Review of Screen Legends: Bing Crosby (Box Set)

Introduction

This collection of four films is a sample of the many films that Bing Crosby made in a period starting in the early thirties until 1954. His songs have appeared, and still do on film and television soundtracks to this day.


Bing Crosby now seems dated compared to the enduring Sinatra and their styles are distinctly different. Crosby is the one with the most hits including the remarkable White Christmas that remains the greatest selling song of all time.

From the 1930s to the 1950s Crosby made over 70 movies. Most famous are White Christmas and Holiday Inn but he also made a series of `road` films with America`s greatest comedian, Bob Hope.

The four films appearing in this collection are regrettably only a small selection of the many available.

Going My Way (1944)

A new priest comes to the neighbourhood and manages to upset a few people. But he`s a young and with it guy and the bishop has sent him to prop up the resident aging cleric played by Barry Fitzgerald( The Quiet Man)Soon Father Chuck O` Malley is causing controversy and a disaster means that the church is in big trouble. Can Bing sing his way out of trouble?

This is a quietly enjoyable Saturday matinee from gentler times and one to please Bing`s many fans. He won an Oscar for this one and typically was on the golf course when he heard about it.

Pennies from Heaven (1936)

A drifter is given a message in prison He agrees to deliver it but little realises it will change his life forever. Bing stars again with a musical performance by King Louis (Armstrong) himself.

Another showcase for many Crosby songs-including not surprisingly Pennies From Heaven!

The Road to Zanzibar (1941)

Hope and Crosby get on the road in the sequel to "The Road to Singapore" not foreseen as a sequel it set the partnership up for more and more Road movies.

This is not a rib tickler in the huge sense; it ambles along in a pleasant way. I find you need to be in a Saturday matinee mood for this one in particular. I have a feeling there is a better example of the Road movies that should have been included instead.


Holiday Inn

Bing Crosby stars as Jim Hardy, a lazy song and dance man who is unlucky in love. His partner Ted Hanover (Fred Astaire) seems to have the edge on him with the ladies. Getting away from the ladies is a priority so he buys a farm but realises he will have to work for a living. The farm becomes a night club only to be opened on holidays and he needs some acts. By coincidence a very nice florist wants to sing and gets her big break with Jim at the Holiday Inn. But when Ted comes a calling, will he take her away to a wider stage?

By no means a perfect film, the plot is essentially boy meets girl and so on, this is stuffed full of quality musical numbers. The singing by Bing and the dancing by Astaire is superb and when they get together is both magic and moving.

Not only did this film inspire a hotel chain (no kidding) but the song became the best selling song ever. A film called White Christmas was made in 1954 which reprised starring Bing with Danny Kaye in 1954.

Video

The prints used are of generally high quality. They are perfectly watchable with no obvious problems. They are all in full frame.

The films are all black and white but some additional material has colour footage

Audio

The sound is fine with no obvious problems. There is some hiss on archive voice recordings due to age.

Features

Commentary by Film Historian Ken Barnes
A very learned and informed commentary; there is much to take in. It`s disappointing that there is no subtitle track provided so that you can multi task whilst the commentary is running. Ken Barnes produces some great background information and there are archive comments from the actors involved.

A Couple of Song and Dance Men Featurette
This takes the form of a conversational biography divided up between Ava Astaire, Fred`s daughter and Ken Barnes. At times a little stiff the format just about works and reveals some nice little details about both Bing and Fred that make this a worthwhile endeavour.

All singing-all dancing: Before and After
This is a very short featurette produced and presented by Ken Barnes that offers some insight into how music and dancing was inserted into the talkies, using Holiday Inn as a reference point.

Cast and Crew Profiles
Multiple screen notes of all the major actors and contributors to the film.

Theatrical trailer
One of the many trailers produced for a film that was re-released on several occasions over the years before they invented VHS and DVD.

Production Notes
More background notes some of which is used in the commentary about the production.

There are no extras on any of the other discs.

Conclusion

A great little taster set for the talents of Bing Crosby. It`s a reminder of just how big he was both musically and as a man who could really open a movie.

The extras included with Holiday Inn are thoughtfully presented and will appeal to those who like to add biographical detail and historical context to their films.

I`ve really no idea why these four films are deemed to be representative of Bing Crosby in Hollywood-where is High Society? How about something that shows him as a straight actor; something he manages very well.

Of course the downside to watching these films is you realise how many Crosby made and how many Astaire made…and then there are the Road movies with Hope…and when you go off on that tangent you can just lock yourself in the house with a years, supply of chocolate and proceed to watch the rest of the brilliant musicals out there…