Bing Crosby Movies
American actor/singer Bing Crosby acquired his nickname as a child in Washington state. As the legend goes, little Harry Lillis Crosby's favorite comic strip was "The Bingville Bugle," in which the leading character was called Bingo. Hence, the boy was "Bingo" Crosby, with the "O" dropping off as he got older. A restless youth, Crosby tried studying law at Gonzaga University, but spent more time as a drummer and singer in a Spokane band. He and his pal Al Rinker worked up a musical act, and were later joined by Harry Barris. As the Rhythm Boys, the three young entertainers were hired by bandleader Paul Whiteman, who featured them in his nightclub appearances and his film debut, The King of Jazz (1930). Crosby managed to score on radio in 1931, and a series of two-reel comedies made for Mack Sennett helped him launch a screen career; his starring feature debut was in 1932's The Big Broadcast. During this period, he married singer Dixie Lee, with whom he had sons Gary, Dennis, Philip and Lindsay. As one of Paramount's most popular stars of the '30s, and with his carefully cultivated image of an easygoing, golf-happy, regular guy, generous contributor to charities, devoted husband, father, and friend, Crosby became an icon of American values.In 1940, he made the first of several appearances with his golfing buddy Bob Hope, ultimately resulting in seven "Road" pictures which, thanks to the stars' laid-back improvisational style, seem as fresh today as they did at the time. Another milestone occurred in 1944, when director Leo McCarey asked Crosby to play a priest in an upcoming film. Crosby, a devout Catholic, at first refused on the grounds that it would be in bad taste. But McCarey persisted, and Crosby ended up winning an Oscar for his performance in Going My Way (1944). He ushered in a new technological era a few years later when he signed a contract to appear on a weekly ABC variety show provided that it not be live, but tape recorded -- a first for network radio -- so that Crosby could spend more time on the golf course. With the death of his wife Dixie in 1952, the devastated entertainer dropped out of the movie business for a full year; but his life took an upswing when he married young actress Kathryn Grant in 1957. His film roles were few in the '60s, but Crosby was a television fixture during those years, and could be counted on each Yuletide to appear on just about everyone's program singing his signature holiday tune, "White Christmas." Burdened by life-threatening illnesses in the mid-'70s, the singer nonetheless embarked on concert tours throughout the world, surviving even a dangerous fall into an orchestra pit. Crosby died from a heart attack in 1977, shortly after he had finished the 18th hole on a Spanish golf course. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A television special featuring many of Bing's friends in guest starring roles. ~ All Movie Guide
The 1940s was a monumental decade for the United States. Amid World War II, economic recovery, and the start of the Cold War, American music provided a soundtrack to a generation. The Music Classics line from MPI Home Video attempts to offer the chance to relieve the era with a ten-volume series of restored film footage featuring performances by many of the 40's most revered artists. The Andrews Sisters, Skitch Henderson, The Mills Brothers, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, and many others are among the musicians seen in this sixth installment in the series. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1930
Intended as Universal Pictures' entry in the "all-star musical" cycle of the early talkie era, King of Jazz is certainly the most elaborate of the bunch, though far from the most successful financially. Staged by Broadway impresario John Murray Anderson, the film is held together by the charismatic personality of rotund bandleader Paul Whiteman. The show begins with a Walter Lantz cartoon wherein it is recalled how Whiteman earned the title of the King of Jazz (Lantz's animated star Oswald Rabbit makes a brief appearance). Then Whiteman appears in the flesh (and plenty of it), coaxing his miniaturized orchestra out of a small box. The film then assumes the traditional revue format, with brief comedy sketches featuring such Universal contractees as Laura LaPlante and Slim Summerville interspersed with some of the most spectacular production numbers ever captured on film. The musical talent includes John Boles, the Rhythm Boys (with Bing Crosby), and "swing" violinist Joe Venuti. Highlights include a full-length "picturization" of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" (with Gershwin look-alike Roy Bargy at the piano), the surrealistic "Happy Feet", the splendiferous "Bridal Veil", and the gargantuan "Melting Pot" finale. The current Technicolor negative of King of Jazz, lovingly assembled from pristine original prints and battered dupes, runs 93 minutes -- some 12 minutes short of the film's original length. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Whiteman, John Boles, (more)
- 1931
Bing Crosby stars as himself in this Mack Sennett-directed two reeler. The film opens with Crosby singing the title song in front of a packed crowd at the Café Royale. At the same time, Ethel Dobbs (Alice Adair) listens to Crosby on the radio as she travels by train with her mother and he fiancé, the Marquis. Ethel has never seen Crosby, but she adores his singing and wishes her pompous fiancé were more like him. By coincidence, Crosby and his friend Jerry show up at the station as her train pulls in, as Crosby has gone to meet his sister. Seeing Ethel from behind, he gives her a hug, thinking she is his sister; when he discovers his mistake, he finds himself quite taken with the lovely girl. She, however, mistakes him for a masher, as does the furious fiancé. Many complications ensue as Crosby chases the girl, at the same time getting into trouble when he again mistakes another woman for Ethel. Eventually, all ends up happily with Crosby and Ethel together. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
In this elaborate big-budget musical, a handsome businessman follows a beautiful woman aboard a luxury liner and begins to woo her. This doesn't set well with her fiance. Later the fellow learns of the stock market crash and develops a taste for booze. Romantic mayhem ensues until the inevitable happy ending. Look for a young Bing Crosby singing Irving Berlin's "Lower Than Lowdown," as part of the "Whiteman Rhythm Boys." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Douglas Fairbanks, Bebe Daniels, (more)
- 1931
Rakish college student Hal (Norman Foster) is in love with sorority girl Peggy (Claudia Dell), but she only has eyes for Hal's roommate Dan (Philips Holmes). Hoping to get Dan out of the way, Hal enlists the aid of campus vamp Patricia (Sylvia Sidney). She manipulates Dan into a hot necking session, resulting in an unscheduled pregnancy. Dan is tossed off the campus, whereupon Peggy pulls off a few dirty tricks of her own, culminating in a shotgun wedding between Hal and Patricia. Finally Dan shows up to do the Honorable Thing by admitting that Patricia's child is his -- not that this is of any help to Hal, who is now persona non grata with everyone concerned. The New York Times reviewer was right on target when he summed up Confessions of a Co-Ed thusly: "The students devote their whole time to discussing affairs of the heart, never for an instant revealing any inclination for work." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phillips Holmes, Sylvia Sidney, (more)
- 1932
This early musical is a bit slim on story but features a number of vintage performances by a stellar cast, including some of the most popular radio stars of the day. George (George Burns) manages a radio station that is on the brink of bankruptcy. Leslie McWhinney (Stuart Erwin), a carefree millionaire, comes up with an idea to pull the station back into the black: persuade a host of big stars to appear on a special broadcast. One of the station's employees is a guy named Bing, played by an obviously well-cast Bing Crosby in one of his first major film appearances; Crosby gets to sing several tunes, as do Kate Smith, Cab Calloway, The Boswell Sisters, and several others. Young George Burns also performs several comic routines with his wife and partner Gracie Allen, who here plays Burns's stenographer. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stuart Erwin, Bing Crosby, (more)
- 1933
Reportedly at the request of Marion Davies herself, Bing Crosby was borrowed from Paramount for the MGM Davies vehicle Going Hollywood. Der Bingle plays a struggling crooner who falls in love with Davies, a French teacher in a girl's school. He rises to fame and fortune in Hollywood, leaving Davies behind. She trails after him and becomes a movie star in her own right, supplanting Crosby's current vis-a-vis, the seductive Fifi D'Orsay. Hero and heroine are reunited in a lyrical finale. Some of the best moments in Going Hollywood belong to Patsy Kelly, making her movie debut as Davies' wisecracking chum, and to the Radio Rogues, a comedy singing act specializing in impressions of contemporary radio celebrities. As was his wont, publisher William Randolph Hearst, Marion Davies' very good friend, was present throughout the filming, making it difficult indeed for Bing Crosby to "lose himself" in the kissing scenes. The gloriously oversized production numbers include "Temptation" (given an astoundingly seductive rendition by a worldly Bing Crosby) and the high-kickin' title song. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marion Davies, Bing Crosby, (more)
- 1933
There can never be Too Much Harmony in a Bing Crosby picture, not even in a bucolic backstage musical like this. Crosby plays Eddie Bronson, a big-time singing star stranded in a one-horse town. Refusing to let any grass grow under his feet, Eddie combs through the local talent, discovering comedians Benny Day (Jack Oakie) and Johnny Dixon (Skeets Gallegher) and aspiring actress Ruth Brown (Judith Allen). He brings his new protegees with him to Broadway, where Ruth becomes a huge success in spite of the machinations of prima donna Lucille Watson (Lilyan Tashman). Featured in the cast as Benny Day's mother is Jack Oakie's real-life mom Evelyn, who's absolutely terrific. A partial remake of 1929's Close Harmony, Too Much Harmony features such hummable Crosby tunes as Thanks, Black Moonlight and the self-parodying Boo Boo Boo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Jack Oakie, (more)
- 1933
This is a musical comedy which starred Bing Crosby and included the song "Auf Wiedesehn". ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1933
Directed by Wesley Ruggles, the musical sendup of College Humor centers around the blooming love between a college professor (Bing Crosby) and one of his students (Mary Carlisle). Feeling stilted, the school football star (Richard Arlen) is temporarily unable to concentrate on his game. Fortunately for the team, Crosby's romantic interest has a football-loving brother (Jack Oakie) who saves the day. Husband and wife team Gracie Allen and George Burns appear as themselves, stopping by to create mayhem at a fraternity dance. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Jack Oakie, (more)
- 1934
Adapted from the 1925 stage hit The Grand Duchess and the Waiter (previously filmed in 1926), Here is My Heart has been subtly reshaped into a Bing Crosby vehicle. Der Bingle plays J. Paul Jones, a wealthy radio crooner (what a stretch!) who falls in love with icy Russian princess Alexandra (Kitty Carlisle). Unable to get close to her through diplomatic channels, Jones disguises himself as a waiter and gains access to her lavish suite. When it turns out that Alexandra and her relatives are broke and in danger of being evicted, our hero secretly buys the entire hotel to preserve his beloved's regal reputation. Ultimately of course the Princess falls in love with him -- and only then does she discover that the humble hotel waiter has been her benefactor all along. The songs include the enduring favorites "Love is Just Around the Corner" and "It's June in January." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Kitty Carlisle, (more)
- 1934
We're Not Dressing is a bouncy musical-comedy variation of J. M. Barrie's The Admirable Crichton -- complete with a happier ending, as befitting its jaunty star Bing Crosby. Der Bingle is cast as Stephen Jones, a lowly crew member on yacht owned by wealthy Doris Worthington (Carole Lombard). During one memorable voyage, Doris' inebriated Uncle Dudley (Leon Errol) mans the controls of the yacht, and the result is a shipwreck on a tropical isle. Doris and her marooned society friends are then obliged to take orders from Stephen, the only one among them who knows how to fend for himself. He even manages to win over the icy Doris, though it's quite a struggle right up to the fade-out. Ethel Merman is on hand for a song or two (including a rollicking duet with Leon Errol), while George Burns and Gracie Allen show up on the not-so-deserted island as anthropologists with a full quota of rib-tickling verbal gags. Everyone involved in the making of We're Not Dressing harbored happy memories of the film, though Ray Milland (cast as Doris' snooty society fiancé) had less pleasant memories of the trained bear which figures prominently in the opening scenes. Bing Crosby's musical numbers include two of his best, "May I" and "Love Thy Neighbor." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Carole Lombard, (more)
- 1934
Miriam Hopkins plays a showgirl who witnesses a gangland slaying. Bing Crosby and Elliot Nugent are somewhat over-aged Princeton University students who agree to hide Miriam. They disguise her as a boy (a remarkable achievement) and manage to pull the wool over the eyes of the dean (Henry Stephenson) and even the dean's daughter (Kitty Carlisle). Before the killers are vanquished and Hopkins' life is out of danger, Crosby gets to introduce the hit song "Love in Bloom," which ever after would be associated not with Crosby but with Jack Benny. Based on the Broadway hit by Howard Lindsay, She Loves Me Not was remade in 1942 as True to the Army with Judy Canova, and again in 1955 as How to Be Very, Very Popular with Betty Grable. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Miriam Hopkins, (more)
- 1935
In this comedy with musical numbers set in the Old South, Bing Crosby plays a singer (talk about a casting stretch!) from Philadelphia named Tom Grayson, who has fallen in love with Southern heiress Elvira Rumford (Gail Patrick). Tom wants to marry Elvira, but a man called Major Patterson (John Miljan) has announced his desire to do the same, and he challenges Tom to a duel to decide who will have Elvira's hand. Tom is not at all agreeable to this idea, which leads Elvira's father (Claude Gillingwater) to proclaim Tom to be a coward and deny him permission to wed his daughter. Elvira's sister Lucy (Joan Bennett), who is infatuated with Tom, thinks that he's merely being sensible, but Tom thinks that Lucy is too young for a serious relationship. In need of work and not especially welcome in the Rumford's community, Tom takes a job performing on a riverboat piloted by the blustery Commodore Orlando Jackson (W.C. Fields). One night, Tom finds himself in a barroom brawl with a man named Captain Blackie (Fred Kohler), who dies accidentally from a shot fired by his own gun. Hoping that his infamy will draw crowds, Jackson begins billing Tom as "The Singing Killer." Tom comes to realize that Lucy may be the right woman for him after all, but Lucy is not interested in a man with blood on his hands, and now Tom must convince her that he's not a killer at all. Noted gambling aficionado Fields has a hilarious poker-playing bit, and he steals most of his scenes from the rest of the cast. Mississippi was loosely based on the play "Magnolia" by Booth Tarkington. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, W.C. Fields, (more)
- 1935
Based on an obscure stage comedy, the Paramount musical Two for Tonight stars Bing Crosby as would-be composer and playwright Gilbert Gordon. Hired by music publisher Alexander Myers (Maurice Cass) to write a musical for temperamental stage star Lilly Bianca (Thelma Todd), Gordon is less than thrilled to discover that he must complete the job in one week. As he toils away at his task, our hero becomes convinced that he's in love with the troublesome Lilly, causing heartache for his erstwhile sweetheart Bobbie Lockwood (Joan Bennett). The magnificent Mary Boland commands the audience's attention as Gordon's much-married mother. Elements of the plot of Two for Tonight were later satirized in the 1979 spoof Movie Movie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Joan Bennett, (more)
In his only visit to Columbia Pictures, Paramount's resident crooner Bing Crosby stars in a sentimental musical drama. In jail on a trumped-up charge, Crosby meets a condemned prisoner, and promises the doomed man to look after his little girl (Edith Fellows) when he gets out. The girl's grandfather (Donald Meek) is also part of the "deal," and soon the footloose Crosby finds himself with more responsibilities than he cares to handle. Along the way, Bing sings the title song to the girl, to leading lady Madge Evans, and to Us--and never less than superbly. As an added attraction, Pennies From Heaven showcases the matchless talents of Louis Armstrong and Lionel Hampton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Madge Evans, (more)
- 1936
Bing Crosby's only western (outside of the 1966 version of Stagecoach), Rhythm on the Range stars Crosby as a casual cowpoke on his way back to the Wide Open Spaces after an eastern visit. He meets a young train stowaway (Frances Farmer), whom he regards as a hoydenish vagabond until learning that she's the owner of the ranch where he works. Farmer resists Crosby's charms until he rescues her from a gang of rustlers. Among the supporting cast is Mischa Auer, Bob "Bazooka" Burns, and, in her film debut, 19-year-old Martha Raye. The film also introduces the song hit "I'm an Old Cowhand", which is sung at one point or another by everyone in the cast, including Russian-born Mischa Auer. Rhythm on the Range was remade in 1956 as Pardners, with a few minor alterations--notably the casting of Jerry Lewis in the Frances Farmer role! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Frances Farmer, (more)
- 1936
Anything Goes is a fun-filled but hardly faithful adaptation of the same-named Cole Porter Broadway musical, with additional songs by Hoagy Carmichael, among many many others. Set on a luxury liner, the story gets under way when Moonface Mullins (Charlie Ruggles), Public Enemy No. 13, slips on board disguised as a bishop. As he weaves in and out of the story, Billy Crocker (Bing Crosby) romances Hope Harcourt (Ida Lupino), titled Englishman Evelyn Oakleigh (Arthur Treacher) also pursues Hope, and brassy entertainer Reno Sweeney (Ethel Merman) chases after Sir Evelyn. Critics in 1934 complained that the original Broadway production's Victor Moore was replaced by Charlie Ruggles, but none could fault Ethel Merman's rendition of "I Get a Kick Out of You", nor her duet with Bing Crosby, "You're the Top" (the only two songs retained from the Porter score!) Anything Goes was remade in 1956, again with Bing Crosby, and again with little fidelity to the original (this remake required MCA Television to retitle the 1936 version as Tops is the Limit). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Ethel Merman, (more)
- 1937
This happy-go-lucky musical comedy is set in beautiful Hawaii and follows a public relations man who works for a pineapple company (Bing Crosby) and his pal as they escort a beauty contest winner (Shirley Ross) and her loudmouthed friend (Martha Raye) on a tour of the islands. Unfortunately, the winning beauty finds the islands a crashing bore and plans to return to the mainland. This forces the P.R. man to take drastic and romantic measures to convince her to stay. The song "Sweet Leilani" won an Oscar. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Martha Raye, (more)
- 1937
In this lively musical, an eccentric philanthropist's will dictates that four people receive $5,000 with the stipulation that the first one who can double the amount-- without dishonesty-- will win a cool million. Hindering the four are the avaricious relatives of the late millionaire. Songs include: "It's On, It's Off," "Double or Nothing," "Listen My Children," "Smarty," "The Moon Got in My Eyes" and "After You." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Martha Raye, (more)
- 1938
Directed by Frank Tuttle, Paris Honeymoon stars Bing Crosby as Lucky Lawton, a wealthy Texan whose plans for a Parisian honeymoon with the noblewoman he has been romancing are interupted when he visits the city itself. Though he had intended only to make the proper arrangements, he falls in love with a beautiful-but-poor woman named Manya (Franciska Gaal). As he discovers that wealth does not define the worth of a human being, his former wedding plans are put indefinitely on the shelf. Songs include: "I Have Eyes", "Sweet Little Headache","Funny Old Hills", "Joobalai", "The Maiden by the Brook", "Work While You May" (Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin), and "I Ain't Got Nobody" (Roger Graham, Dave Peyton, Spencer Williams). Paris Honeymoon also features Akim Tamiroff, Shirley Ross, Edward Everett Horton, and Ben Blue.
~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Franziska Gaal, (more)
