December is invariably lots of good things. It’s Christmas and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and all that present-giving stuff, of course. Plus, the specter of a new year (and the promise of a fresh start) looms like a beacon in the distance.
But this year, in addition to all the regular perquisites, December bears something special. In fact, it’s extraordinary. Watch for the appearance of a shining star – but not one that has to do with the Magi or the heavens in general. You’ll need neither telescope nor binoculars. Instead, just look at your television set and switch it to Turner Classic Movies.
Every Monday night of this month, TCM features the films of Bing Crosby. To today’s i-Podded, cell phoned, Blackberried, Rap-a-day youth, Crosby is all-but-forgotten, and that’s a shame. He was an extraordinary talent – in so many ways.
In a chronologic nutshell, the Tacoma-born (in 1903) Harry Lillis Crosby (he cribbed “Bing”from “The Bingville Bugle,” his favorite newspaper comic strip) played drums, sang with the Paul Whiteman band, worked solo on the nightclub circuit, ascended to Hollywood, starred on own radio show, appeared in a few Mack Sennett short films and then reached the apex, as a star, in comedies and dramatic showcases alike. Along the way, he continued to “croon,” selling records in astronomical numbers and amassing a fortune in the process.
Crosby certainly was not what you’d call a handsome guy. His build was slight and his ears protruded like wing-nuts. But he was the definition of affability and easy grace -- and moviegoers gravitated toward that warmth no matter what kind of film he was doing.
For instance, Crosby did light and funny in a masterful way. His “Road” films, in which he co-starred with Bob Hope and, oftentimes, Dorothy Lamour, hit the mark in a zany, pleasing fashion. Somehow, Crosby & Hope built an on-screen chemistry that, in ways, rivaled some of the great comedic teams of all time. Catch Road to Morocco or Road to Utopia to see two hilarious talents at the top of their game.
But what’s astounding is that the same basic easygoin’ Crosby persona worked to an equally impressive effect in dramatic roles, too. By all means, catch him as the impassioned Father O’Malley in the immortal Going My Way. That role garnered Crosby a well-deserved Oscar for Best Actor of 1944 (over the years he was nominated for two more). And talk about versatility. In Going My Way, the Best Actor reminded all that he was also the best singer, offering up, among other tunes, his forever fabulous, fun-filled Swingin’ on a Star.
Make it your business to catch him as well in Holiday Inn, the 1942 classic in which Crosby set the nation on its ear with his delivery of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. That Crosby performance did more than just provide superb entertainment. It was rendered during the darkest days of World War II, when America was truly fighting for its life – and when the news from the battlefronts was unremittingly grim. Crosby’s delivery gave Americans – at home and overseas alike -- a real shot in the arm by reminding us, indeed, by reassuring us that in spite of the bleakest possible news, all would ultimately right itself again. Consider the song’s closing lyrics: “May your days be merry and bright…and may all your Christmases be white.” Those words are pure inspiration at any time, but never more than when Holiday Inn first played to packed movie houses across the country. See the film for yourself – and listen as Crosby offers those words with his usual warmth and passion combined with something else: a bit of steely and catalytic resolve. Sixty years later, the effect is still riveting.
And just to give this Academy Award winning actor his due as a vocal talent, take note of the facts: Crosby recorded some 1700 songs throughout his career, selling an astounding 300 million records (White Christmas alone accounts for 30 million sales). In the eight years from 1931 – 1939 alone he had 150 bona fide hits. And he is credited with 23 gold records, ones that sold at least a million copies.
According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, a “crooner” is one who sings popular songs in a soft, sentimental fashion.” That’s dead-on. But the folks at Webster could have saved themselves the ink. Instead of offering their standard definition, a photograph of Crosby would have done the job just as well. Or maybe better.
Make the most of December 2005 in all possible ways. And be sure to cap this climactic month every Monday night, by tuning in to a wonderful and balanced selection of Bing Crosby films on Turner Classic Movies. Check the schedule, give yourself a memorable holiday gift, and may all your Christmases be white.
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