Bing Crosby White Christmas

Bing Crosby White Christmas. Four words that appear together so often. Here is a brief biography of Bing and his career.

Full Name: Bing Crosby (born Harry Lillis Crosby)

DOB: 3rd May 2003

DOD: 14th October, 1977

Where born: Tacoma, Washington, USA.

Any mention of the film “White Christmas” will bring to mind that famous scene where Bing Crosby is singing the song of the same name with actress Marjorie Reynolds in the movie Holiday Inn. Actually Ms Reynolds' voice was dubbed, with Martha Mears doing the singing on the soundtrack.

The song “White Christmas” has become very much Crosby's signature song. It is a debatable point, which is the most popular, “White Christmas” the song, or “White Christmas” the movie.

Bing Crosby's acting and singing talents certainly paid dividends in “White Christmas,” with the movie grossing over $30 million, an absolutely massive figure in those days.

Incidentally, the number of records of the song “Bing Crosby White Christmas” sold over the years is even higher, being estimated to be in excess of 50 million.

The White Christmas movie, released in 1954, was very much a star-studded affair. Co-starring with Bing Crosby were Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.

Bing came into this film with his reputation as a huge star already established. A poll in 1948 conducted by Yank magazine found he was the man who had provided the most inspiration for American soldiers during World War Two.

Legend has it that the young Bing was inspired by the famous singer Al Jolson. He became a singer, and while performing at the Los Angeles Theatre in 1926 in a duo with Al Rinker, was spotted by band leader Paul Whiteman.

By 1931 Bing Crosby was singing solo, in what was to become a glittering career. By 1936 he was hosting the NBC radio show “Kraft Music Hall.”

During the Second World War Bing took to entertaining American troops fighting in Europe with his live shows. In 1942 Bing released the song “White Christmas” and it became his biggest ever hit.

As well as his singing, Bing was also to be a big hit in the movies. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1944 movie “Going my Way.”

A year later he received another nomination for his role in “The Bells of St Mary's.” Movie buffs will also know that Bing had started his series of “Road to...” movies with Bob Hope, which were to continue into the early 1960s.

In 1977 Bing created a pleasant surprise by recording “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” with rock star David Bowie, renewing his acquaintance with a new generation of music lovers. Just like “White Christmas,” “Little Drummer Boy” is also a Christmas song, and was first recorded in 1957.

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