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Private Notes
Bing's first television special was produced in much the same matter as hi CBS radio shows. In fact, for the filmed show, he even lip-synced to prerecorded tracks., including one he made for his General Electric radio program. GE also sponsored the debut television special, which was broadcast by CBS and featured the network's top television star, Jack Benny, as Bing's special guest. Sticking to the radio format, Bing even used familiar radio announcer Ken Carpenter and his long time musical director, John Scott Trotter, Jud Conlon's Rhythmaires, guitarist Perry Botkin and pianist Buddy Cole also feature prominently on the radio with Bing
Frank Sinatra's weekly ABC television show became Bing's first television Christmas special. The plot has Bing dropping by Frank's place bearing gifts, and the two join voices for a half hour of Christmas carols. The program ended with a duet on White Christmas. Sinatra's admiration for Bing was evident in that he chose to direct the show as well as film it in color years before ABC began broadcasting in color. The 35mm filmed color version was discovered in storage by Nancy Sinatra in 2001 and released on DVD in 2003.
It's indeed a rare event when four top stars - all at the peek of their performing powers - can grace the same stage and complement one another perfectly. For his sixth network special - by this time prerecorded on video tape - Bing was joined by Peggy Lee, Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra
It's indeed a rare event when four top stars - all at the peek of their performing powers - can grace the same stage and complement one another perfectly. For his sixth network special - by this time prerecorded on video tape - Bing was joined by Peggy Lee, Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra
Filmed on location in London, where Bing was filming Road to Hong Kong. Bing wanders the streets of London encountering his guests, including Bob Hope (in drag). `
From 1959 to 1962 Bing made two very popular specials a year for ABC. Of the first of his 1962 outings. Crosby put together an imaginative stanza., hip and quick and he is aided by a very funny Bob Hope, by a charming and swinging Edie Adams and his look-alike offspring Gary Crosby. The centerpiece of the show was the extended Hope-Crosby medley of songs from their Road pictures. Another musical highlight was Bing and Gary on a Jazzy Take of "Play a Simple Melody". The Smothers Brothers rounded out the cast, making one of their earliest television appearances in a show built around the theme of leisure activity.
This was ABC's first special to be broadcast in COLOR. The show included several Christmas tunes and a novelty song called "Doin' the Bing."
Bing's Guests were Dean Martin, who joined Bing for a medley of leisure-themed tunes: Bernadette Peters, a wonderful duet partner for Bing on "Turn Around", and Flip Wilson who cracked up Dean and Bing in a sketch featuring "Geraldine".
Bing's Guests were Dean Martin, who joined Bing for a medley of leisure-themed tunes: Bernadette Peters, a wonderful duet partner for Bing on "Turn Around", and Flip Wilson who cracked up Dean and Bing in a sketch featuring "Geraldine".
Bing Crosby and the Sounds of Christmas (NBC) COLOR
Bing, Bob hope and Phil Harris heeded the call of Father James Keller, the leader of the Christophers movement, who routinely recruited Hollywood stars to appear in the inspirational films that aired on the organization's weekly syndicated television program. Dedicated to the notion that positive action can make a better place.
Nov. 30, 1977 Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas (CBS) COLOR
Bing's final Christmas TV special, probably his best, was at long last released on DVD in 2010.
Bing Crosby -- The Christmas Years (CBS) COLOR
The Crosby family gathers to relive highlights of Bing's TV Christmas specials.
