Bing Crosby (94 page)

Harry and Kate Crosby loved the Hollywood life. Bing claimed his father used to buttonhole strangers to show them his (Bing’s)
press clippings; his more forbidding mother became a habitué at the racetrack.
Courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Several members of the Crosby circle were united when the twin daughters, Rory and Regan, of Bing’s friend and lyricist Johnny
Burke were baptized. Shown on the steps of Saint Ambrose Church on Fairfax Avenue, January 11, 1942, are (left to right) Sammy
Cahn, Jack Mass, Barney Dean, John Scott Trotter, Phil Silvers, Bing (Rory’s godfather), Dixie (holding Rory), Bob Hope, Delores
Hope (holding Regan), Skitch Henderson, Pat O’Brien, Bessie Burke (in front), David Butler (Regan’s godfather), Georgie Hardwicke,
Johnny Burke, Elsie Butler, Jean Stevens, and Dr. Arnold Stevens.
Quinn Burke Collection

Bing volunteered for military service and was asked to entertain servicemen. During a break on the sixty-five-city Victory
Caravan in 1942, he relaxed with Bert Lahr, Oliver Hardy, and James Cagney.
Gene Lester

Bing was almost as accomplished a fisherman as he was a golfer. He owned many dogs, and even showed some of them off at competitions.
Susan Crosby Collection

Bing showed up intoxicated to record “Ave Maria” on April 25, 1945, and Jack Kapp had to reschedule the session. When photographer
Gene Lester asked Bing if he was aware of the hole in his pants, Bing put his finger in it and said, “Oh, Jesus, hey, but
that makes it convenient, doesn’t it?”
Gene Lester

Bing shakes hands with Frank Tuttle, his favorite director of the 1930s, who brought a touch of René Clair whimsy to
The Big Broadcast
and achieved a blockbuster with
Waikiki Wedding.
Gary Giddins Collection

A lobby card for
Double or Nothing
(1937) shows Bing with Mary Carlisle, who taught him something about backgammon, and Martha Raye, who made her film debut
with Bing. Each appeared in three of his movies.
Gary Giddins Collection

David Butler, who first directed Dixie and then Bing
(East Side of Heaven)
posed with Bing’s music director on the
Kraft Music Hall,
John Scott Trotter, at a Westwood Marching and Chowder Club production.
Rory Burke Collection

Bing records at Decca with a full complement of strings.
Gene Lester/Elsie Perry Collection

Bessie Burke, Barney Dean, Everett Crosby, and Bing’s friend and neighbor Dave Shelly at a Crosby party, 1940.
Rory Burke Collection

In 1935 Dixie costarred with John Boles, who had aced Bing out of a big number in
King of Jazz.
Her career soon ended, however, and she became reclusive, though she often accompanied Bing to the track.
above: Gary Giddins Collection

below: Courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences