PHILCO RADIO TIME

This Directory details, in chronological order, every programme from the Philco Radio Time series, starring Bing Crosby, broadcast between October 1946 and June 1949.

In June 1945, with the ensuing accompaniment of much legal wrangling, Bing Crosby terminated his almost, ten-year association with the Kraft Foods Company, leaving himself free to choose another sponsor. He declined other offers in favour of a deal with the Philco Corporation of America which, apart from the financial considerations involved, afforded the appealing convenience of pre-recording his broadcasts. He was obliged to honour an agreement with Kraft which required him to appear in thirteen more shows, the last of which was broadcast in May 1946 but then, on Wednesday October 16th 1946, ‘Philco Radio Time - The Bing Crosby Show’, opened on the ABC network and (according to the publicity of the time), Wednesday, became ‘Bing’s Day’.

Unfortunately, after a promising start, Philco began to lose its audience. This occurred during a three-year period when Bing, in spite of the criticisms levelled at the time, was still, consistently, the cinema’s biggest box-office draw and was still racking up outstanding record sales, including five more million-sellers. Many theories have been propounded for the slump in ratings - loss of voice, loss of spontaneity, loss of sound quality, etc., but in fact, the whole of the radio industry was declining world-wide as a form of entertainment. The public, perhaps, were in pursuit of a more sophisticated distraction than the medium which had served them so well and often been their sole comfort during the war years. Live entertainment was back. Theatres closed for the duration had re-opened their doors; international sporting events could be seen again. The cinema was, naturally, still booming and most significant of all, television ha Philco d returned, flexing its muscles in preparation for an overwhelming victory as the most popular in-home entertainment.

Nevertheless, the series did pioneer pre-recorded broadcasts on disc and was also responsible for the first taped transmission on 1st October 1947. However, unlike the later Chesterfield and General Electric programmes, the Philco series was not obviously used as a convenient repository from which programmed items were ‘lifted’ for commercial release.

Philco Radio Time should be of particular consequence to those interested in the work of Bing Crosby, seeming to represent a watershed between the halcyon days of radio, as symbolised by the Kraft Music Hall programmes and his almost unwilling but inevitable entry into television. Furthermore the series straddles a unique year when, although as previously mentioned, still at the height of his career, Bing waxed only two sides. This was due to the American Federation of Musicians’ strike, which precluded members from recording during 1948 and it would seem feasible that at least some of the songs, which were featured in the programmes, might have found their way into the Crosby catalogue.

“Groaner’s ‘Wax In Ear’ Philco Disk Deal Sounds Radio War Cry; Nets In Whirl” (Headline)

“Longest, wildest and costliest chase in radio history is at an end and the quarry at bay. Bing Crosby, known variously as, Der Bingle, The Groaner and El Bingo, finally cornered and surrendered to a client. Where Texaco, General Motors, Reynolds Pen and many another failed with their siren calls and baited gold, the blandishments of Philco turned the table. The winning truck was, ‘Here’s Wax In Your Ear’. For a mere $24,000, which may well reach $30,000 and beyond, Crosby will sing a few songs and present sundry other performers on the lip, instrumental and otherwise. If Philco goes beyond 325 stations and reaches stated quota of 600, Crosby pockets a bonus for every station added.

No performer, groaner or otherwise, ever commanded the attention of national advertisers as has Lakeside’s golfing idol since he broke with Kraft, after 10 years. It is conservatively estimated that close to $200,000 was spent by top hucksters in trying to rendezvous Crosby on the dotted line. General Motors almost succeeded, so did Reynolds Pen and Texaco but what Bing wanted they didn’t have or wouldn’t give, so the plum was plopped into the lap of Philco and Jimmy Carmine carried the ball from there and crossed the goal line.

GM offered $30,000 for a live half-hour and $22,500 for the canned variety and while The Groaner haggled and contracts changed with the tide, Carmine skipped in with his offer of $24,000, hot or cold, for 325 stations with the bonus stipulation for each added transmitter and picked up the marbles. Even closer to closing was Reynolds deal until one of the negotiators for the underwater writers hatched the brilliant idea of taking pictures of Crosby poised atop an eight-foot Reynolds (pen). Bleated Bing, ‘What kind of an outfit is this?’ and the deal went colder than ‘youknowhat’.

It must be presumed that ABC and Mutual will sop most of the gravy as NBC and CBS have certain scruples about putting pancakes on their network but they’ll hardly take it lying down if Crosby is pitted against their Frank Sinatra and Ed Gardner’s ‘Duffy’s Tavern’ on Wednesday night. Sabotage is a nasty word but temper it a bit and you have a general idea of how the big majors feel about it. They’re just a wee bit suspicious that should Crosby knock off a fat Hooper in the 20’s other stars might get ideas, to whit, ‘That’s for us, if not on NBC or CBS then ABC and Mutual. If Crosby can do it, so can we.’

Then again, if El Bingo can’t catch 12 in Hooper’s pocket piece, the disker comes a cropper. Contract reads that if Philco’s fair-haired boy falls below that figure, they have the right of cancellation or going live within ensuing 26 weeks. Needless to say, next season’s Hooper will be watched closer than in any previous season. Just where to put Bing and his record pals is a tougher nut to crack than getting the lad’s autograph. ABC wants him on Wednesday night and alternately, Sunday night where once dwelt the Quiz Kids. Bing is not too happy about Wednesday night because some of Frankie’s fans might think it is spite work.

Philco is talking to Mutual, NBC and CBS to line up their publicised 600 stations some way or somehow. That’s roughly two thirds of all the country’s transmitters and you can’t set them up without touching every network. Crosby, who has always wanted radio money he can keep gets protection on the Philco deal from capital gains set-up. Non-collapsible is Crosby Enterprises which turns out the records for sale to Philco who in turn, ships them to their dealers who pay for local station time. To make it look all the better, ‘Enterprises’ will also produce other packages and may also include Bing’s independently produced pictures. The Treasury Department is said to have given its blessing as no tax dodge but so were many of the picture projects now under scrutiny by Federal ferrets.

For Philco, Crosby sings three or four numbers per show and gets aid and abetting from the Charioteers, Skitch Henderson’s pianistics, John Scott Trotter’s Orchestra and a gal singer of Peggy Lee type, if not her. Bill Morrow will write and produce. Philco deal is for three years, although Crosby held out for one and the radio set makers wanted five. Everett Crosby, brother and his agent, finally worked out a compromise. Philco held out for records all the way to dovetail with its slogan, ‘Nine O’clock Is Philco Time’ or whatever the time arrived at. Dealers’ war chest for promotion and exploitation is said to be enormous with ABC chipping in a few thousand.

Wax in your ear looks like a national war cry in radio and one man’s earache will be another’s feathery caress. Never before have the big networks been so disturbed by one of their stepchildren. Their smugness has been jostled and they’re plain worried. They’re hoping, so hard, that Crosby’s pancakes shrivel on the turntable. ABC estimators give Crosby a Hooper opener of 17 and on the spiral from there. If he does look for Philco to tie into their planned two-hour record strip, next season and you’ll be able to count leaping stars as you do sheep in your sleep.”

(“Variety” 21st August 1946)

“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 programme. 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” 28th August 1946)

“Bing Crosby cut four records for Philco from Thursday through Sunday. He’ll hunt deer and pheasant on his Nevada ranch before starting the next batch”

(“Variety” 25th September 1946)

Bing Crosby reached his fifth and sixth advance recording today (Tuesday 8th), with Ezio Pinza and Burl Ives in guest spots. Jimmy Durante will be guester on the seventh disc. Ives, on his own show for Philco has already cut eight platters for the series getaway on October 18th. It goes on Mutual and Indies.

(“Variety” 9th October 1946)

1946 - 1947 Season with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra. Produced by Bill Morrow and Murdo MacKenzie

The program has an audience rating of 16.1 during the season which makes it one of the network’s top shows but leaves it outside the top twenty. Fibber McGee & Molly again top the Hooper ratings with 30.2 but they have to share the position with Bob Hope.

No. 1 16th October 1946 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (18th/19th September 1946). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, Lina Romay, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson and Bob Hope.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (b) Opening Theme

*I Got The Sun In The Morning (c) with Chorus

*Moonlight Bay (d) with The Charioteers

Turkey In The Straw Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Bob Hope

*Put It There Pal (e) with Bob Hope

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Bob Hope

Love On A Greyhound Bus Lina Romay

Philco Commercial (f) Bing Crosby & Ken Carpenter

*Cynthia’s In Love (g) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

*Where The Blue Of The Night (h) Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) The complete programme was issued on Totem LP1002 - “Bing Is Back” AND on

Radiospirits 40062 (6-CD set) “On The Road Again”

(b) Bing sings only the first two lines, commencing “When (sic) the blue of the night”. This deliberate alteration sets the pattern for the series and is used, almost exclusively, throughout.

Commercial Recordings 23.11.31; 20.7.40; 17.7.45 & 21.4.54. (As this title will appear on every page, no further reference will be made to these commercial issue dates).

Musidisc 30CV1356 - “Bing Crosby - His Greatest Hits”

HRB Music BCP1001 - “Bing Crosby And Friends”

Japanese MCA9301 - “Bing Crosby Radio Show”

Precision Records & Tapes NCP710 - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years Volume 3”

GNP Crescendo GNPD9052 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years”

Intertape 500.027 (CD) - “Bing Crosby”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Bing Crosby Enterprises CD: "Bing Sings The Irving Berlin Songbook"

(d) Windmill WMD260 - “Bing Crosby - Favourite Melodies”

Musidisc 30CV1356 - “Bing Crosby - His Greatest Hits”

On The Air OTA101978 (CD) - “Great Moments With Bing Crosby And Friends From The

Radio Shows”

Jasmine JASCD 357/8 (CD) – “Bob Hope & Friends – Put It There Pal”

Jasmine CD JASCD 714 "Swing Low, Sweet Charioteers"

Commercial Recording 22.3.51

(e) Commercial Recording 8.12.44 (Lyrics differ from commercial issue. Some lines are lost in this version due to a ‘fluff’ by Bob Hope).

(f) Worth noting, as a non-event. Bing decides that there is insufficient time for the commercial and tears up the script to the obvious delight of the studio audience.

(g) Windmill WMD260 - “Bing Crosby - Favourite Melodies” (Shewn as “My Cynthia’s In Love”)

Musidisc 30CV1356 - “Bing Crosby - His Greatest Hits” (Shewn as “My Sin Is In Love”)

(h) Bing whistles a few bars only, on fade-out.

“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 minimize 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 rumour 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” 23rd October 1946)

No. 2 23rd October 1946 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (19th September 1946). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, Lina Romay, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson and Spike Jones & his City Slickers.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*My Heart Goes Crazy (b) with Chorus

Hawaiian War Chant Spike Jones & his City Slickers

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Spike Jones

*Love In Bloom (c) with Spike Jones & his City Slickers and Chorus

Fascinating Rhythm Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Little Surplus Me Lina Romay

*All By Myself (d) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

On The Boardwalk In Atlantic City (e) The Charioteers

*The Things We Did Last Summer (f)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) An edited version of the programme was issued on Fox: American Retrospectives MF207/5 - “The Greatest Radio Broadcasts - Bing Crosby” and on Black Lion BLM52013 - “Bing Crosby With Spike Jones And Jimmy Durante”

(b) Commercial Recording 22.8.46

(d) Commercial Recording 18.7.46

(e) Jasmine CD JASCD 714 "Swing Low, Sweet Charioteers"

(f) Commercial Recording 1.8.46

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)

No. 3 30th October 1946

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, Lina Romay, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson and The Les Paul Trio.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*I Got The Sun In The Morning with Chorus

The Piccolino Skitch Henderson (Piano)

*South America, Take It Away (a) with Lina Romay

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Lina Romay & Skitch Henderson

How High The Moon The Les Paul Trio

*You Are Too Beautiful (b) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Bye And Bye When The Morning Comes The Charioteers

*(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 (c) with Chorus

*Blue Skies (d) with Les Paul (Guitar)

*Where The Blue Of The Night (e) Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Limited Edition Club JGB1005 - “Slightly Latin”

Commercial Recording 11.5.46

(b) Commercial Recording 1.12.53

Commercial Recording 11.5.46

(d) A ripple of laughter from the studio audience suggests that Bing may be clowning during the opening bars.

Shout! CD DK 31517 “Swingin’ With Bing”

Varese Sarabande CD 3020669052 “Bing Crosby – Crosby Classics”

Bing Crosby Enterprises CD: "Bing Sings The Irving Berlin Songbook"

Commercial Recordings 18.7.46 & 9.9.54

(e) Bing whistles only.

Bing Crosby keeps his guest register registering top names as Les Paul, the nation’s outstanding exponent of electrical guitar artistry, and his trio, pay “The Groaner” a visit on “Philco Radio Time” tonight…

(The Jackson Sun, October 30, 1946)

No. 4 6th November 1946

Transcribed in Hollywood (20th/22nd September 1946). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, Lina Romay, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson and Ralph Mendez.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Five Minutes More (a) with Chorus

*Kentucky Babe (b) with The Charioteers

Dance Of The Spanish Onion Skitch Henderson (Piano)

‘Mexican Restaurant’ Sketch Bing Crosby, Lina Romay & Skitch Henderson

Temptation Lina Romay

*It’s Only A Paper Moon (c) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

The Flight Of The Bumble Bee (Rimsky Korsakov) Ralph Mendez (Trumpet)

Rogue River Valley (d) The Charioteers

*You Keep Coming Back Like A Song (e) with Chorus

*Where The Blue Of The Night (f) Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Echo/Wavelength EJCD12 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - Big Band Days”

Shout! CD DK 31516 “Swingin’ With Bing”

Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

(b) Commercial Recording 5.6.47

Japanese MCA9301 - “Bing Crosby Radio Show”

United Artists UAK30115 - “The Golden Age Of American Radio Starring Bing Crosby” (Dateshewn as 11th June 1946)

Precision Records & Tapes NCP707 - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years Volume 2”

GNP Crescendo GNPD9052 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years”

(d) Jasmine CD JASCD 714 "Swing Low, Sweet Charioteers"

(e) Koala KO14207 - “You Keep Coming Back Like A Song”

Commercial Recording 18.7.46

(f) Whistled only.

Reputed by many experts to be the fastest trumpeter in the country, Rafael Mendez, the dazzling soloist, will be the guest of Bing Crosby when “Philco Radio Time” is heard over WTBS-ABC tonight at 9 p.m. Mendez’s career got off to an early start when he led his own band at Gary, Ind., at the age of 17. Later, he played in many name bands, including those of Russ Morgan and Rudy Vallee, and became a frequent soloist at Hollywood Bowl concerts.

(The Jackson Sun, November 6, 1946)

“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 slips 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” 13th November 1946)

No. 5 13th November 1946

Transcribed in Hollywood (6th/8th October 1946). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, Lina Romay, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson and Ezio Pinza.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*My Heart Goes Crazy (a) with Chorus

*Pretending (b)

Waltz In Swing Time Skitch Henderson (Piano)

*South America, Take It Away (c) with Lina Romay

Che Fiero Costume (Legrenzi) Ezio Pinza

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Ezio Pinza

*Timber (d) with Ezio Pinza

*In The Evening By The Moonlight (e) with Ezio Pinza

*You Are My Sunshine (f) with Ezio Pinza

Little David, Play On Yo’ Harp The Charioteers

*September Song (g) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

*Should I Tell You “I Love You”

*Where The Blue Of The Night (h) Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Commercial Recording 22.8.46

(b) Commercial Recording 15.5.46

(d) Golden Age Of Opera EJS120 - “Ezio Pinza”

Magic AWE10 - “Bing Crosby & Friends - Volume 2”

Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

The arrangement includes parodied versions of (e) Commercially Recorded 28.12.60 and (f) Commercially Recorded 8.7.41

(g) Commercial Recordings 29.12.43 & 12.9.77

(h) A few notes hummed and whistled.

Never afraid to invade a new field, Bing Crosby will get a first-hand look at the longhair side of life when he welcomes Ezio Pinza, basso of the Metropolitan opera Company to Philco Radio Time, this evening...The courage will not be all on Bing’s side, however, for Pinza will risk his artistic reputation by entering into partnership with “The Groaner” in the performance over a doubtful ditty called “Timber.”

(The Jackson Sun, November 13, 1946)

No. 6 20th November 1946

Transcribed in Hollywood (8th November 1946). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, Lina Romay, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson and Burl Ives.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Five Minutes More with Chorus

The Carioca Skitch Henderson (Piano)

The Blue Tail Fly (Jimmy Crack Corn) (a) Burl Ives

*That Little Dream Got Nowhere (b) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Man Is Brother To A Mule Lina Romay

No Soup (c) The Charioteers

*Careless Love (d) with Burl Ives

*I’m Goin’ Down The Road (a) with Burl Ives

*The Things We Did Last Summer (e)

*Where The Blue Of The Night (f) Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) JASBOX 14-4 (CD) - “Burl Ives: the Golden Years of The Wayfaring Stranger”

(b) Commercial Recording 17.8.45

(d) JASBOX 14-4 (CD) - “Burl Ives: the Golden Years of The Wayfaring Stranger”

Commercial Recording 28.12.60

(d) Commercial Recording 1.8.46

(f) Bing whistles a few notes only.

A meeting of the troubadours will be staged over ABC-WRNL when Bing Crosby and his guest, the noted folk ballad singer, Burl Ives, get together at 10 p.m.

(Richmond Times-Dispatch, November 20, 1946)

No. 7 27th November 1946 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (11th & 13th November 1946). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson, The Les Paul Trio and Judy Garland.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Ol’ Buttermilk Sky (b) with Chorus

*Gotta Get Me Somebody To Love (c) with The Les Paul Trio

I’ve Got You Under My Skin Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Judy Garland

Liza Judy Garland

‘Wild Turkey Hunt’ Sketch (d) Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Ken Carpenter & Skitch Henderson

*Wait Till The Sun Shines, Nellie (e) with Judy Garland

*All By Myself (f) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

*You Keep Coming Back Like A Song (g) with Chorus

*Where The Blue Of The Night (h) Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) An edited version of the programme was issued on Fox: American Retrospectives MF207/5 - “The Greatest Radio Broadcasts - Bing Crosby” and on Black Lion BLM52003 - “Bing Crosby With Judy Garland And The Andrews Sisters”

(b) JSP CD702 (CD) - “Bing Crosby And Judy Garland - All The Clouds’ll Roll Away”

CD- JSP 934C – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1950”

Commercial Recording 2.12.65

CD- JSP 934C – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1950”

Commercial Recordings 15.5.46 & 13.2.47

(d) The sketch includes a brief parody by The Charioteers to the tune of the “William Tell Overture”

(e) Star-Tone ST208 - “The Judy Garland Musical Scrapbook”

JSP CD702 (CD) - “Bing Crosby And Judy Garland - All The Clouds’ll Roll Away”

CD- JSP 934C – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1950”

JSP977C CD "Judy Garland - Classic Duets"

Commercial Recording 13.3.42

(f) Commercial Recording 18.7.46

(g) Commercial Recording 18.7.46

(h) Whistled only.

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)

No. 8 4th December 1946 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (16th & 18th November 1946). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson and Jimmy Durante.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (b) Opening Theme & Jimmy Durante

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante

*A Gal In Calico (c) with Chorus

*And Then It’s Heaven (d) with Chorus

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante

*You Gotta Start Off Each Day With A Song (e) with Jimmy Durante

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante & Skitch Henderson

Stumblin’ Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Didn’t Old Pharaoh Get Lost The Charioteers

*Rumours Are Flying Bing Crosby

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante

*I Surrender Dear (f) with Jimmy Durante

*I’m Crosby That Well-Dressed Man (g)

*Blue Skies (h) with Jimmy Durante

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(b) Jimmy Durante commences the opening theme but is interrupted by Bing, who completes with, “...someone waits for me”

JSP CD701 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante - Start Off Each Day With A Song”

Wisepack Legends LECD119 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - Volume 2”

CD- JSP 934D – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1949”

Commercial Recording 7.5.46

(d) JSP CD701 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante - Start Off Each Day With A Song”

CD- JSP 934D – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1949”

(e) HRB Music BCP1001 - “Bing Crosby & Friends”

Japanese MCA9301 - “Bing Crosby Radio Show”

United Artists UAK30115 - “The Golden Age Of American Radio Starring Bing Crosby”

Golden Age GA5023 - “One Hour From The Bing Crosby Radio Shows”

Precision Records & Tapes NCP711 - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years - Volume 4”

GNP Crescendo GNPD9052 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years” (Recording date shewn as 28.11.46)

Radio Years RY18 (CD) - “Bing Crosby On Radio In The Thirties” (Date shewn as 1938)

JSP CD701 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante - Start Off Each Day With A Song”

Wisepack Legends LECD118 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - Volume 1”

CD- JSP 934D – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1949”

(f) In this portion of the programme, Bing and Jimmy ‘swap’ songs. There is some slight vocal assistance from Bing to Jimmy Durante on this particular item.

JSP CD701 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante - Start Off Each Day With A Song”

Living Era CD AJA5590 “Radio Stars of America”

CD- JSP 934D – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1949”

Commercial Recordings 19.1.31, 31.3.39 & 24.4.54

(g) See note (e) above. Bing parodies, “I’m Jimmy That Well-Dressed Man”, one of Durante’s hits of the time.

Living Era CD AJA5590 “Radio Stars of America”

(h) Living Era CD AJA5590 “Radio Stars of America”

Commercial Recordings 18.7.46 & 9.9.54

“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” 11th December 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)

No. 9 11th December 1946

Transcribed in Hollywood (22nd & 24th November 1946). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson, Peggy Lee and Jerry Colonna.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Five Minutes More with Chorus

Comedy Dialogue (a) Bing Crosby & Jerry Colonna

Linger In My Arms A Little Longer, Baby Peggy Lee (Dave Barbour - Guitar)

*Ol’ Buttermilk Sky (b) with Chorus

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Jerry Colonna

*If You Were The Only Girl In The World (c) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

‘Santa Claus’ Sketch Bing Crosby, Jerry Colonna & Peggy Lee

*(Oh! Why, Oh! Why Did I Ever Leave) Wyoming (d) with Jerry Colonna & The Charioteers

*It’s A Good Day (e) with Peggy Lee

*For You, For Me, Forevermore (f)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Includes a few bars of “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” - trombone solo by Jerry Colonna.

(b) HRB Music BCP1001 - “Bing Crosby & Friends”

Japanese MCA9301 - “Bing Crosby Radio Show”

Intertape 500.027 (CD) - “Bing Crosby”

Echo/Wavelength EJCD12 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - Big Band Days”

Riff CDPRGA 50290 (CD) – “Bing And His Gal Pals”

Commercial Recording 2.12.65

(d) HRB Music BCP1001 - “Bing Crosby & Friends”

Japanese MCA9301 - “Bing Crosby Radio Show”

The above-mentioned issues credit ‘Jerry Colonna and Bing’ but, in fact, Bing’s contribution is minimal, being restricted to spoken lines at the end of the song.

(e) Commercial Recording 20.1.60

(f) Shout! CD DK 31516 “Swingin’ With Bing”

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)

No. 10 18th December 1946

Transcribed in Hollywood (30th November & 2nd December 1946). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson and Peggy Lee.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (a) Opening Theme

*A Gal In Calico (b) with Chorus

*Rumours Are Flying with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Peggy Lee

It’s All Over Now Peggy Lee

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Skitch Henderson

The Man I Love Skitch Henderson (Piano)

*The Old Lamplighter

(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons (c) The Charioteers

*Everything Is Moving Too Fast (d) with Peggy Lee (Dave Barbour - Guitar)

*White Christmas (e) with Chorus

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Slightly different to previous openings. After singing, Bing continues whistling through the initial applause. This method is repeated in No. 13 and some subsequent programmes.

(b) Commercial recording 7.5.46

(d) Parrot PARCD001 (CD) - “Peggy Lee With Bing Crosby - It’s A Good Day”

(e) Commercial Recordings 29.5.42, 19.3.47, 10.4.54 & 24.12.55

No. 11 25th December 1946 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (7th & 9th December 1946). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, The Charioteers and Skitch Henderson.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Adeste Fideles (b)

*The Christmas Song (c) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

*Jingle Bells (d) with Chorus, The Charioteers & Skitch Henderson (Piano)

*White Christmas (e)

*The Small One (A Christmas Play) (f) with Ken Carpenter & supporting cast

*Silent Night (g) with Chorus & The Charioteers

Silent Night (h) Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) The content of this programme is identical to Bing’s other Christmas Shows for Philco (Programmes 49 & 85). No. 49 was, in fact, a re-broadcast of this show.

(b) Sung in Latin and then in English, accompanied by the studio audience.

Varese Sarabande CD 3020668482 “Bing Crosby – A Crosby Christmas”

Commercial Recordings 1934, 12.11.35 & 8.6.42 and V-Disc 796-A

Commercial Recording 19.3.47 and V-Disc 796-B

(d) Varese Sarabande CD 3020668482 “Bing Crosby – A Crosby Christmas”

Commercial Recording 27.9.43 and V-Disc 796-B

(e) Varese Sarabande CD 3020668482 “Bing Crosby – A Crosby Christmas”

Commercial Recordings 29.5.42, 19.3.47, 10.4.54 & 24.12.55 and V-Disc 797-A

(f) Commercial Recording 20.3.47. Although basically the same as the commercial issue, this

version differs considerably in both scripting and interpretation. Bing maintains his role

as the storyteller, apart from a brief introduction, spoken here by Ken Carpenter.

(g) Varese Sarabande CD 3020668482 “Bing Crosby – A Crosby Christmas”

Commercial Recordings 21.2.35, 13.11.35, 8.6.42, 19.3.47, 3.5.54 & 24.12.55 and V-Disc 797-A

(h) Orchestra only, on fade-out.

NOTE: The V-Disc masters originate from the broadcast version of the programme.

Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “Jingle Bells” and “Adeste Fideles” are the treats his program will provide at 9. With this broadcast WMT will begin to carry the series, which means hereafter it will be available on both WNT and KXEL in this territory. Although the series is primarily on ABC, the provision was made at the beginning to make it available to other stations too – to give it more outlets than any other show. Remember?

(The Cedar Rapids Gazette, (Iowa), 25th December, 1946)

No. 12 1st January 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood (14th & 16th December 1946). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson, Peggy Lee and Joe Frisco.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (a) Opening Theme

*A Rainy Night In Rio (b) with Chorus

*And Then It’s Heaven with Chorus

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Joe Frisco

Clap Yo’ Hands Skitch Henderson (Piano)

He’s Just My Kind Peggy Lee

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Joe Frisco

Brother Bill The Charioteers

*Baby, You Can Count On Me (c) with Peggy Lee

*The Old Lamplighter (d)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Whistled only.

(b) Koala AW14129 - “Swing With Bing”

Limited Edition Club JGB1005 - “Slightly Latin”

Parrot PARCD001 - “Peggy Lee With Bing Crosby - It’s A Good Day”

(d) HRB Music BCP1001 - “Bing Crosby And Friends”

Japanese MCA9301 - “Bing Crosby Radio Show”

Intertape 500.027 (CD) - “Bing Crosby”

Precision Records & Tapes NCP707 - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years - Volume 2” (Shewn as ‘with Skitch Henderson and his Orchestra’ - Sleeve note suggests that Skitch Henderson

conducted the orchestra for this item)

GNP Crescendo GNPD9052 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years”

A nostalgic glimpse of the past will be offered listeners via Philco Radio Time when stuttering Joe Frisco, the great old-time vaudevillian, will appear as Bing Crosby’s guest.

(The Jackson Sun, 1st January, 1947)

No. 13 8th January 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson, Peggy Lee and Mickey Rooney.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (a) Opening Theme

*Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (b) with Chorus

*Gotta Get Me Somebody To Love (c) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Good News The Charioteers

What More Can A Woman Do? Peggy Lee

*A Gal In Calico (d) with Chorus

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Mickey Rooney

*Until The Next Time (e) with Mickey Rooney

*It’s A Good Day (f) with Peggy Lee

*For You, For Me, Forevermore (g)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) As described for Programme No. 10.

(b) HRB Music BCP1001 - “Bing Crosby And Friends”

Japanese MCA9301 - “Bing Crosby Radio Show”

United Artists UAK30115 - “The Golden Age Of American Radio Starring Bing Crosby”

Precision Records & Tapes NCP710 - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years - Volume 3”

GNP Crescendo GNPD9052 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years”

Intertape 500.027 (CD) - “Bing Crosby”

(d) Koala KO14207 - “You Keep Coming Back Like A Song”

Commercial recording 7.5.46

(e) This item, written by Mickey Rooney, concludes a comedy duologue, wherein Rooney attempts to get some of his own compositions ‘plugged’ by Bing. The song is performed in first try-out style, with interjections by Mickey Rooney and asides from Bing.

Magic AWE10 - “Bing Crosby And Friends - Volume 2”

Parrot PARCD005 (CD) - “Bing Crosby And His Hollywood Guests - Hollywood Guys And

Dolls -Volume1”

(f) Commercial Recording 20.1.60

(g) Koala KO14207 - “You Keep Coming Back Like A Song”

Plugging his latest musical opus, “Until the Next Time” Mickey Rooney visits Bing Crosby at 10 p.m. ABC-WGBS. Bing’s promised to join him in singing the song, and no foolin’, it’ll probably be good.

(The Miami Herald, 8th January, 1947)

No. 14 15th January 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (23rd December 1946). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson and Al Jolson.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*A Rainy Night In Rio (b) with Chorus

The Anniversary Song Skitch Henderson (Piano)

*April Showers (c) with Al Jolson

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Al Jolson

‘Early Days’ Sketch (d) Bing Crosby & Al Jolson

*Always (e)

*Ma Blushin’ Rosie (f) with Al Jolson

Swanee (g) Al Jolson

*Philco Commercial (h) with Al Jolson

*The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else (i) with Al Jolson

Blue Skies (j) Al Jolson

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) The complete programme as broadcast was issued on Totem LP1016 - “Bing ‘N’ Al –

Volume 5”. When the show was recorded, Bing sang “Oh, But I Do” after “A Rainy

Night In Rio” but this was cut from the broadcast programme.

(b) Parrot PARCD004 (CD) - “Al Jolson & Bing Crosby - Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

(c) Bing commences this item but Jolson ‘unexpectedly’ takes over on, “...it’s raining violets”, to complete the song, before a more formal introduction from Bing.

Windmill WMD273 - “The Magnificent Al Jolson”

Biac Records BRAD10530/531 - “Al Jolson/Peggy Lee At Their Rarest Of All Rare Performances” (Date shewn as 5.2.47)

Parrot PARCD004 (CD) - “Al Jolson & Bing Crosby - Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Viper’s Nest VN1003 (CD) – “Bing Crosby – Live Duets”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

(d) The sketch depicts the ‘young’ Bing soliciting advice from Al Jolson and provides the framework for items (e), (f) & (g).

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

(e) See note (d) above. Bing ‘demonstrates’ his voice, unaccompanied and with ‘boo-booing’. There are short whistled reprises by both Bing and Al Jolson.

Parrot PARCD004 (CD) - “Al Jolson & Bing Crosby - Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Commercial Recording March 1968.

(f) See note (d) above.

Windmill WMD273 - “The Magnificent Al Jolson”

Biac Records BRAD10530/531 - “Al Jolson/Peggy Lee At Their Rarest Of All Rare Performances” (Date shewn as 5.2.47)

Broadcast Tributes BTRIB0003 - “Bing ‘N’ Al - The Golden Medley Duets”

Parrot PARCD004 (CD) - “Al Jolson & Bing Crosby - Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Viper’s Nest VN1003 (CD) – “Bing Crosby – Live Duets”

Prism PLATCD 708 (CD) – “Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

(g) See note (d) above.

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

(h) The first sung commercial of the Philco series. Specially composed by Burke and Van Heusen

and noteworthy for a complete ‘blow-up’ by Bing who finds himself in the wrong key

(“We’re cooked, man”) but recovers with assistance from Jolson, after a much hilarity and

ad-libbing.

Broadway Intermission BR-138 (Crosbyana Volume 8) - “Bing Crosby - Just For Fun –

Take Two”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

(i) Windmill WMD273 - “The Magnificent Al Jolson”

Biac Records BRAD10530/531 - “Al Jolson/Peggy Lee At Their Rarest Of All Rare Performances” (Date shewn as 5.2.47)

Broadcast Tributes BTRIB0003 - “Bing ‘N’ Al - The Golden Medley Duets”

Parrot PARCD004 (CD) - “Al Jolson & Bing Crosby - Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Hallmark 303372 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & Friends - The Radio Years”

Viper’s Nest VN1003 (CD) – “Bing Crosby – Live Duets”

Prism PLATCD 708 (CD) – “Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Commercial Recording 14.11.46 and V-Disc 763-B

(j) Al Jolson sings and whistles a snatch of this item, to point a comedy line.

“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” 22nd January 1947)

No. 15 22nd January 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood (6th/7th January 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson, Lina Romay, Jack McVea and his All Stars and George Jessel.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (a) with Chorus

*If You Were The Only Girl In The World (e) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & George Jessel

*Open The Door, Richard with Jack McVea and his All Stars

‘Bessie From Bolivia’ Sketch (b) Bing Crosby, George Jessel & Lina Romay

Brazil (c) Lina Romay

*La Borrachita (d) with Lina Romay

*(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons (f)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) The Charioteers are included in the programme’s credits. As they do not have a solo item, it might be reasonable to assume that they form part of the vocal accompaniment for this item.

(b) A ‘film scenario’ which includes which includes items (c) and (d).

(d) See note (b) above. Sung in Spanish.

Magic AWE10 - “Bing Crosby And Friends - Volume 2” (Shewn as “La Barrachita”)

Limited Edition Club JGB1005 - “Slightly Latin”

Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

Commercial Recording 15.9.75

(e) Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

(f) Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

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)

No. 16 29th January 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (15th January 1947). Two songs were cut from the show - "You Can't See the Sun When You're Crying" by The Charioteers and "These Foolish Things" by Dorothy Lamour.

Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson, Dorothy Lamour and Bob Hope.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*My Heart Goes Crazy (b) with Chorus

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Bob Hope

‘The Road To Hollywood’ Sketch (c) Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour & Ken Carpenter

Ja Da (d) Skitch Henderson (Piano)

*Tumbling Tumbleweeds (e)

*Road To Morocco (f) with Bob Hope & Dorothy Lamour

*You Keep Coming Back Like A Song (g) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) The complete programme as broadcast was issued on Radiola MR1044 - “Bing Crosby & Bob Hope With Dorothy Lamour”.

(b) Accompaniment includes The Charioteers. See Note (a) Programme No. 15.

Commercial Recording 22.8.46

to Paramount Studios is narrated by Ken Carpenter and includes items (d) and (e).

The first part of this sketch was featured on PLS CD 627 “The Golden Age Of Comedy –

Bob Hope & Bing Crosby”

(d) See note (c) above.

(e) See note (c) above. Commercial Recordings 9.2.40 & 16.6.54

(f) This item, with lyrics written for the occasion, parodies the commercial version by Bing and Bob Hope which, itself, parodied the earlier solo, commercial recording by Bing.

Star-Tone ST205 - “Hollywood On The Air Presents The Feminine Touch”

Lamton 250 - “Sweethearts Of Song - Live 1940’s”

Deja Vu DVLP2124 - “The Bob Hope Collection”

Jasmine JASCD 357/8 (CD) – “Bob Hope & Friends – Put It There Pal”

Commercial Recordings 10.6.42 & 8.12.44

(g) Lamton 250 - “Sweethearts Of Song - Live 1940’s”

Commercial Recording 18.7.46

Bing Crosby has Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour as his guests on “Philco Radio Time” over WTJS-ABC tonight at 9:00, marking the first air appearance of the three “Road Laughteers.” On the sparkling program they will present an hilarious original sketch titled “The Road To Hollywood” in which they re-enact their mythical meeting and trip to Glamour Town. The rib-tickling antics lead to Bing, Bob and Dorothy's rollicking parody of “Road to Morocco.” ... During the rehearsal for “Philco Radio Time” Bing and Bob were busy adding an ad lib or two to the script when Dorothy piped up with “Leave a couple of lines for me boys” … John Scott Trotter, Maestro of Bing Crosby's “Philco Radio Time” turns actor on tonight's broadcast when he plays the part of an Indian in the Crosby, Hope, Lamour sketch “Road To Hollywood.”

(The Jackson Sun, 29th January, 1947)

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)

No. 17 5th February 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood (20th/21st January 1946). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Skitch Henderson, Peggy Lee and Beatrice Lillie.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (a) Opening Theme

*Huggin’ And Chalkin’

It’s Loving Time Peggy Lee (Dave Barbour - Guitar)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Beatrice Lillie

The Song Of The Wind Beatrice Lillie

‘Double Damask Dinner Napkins’ Sketch (b) Bing Crosby, Beatrice Lillie & Ken Carpenter

Medley: (c)

*I Want To Go Back To Michigan

(Down On The Farm) with Beatrice Lillie

*Where The Black-Eyed Susans Grow with Beatrice Lillie

*Lazy (d) with Beatrice Lillie

*Susannah’s Squeaking Shoes with Beatrice Lillie

*I Want To Go Back To Michigan

(Down On The Farm) (Reprise) with Beatrice Lillie

*And So To Bed with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Whistled only

(b) Both Cicely Courtneidge and Beatrice Lillie obtained considerable mileage from this sketch, over the years. In this instance Bing and Ken Carpenter play the parts of the shop assistants.

Parrot PARCD006 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & His Hollywood Guests - Hollywood Guys And Dolls - Volume 2”

(d) Commercial Recording 24.5.42

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)

No. 18 12th February 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood (27th/28th January 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, Skitch Henderson, Peggy Lee and Groucho Marx.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*A Rainy Night In Rio with Chorus

He’s Just My Kind Peggy Lee

Comedy Dialogue (a) Bing Crosby & Groucho Marx

*Go West, Young Man (b) with Groucho Marx & Chorus

*Oh! But I Do (c)

*The Best Man with Peggy Lee

*The Old Lamplighter with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) There are also comedy ‘bits’ featuring Groucho Marx between the remaining items on the show.

(b) Murray Hill 931680 - “3 Hours, 59 Minutes, 51 Seconds With The Marx Bros”

American Album & Tape Corporation AAT/20/2 - “The Very Best Of The Marx Brothers”

Magic AWE10 - “Bing Crosby And Friends - Volume 2”

Commercial Recording 26.3.47

Bing Crosby will have Groucho Marx, one of the four Marx brothers, famed in musical comedy, pictures and radio, for his guest…Playing the role of a bewildering barrister, Groucho will threaten Bing with a $50,000 suit. Their zany shenanigans wind up with Bing and Groucho performing a duet, “Go West.”

(The Des Moines Register, 12th February, 1947)

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.

No. 19 19th February 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (3rd/4th February 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, Skitch Henderson, Leo McCarey, William Frawley and Judy Garland.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (b) Opening Theme

*Connecticut (c) with Judy Garland

*Huggin’ And Chalkin’ (d)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Judy Garland & William Frawley

I’ve Got You Under My Skin Judy Garland

*Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider (e) with William Frawley

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Leo McCarey & William Frawley

‘Struggling Songwriter’ Sketch (f) Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Leo McCarey, William Frawley & Ken Carpenter

*Tearbucket Jim (g) with Judy Garland, Leo McCarey & William Frawley

*And So To Bed (h) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) The complete programme was issued on Totem LP1002 - “Bing Is Back!”

(b) Whistled only.

Goldies GLD 25448-3 (CD) –“All the Number One Hits”

On The Air OTA101978 (CD) - “Great Moments With Bing Crosby And Friends From The

Radio Shows”

CD- JSP 934C – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1950”

JSP977C CD "Judy Garland - Classic Duets"

Commercial Recording 9.3.45

(d) JSP Records CD702 (CD) - “Bing Crosby And Judy Garland - “All The Clouds’ll Roll Away”

CD- JSP 934C – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1950”

(e) Parrot PARCD006 (CD) - “Bing Crosby And His Hollywood Guests - Hollywood Guys And

Dolls - Volume 2”

Commercial Recordings 15.3.39 & 14.2.52

(f) Much comedy is derived from the gag that Bob Hope is purported to have written this sketch, which includes Leo McCarey singing a fragment of “Blue Skies” and also introduces item (g).

Living Era CD AJA5590 “Radio Stars of America”

(g) See note (f) above. This song was actually written by Leo McCarey and provokes considerable hilarity from the cast, as well as the audience.

Star-Tone ST208 - “The Judy Garland Musical Scrapbook”

JSP Records CD702 (CD) - “Bing Crosby And Judy Garland - “All The Clouds’ll Roll Away”

CD- JSP 934C – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1950”

(h) JSP Records CD702 (CD) - “Bing Crosby And Judy Garland - “All The Clouds’ll Roll Away”

CD- JSP 934C – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1950”

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)

No. 20 26th February 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (11th February 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson, Les Paul, Joe Frisco and The Andrews Sisters.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (b) Opening Theme

*Uncle Remus Said with The Charioteers

*Gotta Get Me Somebody To Love (c) with Les Paul (Guitar)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Joe Frisco

The Very Thought Of You Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters

*South America, Take It Away (d) with The Andrews Sisters

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters

*You Don’t Have To Know The Language (e) with The Andrews Sisters

*So Would I (f) with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(b) Whistled only.

(d) Andros Records ANDS4566 - “The Andrews Sisters - Live”

Shout! CD DK31515 “Swingin’ With Bing”

Varese Sarabande CD 3020669052 “Bing Crosby – Crosby Classics”

Commercial Recording 11.5.46

(e) Andros Records ANDS4566 - “The Andrews Sisters - Live”

Shout! CD DK31515 “Swingin’ With Bing”

Commercial Recording 25.11.47

(f) Commercial Recording 22.8.46

Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters, together and separately have kept the nation’s juke boxes whirling for many years. Crosby’s ABC broadcast at 10 pm. will offer a sample of their combined artistry when Patti, Maxine and Laverne visit Bing to indulge in a few numbers, including their celebrated version of “South America Take It Away.”

(Richmond Times-Dispatch, 26th February, 1947)

No. 21 5th March 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (18th February 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Charioteers (b) and Al Jolson.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (c) Opening Theme

*Getting Nowhere (d)

*What Am I Gonna Do About You? (e)

Let Me Sing And I’m Happy (l) Al Jolson

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Al Jolson

Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody (m) Al Jolson

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Al Jolson

*Who Paid The Rent For Mrs. Rip Van Winkle? (f) with Al Jolson

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Al Jolson

Medley:

*Back In Your Own Backyard (g) with Al Jolson

*You Made Me Love You (h) with Al Jolson

*Waiting For The Robert E. Lee (i) with Al Jolson

*Philco Commercial (j) with Al Jolson

*The Anniversary Song (k) with Al Jolson

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) The complete programme as broadcast was issued on Totem LP1003 - “Bing Crosby & Al Jolson”

An edited version of the programme was issued on Fox: American Retrospectives MF207/5 - “The Greatest Radio Broadcasts - Bing Crosby” and on Black Lion BLM52023 - “Bing Crosby With Al Jolson

(b) Although The Charioteers are mentioned in the opening credits, their presence cannot be detected in any of the vocal arrangements as broadcast. However when the show was recorded, The Charioteers sang

“Who Shall Wear The Crown” but this was cut from the show before transmission.

(d) Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Commercial Recording 18.7.46

(e) Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Commercial Recording 13.2.47
(f) Bing, sings this item, first as a solo, then reprised in pseudo Dutch accents, as a duet with Al Jolson.

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

(g) Broadcast Tributes BTRIB0003 - “Bing ‘N’ Al - The Golden Medley Duets”

Parrot PARCD004 (CD) - “Al Jolson & Bing Crosby - Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

(h) Broadcast Tributes BTRIB0003 - “Bing ‘N’ Al - The Golden Medley Duets”

Parrot PARCD004 (CD) - “Al Jolson & Bing Crosby - Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Commercial Recording 23.7.40

(i) Broadcast Tributes BTRIB0003 - “Bing ‘N’ Al - The Golden Medley Duets”

Parrot PARCD004 (CD) - “Al Jolson & Bing Crosby - Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Prism PLATCD 708 (CD) – “Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

(j) Making reference to their recent ‘disaster’ (Programme No. 14), Bing and Al essay another

sung commercial, this time with greater success - Special lyrics to the tune of “Dixie”.

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

(k) Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

Commercial Recording 25.3.47

(l) Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

(m) Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

“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!

(“Hollywood Citizen News” 25th February 1947)

No. 22 12th March 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood (8th February 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Charioteers, Skitch Henderson, Peggy Lee and the Ernie Felice Quartet.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*MacNamara’s Band (a)

Happiness Is (Just) A Thing Called Joe Peggy Lee

Moonglow The Ernie Felice Quartet

Misirlou Skitch Henderson (Piano)

*Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (b)

You Can’t See The Sun When You’re Crying (c) The Charioteers

*The Best Man (d) with Peggy Lee

*Among My Souvenirs (e)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Considerably different from the commercial version. Although commencing the same, Bing, with adapted lyrics, develops this as a ‘jump’ tune.

Varese Sarabande CD 3020668762 “Bing Crosby – When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”

Commercial Recording 6.12.45

(b) Varese Sarabande CD 3020668762 “Bing Crosby – When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”

Commercial Recordings 7.7.44 & 17.7.45

(d) Parrot PARCD001 (CD) - “Peggy Lee With Bing Crosby - It’s A Good Day”

(e) Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

Commercial Recording 22.8.46

Bing Crosby will sing a medley of Irish tunes during his 9 p.m. show…The guest spotlight shines on the new instrumental group, the Ernie Felice quartette.

(The Des Moines Register, 12th March, 1947)

No. 23 19th March 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood (3rd/4th. March 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Charioteers, Peggy Lee and Danny Kaye

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Managua, Nicaragua with The Charioteers

Just Squeeze Me (But Don’t Tease Me) Peggy Lee

*Linda Bing Crosby

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Danny Kaye

Begin The Beguine Danny Kaye

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Danny Kaye

Dena’s Lullaby Danny Kaye

*Brahms’ Lullaby (a)

*It’s A Good Day (b) with Peggy Lee

*Love Is A Random Thing

*Where The Blue Of The Night (c) Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Magic AWE10 - “Bing Crosby And Friends - Volume 2”

Parrot PARCD006 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & His Hollywood Guests - Hollywood Guys And Dolls - Volume 2”

Commercial Recordings 23.5.41 & 16.6.54

(b) Parrot PARCD001 (CD) - “Peggy Lee With Bing Crosby - It’s A Good Day”

Commercial recording 20.1.60

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)

No. 24 26th March 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (11th March 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, Skitch Henderson, Peggy Lee, Mary Livingstone and Jack Benny.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (b) Opening Theme

*I Do, Do, Do Like You (c) with Chorus

(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons Peggy Lee

*What Am I Gonna Do About You? (d)

Lover Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Love In Bloom (e) Jack Benny (Violin)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Jack Benny & Mary Livingstone

*Margie (f) with Jack Benny & Mary Livingstone

*The Anniversary Song (g)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Jack Benny & Mary Livingstone

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) An edited version of the programme was issued on Fox: American Retrospectives MF207/5 - “The Greatest Radio Broadcasts - Bing Crosby” and on Black Lion BLM52033 - “Bing Crosby With Peggy Lee, Jack Benny And Gary Cooper”

(b) Some pre-show ‘business’ appears to have left Bing laughing. In fact, he interrupts his own opening bars with, “Jack Smith - I gotta smile in my voice, tonight”.

(d) Commercial Recording 13.2.47

(e) Bing seems to be about to introduce himself, singing this item but it is Jack Benny who is heard, playing his own theme song in inimitable style.

(f) Jack Benny has been urging Bing to join him in a ‘band act’ which leads to a ‘rehearsal’ of this item. The corny introduction features Bing playing cymbals and Jack on violin, there is then a chorus of “My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms” by Jack Benny (Violin). Finally Bing joins in vocal duet with Mary Livingstone, accompanied by Jack’s violin.

(g) Commercial Recording 28.3.47

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)

No. 25 2nd April 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (3rd March 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Ken Darby Choir, John Charles Thomas and Al Jolson.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (b) Opening Theme

*(There’ll Be) A Hot Time In The Old Town (c) with Al Jolson, John Charles Thomas & The Ken Darby Choir

*Nobody (d)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Al Jolson, John Charles Thomas & Ken Carpenter

*Oh! Susannah (e) with Al Jolson & John Charles Thomas

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Al Jolson & Ken Carpenter

Gwine To Heaven John Charles Thomas

Medley:

*In The Evening By The Moonlight (f) with Al Jolson & The Ken Darby Choir

*Beautiful Dreamer (g)

*On The Banks Of The Wabash (h) with Al Jolson & The Ken Darby Choir

*Philco Commercial (i) with Al Jolson & John Charles Thomas

My Mammy Al Jolson

*Alabamy Bound (j) with Al Jolson, John Charles Thomas & The Ken Darby Choir

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) The show is scripted as an old-time Minstrel Show with Ken Carpenter as ‘Mr. Interlocutor’; Bing (‘Mr Bones’) Crosby; Al (‘Sugarfoot’) Jolson and John Charles (‘Honeylips’) Thomas.

The complete programme as broadcast was issued on Totem LP1003 - “Bing Crosby & Al Jolson”

An edited version of the programme was issued on Fox; American Retrospectives MF207/5 - “The Greatest Radio Broadcasts - Bing Crosby” and on Black Lion BLM52023 - “Bing Crosby With Al Jolson”

A heavily edited version of the programme was also issued on Parrot PARCD004 (CD) - “Al Jolson & Bing Crosby - Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”. Most of the linking dialogue and all vocal numbers (with the exceptions of “Gwine To Heaven”; “My Mammy” and the sung Philco Commercial) are included.

(b) “Where the blue.....” accompanied by Perry Botkin (Banjo).

Commercial Recording 17.12.59

(d) This item is unique in being the only excerpt from the Philco Radio Time series that was mastered for commercial release, as a single, by Decca.

Biac Records BRAD10530 - “Bing Crosby At His Rarest Of All Rare Performances”

Commercial recording 31.12.54 (Mastering Date)

(e) Windmill WMD273 - “The Magnificent Al Jolson’

Biac Records BRAD10530/531 - “Al Jolson/Peggy Lee At Their Rarest Of All Rare

Performances” (Date shewn as 10.03.47)

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Commercial Recording 20.12.60

(f) Wisepack Legends LECD119 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - Volume 2”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Commercial Recording 20.12.60

(g) Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Commercial Recording 22.3.40

(h) Bing harmonises with Al Jolson on the last line only.

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

(i) Parodied version of “Figaro” from “The Barber of Seville”

(j) Biac Records BRAD10530/531 - “Al Jolson/Peggy Lee At Their Rarest Of All Rare

Performances”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Commercial recordings 14.3.57 & 16.1.75

“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” 4th April 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)

No. 26 9th April 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood (17th March 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, The Charioteers, Peggy Lee and Alec Templeton.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (a) Opening Theme

*Managua, Nicaragua (b) with Chorus

Speaking Of Angels Peggy Lee (Red Nichols - Cornet)

*Linda (c)

Clair De Lune (Debussy) Alec Templeton (Piano)

Medley: (d)

*Please (e) with Alec Templeton

*June In January (f) with Alec Templeton

*Love Thy Neighbour (g) with Alec Templeton

*Pennies From Heaven (h) with Alec Templeton

*Sweet Leilani (i) with Alec Templeton

*My Heart is Taking Lessons (j) with Alec Templeton

*I’ve Got A Pocketful Of Dreams (k) with Alec Templeton

*Alexander’s Ragtime Band (l) with Chorus

*Philco Commercial (m) with Alec Templeton, Peggy Lee & Ken Carpenter

*How Are Things In Glocca Morra? (n)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Whistled only.

(b) It is possible that The Charioteers are included in the vocal accompaniment for this item and/or item (k).

(d) Alec Templeton (Piano) leads Bing into this medley of ‘typical Crosby songs’, assisting vocally,

on most of the items.

(e) Bing sings the line, “Tell me that you love me true” only.

Commercial Recordings 16.9.32, 27.7.40 & 21.4.54

(f) Commercial Recordings 9.11.36, 3.5.54 & 1977

(g) Commercial Recordings 25.2.34, 31.12.47 & 3.5.54

(h) Commercial Recordings 24.7.36, 17.8.36 & 19.6.54

(i) Commercial Recordings 23.2.37 & 3.5.54

(j) Commercial Recordings 21.3.38 & 16.6.54

(k) Commercial Recordings 11.7.38 & 16.6.54

(l) See Note (b) above.

Koala AW14129 - “Swing With Bing”

Commercial Recordings 26.1.38 & 25.3.47

(m) Sung commercial, specially composed by Alec Templeton.

(n) Commercial Recording 22.2.75

Alec Templeton, blind English pianist and comedian, will headline the guest roster on the Bing Crosby broadcast…Templeton’s favorite tunes will be the theme.

(The Des Moines Register, 9th April, 1947)

No. 27 16th April 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood (24th March 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, Peggy Lee and Jimmy Durante.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (a) Opening Theme

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante

*Uncle Remus Said (b) with Chorus

A Nightingale Can Sing The Blues Peggy Lee

*You Gotta Start Off Each Day With A Song (c) with Jimmy Durante

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante

I’m The Guy That Found The Lost Chord Jimmy Durante

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante

*The Song’s Gotta Come From The Heart (d) with Jimmy Durante

Parlez-Moi D’Amour (e) Jimmy Durante

*Otchi Tchornya (Dark Eyes) (f) with Jimmy Durante

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante

*I Still Suits Me (g) with Peggy Lee

*How Are Things In Glocca Morra? (h)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Whistled only.

(b) JSP Records CD701 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante - Start Off Each Day With A Song”

CD- JSP 934D – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1949”

(c) Jimmy Durante sings one chorus and Bing’s only contribution, apart from an introduction over the opening bars, is the line, “Oh Sing it, Jimmy”

JSP Records CD701 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante - Start Off Each Day With A Song”

CD- JSP 934D – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1949”

(d) Bing’s participation in this item is mainly restricted to spoken comments but he does join in the last chorus. The arrangement includes versions of (e) and (f).

Magic AWE10 - “Bing Crosby And Friends - Volume 2”

JSP Records CD701 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante - Start Off Each Day With A Song”

CD- JSP 934D – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1949”

(e) See note (d) above.

(f) See note (d) above.

(g) Magic AWE10 - “Bing Crosby And Friends - Volume 2”

Parrot PARCD001 (CD) - “Peggy Lee With Bing Crosby - It’s A Good Day”

Commercial Recording 17.3.47

(h) HRB Music BCP1001 - “Bing Crosby And Friends”

Japanese MCA9301 - “Bing Crosby Radio Show”

Precision Records & Tapes NCP710 - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years - Volume 3”

GNP/Crescendo GNPD9052 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years”

JSP Records CD701 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante - Start Off Each Day With A Song”

CD- JSP 934D – “Bing Crosby – The Vintage Years 1946-1949”

Varese Sarabande CD 3020668762 “Bing Crosby – When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”

Jimmy Durante, who co-stars on that Friday comedy show with Garry Moore over KSO-WMT, will be Bing Crosby’s guest at 9 p.m….The raspy-throated baritone will sing “I’m the Guy Who Sang the Lost Chord,” (sic) and will be the other half of a duet “It’s Gotta Come from the Heart.” Bing offers the melody.

(The Des Moines Register, 16th April, 1947)

No. 28 23rd April 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood (21st March 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, Peggy Lee, Les Paul and Burl Ives.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*I Do, Do, Do Like You (a) with Chorus

I’ll Close My Eyes Peggy Lee

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Burl Ives

When I Was Single (b) Burl Ives

*Hey Liley Liley Lo (c) with Burl Ives (Les Paul - Guitar)

*I’m Goin’ Down The Road (b) with Burl Ives (Les Paul - Guitar)

*As Long As I’m Dreaming (d) with Billy Schaefer (Trombone)

*It’s A Good Day (e) with Peggy Lee

*Time After Time (f) with Les Paul (Guitar)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Commercial Recording 12.5.47

(b) JASBOX 14-4 (CD) - “Burl Ives: the Golden Years of The Wayfaring Stranger”

JASBOX 14-4 (CD) - “Burl Ives: the Golden Years of The Wayfaring Stranger”

(d) Commercial Recording 14.11.46

(e) Commercial Recording 20.1.60

(f) An excellent example of a typical Crosby ‘blow-up’. After introducing this item as being featured in the film, “It Happened In Brooklyn” starring Frank Sinatra, he jokes about being ‘unrehearsed’ and this proves to be quite fateful. Bing is obviously ill at ease during the opening bars and collapses, completely, after the line, “The one you run to see...” with, “....We’ll do this later...don’t forget...we’ll get it right...it’s no use John, we’ll do it later...I’ll have to learn this...Why don’t this Sinatra sing easy songs! Bing suggests that the portion of the tune that he has been having difficulty with should be made “a piano solo...I’ll never get it…these people gotta go out to dinner”. The song proceeds in this manner, with Bing ad-libbing about his own shortcomings, the piano solo and Les Paul’s guitar work to an appreciative studio audience.

Bing Crosby spreads out the welcome mat for Burl Ives, the beloved balladeer who made folk song singing fashionable…Marital blessings take a kidding when Bing and Burl make with some humor and illustrating his point, Burl sings “When I Was Single.”

(Battle Creek Enquirer, 23rd April, 1947)

No. 29 30th April 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Chicago (b). Announced by Bob Murphy. With Dorothy Shay and Groucho Marx.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Albuquerque (c)

*Guilty (d)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Groucho Marx

*Lydia The Tattooed Lady (e) with Groucho Marx

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Groucho Marx & Dorothy Shay

Feudin’ And Fightin’ Dorothy Shay

*Feudin’ And Fightin’ (f) with Groucho Marx & Dorothy Shay

*I’ll Close My Eyes

*Where The Blue Of The Night (g) Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) An edited version of the programme was issued on Chevalier Clubs Du Baron GROUCH47 –

“Three Giants”.Items (c) and (d) are shewn, respectively, on the sleeve as “The Dodgers’ Song” and “Isn’t It A Sin”

(b) At the US Veterans’ Administration Hospital on April 9.

(d) See note (a) above.

Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

Probably mistaken, Bing states in his introduction, “I recorded this song some years ago” - If he did, it has yet to see the light of day!

(e) Apart from joining in two lines at the close, Bing’s contribution is limited to “La, la, la’s”.

(f) Murray Hill 931680 - “3 Hours, 59 Minutes, 51 Seconds With The Marx Bros.”

American Album & Tape Corporation AAT201/2 - “The Very Best of The Marx Brothers”

Commercial Recording 8.5.47

(g) Whistled only.

(h) The day after the show was recorded, Bing wrote to Bill Morrow.

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)

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 [Greenberg], 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.

No. 30 7th May 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (31st March 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With Chorus, Irving Berlin and Al Jolson.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Country Style (b) with Chorus

*Linda (c)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Al Jolson, Irving Berlin & Ken Carpenter

Oh! How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning (h) Irving Berlin

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Al Jolson & Irving Berlin

Lazy (i) Al Jolson

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Al Jolson & Irving Berlin

Medley:

*All By Myself (d) with Al Jolson

*Alexander’s Ragtime Band (e) with Al Jolson

*Easter Parade (f) with Al Jolson

Comedy Dialogue (g) Bing Crosby, Al Jolson & Irving Berlin

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) The complete programme as broadcast was issued on Totem LP1015 - “Bing ‘N’ Al - Volume 4”

(b) Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

Commercial Recording 19.11.46 and V-Disc 780-A

Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

(d) Broadcast Tributes BTRIB003 - “Bing ‘N’ Al - The Golden Medley Duets”

Parrot PARCD004 (CD) - “Al Jolson & Bing Crosby - Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Commercial Recording 18.7.46 and V-Disc 814-A

(e) Broadcast Tributes BTRIB003 - “Bing ‘N’ Al - The Golden Medley Duets”

Parrot PARCD004 (CD) - “Al Jolson & Bing Crosby - Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Commercial Recordings 25.3.47 & 26.1.38 and V-Disc 814-A

(f) Broadcast Tributes BTRIB003 - “Bing ‘N’ Al - The Golden Medley Duets”

Parrot PARCD004 (CD) - “Al Jolson & Bing Crosby - Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Prism PLATCD 708 (CD) – “Let Me Sing And I’m Happy”

Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

Commercial Recording 1.6.42 and V-Disc 814-A

(g) Includes a fragment of “White Christmas” by Al Jolson and Irving Berlin.

(h) Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

(i) Sepia 1053 (CD) – “Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson – The Complete Radio Duets”

“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 programme 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” 14th May 1947)

No. 31 14th May 1947

Transcribed in Chicago (a). Announced by Bob Murphy. With The George Barnes Octet, Hank Greenberg, Warren Brown and Groucho Marx.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*That’s How Much I Love You (b)

*As Long As I’m Dreaming (c)

Muskrat Ramble The George Barnes Octet

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Warren Brown

‘Baseball’ Sketch Bing Crosby, Groucho Marx, Warren Brown & Hank Greenberg

*Goodbye, Mr. Ball (d) with Groucho Marx & Hank Greenberg

*How Are Things In Glocca Morra? (e)

*Where The Blue Of The Night (f) Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) From the Great Lakes Naval Training Centre.

(b) Commercial Recording 17.12.46

(d) The arrangement includes a parody of “Carolina In The Morning” sung by Hank Greenberg only.

(e) Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

Commercial Recording 22.2.75

(f) Whistled only.

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)

No. 32 21st May 1947 (a)

Transcribed in New York (b). Announced by Bob Murphy. With Maurice Chevalier.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Smile Right Back At The Sun (c)

*I Want To Thank Your Folks

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Maurice Chevalier & John Scott Trotter

Ma Pomme (Just A Bum) Maurice Chevalier

Medley: (d)

*You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me (e) with Maurice Chevalier

My Love Parade Maurice Chevalier

*Hello, Beautiful with Maurice Chevalier

*My Ideal

Learn To Croon (f) Maurice Chevalier

*Louise (g) with Maurice Chevalier

Mimi (h) Maurice Chevalier

*Philco Commercial (i) with Maurice Chevalier

*I’ll Close My Eyes

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Maurice Chevalier

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) An edited version of the programme was issued on Fox: American Retrospectives MF207/5 - “The Greatest Radio Broadcasts - Bing Crosby” and on Black Lion BLM52034 - “Bing Crosby With Maurice Chevalier And Frankie Laine”

(b) Before an audience of Army and Navy personnel.

(d) The complete medley, together with all linking dialogue, was issued on Wisepack Legends LECD119 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - Volume 2”

(e) United Artists UAK30115 - “The Golden Age Of American Radio Starring Bing Crosby”

Commercial Recording 23.3.30

(f) Maurice Chevalier sings a few lines in gross caricature of Bing’s style.

(g) HRB Music BCP1001 - “Bing Crosby And Friends”

Japanese MCA9301 - “Bing Crosby Radio Show”

Precision Records & Tapes NCP710 - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years - Volume 3”

United Artists UAK30115 - “The Golden Age Of American Radio Starring Bing Crosby”

Golden Age GA5023 - “One Hour From The Bing Crosby Radio Shows”

GNP/Crescendo GNPD9052 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years” (Shewn as “Loise”)

The Radio Years RY18 (CD) - “Bing Crosby On Radio In The Thirties” (Date shewn as ‘1938’)

Commercial Recordings 15.3.29 & 10.4.29

(h) Most of the issues shewn at (g) above, credit this item as ‘Maurice Chevalier & Bing’ but Bing’s contribution is restricted to assistance with the spoken introduction.

(i) Special lyrics to the tune of “Valentine”.

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)

Tonight Bing will have Maurice Chevalier as his guest. This marks the Frenchman’s first radio appearance since coming to this country after war years in his native land.

(The Birmingham News, 21st May, 1947)

No. 33 28th May 1947

Transcribed in New York. Announced by Bob Murphy. With The Charlie Magnante Quartet and Margaret O’Brien.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (a) Opening Theme

*That’s How Much I Love You (b)

*If This Isn’t Love (f)

The Minute Waltz The Charlie Magnante Quartet

*Time After Time (c)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Margaret O’Brien

*You Won’t Be Satisfied with Margaret O’Brien

A Cheerful Little Earful The Charlie Magnante Quartet

*As Long As I’m Dreaming (d)

*Where The Blue Of The Night (e) Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) In substitution for the line, “Someone waits for me”, Bing manages to squeeze in, “Hank’ll hit about 40 0r 50 home runs this year!” - An obvious reference to Hank Greenberg, ballplayer for the Pittsburgh Pirates (See Programme No. 31).

(b) Commercial Recording 17.12.46

(c) Bing introduces this item with “....and now here’s a tune I attempted some weeks ago...” and there is laughter from the orchestra at Bing’s discomfiture, recalling the previous ‘disaster’ (See Programme No. 28).

Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

(d) Commercial Recording 14.11.46

(e) Whistled only.

(f) Shout! CD DK 31516 “Swingin’ With Bing”

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)

No. 34 4th June 1947

Transcribed in New York (a). Announced by Glenn Riggs. With Skitch Henderson, Connie Boswell and Fred Allen.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (b) Opening Theme

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Fred Allen

*I Do, Do, Do Like You (c)

*My Heart Is A Hobo (d)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Fred Allen & Connie Boswell

Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go To Sleep) Connie Boswell

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Fred Allen

*Keep On Smiling (e) with Fred Allen

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Fred Allen

Misirlou Skitch Henderson (Piano)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Fred Allen

*I Want To Thank Your Folks (f)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Fred Allen

*Where The Blue Of The Night (g) Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Before an audience of Army and Navy veterans.

(b) “Where the blue...” and Bing continues whistling (unaccompanied) throughout the opening credits.

Biac Recordings BRAD10520 - “Bing Crosby At His Rarest Of All Rare Performances” (Date shewn as 6.6.47)

Commercial Recording 12.5.47

(d) Musidisc 30CV1356 - “Bing Crosby - His Greatest Hits”

Biac Recordings BRAD10520 - “Bing Crosby At His Rarest Of All Rare Performances” (Date shewn as 6.6.47)

Commercial Recording 19.11.46

(e) Magic AWE10 - “Bing Crosby And Friends - Volume 2”

(f) Musidisc 30CV1356 - “Bing Crosby - His Greatest Hits” (Shewn as “I Want To Thank You Folks”)

Biac Recordings BRAD10520 - “Bing Crosby At His Rarest Of All Rare Performances” (Date shewn as 6.6.47)

(g) Whistled only.

“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 programme 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 programme 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 easy-going broad-casting 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 vigour 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” 11th May 1947)

No. 35 11th June 1947

Transcribed in New York (a). Announced by Glenn Riggs. With Alec Templeton and Ethel Merman.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*If This Isn’t Love (a)

*It’s A Good Day (b)

The Evening Star (c) Alec Templeton (Vocal)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Ethel Merman

I Got The Sun In The Morning Ethel Merman

Medley (d)

*Love In Bloom (e) with Alec Templeton

I Got Rhythm Ethel Merman & Alec Templeton

*Mexicali Rose (f) with Alec Templeton (Vocal)

I Get A Kick Out Of You Ethel Merman & Alec Templeton

*Sunday, Monday Or Always (g) with Alec Templeton

*From Monday On (h) with Alec Templeton

Blow, Gabriel, Blow Ethel Merman & Alec Templeton

Where The Blue Of The Night (i) Alec Templeton (Vocal)

Brahms’ Lullaby (j) Alec Templeton (Vocal)

*Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (k) with Alec Templeton

*You’re The Top (l) with Ethel Merman & Alec Templeton

*Down The Old Ox Road (m) with Alec Templeton

*I’m An Old Cowhand (n) with Ethel Merman & Alec Templeton

*Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better) (o) with Ethel Merman

*Philco Commercial (p) with Ethel Merman & Alec Templeton

*Something To Remember You By (q)

*Where The Blue Of The Night (r) Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) HRB Music BCP1001 - “Bing Crosby And Friends”

Japanese MCA9301 - “Bing Crosby Radio Show”

Precision Records & Tapes NCP710 - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years - Volume 3”

Intertape 500.027 (CD) - “Bing Crosby”

GNP/Crescendo GNPD9052 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years”

Echo/Wavelength EJCD12 - “Bing Crosby - Big Band Days”

(b) HRB Music BCP1001 - “Bing Crosby And Friends”

Japanese MCA9301 - “Bing Crosby Radio Show”

Precision Records & Tapes NCP707 - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years - Volume 2”

GNP/Crescendo GNPD9052 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years”

Intertape 500.027 (CD) - “Bing Crosby”

Shout! CD DK 31516 “Swingin’ With Bing”

Commercial Recording 20.1.60

(d) A medley of the stars’ hits which was a feature when Alec Templeton guested in the series. Templeton provides piano accompaniment throughout and there are comments and odd lines sung by all parties. Where the blind pianist is considered have made a significant vocal contribution, this has been specially indicated.

The complete medley including all linking dialogue was issued on Parrot PARCD005 (CD) - “Bing Crosby And His Hollywood Guests - Hollywood Guys And Dolls - Volume 1

(e) Commercial Recordings 5.7.34 & 3.5.54

(f) Commercial Recordings 11.7.38 & 16.6.54

(g) Commercial Recording 2.7.43

(h) Commercial Recordings 12.1.28, 20.1.28, 13.2.28 & 28.2.28

(i) Introduced as “Nuit Bleu” and sung in pidgin French.

(j) A fragment only. Sung in German.

(k) Commercial Recordings 7.7.44 & 17.7.45

(l) Bing’s contribution consists of spoken comments only.

Commercial Recording 23.2.56

(m) Commercial Recordings 16.6.33 & 3.5.54

(n) Commercial Recordings 17.7.36 & 3.5.54

(o) Magic AWE10 - “Bing Crosby & Friends - Volume 2”

Parrot PARCD006 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & His Hollywood Guests - Hollywood Guys And Dolls - Volume 2”

Commercial Recording 19.3.47

(p) Special arrangement by Alec Templeton includes parodies of “Betsy From Pike” and “The Old Grey Mare”

(q) Koala KO14207 - “You Keep Coming Back Like A Song” (as “Give Me Something To Remember You By”)

Commercial Recording 22.2.75

(r) Bing ‘scats’ a couple of bars on fade-out.

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)

No. 36 18th June 1947

Transcribed in New York. Announced by Glenn Riggs. With Jimmy Demaret and Bob Hope.

*Where The Blue Of The Night (a) Opening Theme

*Moon-Faced, Starry-Eyed

Comedy Dialogue (b) Bing Crosby & Bob Hope

*My Heart is A Hobo (c)

Comedy Dialogue (d) Bing Crosby & Bob Hope

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Bob Hope & Jimmy Demaret

That’s The Beginning Of The End Jimmy Demaret

*For What? (e) with Bob Hope

*That’s My Desire

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) After the usual opening, Bing ‘scats’ through the introductory credits.

(b) Preceded by the orchestra playing the opening bars of “Thanks For The Memory”

(d) Both Bing and Bob Hope ‘fluff’ lines during this dialogue, leading to a spate of ad-libbing which is much appreciated by the audience.

(e) There is a typical Crosby/Hope false start to this item, stemming from the fact that Bing attempts to sing the first line which has, obviously, been ‘ear-marked’ for Bob Hope. There is further ad-libbing, then a quick repeat of the introduction before Hope opens with the first line. As a point of interest, this may well be the only (?) public airing of the number which was written for the film, “Road To Rio” but not used.

Magic AWE10 - “Bing Crosby And Friends - Volume 2”

Jasmine JASCD 357/8 (CD) – “Bob Hope & Friends – Put It There Pal”

Jasmine JASCD 130/1 - “Bing Crosby – Going Hollywood – Vol. 4”

PLS CD 627 “The Golden Age Of Comedy – Bob Hope & Bing Crosby”

“Bing Crosby-Bob Hope shenanigans on the former’s programme, 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” 25th June 1947)

Go to Philco 1947-48 season

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