May 3 is Bing Crosby's 110th birthday. While most people these days only know Bing Crosby for singing "White Christmas" or the duet he did with David Bowie, he was unquestionably one of the leading figures of popular culture for a good 30 years. He was a success in recording, radio, movies and TV. He was parodied in animation in cartoons like
Bingo Crosbyana,
Swooner Crooner, and
Catch as Cats Can, but he lent his voice to animation on several occasions. He sang for Paul Whiteman in the animated segment of the feature
King of Jazz in 1930. As well, he narrated Disney's version of
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and as spokesman for Minute Maid orange juice he voiced an animated caricature of himself.
He also voiced Papa Bear in DePatie-Freleng's 1970 "Goldilocks" with his daughter Mary Frances (yeah, the Dallas girl), and Paul Winchell as that good for nothin' Bob Bobcat! MEOW (Even Katy Perry couldn't tame him today!) Oh yeah. and Sherman Bros.songs.Steve
ReplyDeleteThat 1970 "Goldilocks" TV Special is a rarity. There's a clip from it on YouTube:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrlWTE3vwHU
I love Bing Crosby the performer. He was awesome and I was watching a Crosby movie only last night.
ReplyDeleteSadly, in real life the man was a total A-hole. I was in the army with one of his sons and the movie business is rife with stories from those who had the dis-pleasure of working with "Der Bingo." Too bad.
Bing Crosby was a giant in the world of entertainment and in many ways was the voice of America to the rest of the world. And he raised countless funds over the years for charities and service organizations. Arguably the best book on Bing has been written by Gary Giddons, and I don't see a negative portrait in that book. The people I interviewed who worked with Bing were very positive in their recollections. Bing was a person, warts and all, there is no doubt about that. But he gave us so much that I think it is highly fitting to celebrate his birthday.
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