1947-1948 Season with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra

1947-1948 Season with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra. Produced by Bill Morrow and Murdo MacKenzie

The audience share for the season was 16.8, which enabled the programme to scrape into twentieth place in the Hooper ratings. Fred Allen’s show was in top place with 28.7 and the Kraft Music Hall (with Al Jolson as host) reached eleventh position with 21.4. For the first time, the show was recorded on to magnetic tape.

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

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

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

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

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

When I taped that first broadcast, they asked me to stay right there after the show and edit the tape, to see if I could make a program out of it. I did, and they seemed to like what they heard. Once the Crosby people bought the idea, they had to find a place for me to work. The American Broadcasting Company had been the Blue Network of NBC until, a short time before this, the government ordered NBC to sell it. NBC and ABC were still in the same building at Sunset and Vine in Hollywood.

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

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

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

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

I had two recorders and fifty rolls of tape to work with — just what I had sent home from Paris. With those fifty rolls I was able to do twenty-six Crosby shows-splicing, erasing, and recording over the splices. There were no textbooks on tape editing in 1947, so I had to develop my own techniques. There was no such thing as actual splicing tape, as we have it now. I began with a cement very similar to that used in film editing. The problem with it was that you could hear the splice — a sort of thump — if there wasn’t complete silence where it occurred. I then switched to ordinary Scotch mending tape, along with a pair of scissors and a can of talcum powder.

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

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

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

No. 37 1st October 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Peggy Lee and Gary Cooper.

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

*My Heart Is A Hobo (c) with Rhythmaires

It Takes A Long, Long Train With A

Red Caboose To Carry My Blues Away Peggy Lee

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Gary Cooper & Peggy Lee

Medley: (l)

*Mam’selle with Rhythmaires

*Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go To Sleep)

*Peg O’ My Heart (k) with Rhythmaires

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Gary Cooper

‘Musical Western’ Sketch (d) Bing Crosby, Gary Cooper & Peggy Lee

*Home On The Range (e) with Gary Cooper

*Sioux City Sue (f) with Gary Cooper

*When The Bloom Is On The Sage (g) with Gary Cooper

*(Alla En) El Rancho Grande (h) with Gary Cooper & Peggy Lee

*You Do (i) Bing Crosby

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

Notes:

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

(b) In this first programme of Bing’s second season with Philco, there is some pre-show ‘business’. Two ‘stage-hands’ are cleaning up and discussing Bing, who arrives complete with a ‘moose’ (the ‘trophy’ from a Canadian hunting trip). Perry Botkin (Guitar), accompanies Bing in “Where the blue....” and the line “Someone waits for me” provokes a bellow from the ‘moose’, to which Bing replies, “Not you!” The ‘moose’ becomes a running gag, referred to again, in this programme and in subsequent shows.

(d) The sketch is based on the premise that Gary Cooper has aspirations to be a singing cowboy and includes parodied versions of (e), (f), (g) and (h).

Parrot PARCD005 (CD) - “Bing Crosby And His Hollywood Guests - Hollywood Guys And Dolls - Volume 1”

(All musical items, with the exception of item (g) and some linking dialogue, are included)

(e) Commercial Recordings 27.9.33, 26.1.38 & 13.6.39

(f) Commercial Recording 27.12.45

(g) A few parodied words only.

Commercial Recording 12.12.38

(h) Sun 2108 (CD) – “El Rancho Grande – Bing Crosby and Peggy Lee”. Commercial Recordings 3.4.39 & 16.6.54

(i) Commercial recording 4.6.47

(j) Whistled only.

(k) Shout! CD DK31515 “Swingin’ With Bing”

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

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

“Gary Cooper sings, for the first time in radio, on the Bing Crosby transcribed series, which resumes at 9 pm over KECA. With Crosby he will do a parody of ‘Home on the Range’ and he will join with the Groaner and Peggy Lee when it comes time for ‘El Rancho Grande’. Also to be heard are the Rhythmaires, John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra and Ken Carpenter, announcer”

(“Hollywood Citizen News” 1st October 1947)

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

Show seemed, to this reviewer at least, to have picked up markedly in quality of the reproduction, even over the final platters of last season — a fact apparently attributable to a switchover from acetate records to German-made “magnetaphone” tape recorders to transcribe the program. Show is now edited on tape, then transferred to platters. Result, as it came through last week, is the most“live”-like tones yet fed over network skeins.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Variety, October 8, 1947)

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

(“Hollywood Citizen News” 6th October 1947)

No. 38 8th October 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Peggy Lee and Jimmy Durante.

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

*Feudin’ And Fightin’ (b) with Rhythmaires

Just An Old Love Of Mine Peggy Lee

You Gotta Start Off Each Day With A Song Jimmy Durante

*Where The Blue Of The Night (c) with Jimmy Durante

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante & Peggy Lee

Medley: (f)

*That’s My Desire

*I Wonder, I Wonder, I Wonder with Rhythmaires

*I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now?

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante

*The Campaign Song (Come On Out) (d) with Jimmy Durante

*As Long As I’m Dreaming (e)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Whistled only.

(b) Bing appears to be amused by the Rhythmaires’ accompaniment.

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

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

Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

Commercial Recording 8.5.47

(c) Jimmy Durante sings a few lines, echoed by Bing, which inspires the comment, “Mr. Crosby, I wish you’d develop a style of your own!”

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

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

(d) A parodied version of “G’Wan Home Your Mudder’s Callin”

All Star Products LP2001 - “Bing Crosby’s All Star Philco Show” (Shewn as “The CampainSong”)

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

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

Commercial Recording 14.11.46

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

Looking in the direction of Washington and election day, Jimmy Durante tries to persuade Bing Crosby to be his running mate in November. Durante appears as Crosby’s guest on the Bing Crosby show tonight at 9 over WNER.

(The Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin), 8th October, 1947)

No. 39 15th October 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood (2nd/3rd October 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires and Dinah Shore.

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

*Kokomo, Indiana (b) with Rhythmaires

*Almost Like Being In Love (g)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Dinah Shore

‘Old Plantation’ Sketch Bing Crosby, Dinah Shore & Ken Carpenter

I Wish I Didn’t Love You So Dinah Shore

Medley - “Your All-Time Flop Parade” (c)

*Yachting

*Hammacher Schlemmer (d) with Dinah Shore

*Was Last Night The Last Night With You?

*It’s About Time That I Wrote

To The Folks In Terra Haute with Dinah Shore

*Mississippi Moon (e)

*These Lush Moments (f) with Dinah Shore

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) After his customary opening, Bing continues whistling during the introductory credits.

(b) Commercial Recording 12.3.47

(c) This skit on “Your Hit Parade” but featuring ‘un-popular’ songs was repeated in subsequent shows (Nos.58, 70 & 98) and the format was also used, later, in the Chesterfield series. Invariably, it was comprised of a selection of corny songs. Some of them, incredibly enough, were originally written in all seriousness and some by Burke and Van Heusen. The selections are interrupted by ‘commercials’, the ‘sponsors’, on this occasion, being the makers’ of “Food”.

(d) Spoken comments only from Bing.

(e) Specially written by Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen.

(f) There is a reprise of this item and a second reprise following the Philco commercial.

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

It being what ABC calls its “big night” again Wednesday, the network continues to stress its mid-week talent line-up. One point it is being up this time is that Dinah Shore, ex-CBS but without a program series right now, will be on hand for the Bing Crosby show at 10. In fact, it is a foregone conclusion that she will, for this is the half-hour which is put on records ahead of the broadcast.

(C. E. Butterfield, The Morning Herald, 15th October, 1947)

No. 40 22nd October 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Clifton Webb, Burl Ives and Howard Duff.

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

*Come To The Mardi Gras (b) with Rhythmaires

*Home On The Range (c)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Clifton Webb & Burl Ives

*Sweet Betsy From Pike (d) with Burl Ives

*Clementine (e) with Burl Ives

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Clifton Webb

‘Clifton Webb - Private Face’ Sketch (f) Bing Crosby, Clifton Webb, Burl Ives, Howard Duff & Ken Carpenter

*Philco Commercial (g) with Clifton Webb, Burl Ives & Rhythmaires

*Just An Old Love Of Mine

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) After singing the first line only, Bing whistles the remainder.

(b) All Star Products LP2001 - ‘Bing Crosby’s All Star Philco Show”

Commercial Recording 2.12.64

(c) As a sales promotion for ‘Philco Week’ (celebrating the production of the 20 millionth Philco radio set) an autographed copy of Bing’s recordings of “Where The Blue Of The Night” / ”Home On The Range” was offered with every Model 1201 sold. Bing sings this item by way of a sample.

Commercial Recordings 27.9.33, 26.1.38 & 13.6.39

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

All Star Products LP2001 - ‘Bing Crosby’s All Star Philco Show”

Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

Commercial Recording 3.7.45 (‘Betsy’) - Adapted from this traditional theme.

(e) Bing commences this item, “In a canyon, in a cavern”, as he has done on other occasions, instead of the correct, “In a cavern, in a canyon”

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

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

Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

Commercial Recording 14.6.41

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

(g) A sung commercial entitled, “Twenty Million Philco’s Can’t Be Wrong”

Bing Crosby will have his hands full when suave, sophisticated Clifton Webb and open-hearted, unaffected Burl Ives meet, with surprising consequences, on Bing's “Philco Radio Time” program at 9 o’clock tonight…Howard Duff, in his role as Sam Spade, the Private Detective, will also be on hand to aid in the hilarious doings on the initial broadcast of this program series on WOMI… The very formal Mr. Webb finds Bing’s informality quite distressing but when Balladier Ives arrives on the scene, Webb is completely flabbergasted. Bing and Burl ease the tension with their duet of “Sweet Betsy from Pike” and “Clementine.” Webb's discourse on radio and detective programs leads to his burlesque of a “private eye,” Clifton Webb, with Bing, Burl and Sam Spade joining in the comedy antics.

(The Owensboro Messenger, 22nd October, 1947)

No. 41 29th October 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood (13th October 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Gale Robbins, Victor Moore and Boris Karloff.

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

*Feudin’ And Fightin’ (c) with Rhythmaires

*Ain’tcha Ever Comin' Back (d) with Rhythmaires

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Victor Moore & Gale Robbins

I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues Gale Robbins

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Victor Moore & Boris Karloff

*The Halloween Song (e) with Victor Moore & Boris Karloff

*The Whiffenpoof Song (f)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) An edited version of the programme was issued on SOOTAM004 - “Bing Crosby - Broadcast Selections”

(b) Whistled only.

(c) A very light-hearted version, producing some laughter and ad-libbing from Bing. The guitar introduction provokes the comment, “Al Dexter’s with us tonight” and the Rhythmaires yodelling - “I thought Judy Canova was on Saturday nights!”

Nostalgia LPF22014 - “Bing Crosby - 20 Golden Greats - Volume 1” (Shewn as “Feudin’, Fussin’ and Fightin’)

(d) All Star Products LP2001 - “Bing Crosby’s All Star Philco Show”

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

(e) All Star Products LP2001 - “Bing Crosby’s All Star Philco Show” (Shewn as “The HaloweenSong”)

(f) Varese Sarabande CD 3020669052 “Bing Crosby – Crosby Classics”

Commercial Recording 5.6.47

Bing Crosby surrounds himself with Boris Karloff, the Horror champ, Victor Moore, the stage and screen's favorite prankster, and singer, Gale Robbins, for a hilarious Hallowe'en fun fest on his “Philco Radio Time” program today, from 9 to 9.30 p. m. over WOMI. The first of Bing's guests to show up will be Victor Moore, comedian of stage and screen fame, who will give Crosby some inside dope on how he was the original "beautiful hunk of man Vic” in his youth. Sultry Miss Robbins joins in the fun and sings “I’ve Got a Right to Sing the Blues.” Boris Karloff brings a pocket full of surprises for Bing and Victor when they suggest some Hallowe'en devilment. As a finale to their fun fest the three join in a special Hallowe’en song, written by Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen for the occasion.

(The Owensboro Messenger, 29th October, 1947)

No. 42 5th November 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Ozzie Nelson and Harriet (Hilliard) Nelson.

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

*Tallahassee (b) with Rhythmaires

*I Wish I Didn’t Love You So (c)

Comedy Dialogue Ozzie & Harriet Nelson

*Almost Like Being In Love

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Ozzie & Harriet Nelson

*Sunday, Monday Or Always (d) with Ozzie & Harriet Nelson

*Why Don’t You Fall In Love With Me? (e) with Ozzie & Harriet Nelson

*You Do (f) with Buddy Cole (Piano)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) A ‘pre-show’ opening finds Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, ‘spending an evening at home’, they ‘turn on the radio’ in time to hear Bing singing the opening theme. Until their official entrance, there are cuts between the Nelson’s ‘at home’ and Bing and Ken Carpenter in the studio.

(b) Shout! CD DK31515 “Swingin’ With Bing”

Commercial Recording 26.3.47

(d) Bing’s hit from “Dixie” (his sixth million-seller) is introduced by Ozzie Nelson as a ‘new’ song.

All Star Products LP2001 - “Bing Crosby’s All Star Philco Show”

Commercial Recording 2.7.43

(e) Bing’s contribution is restricted to spoken remarks, apart from singing, “He’s got a Philco!” and joining in the last line of the song.

HRB Music BCP1001 - “Bing Crosby And Friends”

Japanese MCA9301 - “Bing Crosby Radio Show”

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

Commercial Recording 4.6.47

Ozzie Nelson and Harriett Hilliard, the former orchestra leader and singer who carved themselves a new radio career from their marriage, will visit Bing Crosby, who is quite a family man himself, during the Crosby show tonight at 9:00. After a frank and humorous discussion of their children’s troubles, Bing, Harriett and Ozzie will become a vocal trio to sing “Sunday, Monday or Always” and “Why Don’t You Fall in Love with Me.”

(The Jackson Sun, 5th November, 1947)

“Bing Crosby is cutting two Philco platters a week to pile up a backlog before the Petrillo edict becomes operative and also backlog a few weeks of vacation”

(“Variety” 8th November 1947)

No. 43 12th November 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Peter Lorre and Kay Thompson & The Williams Brothers.

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

*Come To The Mardi Gras (c) with Rhythmaires

*How Soon (Will I Be Seeing You) (d)

Hello, Hello (e) Kay Thompson & The Williams Brothers

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Kay Thompson

*(It’s The) Jubilee (Time) (f) with Kay Thompson & The Williams Brothers

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Peter Lorre

‘Dr. Lorre’s Office’ Sketch (g) Bing Crosby, Peter Lorre, Kay Thompson & The Williams Brothers

*Blue Hawaii (h)

*Ain’tcha Ever Comin' Back with Rhythmaires

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) An edited version of the programme was issued on Ultimo KAYT408 - “The Kay Thompson Reviews”. (Item (f) is shewn on the sleeve as “Jubilee Roy”)

(b) Pre-show, an unidentified voice whispers, “You’re on kid”, to which Bing replies, “I’m on? - How am I doing?” He interrupts himself after “meets the gold” with, “Have to get a brighter light up there, that light just doesn’t come through the smog or something” - probably a reference to the cue light.

Commercial Recording 2.12.64

(d) Nostalgia LPF22014 - “Bing Crosby - 20 Golden Greats - Volume 1” (Shewn on record label and sleeve as “Poor Little Rich Girl”) N.B. Only a small segment from the middle of Bing’s spoken introduction remains and it seems certain that the track has been dubbed from the issue shewn at Note (a) which also includes this rather curious editing.

Commercial Recording 4.6.47

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

Japanese MCA9301 - “Bing Crosby Radio Show”

Precision Records & Tapes NCP711 - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years Volume 4” (Recording date shewn as 5.11.47)

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

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

(Although the first four issues shewn above credit “Bing Crosby with Kay Thompson & The Williams Brothers”, Bing’s only contribution is a spoken introduction).

(f) See note (a) above.

Parrot PARCD005 (CD) - “Bing Crosby And His Hollywood Guests - Hollywood Guys And Dolls - Volume 1”

(g) This sketch contains several parodies in the form of commercial jingles, sung mainly by The Williams Brothers with some assistance from Bing and Kay Thompson. “D’Ye Ken John Peel”, “The Irish Washerwoman” and “Little Brown Jug” can be identified but the most noteworthy is a parody of (h) sung entirely by Bing.

Living Era CD AJA5590 “Radio Stars of America”

(h) Parodied version. See note (g) above.

Commercial Recordings 23.2.37 & 24.4.54

Peter Lorre, playing as sinister a psychologist as ever made a down payment on a black couch, will attempt to probe Bing Crosby’s mental processes during his guest appearance on the WTJS-ABC broadcast of Philco Radio Time tonight at 9:00. Kay Thompson, new West Coast nightclub comedienne, and the Williams Brothers Quartet also will be visitors on the show. Lorre’s conclusions, after a careful examination of the Crosby cranial content, are that Bing is slightly off balance on account of listening to many radio jingles. Assisted by Miss Thompson and the Williams Brothers, as well as Bing himself, the screen menace will sing a few to prove his point.

(The Jackson Sun, 12th November, 1947)

No. 44 19th November 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood (31st October 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, The Ken Darby Chorus, Dorothy Kirsten and Barry Fitzgerald.

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

*The Freedom Train (b) with Rhythmaires & The Ken Darby Chorus

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Dorothy Kirsten

The Romany Life (Herbert) Dorothy Kirsten with The Ken Darby Chorus

*Indian Summer (c) with Dorothy Kirsten

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Dorothy Kirsten & Barry Fitzgerald

‘Fairy Shoemaker’ Sketch (d) Bing Crosby & Barry Fitzgerald

*When Irish Eyes Are Smiling (e)

*Shortnin’ Bread (f)

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

*I Wish I Didn’t Love You So

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Whistled only.

(b) Commercial Recording 29.5.47

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

(d) The sketch is a fantasy version of Bing’s first meeting with Barry Fitzgerald and includes fragments of (e) & (f) and leads to a full version of (g).

(e) See (d) above. Commercial Recording 7.5.46

(f) See (d) above

(g) See (d) above. Commercial Recordings 7.7.44 & 17.5.45

The Metropolitan opera soprano, Dorothy Kirsten, joins Barry Fitzgerald, as Bing Crosby's guests on the variety fun fest “Philco Radio Time” program Wednesday night at 9 o'clock over station WOMI. The Ken Darby Chorus will also be on hand to supply spirited harmony. Bing, the Rhythmaires and the Ken Darby group hop aboard the “Freedom Train” for a stirring opening selection. Miss Kirsten, who began her musical career on the radio, joins Bing in a tongue in cheek dissertation on the “radio to opera road versus the opera to radio ladder to fame.” …Fitzgerald, one of Bing’s favorite film partners, offers some typical blarney before re-enacting his whimsical meeting with Bing.

(The Owensboro Messenger, (Kentucky), 19th November, 1947)

It is difficult to find one word to describe my feelings about this great performer’s voice: sexy, smooth, suave, and ever so personalized . . . many have tried to emulate his sound. . . . Bing and I were close friends for quite a while and enjoyed some good times together. He was a warm person with a gay and light personality. At one time we actually became quite serious; however, there were two important careers to consider.

(Dorothy Kirsten, writing in her book A Time to Sing, page 124)

No. 45 26th November 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires and Frankie Laine.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*The Old Chaperone (b) with Rhythmaires

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Frankie Laine

That’s My Desire Frankie Laine

*The Man Without A Country (A Poetic Narrative) (c) with supporting cast

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” (Item (b) is shewn as “The Old Chaperon” Content also purported to include, “Two Loves Have I” sung by Frankie Laine but omits to mention “The Man Without A Country”.

Also issued on Black Lion BLM52043 - “Bing Crosby With Maurice Chevalier And Frankie Laine”
(b) Commercial recording 12.5.47
(c) This patriotic piece is specially presented on the eve of Thanksgiving and although basically the same as the commercial issue, a different cast leads to an alternative interpretation. There are also differences in scripting, particularly in Bing’s narration which has been somewhat amplified.

Commercially recorded on 13th June 1947.

“Bing Crosby was impressive on his Philco Show, Wednesday night (26th) on ABC, as the narrator of Jean Holloway’s dramatization of Edward Everett Hale’s, ‘The Man Without a Country’. There was one other notable aspect of the broadcast. That was the impression on the listener, particularly during the present emphasis on patriotism, of the familiar story of Philip Nolan’s disgrace. There has always been something disturbing about that notorious incident but this broadcast suggested, as never before, (not even on several previous presentations of the same script) that the punishment imposed on Nolan was inhumanely cruel. It was deliberate and unrelenting and only death brought relief for the officer who, on thoughtless impulse, wished never to hear of the United States again. No one could seriously have thought Nolan really have meant what he had blurted out in a moment of rage. In fact, as Hale’s account says, Nolan’s epitaph contained the statement that no man ever loved America more than he. Only the most supremely self-righteous patriot would willingly face the same strict accountability of his everyday reckless word that Philip Nolan faced and this broadcast suggested that in the case of ‘The Man Without a Country, the intended villain emerged a finer figure than did the zealots who judged him.”

(“Variety” 3rd December 1947)

No. 46 3rd December 1947 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires and Al Jolson.

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

*Pass That Peace Pipe (c) with Rhythmaires

*Kate (d)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Al Jolson

*Ma Blushin’ Rosie (e) with Al Jolson

*Sunbonnet Sue (f) with Al Jolson

*A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody (g) with Al Jolson

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Al Jolson

*The Best Things In Life Are Free (h) with Al Jolson

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Al Jolson

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

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

(b) Bing continues whistling over the opening credits.

(d) 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”

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

(e) All Star Products LP2001 - “Bing Crosby’s All Star Philco Show”

Windmill WMD273 - “The Magnificent Al Jolson”

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

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

(f) All Star Products LP2001 - “Bing Crosby’s All Star Philco Show”

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 30.6.39

(g) All Star Products LP2001 - “Bing Crosby’s All Star Philco Show”

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

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

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

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”

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 20.2.75

Al’s last 1947 Crosby show was in December—eight months after the one before. When the May show ended, Crosby’s agents had tried to sign Al up for another ten programs that autumn. But the two singers couldn’t agree terms.

One report said that Bing and Al were at least $1,000 apart on what Jolson’s guest appearance fee should be. . . . It was to be two years before Al appeared again on the Crosby program although Bing was to join him on his.

Bing had wondered at the very beginning of their association how the live studio audiences would take to Al appearing as himself. He thought they would be too amazed at the difference between Larry Parks on the screen and Jolson’s real appearance. But it never seemed to matter. They loved Jolson as he was—and of course the Crosby–Jolson team.

(Michael Freedland, writing in his book, Al Jolson, page 234)

No. 47 10th December 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood (8th/9th November 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires and Walter O’Keefe.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Civilisation (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo) (a) with Rhythmaires

*The Whiffenpoof Song (b)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Walter O’Keefe

‘First Meeting’ Sketch Bing Crosby, Walter O’Keefe & Ken Carpenter

*Little By Little

*How Soon (Will I Be Seeing You) (c)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) All Star Products LP2001 - “Bing Crosby’s All Star Philco Show”

(b) Commercial Recording 5.6.47

Walter O’Keefe and Bing Crosby will wax nostalgic about the time before sponsors replaced the wolves at their doors and neither of them had anything but a song for the landlady…Re-enacting the scene of their first meeting in the waiting room at New York’s Grand Central Terminal, their club room at the time, the pair will talk over old times and their respective rises in the show world…Bing will also be heard in one of O’Keefe’s tunes, “Little by Little”…

(The Jackson Sun, 10th December, 1947)

No. 48 17th December 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Ilene Woods and Joe Frisco. (a)

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

*Pass That Peace Pipe (c) with Rhythmaires

*Ballerina (d) with Rhythmaires

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Ilene Woods & Ken Carpenter

That Old Feeling Ilene Woods

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Joe Frisco

*I Still Get Jealous (e)

*White Christmas (f) with Rhythmaires

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) The credits mention a ‘mystery guest’ (‘Rudolph Schmoehopper’) who, needless to say, does not appear but this becomes a running gag for several subsequent programmes.

(b) Whistled only.

(d) Artistic ART001 - “Bing’s Party” (Shewn as “Ballerino”). In fact, Bing introduces the song, on this occasion, as “Ballerino”.

Sounds Of Yester Year CD DSOY 605 “Bing Crosby – I Got Rhythm”

Commercial Recording 3.12.47

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

(f) Commercial Recordings 29.5.42, 19.3.47, 10.4.54 and 24.12.55

Derby-hatted, cigar smoking Joe Frisco, whose wise-cracks are passed around Broadway like flawless gems at a jewelers exchange. Songstress Ilene Woods, and Rudolph Schmoehopper, a celebrity known only to Bing Crosby, are the guests scheduled to appear on the Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00 over WTJS-ABC. Frisco, who so far as anyone knows never has left large cities except for such country life as is found at a race track, now is devoting his life to hunting and fishing, according to the stories he will tell Bing. Miss Woods, who formerly was the featured singer of WTJS-ABC’s “Breakfast Club” will be heard in “That Old Feeling”…What if anything Rudolph Schmoehopper will do on tonight’s show is a secret known only to Bing.

(The Jackson Sun, 17th December, 1947)

No. 49 24th December 1947 (aa)

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

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Adeste Fideles

*The Christmas Song with Skitch Henderson (Piano)

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

*White Christmas

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

*Silent Night with Chorus & The Charioteers

Silent Night Closing Theme

Note:

(aa) This programme was a re-broadcast of the Christmas Show transmitted on 25th December 1946.

Notes (a) to (h) for Programme No. 11 apply.

No. 50 31st December 1947

Transcribed in Hollywood (15th/16th November 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires and Danny Thomas.

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

*You Don’t Have To Know The Language (b) with Rhythmaires

*Let’s Start The New Year Right (c) with Rhythmaires

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Danny Thomas

Comedy Soliloquy Danny Thomas

*I’m Metro Goldwyn Thomas (d) with Danny Thomas

*Civilization (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo) with Rhythmaires

*But Beautiful (e)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Pre-show, Bing can be heard saying, “Oh! This is a grim moment....I want to tell you....this is grim! - There is no explanation for these remarks.

(b) Commercial Recording 25.11.47

(c) Bing alters the lyrics, to suit other time zones by singing, “Three hours to midnight - in some sections, it’s two”. This is a much briefer version than the commercial issue.

Commercial Recording 25.5.42

(d) Although Bing does not participate in the vocal, the format includes several skits of film scenarios wherein, he plays, variously, a gangster, a judge and an Indian chief.

(e) Varese Sarabande CD 3020669052 “Bing Crosby – Crosby Classics”

Commercial Recording 13.11.47

Danny Thomas, one of the newest and brightest comedians, who promises to make 1948 a lot funnier that it would be without him, will be Bing Crosby’s guest tonight at 9:00. Rudolph Schmoehopper, Crosby’s unknown celebrity guest, who failed to appear a couple of weeks ago, again is scheduled for New Year’s Eve. Thomas envious of Crosby’s movie and radio success, will launch into a lengthy soliloquy in which he pictures himself as a movie mogul who hires Bing as a bit player. He also will present a series of familiar film play scenes which he promises will never appear in any of his pictures.

(The Jackson Sun, 31st December, 1947)

No. 51 7th January 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Walter O’Keefe and The Lone Ranger (Brace Beemer).

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

*With A Hey! And A Hi! And A Ho! Ho! Ho! (b) with Rhythmaires

*The Best Things In Life Are Free (c) with Rhythmaires

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Walter O’Keefe

*Saluta Senor Jolson with Walter O’Keefe

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Walter O’Keefe & Brace Beemer

‘Three-Fingered Luke’ Sketch Bing Crosby, Walter O’Keefe, Brace Beemer & Ken Carpenter

*Kate (d)

*How Soon (Will I Be Seeing You) (e)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Pre-show, Bing can be heard singing a snatch of “Figaro” from “The Barber Of Seville”

(b) There is a false start to this item and Bing remonstrates, “Oh! The flute was a little late. Let’s get a better start here....Where were you, Jack?”

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

(e) Commercial Recording 4.6.47

The Lone Ranger will tie up Silver at a hitching post in front of the Philco Radio Time bandstand when he and Walter O’Keefe are Bing Crosby’s guests over WTJS-ABC tonight at 9:00. The Masked Horseman, as The Lone Ranger also is known to his millions of fans, will be the central figure in a stirring drama of the Old West, in which Bing will play Sheriff Creepalong. O’Keefe and announcer Ken Carpenter will have important roles, too. O’Keefe, who is playing a return engagement on Philco Radio Time, is coming back because Crosby didn’t let him sing last time. Making amends, Bing will let Walter join him in a Calypso-style duet whose lyrics recite the feats which have contributed to the fabulous career of Al Jolson.

(The Jackson Sun, 7th January, 1948)

It was bound to happen! On Bing Crosby’s transcribed show, we mean. Walter O’Keefe last week told Bing he was going to hurry home so that he could hear Henry Morgan. Hank’s been off the air since Christmas, The plug sounded silly.

(The Akron Beacon Journal, 14th January, 1948)

No. 52 14th January 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Evelyn Knight and George Burns.

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

*The Freedom Train (b) with Rhythmaires

*I Still Get Jealous

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Evelyn Knight

Betsy Evelyn Knight

Comedy Dialogue (c) Bing Crosby, George Burns, Ken Carpenter & John Scott Trotter

‘The Hour Of Love’ Sketch (d) Bing Crosby, George Burns & Ken Carpenter

*It Might As Well Be Spring (e) with George Burns & the Rhythmaires

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & George Burns

*But Beautiful (f)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & George Burns

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Pre-show, Bing can be heard saying, “Please....my pucker!” The ‘explanation’ comes when he interrupts his opening theme after “....gold of the day” with, “Don’t let that feller in the front row with that lime, any more. That’s the end of that.”

(b) Commercial recording 29.5.47

(c) Includes Bing singing a fragment of an unlikely song called, “Tiger Girl” and a stab at “Ain’t Misbehavin’” by George Burns (a capella).

(d) The sketch provides a lead-in to item (d)

Radio Years RY18 (CD) - “Bing Crosby On Radio In The Thirties” {Shewn as “Hours Of Love” (1937)}

(e) 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 NCP704 - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years - Volume 1”

GNP/CrescendoGNPD9052 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - The Radio Years”

All the above issues also contain the sketch at item (d)

(f) Shout! CD DK 31515 “Swingin’ With Bing”

Commercial recording 13.11.47

George Burns, who must have been told by a Hollywood psychiatrist to give his ego a suntan by emerging from the sprightly shadow of Gracie Allen’s personality, will try his solo appearance with wings when he, along with songstress Evelyn Knight, visits Crosby tonight at 9:00 over WTJS-ABC. George, it seems, having spent the greater part of his adult life feeding straight lines to his comically gifted spouse, now would like to become a singer like Crosby. After listening with sympathetic gravity to George’s entreaties, Bing will enlist the support of the Rhythmaires and John Scott Trotter’s Orchestra, as he and Gracie’s husband raise their voices in “It Might As Well Be Spring.” Miss Knight, one of the trio of stars heard regularly on WTJS-ABC’s Texaco Star Theatre which follows Bing’s, will sing “Betsy,” a delicately rhythmic ballad of the type with which she is identified…The non-appearance of Rudolph Schmoehopper, Bing’s elusive guest, a disappointment to which Philco Time listeners have come to look forward to eagerly each week will take place as usual.

(The Jackson Sun, 14th January, 1948)

No. 53 21st January 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, George Burns and Gracie Allen.

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

*With A Hey! And A Hi! And A Ho! Ho! Ho! (e) with Rhythmaires

Comedy Dialogue (b) George Burns & Gracie Allen

*Suspense (c)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, George Burns & Gracie Allen

*I’ll Dance At Your Wedding with Rhythmaires

*Golden Earrings (d)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, George Burns & Gracie Allen

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Pre-show, Bing can be heard saying, “.....all a-twitter” and he interrupts his whistling of the opening theme with, “Sounds like an aviary”.

(b) Includes a few bars of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” sung by George Burns (a capella).

(d) Commercial Recording 3.12.47

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

George Burns, whose current ambition is to be a crooner despite an astounding lack of musical talent, will bring his wife and radio partner, Gracie Allen, along to the WTJS-ABC broadcast of “The Bing Crosby Show” to help enlist the support of Bing during his regular appearance tonight at 9 o'clock. Burns, whose musical nickname is “Sugar Throat,” will demonstrate briefly an archaic singing style and Gracie’s addled efforts on her husband’s behalf will provide hilarity but no real help toward getting George out of his present tuneless classification.

(The Jackson Sun, 21st January, 1948)

No. 54 28th January 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood (5th December 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Red Ingle and Esther Williams.

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

*Kokomo, Indiana (b) with Rhythmaires

*The Whiffenpoof Song (c)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Esther Williams

‘National Civility Week’ Sketch Bing Crosby, Esther Williams, Ken Carpenter & John Scott Trotter

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Red Ingle

*Nowhere (d) with Red Ingle

*The Best Things In Life Are Free (e) with Rhythmaires

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Pre-show, Bing says, “Got a couple of half-backs, up there, on that shelf.....first night out” He completes the opening theme with, “...Meyer waits for me”. The explanation is that the Notre Dame Football Club are in the audience and Johnny Meyer was team manager, at the time.

(b) Includes parodied verses (specially written by Johnny Burke) in acknowledgement of the presence of the Notre Dame team.

Commercial Recording 12.3.47

(d) This item, a parodied mixture of “Out Of Nowhere” and “That’s What I Like About The South” contains only one phrase by Bing - “Man, you name it - if we ain’t got it, we won’t get it”.

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

Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

Commercial Recording 20.2.75

In his usual time spot just ahead of “The Tony Martin Show”, the old groaner Crosby, has Esther Williams and the “Musical Maniac” Red Ingle as guests at 9:00. Miss Williams, who made her show business debut as a swimmer in a Billy Rose Aquacade in San Francisco when she was 16, will show what would happen if her proposed National Civility week becomes a fact when she directs Crosby and announcer Ken Carpenter, playing a batter and umpire during a baseball game during the week. A football game dramatization also will be used to show the benefit of Miss Williams’ proposal. Ingle, who sings dreamy ballads in a twangy, hillbilly style, will be hard in his version of “You Came to Me Out of Nowhere.”

(The Jackson Sun, 28th January, 1948)

No. 55 4th February 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood (12th December 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Dick Haymes, Mark Hellinger (a) and Jimmy Durante.

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

*I’ll Dance At Your Wedding (c) with Rhythmaires

*Now Is The Hour (The Maori Farewell Song) (d) with Rhythmaires

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Mark Hellinger

*But Beautiful (e)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, Dick Haymes & Mark Hellinger

Medley: - Salute To Vaudeville (f)

*Mr Gallagher And Mr Shean (g) with Jimmy Durante & Dick Haymes

*Whatever Happened to Vaudeville (h) with Jimmy Durante & Dick Haymes

*While Strolling Through The Park (i) with Jimmy Durante & Dick Haymes

The Autolite Song (j) Dick Haymes

The Rexall Drug Song (k) Jimmy Durante

*Philco Commercial (l) with Jimmy Durante & Dick Haymes

*Chidabee, Chidabee, Chidabee (Yah! Yah! Yah!) (m) with Jimmy Durante & Dick Haymes

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante & Dick Haymes

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Special reference is made by Bing, in the credits, to Mark Hellinger who died between the transcription and broadcast of this programme.

(b) Whistled only.

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

(d) Bing, incorrectly, refers to this item as, “The Maori Love Song from Australia”.

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

Varese Sarabande CD 3020669052 “Bing Crosby – Crosby Classics”

Commercial Recording 8.11.47

(e) Commercial Recording 13.11.47

(f) This medley, inspired by the comedy theme that Mark Hellinger is contemplating producing a musical starring, Bing, Jimmy Durante and Dick Haymes, contains parodied versions of (g) & (h) and items (j) & (k) in which the two guests refer to the sponsors of their own radio shows of the time.

(g) See note (f) above.

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

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

Commercial Recording 1.7.38

(h) See note (f) above.

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

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

(i) See note (f) above.

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

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

    Commercial Recording Dec. 1960
(j)         See note (f) above.
(k)        See note (f) above.
(l)         Sung commercial - “P.H.I.L.C.O.” (A parody of “H.A.R.R.I.G.A.N.” - Commercial Recording Dec.1960)
(m)           JSP CD701 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & Jimmy Durante - Start Off Each Day With A Song”

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

“Bing Crosby gave a showman’s epitaph to Mark Hellinger on his Philco program, last Wednesday (4th). Several weeks before the columnist’s death, he appeared as one of Crosby’s guest stars and the plattered show was aired without any revisions, except for one mention by Crosby that, ‘just as his friends would like it, he’s here with us tonight.’ And because of this it was one of Crosby’s crackerjack sessions. Hellinger’s memory has a bit of lustre added to it. Hellinger gave a short plug to his latest film, ‘The Naked City’, exchanged a few gags with Crosby about the ‘good old days’ and set the stage for Dick Haymes and Jimmy Durante, in outlining a mythical, Broadway, legit show. For the rest of the show, Hellinger played straight as Crosby, Durante and Haymes cut some incomparable vocal capers, in a comedy tune about the passing of vaudeville. Everything and everybody clicked with perfect precision and it was a fitting farewell to Hellinger that he should have appeared in this great show.”

(“Variety” 11th February 1948)

No. 56 11th February 1948 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Peggy Lee, Joe Venuti and Oscar Levant.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Civilisation (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo) with Rhythmaires

Comedy Dialogue (b) Bing Crosby, Oscar Levant & Joe Venuti

*Somebody Loves Me (c) Bing Crosby (Oscar Levant - Piano)

Oh! Lady be Good Joe Venuti (Violin)

Second Rhapsody (Gershwin) (d) Oscar Levant (Piano)

Do, Do, Do (e) Oscar Levant (Piano)

*Someone To Watch Over Me with Oscar Levant (Piano) & Joe Venuti (Violin)

*’S Wonderful with Peggy Lee (Oscar Levant - Piano & Joe Venuti – Violin)

*I’ve Got A Crush On You with Peggy Lee

Medley: (f)

I’ve Got A Crush On You Oscar Levant (Piano)

I’m Just Wild About Harry Oscar Levant (Piano & Vocal)

*Love Is Sweeping The Country with Oscar Levant (Piano)

*They Can’t Take That Away From Me (g) with Peggy Lee

Third Prelude For Piano (Gershwin) Oscar Levant (Piano)

Bidin’ My Time (h) Oscar Levant (Vocal)

*I Got Rhythm (i) with Peggy Lee (Joe Venuti - Violin)

*Summertime (j) with Peggy Lee

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) A large part of the programme was issued on Artistic ART001 - “Bing’s Party” and on Sounds Of Yester Year CD DSOY 605 “Bing Crosby – I Got Rhythm”. Selections have been allotted individual tracks and the original order of presentation has been altered. All the vocal items which feature Bing, (with the exception of “Summertime”) are included. Much of the linking dialogue remains and several of the musical items by Oscar Levant and Joe Venuti. After the opening number with The Rhythmaires, the programme is devoted to the music of George Gershwin.

(b) There are also comedy dialogue links between the remaining items, featuring, variously, Oscar Levant, Joe Venuti and Peggy Lee.

(d) A few bars only.

(e) A snatch only.

(f) Fragments only of the items in this medley of one-steps.

(g) A missed cue for this item as Bing commences without the orchestra and then, jokingly, rounds on John Scott Trotter with, “You nodded...you nodded...You’re a large....Gave me the biggest downbeat...”

Commercial Recording 12.11.47

(h) Verse only.

(i) Commercial Recording 22.2.75

(j) Commercial Recording 8.7.38

A generous assortment of the late George Gershwin’s music will be sung and played by Bing Crosby and his guests, Oscar Levant, Peggy Lee and Joe Venuti, a quartet that can’t be topped in popular music during the WJTS-ABC broadcast of Philco Radio Time tonight at 9:00. Levant will display his customary lack of modesty, false or otherwise, when he swaps quips with Bing, but will prove also, his justification for braggadocio when he plays Gershwin’s “Third Prelude.”…Venuti, one of the country’s hottest fiddlers, will be heard in the title tune of “Lady Be Good.”

(The Jackson Sun, 11th February, 1948)

No. 57 18th February 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood (19th December 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires and Robert Taylor.

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

*Pretty Baby (b) with Rhythmaires

*Ballerina (c) with Rhythmaires

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Robert Taylor

*Thanks For The Memory (d) with Robert Taylor (Cello)

*The Glow Worm (e) with Robert Taylor (Cello)

‘Road To The Congo’ Sketch (f) Bing Crosby, Robert Taylor & Ken Carpenter

*Civilization (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo) (g) with Robert Taylor

*I Still Get Jealous

*Golden Earrings (h)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Whistled only and commenced in an unusually swingy style.

(b) Commercial Recording 3.12.47

(d) Bing sings only the first line and the last line (“Oh! Thank you so much”) at the end of item (e).

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(e) See item (d) above. Bing accompanies Robert Taylor’s cello playing, on cymbals.

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

(f) The comedy theme that Robert Taylor would like to usurp Bob Hope as Bing’s partner, culminates in this sketch which includes the recorded voice of Hope and closes with item (g).

(g) See note (f) above. One parodied chorus only.

(h) Commercial Recording 3.12.47

Robert Taylor will expose an unknown side of his personality when he attempts to establish himself as a cello virtuoso on the Bing Crosby show. The film star, whose repertoire includes only the “Glow Worm,” operates on the theory that the audience might laugh when he sits down to play, but they’ll howl when he begins.

(The Indianapolis Star, 18th February, 1948)

No. 58 25th February 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood (22nd December 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires and Peggy Lee.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*You Don’t Have To Know The Language (a) with Rhythmaires

Golden Earrings Peggy Lee

Medley: - Your All Time Flop Parade (b)

*Mississippi Moon

*It’s About Time That I Wrote To The Folks In Terra Haute with Peggy Lee

Was Last Night The Last Night With You Peggy Lee

*Tortured

*Boise, Idaho with Peggy Lee

*These Lush Moments with Peggy Lee

*Now Is The Hour (The Maori Farewell Song) (c)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Fioretti FI3639 - “All American Stars” (Shewn as “With The Moon In The Sky”)

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

Commercial Recording 25.11.47

(b) See Programme No. 39 Note (c). As usual, this ‘show’ within a show is announced by Ken Carpenter who is joined by Bing, in the ‘commercial’. The ‘sponsors’ on this occasion being the makers of ‘Hair’.

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

Commercial Recording 8.11.47

The accent will be on music with some fancy ukulele playing tossed in, when Bing Crosby and his guest Peggy Lee come up with Crosby’s second edition of the “Flop Parade,” 9 p.m… Several months ago Crosby and Dinah Shore got laughs for their program of “All Time Flops” and one of the cleverest was “These Lush Moments” which warrants a repeat on tonight’s performance…

(The Des Moines Register, 25th February, 1948)

No. 59 3rd March 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood (29th December 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Tom Breneman and Jack Benny.

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

*The Big Brass Band From Brazil with Rhythmaires

*At The Flying “W” (b) with Rhythmaires

‘The Cocktail Lounge’ Sketch (c) Jack Benny & Tom Breneman

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Jack Benny

*But Beautiful (d)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Jack Benny & Tom Breneman

*Humoresque (Dvorak) (e) with Jack Benny (Violin)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Bing interrupts himself after “...someone waits for me”, with what would appear to be ..”Gotta try and make you stand out, tonight” - the significance of this remark is not further explained.

(b) Commercial Recording 17.12.47

(c) The comedy theme derives from Jack Benny putting a nickel in the jukebox to hear Bing. The record jams and Jack tries hard to recover his money. Eventually, Bing effects recompense by singing the song {item (d)}, ‘live’ for him. The sketch and the comedy ‘bits’ also feature Sara Berner as “Gladys Zybysko”, who was Jack’s ‘girl friend’ in his own radio series.

(d) See note (c) above.

Commercial Recording 13.11.47

(e) Jack Benny points out that there is ‘no vocal’ when Bing attempts some ‘scat’ singing. However, Bing, apparently, gives accompaniment on cymbals.

Jack Benny, Tom Breneman and a surprise guest Gladys Szabisco, Benny’s radio girl friend, will be Bing’s visitors on tonight’s Philco Radio Time at 9:00. The re-enactment of a visit paid by Benny and Miss Szabisco to Breneman’s restaurant, will form the central situation on tonight’s show. What happens when Benny puts a nickel in the juke box to hear Bing sing, and the machine breaks down, provides a complicated situation which only Bing is able to solve.

(The Jackson Sun, 3rd March, 1948)

No. 60 10th March 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood (26th December 1947). Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires and James Stewart.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*A Hundred And Sixty Acres (a) with Rhythmaires

*Love Me Or Leave Me (b)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & James Stewart

‘Bride And Groom’ Sketch Bing Crosby, James Stewart & Ken Carpenter

I’m A Wolf James Stewart

*But Beautiful (c)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & James Stewart

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Commercial Recording 17.12.47

(b) Commercial Recording 24.12.47

Commercial Recording 13.11.47

Hollywood’s favorite bachelor compares notes with filmdom’s top “family” man when Jimmy “Wolf” Stewart is guest star on Bing Crosby’s laugh riot “Philco Radio Time” tonight at 9:00…Extolling single blessedness, Jimmy tells the Groaner some of his trade secrets on staying single. Bing, however, determines that Jimmy is missing the best things in life and shows him, via a sketch how easy it is to get married, with Stewart playing the blushing bride and Bing the groom. When their signals get crossed, they pull a switch with Bing as the bride and Jimmy, the groom. As a finale to the sketch, Stewart steps out of character to sing “I’m the Wolf of Wolf Creek Pass.”

(The Jackson Sun, 10th March, 1948)

Dear Bing:

Thank you ever so much for the records of Wolf Creek Pass. I have offered some of them to several of my friends but my friends refuse to accept them so I will treasure them all myself for ever.

Best regards,

Jim Stewart

No. 61 17th March 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires and Margaret O’Brien.

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

*Dear Old Donegal (b) with Rhythmaires

*Saturday Date with Gloria Wood

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Margaret O’Brien

‘Cinderella Goes To Town’ Sketch Bing Crosby, Margaret O’Brien, Ken Carpenter & John Scott Trotter

*That Tumbledown Shack In Athlone (c)

*Galway Bay (d)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Bing sings “Where the blue of the night meets the green of the day” in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day.

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(b) During the catalogue of Irish names which forms part of the lyric, Bing comments, after the name ‘Colonna’, “How did he get there...Politics, eh?”

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

Commercial Recording 6.12.45

Commercial Recording 7.5.46

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

Commercial Recording 27.11.47

Bing Crosby will reel off almost as many Irish names as there are in the Dublin Telephone Directory when he sings “Dear Old Donegal” during the St. Patrick’s Day broadcast of Philco Radio Time tonight at 9:00. His guest will be Margaret O’Brien. Bing and the very young Miss O’Brien will display prime samples of their ancestral brogue before enacting with the help of announcer Ken Carpenter and Maestro John Scott Trotter, a specially written version of the Cinderella story titled “Cinderella Goes to Town.” Gloria Woods, who has been heard all season as one of the Rhythmaires, will emerge as a personality in her own right to sing “Saturday Date,” with Bing, whose remaining tunes of the evening will be “Tumble Down Shack in Athlone” and “Galway Bay.”

(The Jackson Sun, 17th March, 1948)

“Crosby Disks Circle New York Clock” (Front Page Headline)

“Bing Crosby can be described as the only singer who follows the New York metropolitan listener, around the clock. Judging from the amount of time devoted to programs made up exclusively, of his own recordings, there is hardly a quarter of an hour during the day or night, Monday through Saturday, that some station in the metropolitan area isn’t broadcasting Bing’s voice. Excluding the four network stations, the number of quarter hours of aired Crosby records almost matches the number of quarter hours that the average metropolitan station consumes in broadcasting. The airing time of the fifteen non-web stations, in and around New York averages eleven hours a weekday, this figures out at 44 quarter hours a day, whereas Crosby records have an accurate schedule of thirty quarter hours.

There isn’t one of the nineteen metropolitan stations that doesn’t play a Crosby disk, during the weekday and even one of the network keys, WOR has its own program of Crosby recordings - that one comes on Monday morning. The three heaviest Manhattan pluggers of Crosby platters are WNEW, WINS and WHN. WINS currently clears 26 quarter hours a week of Crosby programs and plans to add another hour daily or twenty four quarter-hours a week which will give that station’s listeners, 50 quarter-hours a week of the crooner’s output. WHN schedules three daily Crosby shows for a total of four and a half hours a week and this does not include the airings he gets on several other record programs aired by this station at other times of the day and night. WNEW has two Crosby shows of twenty-five minutes each on weekdays and a forty minute one on Sundays, these add to ten minutes short of six hours a week. On the Jersey side, WAAT tops the list with two half-hour daily stanzas which count up to six and a half hours a week and also a fifteen minute round of Bing on Sundays.”

(“Variety” 17th March 1948)

No. 62 24th March 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Peggy Lee and Wild Bill Elliott.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Manãna with Peggy Lee & Rhythmaires

*Laroo, Laroo, Lilli Bolero (a) with Rhythmaires

‘The Quest For “Rattlesnake” Carpenter’ Sketch Bing Crosby, Wild Bill Elliott, Peggy Lee & Ken Carpenter

*Easter Parade (b) with Peggy Lee

*Now Is The Hour (The Maori Farewell Song) (c) with Rhythmaires

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Commercial Recording 11.12.47

(b) Commercial Recording 1.6.42

"Wild Bill” Elliott, Republic Pictures' hard riding cowboy star, will set off some shootin irons and initiate Bing Crosby in the technique of producing a cattle rustling horse opera when he and songstress Peggy Lee are guests of the WTJS-ABC broadcast of Philco Radio Time tonight at 9:00 p.m. Elliott, who formerly played the title role in the Red Ryder series, recently finished a picture, complete with stage coaches and pounding hooves, titled “Old Los Angeles.” During his chatter with Bing, he will explain how a father should distribute the pop corn when he takes his sons to see a western movie on Saturday afternoon.

(The Jackson Sun, 24th March, 1948)

No. 63 31st March 1948 (a)

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires and Dick Powell.

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

*Love Is So Terrific (c) with Rhythmaires

*Saturday Date (d) with Gloria Woods

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Dick Powell

Medley: (e)

*I Only Have Eyes For You with Dick Powell

With Plenty Of Money And You Dick Powell

*You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby (f) with Dick Powell

*Jeepers Creepers (g) with Dick Powell

*Shuffle Off To Buffalo with Dick Powell

*Thanks A Million with Dick Powell

*But Beautiful (h)

*The Story Of Sorrento (i) with Rhythmaires (featuring Loulie Jean Norman)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) An edited version of the programme was issued on Wimp Records BCDP194850 - “Dick Powell & Bing Crosby”

(b) Bing refers to cue light, interrupting himself with, “I didn’t see that light, did you? - I gotta get bifocals or something”.

Sounds Of Yester Year CD DSOY 605 “Bing Crosby – I Got Rhythm”

(d) Artistic ART001 - “Bing’s Party”

Sounds Of Yester Year CD DSOY 605 “Bing Crosby – I Got Rhythm”
(e) The complete medley including linking dialogue was issued on Parrot PARCD006 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & His Hollywood Guests - Hollywood Guys And Dolls - Volume 2”

Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

(f) Commercial Recording 14.10.38

(g) Commercial Recording 11.6.56

(h) Commercial Recording 13.11.47

(i) Commercial Recording 11.12.47

Veteran moviegoers who recall Dick Powell in his crooning days before he became a bullet-proof detective will get a reminiscent thrill when Powell, as the guest, joins Bing Crosby in a duet of six tunes from as many of his former pictures tonight at 9:00 p.m., over the American Broadcasting Company and WTJS. Bing and Dick will deliver the medley after Powell has explained the change of his celluloid character.

(The Jackson Sun, 31st March, 1948)

No. 64 7th April 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Peggy Lee and Fred Astaire.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*At The Flying “W” (a) with Rhythmaires

*How Lucky You Are (k)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire & Peggy Lee

*Top Hat, White Tie And Tails (b) with Fred Astaire

*Cheek To Cheek (c) with Peggy Lee

Isn’t This A Lovely Day To Be Caught In The Rain? Fred Astaire & Peggy Lee

*A Fine Romance (d) with Fred Astaire & Peggy Lee

*They Can’t Take That Away From Me (e) with Peggy Lee

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes Peggy Lee

*Dearly Beloved (f) with Peggy Lee

*White Christmas (g) with Peggy Lee

*Catalogue Day (h) with Fred Astaire & Peggy Lee

*Kamehameha Day (i) with Fred Astaire & Peggy Lee

*Philco Commercial (j) with Fred Astaire & Peggy Lee

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Commercial Recording 17.12.47

(b) An edited version of the latter portion of the programme was issued on Parrot PARCD001 (CD) - “Peggy Lee With Bing Crosby - It’s A Good Day” (All vocal items, together with linking dialogue, between (b) and (i) inclusive are featured).

(d) Commercial Recording 19.8.36

(e) Commercial Recording 12.11.47

(f) Commercial Recording 3.5.44

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

(h) For the purposes of the script, items (h) and (i), have been written by Bing and Fred who claim that Irving Berlin ‘missed them’ when writing an appropriate song, to salute every National Holiday for the film “Holiday Inn” (In fact these were written by Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen).

(i) See (h) above. There is a brief reprise of this item after the Philco commercial {item (j)}. Unfortunately, the three principals have overlooked that the arrangement included a humming part for the Rhythmaires but Bing invites them to do this, as a solo and the programme draws to a close with much laughter from all.

(j) Evolving from items (g) and (h) this sung commercial, “It’s A Philco Day” is a parodied blend of “Oh! Susannah” and “MacNamara’s Band”.

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

Fred Astaire’s reason for changing his mind about retiring from the movies will be disclosed by the dancer when he, along with Peggy Lee, appears on the WTJS-ABC broadcast of The Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00. Astaire, who recently completed the film, “Easter Parade,” will tell Bing and all his listeners, with a frankness rare in show business, exactly what made him return to the screen…Recalling that Berlin has written tunes about all the legal holidays, Miss Lee and Crosby will sing a few of the new ones. “Catalogue Day,” which tells of the arrival of the mail order catalogues and. “Kamehameha Day” which celebrates the exploits of the first king of Hawaii.

(The Jackson Sun, 7th April, 1948)

No. 65 14th April 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Fibber McGee and Molly (Jim & Marian Jordan).

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

*Love Is So Terrific (b) with Rhythmaires

*Haunted Heart (c)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Fibber McGee & Molly

*You Tell Me Your Dream with Fibber McGee & Molly

*Blue Shadows On The Trail (d) with Rhythmaires

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Fibber McGee & Molly

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Pre-show, Bing is heard saying, “Are you ready?” and a voice (in view of the subsequent guitar accompaniment, probably, Perry Botkin) answers, “I’m prepared”. To which Bing replies, “I’ll have to have something more than that”, before commencing the opening theme.

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

(d) Commercial recording 11.12.47

Although Paul Whiteman always has been credited with having given Bing Crosby his first boost up the ladder of success, since Bing first gained recognition in Pop’s band, McGee, the husband of Molly, will try to grab all the credit for himself when Fibber McGee and Molly appear as Bing’s guests during the WTJS-ABC broadcast of The Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00 p.m. McGee will explain to Molly how his ideas and advice were Bing’s sole inspiration in his early days. Confronting him a little later in the show, Bing will have a surprise for the boastful McGee.

(The Jackson Sun, 14th April, 1948)

“Bing Crosby and Dixie Crosby - Los Angeles to New York” (“Variety” 14th April 1948)

“Top Stars Set For Gotham Swap Shot” (Front Page Headline - Hollywood April 13th)

“With a flock of Coast originating stars heading towards New York (Bing Crosby, Edgar Bergen, Al Jolson and Jack Benny are all slated for Gotham appearances) the cuffo guest star exchange moves into high gear in the coming weeks. Fred Allen has Bing Crosby set for a guest shot on his Sunday night NBC show and Allen, in turn, will show up at the ABC Studios in New York to help the Groaner cut a platter for Philco. Crosby, incidentally has restricted his New York studio audiences, in the past, to wounded servicemen. This time up he’s expected to let the general public get a looksee on the platter routine.”

(“Variety” 13th April 1948)

“Bing Crosby and his writer/producer, Bill Morrow go East for the Pirates’ opening and then on to New York for four Philco cuttings to close out the season - last platter spins in early June and he starts disking again in early September.”

(“Variety” 14th April 1948)

No. 66 21st April 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires, Gary, Phillip, Dennis & Lindsay Crosby and Clifton Webb.

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

*Hooray For Love (Robin/Arlen) (b) with Rhythmaires

*Swingin’ Down The Lane

‘The Babysitter’ Sketch (d) Bing Crosby, Clifton Webb, Ken Carpenter and Gary, Phillip, Dennis & Lindsay Crosby

*Wabash Cannonball (e) with Clifton Webb and Gary, Phillip, Dennis & Lindsay Crosby

*How Lucky You Are (f)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Before commencing the opening theme, Bing can be heard gagging to the guitar introduction, “How’s that go again...When the blue...Oh! yes, I keep wanting to do “Carolina Moon” or “Marta” or something....meets the gold...that’s a nice melody, isn’t it?....Someone....May I have a copy to take along?”

(b) Magic AWE1 - “Bing’s Magic”

Sepia CD 1353 "Philco Radio Time Starring Bing Crosby"

(d) The comedy theme involves Bing asking Clifton Webb to act as babysitter to the Crosby boys and falls into three parts, which consist of a telephone conversation with Bing making the request, then a briefing for boys on how to behave towards Webb and finally the babysitting session which closes with the Crosby boys entertaining their ‘babysitter’ with item (e), to be joined later by Bing on his ‘return home’.

(e) See note (d) above.

Commercial Recording 29.10.63

(f) Magic AWE1 - “Bing’s Magic” (Shewn as “Do You Know Just How Lucky You Are?”)

“Youthful Bounce” (Front Page Headline)

“It took his four kids to do it but Bing Crosby, missing for some time from the top fifteen Hooper ranks, bounced back and into the eleventh place in the latest tallies, just released. The rating was made on the night Crosby’s four boys appeared on the ABC-plattered Philco show with the advance build-up it got via the previous Sunday’s Walter Winchell and Louella Parsons programs, contributing towards the 18.5 rating pay-off.”

(“Variety” 5th May 1948)

No. 67 28th April 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires and Claudette Colbert.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*The Thousand Island Song (a) with Rhythmaires

*Friendly Mountains (b) with Rhythmaires

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Claudette Colbert

‘Movie Theatre 1955’ Sketch Bing Crosby, Claudette Colbert & Ken Carpenter

*You’re Too Dangerous, Cherie (c)

*La Vie En Rose (d) with Claudette Colbert

*Philco Commercial (e) with Ken Carpenter

*I May Be Wrong (f) Bing Crosby

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) The arrangement for the Rhythmaires’ accompaniment, obviously amuses Bing. There are ripples of laughter from the studio audience and at one stage, Bing asides, “Sounds like Mercer in here!”

(b) Commercial Recording 17.3.47

(c) This is one of two Anglicised versions of the Edith Piaf song at item (d) which were around at the time. It enjoyed its popularity, in Britain, as, “Take Me To Your Heart Again”.

(d) See note (c) above. Sung in the original French

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Commercial Recordings 22.6.50 & 16.5.52

(e) Sung commercial - A parodied version of “Take Me Out To The Ball Game”

Commercial Recording 17.12.59

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

Claudette Colbert and Bing Crosby will peer into the future to speculate on what it will be like to go to the movies in 1955 when Miss Colbert appears as Bing’s guest during the WTJS-ABC broadcast of the Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00 p. m. The increase in the sale of candies, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, chewing gum, soft drinks and paper cups in the lobbies of theaters is what prompts Bing and Miss Colbert to play a movie-going couple seven years from today. The rare opportunity of hearing Miss Colbert raise her voice in song also will be afforded listeners to next Wednesday’s broadcast when the movie star joins Bing in the second chorus of “You Are Too Dangerous Cherie” which the pair will sing in French.

(The Jackson Sun, 28th April, 1948)

“Allen Burns As Bing Cancels Out” (Headline)

“Fred Allen says he’s beginning to regard the guest exchange idea with somewhat of a jaundiced eye because of the way things have worked out on such a deal he had entered into with Bing Crosby. Allen took a burn last week when after he had pencilled in on his own program, the Crosby date. He got an almost eleventh hour call from the crooner’s entourage, advising him that the thing was off because their man had to be elsewhere. Allen had already cut his shot with Crosby on the Philco platter. In airing his disappointment, Allen said that he was always under the impression that a trade appearance for appearance also implied a kind of consideration of each other’s convenience.”

(“Variety” 28th April 1948)

No. 68 5th May 1948

Transcribed in Hollywood. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Rhythmaires and Barry Fitzgerald.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*The Big Brass Band From Brazil with Rhythmaires

*Haunted Heart (a)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald & Ken Carpenter

‘Welcome Plunger’ Sketch Bing Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald, Ken Carpenter & John Scott Trotter

*I Kiss Your Hand, Madame (b)

*Blue Shadows On The Trail (c) with Rhythmaires

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Commercial Recording 31.12.47

(b) Commercial Recording 24.5.29 & 17.1.47

Commercial Recording 11.12.47

Barry Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby will present a preview of a mythical movie, which never will be seen on any screen and which will be known only to Crosby listeners, when Barry is Bing’s guest during his WTJS-ABC broadcast tonight at 9:00 p. m. The picture will include Fitzgerald as an aged plumber and Bing as his young helper. The somewhat reminiscent title of the film is “Welcome, Plunger.”

(The Jackson Sun, 5th May, 1948)

No. 69 12th May 1948

Transcribed in New York. Announced by Kenny Delmar. With The Skylarks and Henry Fonda.

*Where The Blue Of The Night Opening Theme

*Hooray For Love (Robin/Arlen) with The Skylarks

*You’re Too Dangerous, Cherie (a)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Henry Fonda & John Scott Trotter

“Vacation In Maine” Sketch Bing Crosby, Henry Fonda, Kenny Delmar & John Scott Trotter

*A Fella With An Umbrella (b) with The Skylarks

*Now Is The Hour (The Maori Farewell Song) (c) with The Skylarks

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Magic AWE1 - “Bing’s Magic”

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

Commercial Recording 31.12.47

Henry Fonda and Bing Crosby will invite their radio audience on an imaginary fishing trip in Maine when Fonda is Bing’s guest during the WTJS-ABC broadcast of the Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00 p m. Before taking the audience on the economical but laugh-packed junket, Bing will try to impress Hank, who currently is starring in Master Roberts (sic) on Broadway, with the swank circle in which he moved at the opening of the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Spring, West Va. Although Bing won’t admit it openly, he will imply that the surroundings were sufficiently awesome to induce him to don a necktie. Kenny Delmar, who is heard as “Senator Claghorn” on Sundays will fill in for Ken Carpenter while Bing is broadcasting in New York.

(The Jackson Sun, 12th May, 1948)

No. 70 19th May 1948 (a)

Transcribed in New York. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Skylarks and Ethel Merman.

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

*Baby Face (c) with The Skylarks

*Friendly Mountains (d) with The Skylarks

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Ethel Merman

Medley: - Your All Time Flop Parade (e)

Tears In My Ears Ethel Merman

*Boise, Idaho with Ethel Merman

*Tortured

Washday In The Sky Ethel Merman

*Silver Coated Moon with Ethel Merman

*Nature Boy

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Ethel Merman

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) An edited version of the programme was issued on Antron 9000 - “Bing And His Special Guests”

(b) The orchestra commences the opening theme, Bing singing only the final line, “...Someone waits for me” - An introduction that was used, almost exclusively, throughout the later series for Chesterfield and General Electric.

(d) Commercial Recording 17.3.47

(e) See Programme No. 39 - Note (c). Ken Carpenter reads the usual ‘commercials’ which include brief vignettes featuring Bing, Ethel Merman and John Scott Trotter. On this occasion the advertised product is, “Water”.

All vocal items in the medley, together with linking dialogue (excluding “Silver Coated Moon”) were issued on Parrot PARCD006 (CD) - “Bing Crosby & His Hollywood Guests - Hollywood Guys And Dolls - Volume 2”

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

Living Era CD AJA5590 “Radio Stars of America”

Ethel Merman, the “Annie Get Your Gun” star whose singing voice is so loud and clear that she should be able to be heard coast-to-coast even by people without radios, will be Bing Crosby’s guest during the WTJS-ABC broadcast tonight at 9:00 p. m. Bing and Ethel will present the third edition of Bing’s “Flop Parade,” a series of tunes which Bing has described as “Discouraged Ditties.”

(The Jackson Sun, 19th May, 1948)

No. 71 26th May 1948

Transcribed in New York. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Skylarks, Alec Templeton and Beatrice Lillie.

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

*A Hundred And Sixty Acres (b) with The Skylarks

*You’re Too Dangerous, Cherie (i)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Beatrice Lillie

‘Inside USA From The Outside’ Sketch Bing Crosby, Beatrice Lillie, Ken Carpenter & John Scott Trotter

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby, Beatrice Lillie & Alec Templeton

Medley: (c)

*Just One More Chance/Dinah (d) with Alec Templeton (Vocal)

*Don’t Blame Me with Beatrice Lillie & Alec Templeton

*Down By The River (e) with Alec Templeton (Vocal)

When Father Papered The Parlour Alec Templeton (Vocal)

*Be Sweet To Me Kid with Alec Templeton

*I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside with Beatrice Lillie & Alec Templeton (Vocal)

*Lily Of Laguna (f) with Beatrice Lillie & Alec Templeton (Vocal)

If You Want To Come In, Come In Beatrice Lillie & Alec Templeton

It’s A Great Big Shame Alec Templeton (Vocal)

There’ll Be No War Beatrice Lillie & Alec Templeton

*Philco Commercial (g) with Beatrice Lillie, Alec Templeton & Ken Carpenter

*Goodbye-ee! (h) with Beatrice Lillie & Alec Templeton (Vocal)

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Bing sings “Where The Blue Of...” See Programme No. 1 - Note (b)

(b) Commercial Recording 17.12.47

The last half of the show including all vocal items, together with linking dialogue, from “Just One More Chance” to “Goodbye-ee!”, inclusive was issued on Parrot PARCD005 (CD) - “Bing Crosby And His Hollywood Guests - Hollywood Guys And Dolls - Volume 1”

(d) “Just One More Chance” is sung by Bing (Commercial Recordings 4.5.31, 12.6.39 & 21.4.54) and there is contrapuntal accompaniment by Alec Templeton with “Dinah”.

(e) Commercial Recording 21.2.35

(f) Magic AWE3 - “Bing Crosby And Friends”

Magic DAWE3 (CD) - “Bing Crosby And Friends”

Commercial Recording 13.3.42
(g) All parties participate in a sung commercial, written by Alec Templeton and performed in Grand Opera style. (The operatic overture is an orchestral arrangement of “Where The Blue Of The Night”).

(h) Magic AWE3 - “Bing Crosby And Friends”

Magic DAWE3 (CD) - “Bing Crosby And Friends”

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

Beatrice Lillie and Alec Templeton are the talented twosome who will be Bing Crosby’s guests during the WTJS-ABC broadcast of the Bing Crosby Show tonight at 9:00 to 9:30 p. m. Miss Lillie, who recently became the toast of Broadway in the revue, “Inside U. S. A,” will present a fast moving travelogue titled “Inside U. S. A. - from the Outside” and sing a flock of memorable tunes with Bing. Alec, in addition to playing the piano, occasionally will raise his voice in song…Templeton, Crosby and Miss Lillie also will participate in a few minutes of rollicking musical nonsense titled the “Alec Templeton Opera House.”

(The Jackson Sun, 26th May, 1948)

“Bing Crosby - New York to Los Angeles” (“Variety” 26th May 1948)

No. 72 2nd June 1948

Transcribed in New York. Announced by Ken Carpenter. With The Skylarks, Joe Venuti, Ham Fisher and Fred Allen.

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

*Baby Face (b) with The Skylarks (Joe Venuti - Violin)

*Nature Boy (c)

Comedy Dialogue Bing Crosby & Fred Allen

‘Forever Everett’ Sketch (d) Bing Crosby, Fred Allen, Joe Venuti & Ken Carpenter

*Blue Shadows On The Trail (e) with The Skylarks

Comedy Dialogue (f) Bing Crosby, Fred Allen & Ham Fisher

Where The Blue Of The Night Closing Theme

Notes:

(a) Pre-show, Bing is heard saying, “This is a grim moment....a moment of.....” He has made similar remarks on a previous occasion - See Programme No. 50 Note (a). (Judged by audience response, the very opposite would seem to apply!).

(b) All Star Products LP2001 - “Bing Crosby’s All Star Philco Show”

Magic AWE1 - “Bing’s Magic”

(d) Includes a fragment of “Wayfarin’ Stranger” sung by Fred Allen.

(e) Commercial Recording 11.12.47

(f) Ham Fisher, cartoonist creator of ‘Joe Palooka’ makes a fleeting appearance in the closing

minutes of the programme.

Fred Allen will visit Bing Crosby to play the title role of “Forever Everett,” a film biography of Bing’s brother that never will see a screen and which when finished will have Fred and Bing worried about being sued by the older Crosby, during the broadcast of The Bing Crosby Show this evening, 9:00 to 9:30, over WTJS and the American Broadcasting Company. Ham Fisher, creator of “Joe Palooka”, and Joe Venuti, jazz fiddle virtuoso, will be heard as well… “Forever Everett” begins back in the days before Bing was born and follows the career of the elder Crosby down to the present time in which he makes the “21” restaurant his New York office.

(The Jackson Sun, 2nd June, 1948)

“Crosby’s Tape Success Scenes Spurring Networks To More Recorded Shows” (Headline)

“Up in smoke with Bing Crosby’s Summer hiatus, which started last week, goes the last remaining argument of NBC and CBS that transcribed shows aren’t acceptable to listeners. Aside from copping honours with a 14.6 in the last Hooper rating, two points higher than his nearest competitor, mechanical perfection of the Groaner’s tape recorded shows has disproved network arguments that transcriptions aren’t as good as live shows. Tape has, in the past year, completely altered not only the operation on top ABC shows but has changed the thinking of the entire industry regarding recorded programs. When the Crosby show first went on ABC two years ago, it was strictly a transcription job of editing and re-editing, editing and re-dubbing and re-editing, often requiring as many as four days after a show was originally cut on platters, before it was whipped into broadcasting shape. Then tape was used.

At first it was transferred to platters for broadcast because equipment had not been perfected for broadcasting directly from tape. This method was still better than the previous years because there was only one transfer instead of six or seven with consequent loss of quality in each step. Time necessary for editing the show to its final broadcast form was reduced to a mere three or four hours when tape was first used, last Fall, following a Summer of intensive experimenting by both ABC and the Crosby office. Continuity editors operating in the same manner as film directors have now reached the point where they can wrap up the show in two hours. Programs edited on the original tape are now being aired and retain the original broadcast quality. It is so good that in a recent demonstration for engineers from Southern California stations, a live program was recorded simultaneously on tape and the experts weren’t able to tell which was tape and which was live, as the control booth engineer switched from live pick-up to tape pick-up. Since Crosby went recorded, two other shows have followed him, netwise - Groucho Marx and the Abbott and Costello layout. A number of others that did live repeats two years ago are now recording repeats. It is expected that there’ll be more top shows on the ET gravy train in the Fall, as a result”.

(“Variety” 9th June 1948)

Go to Philco 1948-49 season

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