesday. Variety gives details of Bing's latest product. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show and the guests are Walter O’Keefe and Rudy Vallee.

Rudy Vallee and Walter O’Keefe visit Bing Crosby tonight at 9 p.m. over WJTS-ABC to talk about the trio’s early days in show business…One of Walter O’Keefe’s newest compositions, “Hand Holding Music,” a hill-billy ballad gets the full introductory treatment as Bing, Rudy Vallee and O’Keefe sing it for the first time on the air. Rudy Vallee comes in for plenty of kidding from the other two as they rehash their early vaudeville days…

(The Jackson Sun, April 20, 1949)

The Better Mouse Trap?

Bing Crosby's face, which has sold practically everything, is now being used, to peddle mouse traps. Home furnishings stores in New York are featuring posters on which the warbler is pictured with something called the “Trip Trap,” a complicated- looking 39c device guaranteed to be the better mouse trap. Crosby Foundation, in which the crooner is principal stockholder, developed the junior-sized guillotine and owns the patents on it. It’s manufactured for Crosby by a Michigan concern.

(Variety, April 20, 1949)

April 27, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Another transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. Bing’s guests are Peggy Lee and Abe Burrows. The Downyflake Donut Award by the National Dunking Association as the radio star whose face is most conducive to dunking is duly awarded to Bing.

“I’m-a-Singer” Abe Burrows will toss in his pom-pom with “I’m-a-Crooner” Bing Crosby to premiere a college type operetta, titled “Zeta Ate a Theta,” during the comic-type comedian’s third come-back on the WTJS-ABC broadcast of The Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00 p.m. The song satirist’s original operetta will feature a long-grin overture. “Upper Peabody Tech,” and “Victory Song” sung by Bing, Abe, and Peggy Lee, as well as “Delta Delta Tay” and the “High School Song.”

Bing and Peggy will introduce a new be-bop novelty, and Burrows, who is said to sing in Nelson Eddy’s key with Andy Devine’s tonal purity and Archie-of-Duffy’s-Tavern’s diction, will explain be-bop talk. According to Burrows, the expressions “cool, crazy and that’s the most” are commonly translated “fine, wonderful and terrific.”…

During a Bing Crosby rehearsal at ABC, the informality of the session often is highlighted by the unscheduled arrival of other celebrities of radio and films, who drop in to exchange hellos with Der Bingle. At a recent rehearsal, for example, Buddy Clark, Gordon MacRae, Dennis Day and Wingy Manone were individual guests within the space of two hours.

(The Jackson Sun, 27th April, 1949)

May 2, Monday. Bing records a Philco show with Rhonda Fleming and Johnny Mercer which is broadcast on May 18.

Hollywood, May 3.

Bing Crosby chipped a bone in his arm while leaping over fence for scene in Frank Capra’s “Riding High,” and will be out of the shooting for a few days. Arm is heavily bandaged, but he cut his May 18 Philco airshow Monday (2) with Rhonda Fleming and Johnny Mercer.

(Variety, May 4. 1949)

May 4, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) The transcribed Philco Radio Time show and Bing’s guests are Carole Richards and Alec Templeton.

Alec Templeton, a very deft gent at a piano keyboard, and singer Carol Richards will be Bing Crosby’s guests on tonight’s broadcast …Miss Richards, making her first appearance on the show, will fly here from Las Vegas, Nev., where she currently is appearing at “El Bingo” Club, a pleasure den connected neither with Bing nor with the bucolic pastime of the same name. She is well known to most Hollywoodites for her work at the Oasis, where she has performed a number of times during the past three years. Templeton and Bing, a couple of old hands at the badinage business, will trade pleasantries about the world of music as a prelude to a brand new operetta the two agree to collaborate on. During the chit-chat, Templeton will do a song and piano solo version of the popular “I Took My Harp to a Party.” In the second portion of the show, Bing and Miss Richards will salute the vernal urge with “I Like Kissing,” following which Templeton and Bing will do “Far Away Places.”

(The Jackson Sun, 4th May, 1949)

May 6, Friday. Records eight hymns for Decca, with the Ken Darby Choir and organ accompaniment in Hollywood, which are subsequently issued as a ten inch long playing record called “Beloved Hymns.” (10:30-11:00 p.m. EDT) Bing is heard in a special transcribed message to a 30-minute radio program on CBS called The Run for the Roses - the Story of the Kentucky Derby, a preview program before the seventy-fifth running of the Kentucky Derby.

What a Friend We Have In Jesus

Choir and organ support Bing ably as he delivers a beautiful hymn simply, straightforwardly and with deep warmth.

He Leadeth Me

Bing does this hymn with eminent strength and full affection for the chore. Should make for big sales in a quiet way for this Decca Faith disking.

(Billboard, April 8, 1950)

O Lord, I Am Not Worthy

Bing rarely has sung better and with more feeling than he shows on this hymnal selection.

Mother Dear, O Pray for Me

He contributes still another worthy religious effort to the label’s surefire Faith series.

(Billboard, April 15, 1950)

All Hail the Power

The arrangement of the hymn is churchy, and Bing is Bing. Should sell steadily.

Rock of Ages

Another popular hymn rendered robustly by Bing. Another standard for the Groaner.

(Billboard, June 17, 1950)

May 10, Tuesday. Records four songs with Victor Young and his Orchestra and the Jeff Alexander Chorus in Hollywood, including “Sunshine Cake” with Carole Richards. This is followed by a recording session from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. with the Andrews Sisters and Vic Schoen and his Orchestra. On the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, each sister soloed on one of the days.

Sunshine Cake

Another airy novelty number from “Riding High” is done lightly and gayly by Bing with the aid of thrush Richards.

(Billboard, February 18, 1950)

You’re Wonderful

Pretty picture finds the Groaner in fine form. Pic plugging could mean some business here.

(Billboard, February 4, 1950)

May 11, Wednesday. Records four songs, including “The Last Mile Home” and “The Meadows of Heaven” with Victor Young and his Orchestra plus the Ken Lane Singers. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The show has been recorded in San Francisco and the guests are Peggy Lee and Alec Templeton.

For the second successive week, Alec Templeton, the talented and versatile pianist, and singer Peggy Lee will be Bing Crosby’s guests tonight… The two will travel down from Hollywood, a trip made necessary by the fact that Bing is here to shoot a number of scenes for his forthcoming movie, “Ridin’ High,” a picture with a race track theme. Templeton has created a new musical commercial for the San Francisco broadcast, a humorous song-and-piano number which uses for background music a number of well-known “blues” tunes, He wrote the piece at Bing’s suggestion, following the enthusiastic response that greeted a musical commercial he composed for last week’s broadcast, called “Opera Commercial.”

(The Jackson Sun, 11th May, 1949)

The Last Mile Home

Bing evokes plenty of nostalgia with this warm rendition of a sentimental tune. Fine production backing.

Imagination

Crosby is at his best in this etching of a wonderful evergreen.

(Billboard, September 3, 1949)

Turning to the male singers, we find four sides by Bing Crosby, including one of his best of recent times, “The Last Mile Home” (Bruns. 04868), in which he whistles as in days of yore.

(The Gramophone, March, 1952)

I’ll See You in My Dreams

Relaxed Crosby as he tackles a real old favorite and does it up brown.

The Meadows of Heaven

Crosby and a chorus work over a pretty plug melody for attractive results.

(Billboard, November 5, 1949)

May 12, Thursday. Louella O. Parsons reports that the Henry Ginsbergs hosted a small dinner at the Mocambo after the opera the previous week. “Bing Crosby and Dorothy Kirsten, who were among the guests, started singing duets, which were out of this world, but naturally, with those two.”

May 13, Friday. Bing is photographed arriving at North Western Station in Chicago. He plays 27 holes of golf during his brief stay.

May 14, Saturday. At Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Bing watches the Pirates lose 4-3 to the Cardinals.

May 15, Sunday. Plays in an 18-hole exhibition match at Westmoreland Country Club with Johnny Bulla, Bob Goldwater and Irwin D. Wolf. Bing has a 76 on the par 72 course.

May 16, Monday. Bing, Bob Hope, and many other stars take part in a transcribed two-hour radio program Opportunity—An American Watchword which is carried by all four networks at various times to promote the Savings Bond Drive. Bing and Bob take part in a sketch as two miners panning for gold and also sing a parody of “Road to Morocco.” Robert Armbruster conducts the orchestra. (8:30 p.m.) In Pittsburgh, Bing watches a charity game between the Pirates and the Cleveland Indians. The Pirates again lose 4-3.

May 17, Tuesday. Golfs at Oakmont Country Club and has a 78. At night, watches the Pirates beat the Giants 3-2. At each game during his stay in Pittsburgh, Bing takes part in the radio commentary.

May 18, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. The guests are Rhonda Fleming and Johnny Mercer.

Johnny Mercer, a man who would just as soon write a song as sing one, and Rhonda Fleming, currently appearing in the movie, “A Connecticut Yankee,” will be Bing Crosby’s guests on tonight’s broadcast… A pal of Bing's since their days together with Paul Whiteman, Mercer has turned out half a dozen hit tunes, including “Lazybones,” “Spring Is in My Heart,” “While We Danced at the Mardi Gras” and “Pardon My Southern Accent.” Miss Fleming won the job of appearing opposite Bing in “A Connecticut Yankee” by adlibbing a scene with him in a test sequence.

(The Jackson Sun, 18th May, 1949)

May 19, Thursday. In Pittsburgh, Bing and A. B. “Happy” Chandler watch the Boston Braves defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3 to 2. 

May 20, Friday. Starting at 8:30 pm., sees the Pirates beat the Braves 2-1 at Forbes Field.

May 21, Saturday. (1:30 p.m. Bing is again at Forbes Field where he is joined by Edgar Bergen. They watch the Braves beat the Pirates 8-2.

May 22, Sunday. (1:30 p.m.) Watches the Pirates lose 6-5 to Philadelphia in the first match in a double-header. Rain prevents the second game taking place. At night, Bing leaves Pittsburgh for New York.

May 25, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Another transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast and Bing’s guest is Dorothy Kirsten.

We went down to NBC to watch and hear Bing Crosby cut his last radio show for the season, and what fun. There’s always so much clowning around and sometimes several songs sung, that never reach radio audiences by the time the show is edited to meet the half-hour time limit. We had to laugh, being very “clothes conscious,” noting that Crosby, as usual, was wearing his “sloppy shirt motif, hanging carelessly outside his trousers,” but he obviously goes to the trouble of having his droopy drapes monogrammed, yet! Because there were his initials, all neatly hand embroidered on the breast-pocket! Metropolitan Opera star Dorothy Kirsten was on this show with him, and singing like a bird. But, honest, this is what she was wearing! A kelly-green, short-sleeved cocktail dress of heavy silk shantung, with a high back and plunging neckline. A diamond and sapphire necklace (short but lavish with gems), a gold wrist watch and other unimportant gold bracelets, a big topaz and gold ring, and gold kid pumps! Now there’s a combination of clothes, jewels and shoes to be studiously avoided!

(Photoplay, September, 1949)

May 29, Sunday. A 15-minute radio show Guest Star—Bing Crosby #114 is broadcast on behalf of the Treasury Department. It uses songs taken from earlier Philco shows with fresh linking provided by Bing to promote the sale of savings bonds.

May 31, Tuesday. Bing is in New York where he records two Christmas carol medleys with Simon Rady and his Orchestra. These are issued as part of a 78rpm album called "Christmas Greetings". The album reaches the No. 4 spot in the Billboard best-selling album charts.

Crosby single-handed has something of a corner on the Christmas market with his “Merry Christmas” album and “White Christmas”. This new album should widen that corner even more, for Bing is at his best and has the benefit of some top-notch support in the disposition of this collection of a couple of new seasonal pops and a group of familiar carols. A top-notch seasonal package which should stand out head-and-shoulders in sales over most any other new Christmas entry.

(Billboard, November 19, 1949)

June 1, Wednesday. (9:00–9:30 p.m.) Bing’s transcribed Philco Radio Time show is broadcast by ABC. This is his last broadcast for Philco and Bing sings fifteen songs with support from Buddy Cole, Gloria Wood, and Loulie Jean Norman.

Bing Crosby’s final Philco Radio Time before summer vacation sets in finds the Great Groaner offering a solid session of songs, in a recap of the 15 top tunes of the past year. The show, to be heard tonight at 9:00 p.m., will be minus guests, as Crosby, instead of following the usual format of the program, segues from one tune to another. This special “All Crosby” show will have several famous musicians “sitting in” for the occasion. Appearing as regular sidemen will be Ziggy Elman, Red Nicholls, Joe Venuti and Buddy Cole. Lulie Jean Norman and Gloria Wood, both pretty members of the Rhythmaires, will get duet spotlighting on some of the songs.

(The Jackson Sun, 1st June, 1949)

June 3, Friday. Bing arrives in Washington D.C. Meanwhile, a major fire sweeps the range on part of  the Fatjo estate leased by Bing through the Crosby Cattle Co.

June 4, Saturday. Bing takes part in the National Celebrities Golf Tournament, sponsored by the Washington Post, at the Army Navy Country Club, Washington, D.C. Bing’s foursome comprises Sam Snead, General Hoyt Vandenberg, and Baseball Commissioner A. B. “Happy” Chandler. William Randolph Hearst Jr. acts as scorer for Bing’s foursome. A crowd of 8,000 is estimated to be in attendance. Bing has a 77 on the first day and trails Bob Hope, who is playing for the first time and has a 74 to be the leading amateur. In the evening, Bing and Bob appear in a special show emceed by Arthur Godfrey at the Armory.

June 5, Sunday. (12 noon) Bing, Bob Hope, Sam Snead and Lew Worsham assemble on the first tee for the second round of National Celebrities Golf Tournament and, watched by Jane Russell, sing “Home on the Range” together before teeing off. Playing in front of a gallery of 5,000, Bing has a 72 against Hope’s 73 and Hope wins the amateur prize by two shots from Bing. Sam Snead wins the professionals’ prize. Film of the event is included in the Paramount newsreel of June 18.  Bing and Lew Worsham lose 2 down to Sam Snead and Bob Hope in the match between them.

...The unpredictable Crosby, a serious golfing figure in the first day’s play, let himself go yesterday, and hyped it up for his admirers with his impish posing and back talk. Hope too was posturing all over the course, and it was eighteen holes of high comedy.

      Crosby finished perspiring and soaking wet in the warm afternoon in contrast to the quasi-ebullient Hope who was still clowning it on the eighteenth green....Beaten out for the amateur division title by Hope, there was satisfaction for Crosby yesterday, however, in the 72 he shot on the final 18, a stroke better than Hope’s though his bid to wipe out the three stroke lead Hope gained on the first day was futile.

(Shirley Povich, The Washington Post, June 6, 1949)

...But the whole tournament was spiced for golfer and nongolfer alike with fun-making from the tee-off all the way around the course by those kings of comedy, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. They had been up till late on Saturday doing their show at the Armory, but no duo could have been in a merrier mood when Harry Wismer (who enlivened the tournament with his own line of banter as he did his announcing stint) called them out at midday Sunday.

The Washington Post is indebted to Bing Crosby for his self-sacrificing and faithfulness in giving his time and entertainment year after year to this charity program. This year it welcomed Bob Hope among the participants. Bing and Bob gave prodigally of their zany best, neither of them showing the slightest sign of wear and tear, though they put in a couple of days of very hard work. We salute their sportsmanship and envy their golf.

(Editorial in The Washington Post, June 7, 1949)

June 6, Monday. Recording date in New York when Bing sings “The Four Winds and the Seven Seas” and “Make Believe” with Carmen Cavallaro. During his time in New York, Bing is said to visit the Club 21, Toot Shor’s, The Colony, Barberry Room and the Copacabana.

Bing Crosby- Carmen Cavallaro “Four Winds, Seven Seas”-“Make Believe” (Decca). Decca followed Guy Lombardo’s “Four Winds” with one by Crosby. It’s not an improvement. Crosby puts less on the disk than he had on the copy before him. Cavallaro’s piano provides a nice assist. With “Make Believe” he may have something. Old tune sounds good, and while Crosby could have done better, it’s very playable.

(Variety, July 6, 1949)

The Four Winds and the Seven Seas

Der Bingle bites into the hit song with his usual consummate ease and with extra good voice. He is nimbly accompanied by Carmen Cavallaro’s keyboarding rhythm section. Should grab a good portion of the big coin headed in the direction of this song.

(Billboard, July 2, 1949)

June 10, Friday. Has departed for a fishing trip in Gaspe Bay, Newfoundland. En route he and his party (including Bill Morrow) stop at Van Buren, Maine but the hotel is fully booked. After a meal they set out for Restigouche, New Brunswick, 90 miles away.

June 12, Sunday. The fishing trip has been successful with them taking ten fresh run Atlantic salmon from the Cascapedia River, which is 50 miles north of Campbelton, New Brunswick. Bing's largest salmon weighs 28 pounds. On their way back, Bing's party stays overnight at the Halfway House in Houlton, Maine.

June 13, Monday. Leaving Houlton at 5 a.m. Bing's party calls in at Judson House in Unity, Maine for breakfast. Press reports list Bing’s 1948 salary from Paramount as $375,638.

June 17, Friday. Back in New York, Bing records “The Iowa Indian Song” and “Way Back Home” with Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians. “Way Back Home” charts briefly at No. 21.

‘Way Back Home

If it hadn’t been for “Mule Train,” this one would have swept at once. As it is, its success has only been delayed a bit. Song, an oldie, is a natural, and the Bing-Waring team do it mightily.

The Iowa Indian Song

Bing makes strong medicine, with the Waring council whooping and tom-toming.

(Billboard, December 3, 1949)

Bing Crosby, who nowadays affects a glissando of which I don’t approve, has four new songs, “Iowa Indian Song” (which is very well done; it sounds like a genuine Red Indian melody) and “Way Back Home,” with clever lyrics and easy, catchy tune. 

(The Gramophone, March, 1950)

June 19, Sunday. Bing flies by plane for the first time since the end of the war to return to Hollywood.

June 20, Monday. Bing films added scenes for Top O’ the Morning.

June 21, Tuesday. In Hollywood, Bing records songs from the film Top o’ the Morning amongst others with Victor Young and his Orchestra and the Jeff Alexander Chorus. The "Top o' the Morning" songs are included in a Decca album

Bing Crosby “You're In Love With Someone”-”Top of The Morning”; “Oh, Tis Sweet To Think”- “The Donovans” (Decca). Four tunes from Bing’s forthcoming “Top O’ 'The Morning” film. Top jock, juke and sales sides are the first two, by Johnny Burke-Van Heusen. “Someone” is a swell ballad with a sharp chance at hit-dom, and Crosby does it with rare touch. It stands out. “Morning” is a light rhythm item with an Irish tang. “Sweet to Think” a slow ballad dueted with an unbilled female, and “Donovans” one of those infectious Irish tunes. They’re okay. Jeffry Alexander Chorus and Victor Young’s orchestra accompany.

(Variety, August 24, 1949)

Oh, ‘Tis Sweet to Think

Bing and the fem lead from “Top o’ the Morning” do an art song—lyrics by Thomas Moore—charmingly. Not for the masses.

The Donovans

More from the score—and as Irish as Barry Fitzgerald’s phiz. Special stuff—may appeal in the Gaelic nabes.

You’re in Love with Someone

A Burke-Van Heusen pop from “Top o’ the Morning” gets the tender treatment from Bing.

Top o’ the Morning

Irish and quaint as all get-out is the title tune, a small lesson in Gaelic a la Berlitz,

(Billboard, September 17, 1949)

The Horse Told Me

Novelty item from Bing’s coming flick, “Riding High,” may score sales to those seeing the film.

(Billboard, February 18, 1950)

June 23, Thursday. Records the Ichabod (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) story for commercial release by Decca. Victor Young and his Orchestra provide support. Later, Bing and his four sons are reported to catch the Union Pacific’s “City of Los Angeles” for Salt Lake City and from there they go to the Elko ranch. Press coverage is seen about an oil well, partly owned by Bing and Bob Hope, at North Snyder Pool, Scurry County in West Texas being a “duster” and it is to be plugged and abandoned. It is later said that Bing and Bob had invested $50,000 each in the venture. They are persuaded to invest a further $50,000 each in a continued search for oil.

Ichabod

Ditty from the Disney “Ichabod and Mr. Toad” flick gets a manly try from Bing, but doesn’t register as a potential pop item.

It’s More Fun Than a Picnic

An unballyhooed light waltz novelty from “As the Girls Go” is done deftly and airily by Cros and a vocal group—but doesn’t wallop.

(Billboard, September 3, 1949)

Album and LP Reviews

Ichabod – Decca DAU-725

Combination of familiar elements should eliminate any sales-resistance to this package. There’s Bing, Disney, Washington Irving, even a Victor Young score. As an actual kiddie special, the material doesn’t match the “Mr. Toad” portion from the same cartoon feature. But for older children, this breezy, hip adaptation, and Bing’s ditto projection should prove thoroly winning. Portions of the songs are woven in, and adults too will find plenty of entertainment here. The package itself is attractive, and pictures together with portions of the tale are inside the folder. Also available as one side of an LP disking.

(Billboard, December 24, 1949)

June 24, Friday. Bing, as honorary mayor, officially opens the second annual Silver State Stampede in Elko.

June 24–August 10. Bing is at his Spring Creek ranch near Elko with his sons and Bill Morrow. During their time there, a camera crew arrives to film a trailer for Top O' the Morning. Bing takes his sons on to Hayden Lake after the roundup and branding is completed.

Another Elkoan, Louise Botsford (Mrs. Jess), worked as a cook for the summers of 1949 through 1952 on the Spring Creek Ranch. In the spring of 1949 it was the Crosby ranch’s turn to provide the chuckwagon for roundup and branding. . . . So Johnny introduced me to Mr. Crosby and Gary, Dennis and Phillip. Then Johnny told them they’d better get washed up with the rest of the men. We had a bucket of water from the crick for washing up. I didn’t know what Crosby would do, but he and the boys took their turn just as nice as you please. Then they all went through the line and filled their plates. Gary tended to be heavy and he had to talk his dad into letting him have two hot rolls with his meal. . . . They all visited with the men, just as common as you please. . . .”

      Jess had a heart attack while working for Bing and was hospitalized in Elko, unable to work for some time. Crosby kept him on the payroll, paid all his medical bills and found more appropriate work for him when he returned to the ranch. Bing also paid all their expenses for two trips to California to see a heart specialist.

(Bing Crosby and Elko, page 70)

One hunting trip that included Bill Morrow, Bing’s writer, kept the men out overnight and they all gathered pine boughs for their beds. Morrow wanted to bed down with the other men and Bing told him, “No you snore. You have to sleep with the horses.” He snored so loudly that Oldham smacked him with a pine branch, and Bing complained, “Oh hell! Now he’s just shifted gears.”

(Bing Crosby and Elko, page 72)

June 30, Thursday. President Truman tries to calm the anti-Communist hysteria which is sweeping the U.S.A.

July 7, Thursday.  Bing writes to Lew Brott in Gloversville, New York. Mr. Brott had received press coverage because he was tired of seeing property for rent advertised as “Adults only”. He had decided to offer his three apartments to families with children only, the more children the less rent.

Thank you for your letter depicting the rent situation in Gloversville, and indicating your very broadminded handling of this condition. You are definitely a man whose approach to the problems of life deserves universal applause.

I am not surprised to learn that in the old days Sam Goldwyn was always shy in the ante. Since he’s been in the picture business his conduct indicates he is definitely a tender man with a dollar.

My warmest regards to yourself, and thank you for the picture and the letter.

Sincerely yours, Bing Crosby

July 12, Tuesday. Forms Bing Crosby–Jayson Inc. with F. Jacobson and Sons Inc. (who specialize in shirts, sportswear, and pajamas). The latter company is to produce and distribute merchandise for the new corporation. At some stage, Bing prepares a special promotional record for the new venture’s salesmen to encourage them for their fall season.

July 21, Thursday. Fishes at Clear Lakes, near Buhl, Idaho with Sib Kleffner.

July 26, Tuesday. (8:00-8:15 p.m. PST) Bing and Ann Blyth take over from Bill Lawrence and Kay Starr for one show as hosts of the Chesterfield sponsored radio program The Supper Club. This is probably Bing’s first appearance for Chesterfield under his new contract and he plugs his forthcoming series due to start September 21 as well as his film Top O' The Morning..

August 9, Tuesday. An oil well in the North Snyder Pool, partly owned by Bing and Bob Hope, strikes a gusher capable of producing one hundred barrels an hour.

August 10, Wednesday. Bing calls in to see his friend Sib Kleffner in Boise, Idaho en route to Hayden Lake. He is accompanied by his four sons and Bill Morrow. They also meet up with Herman Welker.

August 11, Thursday. Bing and his sons plus Bill Morrow arrive in Spokane in two cars en route to their vacation at Hayden Lake. He has rented the E. J. Gibson home at Hayden Lake. Bing is photographed fishing in Garfield Bay on Lake Pend Oreille with Bill Morrow and Jess Puckett.

August 12, Friday. Golfs with Herb Rotchford.

August 14, Sunday. Bing and his sons attend the annual "mug hunters" two-ball foursome and beach party on the shores of Hayden Lake. Singing around the bonfire to the accompaniment of Bing's ukulele continues until the early hours.

August 15, Monday. (10:30-11:00 p.m. PST) Bing sings “Happy Birthday” in a radio tribute on ABC to Ethel Barrymore on her seventieth birthday and her fiftieth year in show business.

August 19, Friday. Starting at 9:06 a.m., plays in the first round of the Esmeralda Golf Tournament sponsored by Spokane Athletic Round Table with Buck Bailey (Washington State baseball coach) and Ed (Porky) Oliver at Hayden Lake Golf Club. Bing comes to grief at the ninth hole in the sand traps and instructs his caddie to pick up his ball thus automatically disqualifying him from the tournament.

August 20, Saturday. Dines with friends at the Clark House.

August 21, Sunday. Bing presents the trophies at the annual junior horse show at Hayden Lake Stables. His son Dennis wins the Western Horsemanship Class. As he presents the trophy, Bing comments, “For a Crosby to come in first on a horse is something of a novelty.”

August 23, Tuesday. Golfs with Herb Rotchford at Hayden Lake Golf Club.

August 24, Wednesday. (8:30 p.m.) Bing and his sons, together with their male friends, the Herb Rotchford family, play in a benefit softball match at the Memorial Athletic Field, Coeur d’Alene to aid a school building project. A crowd of 2000 see Bing playing at second base. Gary Crosby hits a “mighty homer.” A total of $1156 is raised for the cause.

August 26. Friday. Bing is the honor guest at a party given by Spokane Civic Theater at the Clark House.

August 28, Sunday. Golfs with Bud Ward, Roy Moe and Irv Cornell at Shoshone Country Club, Idaho, in a 9-hole competition sponsored by Wallace Gyro Club for the Civic Auditorium Athletic Equipment Fund. An estimated 1000 persons watch the proceedings.

August 31, Wednesday. The New York premiere of Bing’s film Top o’ the Morning takes place.

All things being considered, especially the memorable success of Paramount’s “Welcome Stranger” and its incomparable “Going My Way,” it naturally stood to reason that Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald would eventually drift together in another sentimental comedy. And it was almost as certain to turn out as one of Biddy O’Devlin’s prophecies that this highly potential encounter should occur in an Irish locale. After all, Ireland is a region which no studio can too long avoid, and Mr. Fitzgerald has a nature which fits rather snugly with that scene.

Paramount plainly had no interest in resisting the spur of destiny. “Top o’ the Morning,” the inevitable, opened at the Paramount Theatre yesterday. And all those band - wagon Hibernians who like to picture Ireland as a land of eloquent talk and superstitions, bright-eyed colleens and Mr. Fitzgeralds, plus a great lot of singing and dancing, should find it entirely to their taste.

For a couple of Paramount’s wandering minstrels, Edmund Beloin and Richard Breen, have fashioned a story for it which drops all the elements in place, and a fine cast of light-hearted people have talked it and played it cheerfully. The story is that someone has stolen the Blarney Stone and an American insurance investigator has been sent to find out who. (Obviously this doesn’t stand to reason, but what’s that got to do with the price of ale?)

In Ireland, this lightly snooping fellow—who is Mr. Crosby, of course—encounters a highly suspicious elder member of the Civil Guard, a delightfully foolish old codger, whom, naturally, Mr. Fitzgerald plays. But, more intriguing to his romantic interest, he encounters the latter’s daughter and Biddy O’Devlin’s dark predictions about a stranger who will come from the land’s end and will first appear at the stream of Donal-a-Durrus with a sword the color of blood.

Well, let’s allow that the sorcery is a little bit on the sticky side and that it leads to a helter-skelter climax which is quite as mystifying as some of Biddy’s brogue. Let’s allow, too, that the pay-off is reached through a grinding run downhill and that a lot of mangled shamrocks and tarnished emeralds are left by the way.

Nevertheless, Mr. Crosby wends a happy and comfortable course through the whole incredible proceedings, taking complacently in stride the fitful abuse of Mr. Fitzgerald and the romantic rue of Ann Blyth. As a matter of fact, his disposition toward the local concern with the occult is the one blithesome factor in the picture which makes this pretension tolerable. And his natural way with a wise-crack brightens many a darkening spot.

Likewise, Mr. Fitzgerald is deliciously humorous in his busy displays of self-importance and police authority. And of course, he is simply stunning when he comes within range of a pint of ale. His weaker moments in this picture are when his countenance shapes a sluice for tears and when he has to slide into the background as part of the atmosphere. But Miss Blyth’s light and cheerful person is generally somewhere nearby to help Mr. Crosby keep the picture from becoming utterly maudlin and banal.

As the little Blarney-blessed maiden who listens raptly to prediction and love, Miss Blyth has a happy facility for playing right along with Bing. Her smile and her demure demeanor turneth away many a mocking laugh, and she pleasantly feeds the great man openings for highly chucklesome gags. As Mr. Fitzgerald’s dull assistant, Hume Cronyn is profitable, too, and Eileen Crowe, Jimmy Hunt and Morgan Farley are pat in other Irish roles.

The songs—of which, naturally, there are several—run pretty much to the old airs, with Bing and collaborators warbling “Beautiful Kitty” and “The Donovans” most aptly. The title song, “Top o’ the Morning,” and “You’re in Love with Someone,” both new, are adequate to the occasion—which is adequate, in turn, to a lot of fun.

(Bosley Crowther, New York Times, September 1, 1949)

Bing Crosby, after two lush Technicolored musicals, has been handed a light, frothy and more moderately budgeted picture by Paramount to cavort in, which should put him once more at the top of that studio’s breadwinning list.

      …Under David Miller’s light-handed direction, Crosby and the rest of the cast fall right into the spirit of the story. Groaner, despite his having to play to a gal (Ann Blyth) who is so obviously younger, is socko. His easy way with a quip, combined with his fine crooning of some old Irish tunes and a couple of new ones, is solid showmanship.

      …Johnny Burke and James Van Heusen have cleffed two bright new tunes for the film, both of which, with Crosby to introduce them, should get plenty of play. “You’re in Love with Someone,” a ballad, has the edge but the other, “Top O’ the Morning,” has the lilt that Crosby fans go for. Crooner also gets a chance to dispense a round of traditional Irish airs, ranging from “Irish Eyes” to the lesser-known but more sprightly variety.

(Variety, July 20, 1949)

September 1, Thursday. Arrives by car at Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta, Canada with George Coleman.

September 5, Monday. Bing and his friend George Coleman play in the qualifying round for the Totem Pole golf tournament at Jasper Park. Coleman wins the qualifying round while Bing only just manages to qualify for the competition proper with an eighty-two.

September 6, Tuesday. Bing beats Frank Dunn of Seattle four and three in the first round of the Totem Pole tournament. Elsewhere, a compilation film Down Memory Lane is released which features lengthy excerpts from Bing’s film shorts for Mack Sennett. Steve Allen acts as the link man.

[The film] provides personalities extending from the Keystone Cops to the then young Bing Crosby. . . . Bulk of this feature is made up of shorts starring Crosby in his salad days. These shorts have faded more quickly than the one in which the Keystone Cops roared to the rescue in their 1915 flivvers. While the early films have a genuine antique flavor, the Crosby shorts of the early 1930s are just plain old-fashioned. They’re good for some mild laughs only. Crosby’s vocalizing on a flock of oldies, however, is pleasant to take.

(Variety, September 14, 1949)

September 7, Wednesday. In the second round of the Totem Pole Golf Tournament, Bing plays F. J. McFarland and wins six and five. (6:30 p.m.) In front of a crowd of 700, Bing turns the first sod for a new Memorial Hall to be built under the auspices of the Canadian Legion in Jasper.

The applause was deafening when Bing Crosby rose to speak, and there was no doubt in the minds of those present that he was a very welcome guest. “Here I am again,” said Mr. Crosby, “and that is testimony that I am happy in Jasper, and who wouldn’t be?”

“Yippee” shouted a small boy perched high on a pine tree. “Yippee” called back Mr. Crosby. A Philco radio to be raffled for the building fund and a check for $1,000 was Mr. Crosby’s donation. “It might buy a wash basin or something” he said.

(Western Signal—Edson Alberta, September 8, 1949)

Bing goes on to the Legion Smoker at 8:00 p.m. where he is presented with a “Certificate of Merit” from the Jasper branch of the Canadian Legion.

Bing, in his usually friendly way replied to the presentation, interweaving a few appropriate stories and ended up singing “An Irish Lullaby” as only he can sing it. He was accompanied at the piano by William Watson Sr. A life member of the legion, 81-year-old Jack Dayre presented Bing with a hand carved cane as a memento of the sod turning. Bing and his party had to leave at this time and he was given three hearty cheers.

(Western Signal—Edson Alberta, September 15, 1949)

September 8, Thursday. In the Totem Pole Golf Tournament at Jasper Park, Bing wins his next match against Harold Staff, one up.

September 9, Friday. In the semi-final of the Totem Pole Golf Tournament, Bing wins his match against Carl Haymond of Tacoma, two and one.

September 10, Saturday. George Coleman beats Bing four and three in the thirty-six hole final of the Totem Pole competition.

September 14, Wednesday. Press coverage indicates that Bing has purchased the luxurious E. J. Gibson Point house on Hayden Lake, Idaho. The purchase price is estimated at $75,000. Bing and his sons had recently spent some time vacationing in the house. Bing departs for Hollywood on this day with Basil Grillo who had joined him in Coeur d’Alene to complete the property transaction.

September 18/19, Sunday/Monday. In the CBS Studios in Hollywood, Bing records two Chesterfield shows with Peggy Lee and Abe Burrows which air on September 21 and October 12.

September 21, Wednesday. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) The new transcribed radio program The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield begins on CBS. The guests are Peggy Lee and Abe Burrows. Ken Carpenter, Jud Conlon’s Rhythmaires, and the John Scott Trotter Orchestra continue as regulars. Broadcasts take place on Wednesday nights until May 24, 1950. During the season the audience share is 18.0 which puts Bing in ninth place overall for evening programs. The top position is held by the Jack Benny show with a rating of 25.3. The ratings are now collected by the AC Nielsen company which uses the audiometer, a mechanical black box inserted into a radio set to record stations being listened.

CBS’s pay-off year in the wake of Bill Paley’s Capital Gains maneuvers rolled into high gear last Wednesday (21st) when Bing Crosby, now waving the Chesterfield banner, officially unveiled the transferred ‘Bing’s Day’ on the Columbia kilocycles. The Bingo’s smooth rolling package is now sandwiched between Groucho Marx and Burns & Allen’s. A triumvirate that stacks up as Hooper-happy as anything on the Paley program agenda with the possible exception of the Jack Benny - Amos ‘n’ Andy - Edgar Bergen - Red Skelton, Sunday night parlay.

      Granted, that to many and possibly to Crosby himself, judging from his capacity to kid himself on the subject - the Groaner isn’t groaning in those same superlative keys as of yore. Yet, Wednesday night 9.30 on CBS is currently as jam-packed with entertainment as those Thursday night whirls on NBC’s Kraft Music Hall when Crosby was presiding over its destinies or, Wednesday at 9 on ABC, last semester, when Philco was picking up the expensive tab. For the Crosby touch is unmistakably there.

      If there was a niggardly contribution in the vocal department, as was apparent on last week’s preem, El Bingo has the flair to compensate for it in the banter division. He can still flip off those casual lines as no one else in the business, be it with the perennial Ken Carpenter to bring some delightful nuances to the otherwise old hat Paley CBS saga or with guest star, Abe Burrows (latter, incidentally, demonstrating here as on his own weekly CBS show, that you can parlay originality and the ‘common touch’ for boff comedy results). Peggy Lee, along with Burrows, was an added starter for the getaway program and the three way clowning through a Burrow’s Canadian wood’s type song was grand listening, with Crosby’s warbling of “Mr. Moon” and Miss Lee’s “Lake Louise” vocal contributions as the topper. The Crosby/Lee team up for “Maybe” (sic) was a surefire finale. John Scott Trotter’s music continues as a valuable asset.

(Variety, September 28, 1949)     

Bing’s back and all’s right with the airwaves. Sparked by the crooner’s mellow mike manners and a showmanly assist from guest stars Peggy Lee and Abe Burrows, the preem show sailed along effortlessly in the warm, relaxed groove so characteristic of the groaner. Master of the throw-away, Crosby opened up with a breezy line of chatter and got the most out of a running gag about his brother Everett running the grease concession during the channel swimming hullabaloo. He also touched lightly upon his return to the CBS network after a length sojourn at NBC. “Pure sentiment,” explained Bing. “My first radio show was on CBS. Mr. Paley made the coffee and I swept out the station.”

      High spot of the broadcast, tho, was Abe Burrows’ tongue-in-cheek take-off on a “Nelson-type Eddy” musical tagged Salute to the Canadian Rockies. Crosby warbled the “loudmouthed baritone” role, Burrows played Pierre, a native guide, and Miss Lee turned up later as a singing “naturegirl.” It was top-drawer satire.

      Musically the airer was equally fine, Crosby ambled thru a ballad, Katrina, and a lyrical Irish ditty from his latest flicker, Top o’ the Morning, with able backing by the Rhythmaires. Then he joined the personable Peggy Lee for some smooth dueting on Maybe It’s Because.

      The crooner did all right by new sponsor, Chesterfield, too. He put in a powerful personal pitch for the cigs early in the show and chimed in later with a convincing ad lib comment on Ken Carpenter’s slick commercial (i.e., “It’s my cigarette, too.”)

(June Bundy, Billboard, October 1, 1949)

September 22, Thursday. Bing sends a telegram to disc jockey Jack Eigen at the Copacabana club in New York.

Dear Jack: Good luck. I just hope you didn’t break any of my platters in making your new move. Even though I work for Paramount and have just switched to CBS hope this will not prejudice me when I want to visit you. Bing Crosby

September 24, Saturday. (7:00-7:45 p.m.) In CBS Studio "B", Bing records another Chesterfield show with Abe Burrows and Peggy Lee which airs on September 28.

September 25, Sunday. (6:15-6:30 p.m.) Bing appears on the Louella Parsons radio program.

September 26, Monday. (6:00–7:00 p.m.) Bing stars in a Lux Radio Theater version of The Emperor Waltz with Ann Blyth, Willard Waterman, Alan Reed and Arthur Q. Bryan on CBS. Louis Silvers leads the orchestra.

Bing Crosby will make his first visit to “Radio Theater” in four years, when he recreates his original screen role in “Emperor Waltz” opposite Ann Blyth at 10 o'clock over CBO. Host William Keighley will supervise the production while Louis Silvers will arrange and conduct the musical comedy's diversified score, which includes old favorites such as “I Kiss Your Hand, Madame,” new hits like “Friendly Mountains,” and a generous helping of traditional Strauss waltzes. “Emperor Waltz” is a delightful confection which blends humor, fantasy, and romance. The plot concerns the parallel love stories of a pair of human beings and a pair of dogs, the female in case an aristocrat, and the male a commoner.

(The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Canada, September 26, 1949)

September 28, Wednesday. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast on CBS. The show has been recorded and the guests are Peggy Lee and Abe Burrows.

The combined efforts of Bing Crosby, Abe Burrows and recording star Peggy Lee have produced rare entertainment that should haunt the Bard of Avon. This week’s Bing Crosby program features Burrows’ “Ham Omelette” with Crosby and Lee in the romantic lead. Any similarity between the operetta and “Hamlet” is purely intentional.

(The Tampa Times, 28th September, 1949)

October 1, Saturday. In the CBS Studios, Bing records a Chesterfield show with Judy Garland which airs on October 5.

October 5, Wednesday. The Walt Disney cartoon The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad is released by RKO Radio Pictures. Bing narrates and sings the story of Ichabod while Basil Rathbone reads the story of Mr. Toad.

…The second half of the film is dominated by Bing Crosby’s sound-track personality. In this hoked-up version of the Sleepy Hollow legend, Crosby handles all the narration, plays all the characters and neatly renders a couple of spook-tunes with the Rhythmaires accompanying, While this cartoon lacks the class of “Mr. Toad.” it is still firstrate and will probably be the pic’s major b.o. draw, chiefly because of Crosby. Also, the story is more familiar and the caricature of that fabulous and frightened schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, is drawn in a more immediately recognisable comic vein. The sequence in which Ichabod meets the Headless Horseman in the forest, incidentally, matches anything Disney has ever done in the way of terrifying the younger set. The tinting of both yarns is skillfully keyed to the tone of each yarn. While “Mr. Toad” is drawn in soft pastels, the Ichabod yarn is swept by full, contrasty colors. In both cases, it pars Disney’s standard for excellence.

(Variety, August 24, 1949)

As a craftsman who had strayed slightly from his chosen field, Walt Disney is to be congratulated on his return to the realm of pure animation in “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad,” which arrived at the Mayfair on Saturday. For in this, his latest feature and one in which a supporting cast of “live” players is refreshingly absent, Mr. Disney, abetted by his staff, such perfect narrators as Bing Crosby and Basil Rathbone, and a pair of durable literary works, has fashioned a conclave of cartoon creatures, which, by and large, have the winsome qualities and charm of such noted creations as “Mickey Mouse,” “Dumbo,” et al.

This is not to report that Mr. Disney has reached perfection in “Ichabod.” He is still short of the mark. The “human” figures in these “adventures” are stilted, awkward creations and second cousins to Snow White, her Prince and other “people” in the dossier who were not an especial tribute to Disney and his animators. But in “Mr. Toad” he has limned a wondrously blithe bucko from Kenneth Grahame’s “The Wind in the Willows.” And he has surrounded him with a crew to warm the cockles of the hearts of both the young and the old.

In unfolding his story, the producer is merely presenting two yarns, the first of which is “Mr. Toad,” a frog, it may be remembered, whose utter disregard of his fortune and estate, Toad Hall, is the despair of his boon buddies, the Mole, Water Rat and Mac Badger Mr. J. Thaddeus Toad epitomizes his “positive mania for fads” by careening around the countryside in a “yellow gypsy cart” drawn by Cyril, as whacky a steed as has every galloped into a Disney horizon.

He follows this antic by buying a hot car through the simple expedient of selling Toad Hall to a gang of weasels. Although he is jailed, his friend Cyril manages his escape, and the final denouement, the film’s high point in hilarity, should even get laughs from cynics and realists well into the age of reason.

Basil Rathbone’s clipped narration is entirely in keeping with the tone of this fairy tale of rural England. Water Rat, the epitome of the genteel but stuffy country “gentleman”; Mac Badger, the irascible but kindly manager of Toad Hall, and Mole, a timorous, shy and loyal bumpkin, are creations equal to the best in the Disney zoo.

Although Mr. Crosby states that the “colonies” also produced a few notable characters in his introduction to “Old Icky,” the tale of Ichabod Crane lacks the subtlety and satirical bite of its predecessor. Following the “facts” as relayed by Diedrich Knickerbocker to Washington Irving, the saga of the lanky, pin-headed “posturing pedagogue” is related almost literally and in broad splashy sequences.

A few scenes, such as Ichabod’s comic courting of Katrina van Tassel, the beauteous belle of Sleepy Hollow, and the dance at her Dutch farmstead, have wit and imagination. But that famous scene where the gullible and terrified Yankee schoolmaster, astride his bony nag, is chased through the Hollow by the Headless Horseman may be as terrifying to youngsters as any previous Disney hair-raiser.

The amiable Mr. Crosby’s narration and the couple of songs he casually tosses in with the assistance of the Rhythmaires, is smooth and professional. The same may be said of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” It, too, is smooth and professional but it lacks the inventiveness and genuine whimsey of “Mr. Toad.”

But the credits outweigh the debits and Mr. Disney has included enough elements of entertainment to make his newest film package a solid entertainment.

 (New York Times, October 10, 1949)

In the second episode, Bing Crosby introduces the Sleepy Hollow legend as if it were a new brand of breakfast cereal. And factually true to Irving though it remains, the resulting narrative is just about as tasteless as the Crosby prelude. . . . [The] “headless horseman” [is] likely to scare children.

(Newsweek, November 10, 1949)

(6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast on CBS. The show has been recorded and the guest is Judy Garland.

Program Profile

Preparations for a broadcast of the "Bing Crosby Program," are as casual and lacking in stress and strain as the finished product that you hear on the air. The groundwork is begun when Bing and his producer-writer, Bill Morrow, have their first huddle to develop a central idea for a program - and the inspiration may come when they are on the golf course, swimming, at the races or playing a sizzling game of gin rummy. The next move is to fit a guest star to the idea, rather than sign a personality strictly because he or she is particularly "hot" at the moment. Guests for the first four programs, for instance, were, Judy Garland and CBS comedian Abe Burrows; and song stylist Peggy Lee.

The objective always is to produce a good show rather than provide a showcase for talent that someone else thinks is ripe for an appearance with Der Bingle. This rule also applies to regulars who are under contract, such as The Rhythmaires, vocalists Peggy Lee and Carol Richards. They'll appear when they fit definitely into the show idea.

With program idea and guest star settled, Morrow retires to his abode and whips out a "rough" on his typewriter, keeping constantly in touch with Crosby as the script develops. Quite frequently, Bing takes the first draft of the script and inserts some whimsies and flamboyant phrases of his own. During the actual pre-broadcast taping of a show, Crosby often is moved to wander away from the prepared dialogue and launch into an eloquent dissertation. However, he always gets back to the script to give the right cue to a performer who has the next speech.

The shows always are rehearsed in segments - no "dress." John Scott Trotter rehearses his bandmen the day before the taping and the cast has an informal script-reading session on the day it is transcribed. This is done in a thoroughly relaxed fashion, around a table in a room offstage. There may be some clowning but it has to be good, and brief.

All the songs are then pre-recorded, and Crosby carefully makes his selection from his platters and those of guest singers. Yet, in the long run, the renditions made for the tape may prove the most effective.

The days have long passed when they attempted to create the illusion that there were no studio visitors. As it is, announcer Ken Carpenter comes on stage before the show and introduces Bing with a few snide remarks. Crosby bids the visitors welcome in his own fashion (and in his own careless clothes), whereupon he tells the "live" audience that they are a part of the proceedings and that their applause will be welcomed.

Murdo McKenzie, co-producer, gives the opening cue from the control room and the show is on the air. From there on in, there rarely is a fluff, but if there is, Bing makes capital of it for an impromptu gag.

(Radio Best magazine, January 1950, pages 59-60)

October 10, Monday. Bing records a Chesterfield show in San Francisco with Peggy Lee and Frank Fay. The show airs on October 19.

October 11, Tuesday. Bing is still in San Francisco and is photographed with dancers Leo Lincoln and Louise Greco at the Mark Hopkins Hotel.

October 12, Wednesday. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) Another Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast on CBS. The show has been recorded and Bing’s guest is Peggy Lee. Bing goes to see Joe Frisco’s opening night in San Francisco.

When Bing Crosby was in town he cut a guest spot with Bill Weaver for “Waitin’ for Weaver” and another with Jim Grady for “This is San Francisco.” Cutting was done in the afternoon for next day’s release. When El Bingo heard the release would be at 6:15 and 8:00 ayem, he said he guessed he’d miss hearing himself.

(Radio Daily, November 4, 1949)

October 18, Tuesday. In the CBS Studios in Hollywood, Bing records a Chesterfield show with Lum and Abner which airs on October 26.

No one was smoother on the air than Bing Crosby, but even his professional nonchalance was put to the test at least once. Writer Hal Kanter remembers one night in the late 1940s. “We were actually taping the show and while they were on stage, I was sitting in Bing’s dressing room writing the tag, the good nights… Finally Ken Carpenter was doing the last commercial when Bill walked out on stage with the script and carbon copies; he had made a change in one in pencil and was literally handing copies out to Bing, to the guest star and whoever else had something to say, and then slipped Ken’s carbon copy under the copy he was reading. . . . I guess he [Bing] and Ken were about the only two people I know who could carry a thing like that off and not be rattled by it.”

(The Great American Broadcast, page 284)

Every performer had enormous respect and affection for our star. Bing could be an engaging conversationalist, the consummate gentleman, tactful, witty, easygoing and thoroughly professional in his work. He expected the same from his employees…

      Working conditions with the Crosby show from the very beginning became the yardstick by which I was to measure all subsequent assignments, most of which were no match for the pleasant model Crosby and Morrow set with Bill’s coproducer, Murdo MacKenzie. Murdo was an audio engineer who helped develop the tape recorder after serving many years in the broadcast booth. The quiet, handsome Murdo, who married one of Bing’s favorite singers, Trudy Erwin, always wore a jacket, shirt and tie to work. Bing never did. His casual wardrobe inspired many remarks like Clifton Webb’s putdown of Bing’s Hawaiian shirt: "It looks like a tattoo I once had removed from a maiden aunt of mine.”

      It was great fun writing for Bing, who seldom questioned our material, even when we poked fun at his baseball team, his family, his race horses, real estate, oil wells, movies or his rapidly receding hairline.

      …Bing was the king of cool. There is only one instance I recall him losing it [as described above in The Great American Broadcast]. . . . Later, backstage, Crosby said to me, “Never do that again. Never.” The look in his blue eyes was the father of the laser beam. There may still be a hole in the wall behind where I stood.

(Hal Kanter, one of Bing’s scriptwriters, writing in his book So Far, So Funny)

October 19, Wednesday. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast on CBS. The show has been recorded in San Francisco and the guests are Peggy Lee and Frank Fay.

The fragile humor of Frank Fay (if we dared to venture a pun we'd call it fey humor) will be given one of its all too infrequent airings when the comedian visits Bing Crosby on his weekly show a t 9:30 tonight, CBS-WGBS. Fay, of course, is the former vaudeville star and now-and-then radio player who has had such amazing success as the rabbit's tippling pal in “Harvey”- though amazing isn't really the word when you consider the adroitness of Fay's delivery. In his visit tonight, he’ll concentrate on talking apart the lyrics of Bing's theme song, “When the Blue of the Night,” and other popular airs. Assisting musically will be Peggy Lee, vocalist, and Les Paul, guitarist, accompanied by John Scott Trotter's orchestra.

(The Miami Herald, 19th October, 1949)

October–December. Films Mr. Music with Nancy Olson, Charles Coburn, Ruth Hussey, and Robert Stack. The director is Richard Haydn with Van Cleave as musical director. Vocal arrangements are by Joseph J. Lilley. Bing thinks the title presumptuous.

Joe Lilley, who conducts the recording sessions, has worked with Bing since 1940 and is as acquainted with his singing habits as anyone in the music business.

“Bing is the easiest singer in the world to write an arrangement for,” Joe says. “He has a normal singing range of nearly an octave and a half, and there isn’t a note that he cannot hit within it. I used to tell him that with one more octave, he’d be a piano. And Bing is not restricted to any one singing style. For Mr. Music, I wrote a duet finale for Bing to sing with Dorothy Kirsten - in operatic baritone range. Under Bing’s part, I simply wrote, ‘Belt it!’ He almost knocked the soundman off his chair.”

(From an article in Modern Screen magazine, April, 1951)

Although Bing Crosby and I had not been introduced, I observed him many times on the lot – walking along dressing room row, entering the commissary, visiting the sets he worked on. My impression was always the same. He was crystal cool, surrounded by an entourage of undistinguished cronies who laughed too quickly at his quips, opened doors for him, moved his chair, and walked a pace and a half behind him. Bing kept the distance between them with just a glance from his icy blue eyes.

Although Mr. Music was a blend of getting to know a talented and extremely complex man, Bing Crosby, working in an atmosphere of fun and warmth, and starting a new romance [with Alan Jay Lerner] in my life. Unfortunately, I was much too young to play opposite Bing, which contributed negatively to the end result. In fact, everyone treated me as if I were a charming child whom they were fascinated with as well as very protective of. Bing surprised me with real warmth – never flirting, only appreciating and teaching. He was an utter pro. I attended some of the recording sessions for the songs in the movie, and he seemed to be so at ease and knew exactly how he wanted each song to be. However, I was not impressed with the songs, but who was I to have such an opinion? But I think I was right. After many years of being exposed to the greatest songs written in the twentieth century, my opinion remains the same.

(Nancy Olson Livingston, writing in her book A Front Row Seat: An Intimate Look at Broadway, Hollywood, and the Age of Glamour)

October 24, Monday. Bing and Bob Hope, and many other stars, take part in a benefit called “The Road to Recovery” at the Hollywood Palladium for the veterans in Sawtelle Hospital.

Bing Crosby singing and wowing the crowd at the Palladium for the “Road to Recovery” benefit is followed by Mel Torme who whispers to Bing, “What can I do now?” Crosby whispers, “Dance a little.”

(Sidney Skolsky, Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, October 29, 1949)

October 25, Tuesday. In the CBS Studios in Hollywood, Bing records a Chesterfield show with Ella Fitzgerald and the Mills Brothers which airs on November 9.

October 26, Wednesday. (8:00–11:00 a.m.) Records “Mule Train” and “Dear Hearts and Gentle People” with Perry Botkin’s String Band and Jud Conlon’s Rhythmaires in Hollywood. “Mule Train” is played by Al Jarvis on KLAC within two hours of the session ending and is on sale in New York on October 28. It eventually reaches number four in the charts during a 12 week sojourn. “Dear Hearts and Gentle People” peaks at No. 2 in the Billboard Best-Seller charts and spends 17 weeks in the lists in all. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast on CBS. The show has been recorded and the guests are Lum and Abner.

Mule Train – Dear Hearts and Gentle People (Decca 24798)

There’ll be no getting away from this one. The old master has met the supreme challenge offered by the great Frankie Laine version, and these two will be fighting it out for the short, but highly profitable duration of the tune. And there’s a load of good earthy humor in Bing’s flavorful interpretation. The flip may be around a little longer, with “Gentle People” getting a break after the whip-crackers wear weak.

(Billboard, November 5, 1949)

Decca Records has had an unusual reaction from its recoupling of Bing Crosby’s “Mule Train” and “Dear Hearts and Gentle People.” Those two sides were backed up when the disk was originally released, and when “Mule” started to tire, it decided to pull that tune off and substitute “Make Believe” as the companion piece for '‘Dear Hearts.” When that was done, “Mule” suddenly' picked up in sales and Decca was forced to continue to market the original coupling,

Briefly, it has two platters of “Dear Hearts” on the market, one backed with “Mule” and the other with “Make Believe.” And the “Mule”-“Dear Hearts” platter is outselling the other by a fairly wide margin.

(Variety, January 11, 1950)

October 28, Friday. Thought to have recorded a Bob Hope radio show which is broadcast on November 15. (8:30-9:00 p.m. PT) An appeal for the New York Foundling Hospital which is led by Eddie Cantor is broadcast on NBC and includes a contribution by Bing who sings ‘That Lucky Old Sun’.

October 30, Sunday. (9:45-11:30 p.m.) Bing contributes to a broadcast launching the Inter-Faith campaign "Religion in  American Life".

October 31, Monday. In CBS Studio A in Hollywood, Bing tapes a Chesterfield show with Bob Hope which airs on November 2.

About two years later, Chesterfields had replaced Philco as sponsor of Crosby’s show. One night Bing had a cold. While doing a commercial with announcer Ken Carpenter, Bing said, “If you like smoking (cough)” and blew it right there. The audience laughed. As soon as the show was over, the ad-agency men were in my control room. In the end, we had to re-record the commercial.

Then there was the time that Crosby was ad-libbing with Bob Hope. Hope loved to take the script that Morrow had written and throw it out into the audience, saying, “Let’s go on from here without a script.” Crosby didn’t like that very much, but they would make a good show of it. On this particular occasion, Hope said, “It’s a lucky thing for you that ....” Before the show was over the people from Chesterfields were in demanding, “What can you do about it?” I didn’t know what they were talking about. “That reference to Lucky Strike” they explained. We had to replay the tape, find the offending word, and assure the sponsors that it could be removed.

(John T. Mullin, writing in High Fidelity, April, 1976)

November 2, Wednesday. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast on CBS. The show has been recorded and the guest is Bob Hope.

Der Bingle finally catches up with “ski-nose” after a series of false starts. Following several postponements, Bob Hope will be Bing Crosby’s guest on the Groaner’s CBS show tonight over WJR at 9:30. The famous “feud” has moved at a fast and insulting pace ever since the pair appeared together on a New York stage in 1932. Tonight, as always, they will exchange caustic cracks and querulous quips, interspersed with songs by Bing and the music of John Scott Trotter’s orchestra.

(Battle Creek Enquirer, 2nd November, 1949)

November 6, Sunday. Recording date in Hollywood with the Victor Young Orchestra. Bing sings “Eileen” and “How Can You Buy Killarney.”

Eileen

Der Bingle does a warm job with this lovely ballad which was penned by Sylvia Fine for her husband, Danny Kaye, some years ago.

How Can You Buy Killarney

Magnificent Crosby etching of a lovely tune which should clean up for St. Patrick’s Day and wind up a standard item. Could be another “Galway Bay” for Bing.

(Billboard, February 18, 1950)

November 9, Wednesday. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) Another Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast. The show has been recorded and Bing’s guests are Ella Fitzgerald and the Mills Brothers.

Bing Crosby is doing all right for pop music lovers. On the show caught he had as guests the Mills Brothers, and singer Ella Fitzgerald. This was in addition to his crooning talents and the harmonizing abilities of the Rhythmaires. The result was one musical number after another, or too much of a good thing. The program might easily have used a change of pace via the injection of some comedy. The top offering was a version of “Way Back Home” which gave the entire company a chance to participate. Bing’s commercials primarily noted the claimed assets of Chesterfield cigarettes - milder, cooler and better.

(Billboard, November 19, 1949)

November 10, Thursday. In the CBS studios in Hollywood, Bing records a Chesterfield show with Bob Crosby and Bob’s daughter, Cathy, which airs on November 16.

November 15, Tuesday. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing guests on Bob Hope’s radio show on NBC with Ham Fisher, Doris Day, and the Les Brown Orchestra.

November 16, Wednesday. Bing records three songs with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra and the Jud Conlon Singers in Hollywood. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast on CBS. The show has been recorded and the guests are Bob Crosby and his daughter, Cathy.

Sorry

Altho the Sinatra and M. Whiting versions of the post-humous Dick Whiting tune have an early jump, Bing’s in good voice here and should grab a good share of the play.

 (Billboard, February 4, 1950)

Stay Well / The Little Gray House

Bing Crosby endows this coupling from the B’way musical hit, “Lost in the Stars,” with one of his better, more relaxed and tonally rich baritonings. Material is a cut too superior for really big disc-buyer acceptance…

(Variety, December 20, 1949)

Stay Well

Lively show tune from “Lost in the Stars” is for a special segment of the market, even in Bing’s pleasant rendition.

The Little Gray House

Simple, touching Maxwell Anderson lyric is Bing’s special dish. Could stay around and become a standard.

(Billboard, February 4, 1950)

It’s a little known fact that Crosby sang songs from nearly all the Rodgers and Hammerstein shows, and a lot of other classic musicals from the R&H era. Jack Kapp had been the pioneer of the original cast album and so could give Crosby the inside track on a lot of superior songs from shows like Bloomer Girl and Song of Norway. My particular favorites are a pair of songs from Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson’s Lost in the Stars, “Stay Well” and “The Little Grey House.” (I wish he had also cut “Lost in the Stars” and “Thousands of Miles.”) Of all the many lesser known Crosby performances, particularly from the postwar era, these are the ones that most deserve to be heard again.

(Will Friedwald, A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers, page 127)

November 17, Thursday. (9:00-10:00 p.m.) Participates in the “Kids’ Day Salute” broadcast over the ABC network. Others appearing are Red Skelton, Edgar Bergen, Dinah Shore, Bob Hope and Arthur Godfrey.
During the day, tapes a Chesterfield show with Peggy Lee which is broadcast on November 23.

Bing was always finding ways to help give me confidence. In fact everyone connected with him was funny and nice and talented. . . .

      Bing and I were always the first to arrive for rehearsals. I was always impressed by his promptness, his honesty, and his modesty. I remember him saying, “I wish I could really make something of my life. . . .” It amazed me that he could feel so humble. I tried, in a stumbling sort of way, to tell him what the world thought of him, but I don’t think I convinced him

(Miss Peggy Lee—An Autobiography, pages 103–104)

November 19, Saturday. National Kids Day. Bing is on the advisory council. Jimmie Fidler is the chairman.

November 23, Wednesday. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast on CBS. The show has been recorded and the guests are Peggy Lee and Frank Fay.

Frank Fay, of “Harvey” stage fame, pays a return visit to CBS’ “Bing Crosby Show” to indulge his favorite pastime, dissecting song lyrics over WCBS at 10:30 o’clock. Fay will take up where he left off in his Oct. 19 visit with Der Bingle, in his comical assault on the logic of the lyrics of popular songs. Another returning guest is vocalist Peggy Lee who joins Crosby in the music department.

(The Ottawa Citizen, 23rd November, 1949)

November 24, Thursday. Christens the "Candy Cane" vehicles which are to be put into use by the Los Angeles Transit Lines by singing "White Christmas". Later in the CBS Studios, Bing tapes a Chesterfield show with Al Jolson which airs on November 30.

November 25, Friday. (6:00 to 9:00 p.m.) Using the facilities of Radio Recorders Annex at 7000 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, Bing records “Quicksilver” and “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” with the Andrews Sisters and Vic Schoen and his Orchestra.

Have I Told You Lately That I Love You

Ditty’s a sprightly mountain-musiker that had its innings a couple of years back on straight hillbilly diskings. Bing and the gals are in top form as they harmonize it to a spanking fare-thee-well.

(Billboard, December 24, 1949)

November 29, Tuesday. Records “Life Is So Peculiar” with Peggy Lee for the Mr. Music film.

November 30, Wednesday. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast on CBS. The show has been recorded and the guest is Al Jolson.

It cost CBS’ Bill Paley a lot of out-of-the-network-pocket coin to tie up Al Jolson to a three year Columbia exclusive as guest star, No. 1, in circulating the AM and TV air waves but the pay-off was already evident in Jolie’s first time out, last Wednesday (30th), guesting on Bing Crosby’s Chesterfield stanza (He’s already committed to a minimum of five with the Groaner) The team-up was a throwback to ad-lib radio comedy, at its best, paralleling those of Bob Hope-Crosby ‘dream sequences’ when scripts are tossed out of the studio window as they slug it out on the banter front. Despite the prevailing tendency of the comics to go ‘tradey’, Jolie and the Bingle parlayed the intra-trade stuff into nearly a half hour of delightful listening, punctuated by some solo and duo vocalizing that was strictly off the $6.60 attraction shelf. Jolies, “Own Backyard” and Bing’s, “Lucky Old Sun”, with a choral background, were particular gems.

      The frequent by-play on Paley and Columbia, video’s inroads on radio, (including the Jolie revelation that he’ll be guesting on some CBS-TV stanzas) with even some borderline suggestions as to Jolson’s relations with Columbia Pictures (“The Jolson Story”/ “Jolson Sings Again”) was Tiffany slanted comedy, with Gracie Allen (for the inevitable boosting of George Burns’ vocal prowess) coming in for the wind up to effect a neat integration with the Burns & Allen stanza which follows the Crosby show. And B & A in a resumption of the ‘tradey format’, even went so far as to simulate a Burns-Harry Ackerman (CBS programming veepee) comedy sequence, with laugh dividends making CBS the beneficiary of a solid sixty minutes of Grade A entertainment.

(Variety, December 7, 1949)

December 1, Thursday. Bing records “Early American” for the soundtrack of a short film being made by Father Keller for the Christophers Association called You Can Change the World. Leo McCarey is the director. The film is shown on television on February 25, 1950. Later Bing records a Chesterfield show with Carole Richards and James Stewart which airs on December 14.

December 3, Saturday. In the CBS Studios, tapes another Chesterfield show which is broadcast on December 7. The guests are Peggy Lee and Hopalong Cassidy.

December 5, Monday. Back in the Decca Studios at 5505 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Bing records “This Could Be Forever” and “Helpless” with Russ Morgan and his Orchestra. Louanne Hogan joins Bing on the first song.

This Could Be Forever

Bing, in duet with Louanne Hogan, warbles an oldie in dance time setting by Russ Morgan crew. A pretty song.

Helpless

Bing croons a new ballad of no extraordinary substance. Pleasant treatment with the usual tasty danceable orking by Morgan lends added potential to the disking.

(Billboard, September 9, 1950)

December 7, Wednesday. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) Another Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast. The show has been recorded and the guests are Peggy Lee and Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd).

They’ll be riding the range on CBS’ “Bing Crosby Show” when William “Hopalong Cassidy” Boyd is guest at 9:30 over WCBS. Vocalist Peggy Lee will be on hand to help out in the music department. Fearless, faultless hero of the West and idol of millions of movie fans, “Hopalong Cassidy” will meet up with “Sagalong Crosby” in a Western sketch.

(The Ottawa Citizen, 7th December, 1949)

December 8, Thursday. Bing records a Chesterfield show with Ethel Barrymore which airs on December 21. The Road to Peace short is shown at College of St. Rose, Albany, where most of it was filmed.

Crosby’s voice, on miniature film track, naturally does not sound as smooth as on standard gauge in a theater, and several of the medium-range shots are not over-flattering, but few viewers probably will notice it.

(Variety, December 14, 1949)

December 12, Monday. (Evening) Sees the Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team beat San Jose State 51-43 at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium.

December 14, Wednesday. The Gonzaga basketball squad dine with Bing. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) The taped Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast on CBS and Bing’s guests are Carole Richards and James Stewart.

Movie star James Stewart and vocalist Carol Richards will be guests on CBS’ “Bing Crosby Show” 9:30 over WCBS. Much of the Stewart-Crosby gay repartee centers on Stewart’s recent marriage. Crosby claims playfully that this event “made a lot of other women very unhappy. The day he became a groom, James Stewart fan clubs throughout the nation wore their bobby sox at half mast.”

(The Ottawa Citizen, 14th December, 1949)

December 15, Thursday. Bing records a Chesterfield show with Al Jolson which airs on January 4, 1950.

December 17, Saturday. Bing’s recording of “White Christmas” makes its annual appearance in the pop charts, peaking at number five over a four-week period.

December 18, Sunday. It is reported that Bing and Bob Hope are part of a syndicate which is to buy the Los Angeles Rams football team. Both hold about 10 percent each. (a.m.) Appears on a transcribed radio show Guest Star #143 with Bob Hope and Alan Ladd. Bing and Bob sing a parody of “Road to Morocco.” (6:00-7:00p.m. PST) On the third anual broadcast of The Joyful Hour radio program “How Christmas First Came to the World” on the Mutual Broadcasting System with Ann Blyth, Licia Albanese, and Macdonald Carey.

December 20, Tuesday. In the CBS Studios, Bing records a Chesterfield show with Al Jolson which airs on December 28. (6:00–6:30 p.m.) Bing makes an unbilled guest appearance on Bob Hope’s radio show on NBC to sing “Silent Night”. Other guests include Rhonda Fleming, Jack Kirkwood and Doris Day.

December 21, Wednesday. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast on CBS. The show has been recorded and the guest is Ethel Barrymore. (7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Pacific) Bing is also thought to have been heard in a radio broadcast from KHJ covering the New York premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s Samson and Delilah. Bing Crosby Enterprises makes its entry into television and closes a deal to make ten films for Procter & Gamble’s “Fireside Theatre” series. Each picture running 26 minutes.

December 22, Thursday. Bing is voted “Best Popular Male Vocalist”, “Best Master of Ceremonies” and “Film Personality Most Effective in Radio” in the poll conducted by radio editors of newspapers and magazines conducted by Motion Picture Daily. (9:28 a.m.–12:27 p.m.) Bing records “My Own Bit of Land” and “When the Sun Goes Down” with the Ken Darby Singers in Hollywood.

In a western vein, “Sun” impresses as a solid item rating plenty of spins.

(Variety, May 3, 1950)

When the Sun Goes Down

Crosby lends a Western flavor to this new ballad. His fans should find this satisfying fare.

(Billboard, May 20, 1950)

My Own Bit of Land

Bing spreads warmth and a homey flavor in warbling this pleasing chunk of homespun philosophy. Fine for the family trade.

(The Billboard, May 26, 1951)

December 23, Friday. Another recording session with Russ Morgan and his Orchestra when Bing sings “The Yodel Blues” and “The Big Movie Show in the Sky.” In the evening, Bing attends the opening night of Joe E. Lewis at Ciro’s together with the Joe E. Browns, the Pat O’Briens, and the Van Heflins.

The Big Movie Show in the Sky

Pretentious production number from “Texas L’il Darlin’” is performed impressively by Crosby and the Morgan organization.

The Yodel Blues

Bing is especially convincing with this “Texas L’il Darlin’” lilt. He’s brilliantly supported by Morgan and vocal group. Tune’s a bit classy, but the performance should draw plenty of action nevertheless.

(Billboard, February 18, 1950)

Bing Crosby-Russ Morgan Orch 
“Big Movie Show in the Sky” -“Yodel Blues” (Decca). Whether these two show tunes (“Texas Lil’ Darlin”) have what it takes to hit solidly is a guess. But, Crosby gives both smart b.o. performances. “Movie” side has a 
colorful punch on a light up-tempo beat, pushed by the Morganaires and Morgan's band.  “Yodel” is even cuter, on a slower beat, also with the Morganaires. Both potentials. 
(Variety, January 18, 1950)

December (undated). Bing guests on Louella Parsons’ radio show. Press comment indicates that Bing is to make a film called Partners with William Boyd (Hopalong Cassidy) with the script being provided by Bill Morrow. The project reaches quite an advanced stage but does not proceed due, it is said, to Boyd seeking a fee of $150,000 for his services.

December 24, Saturday. Bing is reported to have left Hollywood for Pebble Beach today for the holidays. In the evening at 10:00 p.m., he takes part briefly in a program called “Merry Christmas to You” from station KHJ with Monica Whelan and Bill Cassidy. He makes an appeal for the Salvation Army and joins the hosts in a brief chorus of "Merry Christmas to You" to the tune of "Happy Birthday". Billboard states that Bing’s recording of “White Christmas” has now sold over 6 million copies.

December 26, Monday. Time magazine reports that Bing’s 20,000 shares in Minute Maid are now worth $295,000 (they cost him $2,000).

December 28, Wednesday. (6:30–7:00 p.m. Pacific) The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield is broadcast on CBS. The show has been recorded and the guest is Al Jolson.

December 31, Saturday. Bing records a Chesterfield show with Peggy Lee and Groucho Marx which is broadcast on January 11, 1950.

During the year, Bing has had eleven records that have become chart hits, including two which have reached the number two spot (“Far Away Places” and “Dear Hearts and Gentle People”). The Down Beat poll for 1949 places Bing in a tie for third with Mel Torme as favorite male vocalists. Decca has embraced the long-playing vinyl record format and during the year they have issued no less than 17 ten-inch LPs  of Crosby material from his back catalog.

In the U.S.A. movie box office stars listing for 1949, Bing comes second to Bob Hope.