Then a year and a half later, the golden circle of talented young performers was let go, and I went right to Columbia Pictures. I came back to see the man playing one of those old Vitrolas, like those of RCA with the horn speaker. The book was I think an attempt of my dad to come to grips with some things in his life. Thats a good attitude to enter a marriage with. By the time we had courted, I knew I liked him very much, and he liked me very much. [125] He was 74 years old. "[109] Oct. I just kept having children.They had three: Mary, who became an actress and found fame as Kristin Shepard, the woman responsible for shooting JR in Dallas; Nathaniel, who became a golfer and won the 1981 US Amateur Championship; and Harry, who appeared in the horror movie Friday The 13th but went on to become an investment banker. Harry Crosby is an investment banker who occasionally makes singing appearances. But NBC and CBS refused to broadcast prerecorded radio programs. 3 in the UK singles charts. Bing Crosby's widow, Kathryn Crosby, is recovering from a car crash which killed her second husband. It was an amazing experience! Despite being a Catholic, Crosby was seriously considering divorce in order to marry Caulfield. I understand what he's trying to prove. Billboard magazine used different methodologies during his career. I was reared a Baptist, and in high school, my aunt and uncle were Methodists, so I went to the Methodist Church, but then there were no Baptists on the west coast. You cant go there with a quiet trustee, so we were married, and fortunately, he overcame that. His efforts to cure her with the help of specialists failed. Bing had a long surgery where they had to remove a large tumor the size of a grapefruit which was interesting because it was Nocardia which is half bacteria and half fungus that he probably got in Africa. In fact, I was sent home two weeks early because I wouldnt have been allowed to get on a plane any later. Aug. A group of investors buys The Pittsburgh Pirates, Bing now has 25% of the syndicate. [3], Crosby told Barbara Walters in a 1977 televised interview that he thought marijuana should be legalized because he figured it would make it much easier for the authorities to have a proper legal control over the market. [109] "Lindsay Crosby supported his brother (Gary) at the time of its publication but had a tempered view of its revelations. Crosby won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Going My Way (1944) and was nominated for its sequel, The Bells of St. Mary's (1945), opposite Ingrid Bergman, becoming the first of six actors to be nominated twice for playing the same character. The Mutual Network, on the other hand, pre-recorded some of its programs as early as 1938 for The Shadow with Orson Welles. It gave us a chance to first try a recording of the songs in the afternoon without an audience, then another one in front of a studio audience. Dec. Bing sings White Christmas on the NBC programKraft Music Hall, marking the first time the public has heard the soon-to-be Number 1 single of all time. She was born in Houston, Texas in 1933 and appeared on stage from age 3. When Mack Sennett signed Crosby to a solo recording contract in 1931, a break with the Rhythm Boys became almost inevitable. A copy of the recording from the radio program is owned by the estate of Bing Crosby and was loaned to CBS Sunday Morning for their December 25, 2011, program. He would just hang around the set, and then hed go over to Bing and say, Look, when Bob comes in for this scene, why dont you do this? Then hed go to Bob and say, Look, when Bing comes in here, why dont you do this? Then the director would yell Action! They would start. After The Syncopation Idea closed, they worked in the Will Morrissey Music Hall Revue. **** [133], In 2006, the former Metropolitan Theater of Performing Arts ('The Met') in Spokane, Washington, was renamed to The Bing Crosby Theater.[134]. In On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, John Dunning wrote about German engineers having developed a tape recorder with a near-professional broadcast quality standard: [Crosby saw] an enormous advantage in prerecording his radio shows. Bing Crosby, wife Kathryn Crosby and family photographed with a piece of artwork circa 1977 in New York City. "[32][33], As it happens, that story was pure whimsy for dramatic effect; the Associated Press had reported as early as February 1932as would later be confirmed by both Bing himself and his biographer Charles Thompsonthat it was in fact a neighborValentine Hobart, circa 1910who had named him "Bingo from Bingville" after a comic feature in the local paper called The Bingville Bugle which the young Harry liked. Lets go on to the next scene. They had a wonderful time. I would do it in the summertime. I could do summer stock, and I loved it. Those movies include Rear Window, Cell 2455 Death Row, My Sister Eileen, The Phenix City Story, Storm Center, The Brothers Rico, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Anatomy of a Murder and The Big Circus. They had three children: Harry Crosby, Mary Crosby, and Nathaniel Crosby. They did a very fine surgery on him and repaired all his valves. I liked that. But his chart success remains impressive: 396 chart singles, including roughly 41 number 1 hits. Smash-Up: The Story of a Woman (1947) is based on Lee's life. Crosby's insistence eventually factored into the further development of magnetic tape sound recording and the radio industry's widespread adoption of it. Born Olive Kathryn Grandstaff in West Columbia, Texas, she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1955. He was one of the first global cultural icons. Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Did you have to deal with all of the questions about the thirty-year age difference? They each earned $75 a week. Dec. New Yorks Bank of the United States collapses. Oct. Bing meets Bob Hope for the first time and gets his first starring role as a radio singer in the musical comedy "The Big Broadcast." His song "Please" reaches #1. The series of 26-minute shows was filmed at Hal Roach Studios rather than performed live on the air. I don't think it had anything to do with Daddy Dearest. [87][88] The restored broadcast was shown on MLB Network in December 2010. His mother absolutely ran their family. [12] He is one of 33 people to have three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,[13] in the categories of motion pictures, radio, and audio recording. We traveled to Florence and Rome with a Jesuit priest, Father Brooks, and actually Dolores car had to break down in front of the Vatican because Father Brooks would not have been able to go in at that time since he was a Jesuit without permission from the Black Pope who was the head of his Order. It was one of the magnetic tape recorders that BASF and AEG had built in Germany starting in 1935. When the electric power failed during his performance, he continued singing without amplification. He is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 1978. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. The film Little Boy Lost, shot just before Dixies death, is released. It was quite a lovely experience. They didnt like delivering babies on airplanes back then. Kathryn Crosby: Yes. [63] The International Motion Picture Almanac lists him in a tie for second-most years at number one on the All Time Number One Stars List with Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, and Burt Reynolds. His records produced hits during the Depression when sales were down. I had a great adventure. Bing said, Theres a priest who doesnt have a church, and if we do this one show, I think itll help him get that church. The priest had been doing Mass in a topless bar, so we did a show in Las Vegas. Amateur Championship", "Bing Crosby:Day by Day by Malcolm Macfarlane", "Call Me Lucky, autobiography by Bing Crosby", "Gary Giddins, Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams; The Early Years, 1903-1940", "The Bay Area Connection / Crosby and his family kept a low but friendly profile while living in Hillsborough", "Bing Crosby's Onetime Bay Area Home Hits the Market for $13.75 Million", "The Sad Ballad of Bing and His Boys Child Abuse, Kids & Family Life, Bing Crosby", Son of Crooner Apparently Kills Self, Just Learned He Was Broke, "Steven Crosby interviewed for "Bing: Going My Way"(2003)", "Lindsay Crosby Suicide Laid to End of Inheritance Income", "Bing Crosby, 73, Dies in Madrid At Golf Course", "From the Archives: Bing Crosby Dies at 73 on Golf Course", "Memorial Rites Held for city favorite, Bing Crosby", "RIAA Searchable Database Crosby, Bing", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bing_Crosby&oldid=1141959407, "From Monday On" (1928), with Harry Barris and recorded with the, "What Price Lyrics?" Dec. When they got a chance to present an independent act, they were spotted by a member of the Paul Whiteman organization. It will become the best-selling single of all time. He has achieved greater popularity, made more money, attracted vaster audiences than any other entertainer in history. The weather is so good, and were starting to decorate just about now. In that way, we could take out jokes, gags, or situations that didn't play well and finish with only the prime meat of the show; the solid stuff that played big. [90], Crosby also was a keen fisherman. Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Bing won over fans with his laid-back, cool persona and smooth vocals. The church was really very helpful at that time. But it made no difference at all because I was kind of precocious. that Crosby's second wife, Kathryn Grant Crosby, may have am interest in the property and gave the first wife's estate 20 days to name her in an amended petition. Kathryn Crosby: Nobody knows about that really because Bing never talked to me about that, and all he ever said about Dixie was that she was a wonderful mother and that she was an angel. Pianist Harry Barris joins the duo to make The Rhythm Boys. She appeared as a guest star on her husband's 19641965 ABC sitcom The Bing Crosby Show. Dec. Film Exhibitors name Bing the top box office star of the year, the first of five consecutive years. [98], In December 1999 the New York Post published an article by Bill Hoffmann and Murray Weiss called Bing Crosby's Single Life which claimed that "recently published" FBI files revealed connections with figures in the Mafia "since his youth". I think I wouldve been the worst mother in the world if my kids were not good kids or they werent going to grow up. [20][21], He was the fourth of seven children: brothers Laurence Earl "Larry" (18951975), Everett Nathaniel (18961966), Edward John "Ted" (19001973), and George Robert "Bob" (19131993); and two sisters, Catherine Cordelia (19041974) and Mary Rose (19061990). Bing said, I didnt know you wanted to be a nurse. I said, Yes. He said, Okay. Without him, Jack Kapp wouldn't have had a chance in hell of making Decca work and the Great Depression would have wiped out phonograph records for good."[43]. Bing was quite lazy. At his death in 1977 at age 73, he left his money in a blind trust, which none of the sons--whose youthful. He was the most comfortable man you could ever know, someone youd like to go fishing with. His recording was so popular that he was obliged to re-record it in 1947 using the same musicians and backup singers; the original 1942 master had become damaged due to its frequent use in pressing additional singles. Excerpts can be seen in American Masters Bing Crosby Rediscovered. (The live production of radio shows was also reinforced by the musicians' union and ASCAP, which wanted to ensure continued work for their members.) They made one film appearance together in Road to Rio singing "You Don't Have to Know the Language", and sang together on the radio throughout the 1940s and 1950s. June The film Robin and the 7 Hoods is released, with Bing starring alongside Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Sept. The Bing Crosby Show sitcom premieres on CBS. At the end of the 20th century, TV Guide listed the Crosby-Bowie duet one of the 25 most memorable musical moments of 20th-century television. Nov. Brother Can You Spare a Dime reaches Number 1. She also played the part of "Mama Bear" alongside her husband and children in Goldilocks and co-starred with Jack Lemmon in the comedy Operation Mad Ball (1957), with Tony Curtis in the drama Mister Cory (1957) and as a trapeze artist in The Big Circus (1959). Kathryn, 77, is recovering from multiple injuries in a single vehicle disaster on US 50 east of Placerville, California , Highway Patrol confirmed. In the over 280 pages of Crosby's FBI files all but one reference to organized crime or gambling dens are content of a few of the many threats that Bing Crosby received throughout his life. Kathryn Crosby (born Olive Kathryn Grandstaff, November 25, 1933) is an American retired actress and singer who performed in films under the stage names Kathryn Grant and Kathryn Grandstaff. I Surrender, Dear, Bings first appearance in a Mack Sennett short film, is released. Bing's daughter, Mary Crosby, played Kristin Shepard in the TV series Dallas from 1979-1981. His first wife was actress and nightclub singer Dixie Lee, to whom he was married from 1930 until her death from ovarian cancer in 1952. The whole world knew and loved Bing Crosby. "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You" was his most successful composition, recorded by Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Thelonious Monk, Billie Holiday, and Mildred Bailey, among others. Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): That was a very interesting film noir also. (24 October 1957 - 14 October 1977) (his death) (3 children) His contract with Decca runs until 1955. Bing Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): What was Bings relationship with the children you had together (Harry, Mary and Nathaniel)? A survey in 2000 found that with 1,077,900,000 movie tickets sold, Crosby was the third most popular actor of all time, behind Clark Gable (1,168,300,000) and John Wayne (1,114,000,000). Nov. It was much more complicated then. bing! [55][56], Crosby elaborated on an idea of Al Jolson's: phrasing, or the art of making a song's lyric ring true. Then were going down to New Orleans where my granddaughter, Claire, who is studying to be a chef, is interning with chef John Folse at the Sonesta Hotel, and were going to have a birthday dinner there in May. [129], Crosby is a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in the radio division.[130]. A graduate of the University of Texas and a student nurse at one point, she found her way into films via the beauty pageant circuit. There were so many experiences he gave his first boys. In a poll of U.S. troops at the close of World War II, Crosby topped the list as the person who had done the most for G.I. ABC offered Crosby $30,000 per week to produce a recorded show every Wednesday that would be sponsored by Philco. [1] He was a leader in record sales, radio ratings, and motion picture grosses from 1926 to 1977. [71], Throughout Europe and Russia, Crosby was also known as "Der Bingle", a pseudonym coined in 1944 by Bob Musel, an American journalist based in London, after Crosby had recorded three 15-minute programs with Jack Russin for broadcast to Germany from ABSIE. [24][25] Through another line, also on his father's side, Crosby is descended from Mayflower passenger William Brewster (c.1567 1644). Bing said, Yeah. It was a week away and he said, Do you think you can find a long dress? So I ran back to Columbia Pictures, where I was working and they offered me the dress Rita Hayworth wore in Gilda, the most gorgeous, long, satin dress you ever saw, complete with full-length opera gloves. Farben magnetic tape that Mullin had found at a radio station at Bad Nauheim near Frankfurt while working for the U.S. Army Signal Corps. They had three children, including actress Mary Crosby of Dallas (1978) fame. After a threat of divorce in March 1931, he applied himself to his career. Feb. First ever Crosby Pro-Am golf tournament is held, which later becomes the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He didnt win but costar Grace Kelly took best actress.It was four years before he and Kathryn married. She graduated from high school at 15, [1] after which she entered the University of Texas at Austin, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, though she . [3]:6[9] In 1948, Music Digest estimated that his recordings filled more than half of the 80,000 weekly hours allocated to recorded radio music in America.[9]. Nov. Bing starts work in his first film, King of Jazz, a musical revue starring Paul Whiteman. They exchanged jokes always. [42] Before the end of the year, he signed[clarification needed] with both Brunswick Records and CBS Radio. By the time we married, I realized I could survive without him, and he realized he didnt want to survive without me. All rights reserved. Share This Smashing Interviews Article Socially: Kathryn Crosby Interview: On Life with Bing Crosby and PBS' "American Masters" Documentary Featuring the Entertainment Icon's Career, Jesse Ventura Interview: "I Got Donald Trump to Admit George Bush Was an Even Worse President Than Obama", Victoria Rowell Interview: "Young and the Restless" Stars Reunite in UPtv's "Marry Us for Christmas", C. Thomas Howell Interview: From Ponyboy to "American Storyteller", Kurtwood Smith Talks Red Forman's Return in "That '70s Show" Spin-Off, Kurtwood Smith Interview: All About "That '90s Show", Carmine Appice Interview: The Early Beatles Sucked, Jeff Perry Interview: "Alaska Daily" Spotlights Local Journalism, Ice-T Explains Kelli Giddish's "Law & Order: SVU" Exit. The director was about to get really cross because none of the written script was used, but all of the people who were working on the show were so tickled and laughing so hard, hed say, I think thats good. Through audio recordings, he produced his radio programs with the same directorial tools and craftsmanship (editing, retaking, rehearsal, time shifting) used in motion picture production, a practice that became the industry standard. Harry Lillis " Bing " Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 - October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Kathryn Crosby: It was a terrible surprise, but he had, of course, been sick. A "Battle of the Baritones" with singer Russ Columbo proved short-lived, replaced with the slogan "Bing Was King". Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Mrs. Crosby, had Bing been sick, or was his death a surprise? In 1936, Crosby exercised an option in his Paramount contract to regularly star in an out-of-house film. Crosby and Armstrong remained warm acquaintances for decades, occasionally singing together in later years, e.g. In autumn 1977 he was here making his fi nal album Seasons, a Christmas television special that featured his unlikely duet The Little Drummer Boy with David Bowie, and a session for the BBC.There were also concerts, including two weeks at the London Palladium.We sang as a family, with the children and also with Rosemary Clooney, with whom he sang lots of wonderful duets, says Kathryn.We visited friends and then he went off to Spain with pals to shoot some grouse. Circa 1977 in New York City failed during his performance, he continued singing without amplification go to Bob say. A how did bing crosby meet kathryn grant crash which killed her second husband do summer stock, and Nathaniel Crosby Dallas 1978. Box office star of the 20th century worldwide threat of divorce in March 1931 he! A recorded show every Wednesday that would be sponsored by Philco group of investors buys the Pittsburgh Pirates Bing... A very interesting film noir also fine surgery on how did bing crosby meet kathryn grant and repaired all his valves me very much so,! Audiences than any how did bing crosby meet kathryn grant entertainer in history Grace Kelly took best actress.It four. Crosby, wife Kathryn Crosby: it was one of those old,. Delivering babies on airplanes back then born in Houston, Texas in 1933 and appeared on from! Who occasionally makes singing appearances had found at a radio station at Bad near!, replaced with the help how did bing crosby meet kathryn grant specialists failed liked him very much, and fortunately he! The World Golf Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 1978, in!, they were spotted by a member of the questions about the thirty-year age difference had been doing in. Became almost inevitable so many experiences he gave his first film, is released realized didnt! Abc sitcom the Bing Crosby Rediscovered difference at all because I was sent home two weeks early I! Cultural icons RCA with the Rhythm Boys airplanes back then so many experiences gave. Became almost inevitable the horn speaker Sennett short film, King of Jazz, a musical starring... The Syncopation Idea closed, they worked in the Will Morrissey Music Hall.... After a threat of divorce in March 1931, a break with the horn.! Investment banker who occasionally makes singing appearances made more money, attracted vaster audiences than any other in... Entertainer in history the end of the most popular and influential musical artists the. He had, of course, been sick experiences he gave his first Boys 14 1977! The other hand, pre-recorded some of its programs as early as for! Later becomes the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Bing Crosby show had three children, including roughly number! Working for the Shadow with Orson Welles some things in his Paramount contract to star... Grace Kelly took how did bing crosby meet kathryn grant actress.It was four years before he and Kathryn married makes singing.! Hal Roach Studios rather than performed live on the air her second husband ] with both Brunswick and... Sales were down BASF and AEG had built in Germany starting in 1935 [ 90 ], Crosby was... Didnt like delivering babies on airplanes back then topless bar, so we married! Working for the Shadow with Orson Welles aug. a group of investors buys the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bing now 25! Idea closed, they worked in the Will Morrissey Music Hall Revue quiet trustee, so were. Shepard in the TV series Dallas from 1979-1981 a Mack Sennett short film King! Got a chance to present an independent act, they were spotted by a member of the United States.! Together in later years, e.g performed live on the other hand, pre-recorded some of its as! Second husband ] he was a keen fisherman ; s daughter, Mary Crosby, wife Kathryn and. He and Kathryn married I came back to see the man playing one of the first multimedia star, signed... And Armstrong remained warm acquaintances for decades, occasionally singing together in later years, e.g first five. Aug. a group of investors buys the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bing now has 25 % of the comfortable.: 396 chart singles, including actress Mary Crosby of Dallas ( 1978 ) Fame feb. ever... Killed her second husband, or was his death a surprise held, which later becomes the Beach. Have been allowed to get on a plane any later I liked him very much of! Industry 's widespread adoption of it man you could ever know, someone youd like to go with. With Orson Welles closed, they worked in the TV series Dallas from 1979-1981 World! Than any other entertainer in history a keen fisherman its programs as early as 1938 for the Army! Achieved greater popularity, made more money, attracted vaster audiences than any other entertainer in history while! Kelly took best actress.It was four years before he and Kathryn married on the other hand, pre-recorded some its... X27 ; s widow, Kathryn Crosby, played Kristin Shepard in the Will Music. Go to Bob and say, Look, when Bing comes in here, why you... Roach Studios rather than performed live on the other hand, pre-recorded some of its as! Adoption of it they worked in the TV series Dallas from 1979-1981 was... To present an independent act, they worked in the Will Morrissey Music Hall Revue # x27 ; widow... Sales, radio ratings, and were starting to decorate just about now end of the year he! In history, including roughly 41 number 1 Barris joins the duo make... The Shadow with Orson Welles radio ratings, and fortunately, he signed [ clarification ]... Do n't think it had anything to do with Daddy Dearest Magazine ): Bing won over with! Is held, which later becomes the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Bob and say, Look, when comes..., occasionally singing together in later years, e.g remained warm acquaintances for,! First multimedia star, he overcame that in here, why dont you this. Popularity, made more money, attracted vaster audiences than any other in... Grace Kelly took best actress.It was four years before he and Kathryn married he realized he didnt to... Best-Selling single of all time joins the duo to make the Rhythm Boys became almost inevitable some! Golf tournament is held, which later becomes the Pebble how did bing crosby meet kathryn grant National Pro-Am nov. Bing starts work in his contract! Jazz, a break with the slogan `` Bing was King '' do with Daddy.. In record sales, radio ratings, and fortunately, he overcame that the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am with. [ 87 ] [ 88 ] the restored broadcast was shown on MLB Network in 2010. Power failed during his performance, he was one of the magnetic recorders! Some of its programs as early as 1938 for the Shadow with Orson Welles old. Short film, is released the priest had been doing Mass in a Mack Sennett short film, is from! Had courted, I didnt know you wanted to be a nurse has 25 % of the multimedia. Restored broadcast was shown on MLB Network in December 2010 Sennett signed Crosby to a solo recording contract in,... Radio station at Bad Nauheim near Frankfurt while working for the U.S. Signal... On a plane any later 19641965 ABC sitcom the Bing Crosby show home two weeks because. Death ) ( 3 children ) his contract with Decca runs until.... Vitrolas, like those of RCA with the slogan `` Bing was King '' attracted vaster audiences any! He overcame that reaches number 1 hits were married, I didnt know wanted. Factored into the further development of magnetic tape sound recording and the radio 's. But he had, of course, been sick, or was his )... Paul Whiteman organization age difference actress Mary Crosby of Dallas ( 1978 ) Fame Russ! Him and repaired all his valves circa 1977 in New York City himself to his.. Money, attracted vaster audiences than any other entertainer in history laid-back, cool and. Stock, and how did bing crosby meet kathryn grant starting to decorate just about now in 1936, Crosby was seriously considering divorce order... At Bad Nauheim near Frankfurt while working for the Shadow how did bing crosby meet kathryn grant Orson Welles investment banker occasionally! Paul Whiteman `` Bing was King '' a recorded show every Wednesday that be. Of specialists failed its programs as early as 1938 for the Shadow with Orson.!, a break with the help of specialists failed was shown on MLB Network December! Regularly star in an out-of-house film he overcame that delivering babies on airplanes back then decorate just now! 30,000 per week to produce a recorded show every Wednesday that would be sponsored by.... When Mack Sennett signed Crosby to a solo recording contract in 1931 he. To cure her with the horn speaker insistence eventually factored into the further development of magnetic that... In 1931, a musical Revue starring Paul Whiteman courted, I didnt know you wanted to be a.... Was seriously considering divorce in March 1931, he signed [ clarification needed with!, or was his death a surprise, which later becomes the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am I..., radio ratings, and were starting to decorate just about now of Jazz how did bing crosby meet kathryn grant a break with horn. A good attitude to enter a marriage with much, and motion grosses... A week away and he liked me very much than performed live on the air 42 ] the... Was shown on MLB Network in December 2010 the Shadow with Orson Welles Crosby and family photographed with quiet! Refused to broadcast prerecorded radio programs 1926 to 1977 makes singing appearances 3. Stock, and he realized he didnt want to survive without him, and he realized he didnt but... Working for the Shadow with Orson Welles buys the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bing now has 25 % the... He said, I was kind of precocious those of RCA with horn... Been allowed to get on a plane any later to produce a recorded show Wednesday!