Favorite Bing Films

Posted by BINGSBOY on September 02, 1999 at 13:56:23:

To focus more on Bing, I was curious as to what one or two of Bing's films are favorites of those here on the board. Personally, I think the Country Girl is by far his greatest work-- but I do think "Little Boy Lost" is also a marvelous performance as well. Having seen all of his films many times over I do think that "Emperor Waltz" is beautifully filmed, and while the story is somewhat lame, the color and music is well done. I once met Joan Fontaine as she lives in Carmel (my hometown) and she told me some interesting stories about the making of the film up in Canada-- I think it was near Lake Louise. She had just married Brian Aherne and being a newlywed it made for an interesting time for her making this particular picture. Of the "Road" series it is a tough choice, but I think Utopia is rather good. Bing would tell you that his favorite, or so he said, is "High Society"-- what is your favorite?


Posted by Wayne Martin, Club Crosby on September 04, 1999 at 13:51:10:

In Reply to: BING'S FILMS posted by BINGSBOY on September 02, 1999 at 13:56:23:

Hi: For some inordinate reason, I've always been very fond of "High Time." It's kind of a silly story, but fun, too, and there is an excellent cast. I love Bing's beautiful voice singing "The Second Time Around." It's one of his best songs, in my opinion. Wayne


Posted by Greg Van Beek on September 04, 1999 at 14:26:53:

In Reply to: Re: BING'S FILMS posted by Wayne Martin, Club Crosby on September 04, 1999 at 13:51:10:

You're not alone, Wayne. "High Time" has always been one of my top favorites as well. "The Second Time Around" is a really fine vocal by Bing. Sinatra may have had the hit record of the song, but Bing's version is always tops with me. The film also shows Bing was a skilled ice skater, something I'm sure he did a lot of growing up in Spokane. He even skated with Mary Frances as late as 1973 on his Chirstmas special from Sun Valley, Idaho.


Posted by Jane FitzGerald on September 04, 1999 at 13:20:50:

In Reply to: BING'S FILMS posted by BINGSBOY on September 02, 1999 at 13:56:23:

While I have to confess that my favorite Bing movie is the one I happen to be watching at any given time, but I've always thought his performance in "Blue Skies" was one of his best. Always thought the ending was stupid, but the music is great, and Bing's acting was understated, credible, and charming. Matter of fact, think I'll go home tonight and watch it! All the Best, Jane


Posted by Jon Oye on September 03, 1999 at 22:25:15:

In Reply to: BING'S FILMS posted by BINGSBOY on September 02, 1999 at 13:56:23:

I have to go with GOING MY WAY--I'm a sucker for every sentimental minute of it. But in particular, Bing is thoroughly and utterly believable in this, the roll he was "born to play".

Lately I've had a hankerin' to watch MR. MUSIC again, so that would rank near the top, too.


Posted by Sue Horn on September 04, 1999 at 18:47:30:

In Reply to: Re: BING'S FILMS posted by Jon Oye on September 03, 1999 at 22:25:15:

I too love GOING MY WAY; it's one I can watch and re-watch. Other favorites lately have been THE COUNTRY GIRL, LITTLE BOY LOST, HERE COMES THE GROOM, HOLIDAY INN, JUST FOR YOU, WELCOME STRANGER, all of the ROADS (except HONG KONG), HIGH SOCIETY, GOING HOLLYWOOD,.... The list could go on forever.
I tend to watch similar movies by Bing, in phases. My not-so-favorites (if you'll put up with my coining that horrendous word) are: SAY ONE FOR ME, KING OF JAZZ, WIKIKI WEDDING (fine voice, silly story), ROAD TO HONG KONG, TOP Ó THE MORNING, PEPE.
Others that you have mentioned which are not on this list are probably films I haven't yet been able to see or which I have only vague memories of.
Isn't it wonderful that Bing has so many great films? And I haven't even mentioned the comedy shorts..... That's all for now.



Posted by Arne on September 08, 1999 at 00:53:15:

In Reply to: Re: BING'S FILMS posted by Sue Horn on September 04, 1999 at 18:47:30:

Interesting to me that you would rate "Hong Kong" as a least favorite. I've always been partial to the film, I guess mainly because it was the first Bing film I saw as a "fan".... back in 1962, when I was nearly 13, I saw the film at the State Theater in Minneapolis because I knew it would be funny and because I liked Bob Hope. I was only vaguely aware of Crosby; I knew he was one of the two singers my Dad was always raving about - the other was someone called "Sinatra" - and I always got the two mixed up! BUT -- after I saw "Hong Kong", I left the theater as a Crosby fan, and immediately searched out my Dad's old 78s for his records. I sold off part of my comic book collection to buy my first Bing record: the "Hong Kong" soundtrack! (a whopping $2.79 in mono). So, the movie is very important to me. But personal history aside, I've always thought the movie stands up well compared to MY least favorite "Road", and one of my least favorite Bing films of any type: "Bali"! -- Despite the color, the guys just seem to be pitifully "going through the motions" in this one. The story line is meandering and boring (The "Roads", at their best, had interesting stories to bounce the comedy off of) I just feel that Hope & Crosby would rather be somewhere else....a feeling I don't get from "Hong Kong", during which I sense from the team a certain air of excitment at the chance to work together after all those years. I'd be anxious to read you thoughts on this, Sue!...............


Posted by Lee on September 10, 1999 at 10:00:01:

In Reply to: Re: BING'S FILMS posted by Arne on September 08, 1999 at 00:53:15:

Call me Sammy Sunshine, but I really liked both "..Bali" & "..Hong Kong." I thought both these movies were laugh riots. I wasn't paying attention to the storyline, I don't even remember now what they were. I do remember laughing my head off watching both these movies. That scene in "...Hong Kong" where Bob has fishes poking out of his shirt at all points still makes me smile just thinking about it. And the "Bali" movie was so goofy, it was "Dumb & Dumber" way before it was in fashion. I haven't seen either of these movies in several years, I've been watching the whole "Road" series chronologically all over again over the past 2 years and I just watched "Rio" a week ago. So the next two I'll be getting to are "Bali" & "Hong Kong" so maybe I'll sober up and learn to hate these movies too, but right now, I can only remember how funny they were. I agree there are no memorable songs in "Hong Kong" but "Bali" had a good love song in it, the title I don't recall now, but it was also used in the "Rear Window" movie. That was a great Bing love song, I only wish I could remember it's name.


Posted by Arne on September 10, 1999 at 12:14:43:

In Reply to: Re: BING'S FILMS posted by Lee on September 10, 1999 at 10:00:01:

While we're on the "Sammy Sunshine" side, let me say that far and away, the two very BEST of the "Roads" are "Morocco" (one of my favorite Bing films of any description) and "Utopia", which runs it a very close second. These are just flawless comedies, as far as I'm concerned. While on the subject of "song quality" in "Bali" & "Hong Kong", did you ever notice how "Hong Kong"'s ballad "Let's Not Be Sensible" is almost the same song in form and rhyme scheme as the same author's big hit "Call Me Irresponsible"? I wonder which one they wrote first? (they were introduced within only about a year or two of each other).............................


Posted by David Lobosco on September 08, 1999 at 12:11:44:

In Reply to: Re: BING'S FILMS posted by Arne on September 08, 1999 at 00:53:15:

Dear Arne,

I agree with you that I feel that the "Road To Bali" is the worst of the Road movies, but I still thing "The Stagecoach" was the worst. I don't think it's because of Bing or the cast at all, but remakes usually aren't that good. How can one compete or compare to the John Wayne classic!

Getting back to "The Road To Bali", I don't think the songs are as top notch as the other movies.

Hard to believe Arne, but I totally agree with you! Maybe it's a dawning of peace on earth and good will to all men!(ha ha)


Posted by Lars on September 03, 1999 at 02:28:00:

In Reply to: BING'S FILMS posted by BINGSBOY on September 02, 1999 at 13:56:23:

I would pick HIGH SOCIETY, HOLIDAY INN and WELCOME STRANGERS as the three I enjoy the most. I admire Bing's work in the more dramatic pictures, but I can't re-watch those movies as often as his lightcomedies. Therefore I don't think I would pick any of those - no matter how good I think the movies are.

I always find it hard to pick only one of the ROAD-movies, but MOROCCO has always been fun to watch. But I could as well pick RIO or UTOPIA!

A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT and HERE COMES THE GROOM would also be among the favourites. And I like BIRTH OF THE BLUES and RHYTHM ON THE RIVER. EMPEROR WALTZ is also enjoyable. Coming to think of it I think I like most of his movies - more or less. A while ago (several months) somebody asked us (here at the board) to make a list of the 10 favourite Bing-movies, and I had a hard time keeping it down to 10. I think it was Arne or Lee who suggested we should make a list of the Bing-movies we liked the least (and the same thing with his recordings). It was an interesting thought - but I believe it stayed as a thought only.


Posted by Arne on September 02, 1999 at 18:40:23:

In Reply to: BING'S FILMS posted by BINGSBOY on September 02, 1999 at 13:56:23:

I have mixed feelings about some of Bing's films, particularly some of the later ones (mixed feelings about the films themselves, that is, never about Bing's work which is always top-notch) but as for favorites, well I have three.... they remain my absolute favorite Crosby films, year in year out. They are: -- HOLIDAY INN -- ROAD TO MOROCCO -- THE BIG BROADCAST (1932).


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