Thanks so much for this. I collected all the LPs but stopped collecting after 1932. It’s great to have access now to all those alternate takes. 

Very sad to hear the news but what a full life she had. Top of the Morning is a charming film even though not as obtainable as other Bing films. I was thinking that she must surely be the last of Bings leading ladies but I remembered Joan Collins is still alive. Let me know if I’m missing anyone. 

“Blue Prelude” I think has Bing in perhaps his best vocal form. 

I like to check in every now and then to read what people are up to and occasionally add my little bit. It’s good to have a place where we can all come together to discuss Bing things. I’m happy to throw in $10 to contribute towards the next year but also support another site if that’s what everyone wants. Let me know. 
Cheers, Dave Duncan. 

Even though published over 10 year ago now I’m finally reading this biography on Bob Hope. It’s very informative and generally a good read but it’s annoying that there always have to be a few jabs at Bing included somewhere. It’s the usual stuff such as Bing being cold etc but the most unsettling comment is a quote attributed to Bob himself in late 1977 just after Bings death. Bob was looking through old film clips for his TV special which I think was “On the Road with Bing”. The associate producer was a lady called Marcia Lewis who claimed Bob said to her (when she and Bob were alone) “You know I never liked Bing. He was a son of a bitch. In all the years of working together he never had Delores and me to dinner”. I found this to be quiet upsetting that Bob would say this especially when he had been so upset by Bings recent passing. I had a memory of a quote from Bings butler Alan Fisher in an interview he gave again in late 1977 for the special narrated by William Holden. I searched through my files and found the documentary and skipped through until I found the clip and sure enough Alan Fishers words were along the lines of: “Mr Crosby was a very private man. In the 16 years I worked for him he hardly even entertained at home. I remember once Bob and Delores Hope came for dinner, Phil Harris and Alice Faye once, Fred Astaire once for dinner in London……….” After confirming this it didn’t make sense. Because it was such a rare event I’m sure Alan Fisher would remember who visited for dinner and I can’t believe he’d lie. Also I find it hard to believe that Bob Hope wouldn’t remember if it was a once in a lifetime occasion and again I’m sure he wouldn’t lie. My only conclusion is that this woman Marcia Lewis either made it up or her memory of the event over 40 years ago was hazy and she exaggerated. Anyway I guess they need to dish some dirt in these biographies but unless they are 100% sure they shouldn’t include these alleg

Thanks so much for doing this. I have all the LPs but stopped when they went to CD. It’s great to have access to them. Appreciate it very much. Cheers Dave Duncan. 

Hi Ian I hope all is well. In regards to Graham’s book it’s an extremely well researched book in almost the same style as Malcolm’s book “Day by Day” and as big in size and weight as Gary Giddens books about Bing. It deals purely with Bing’s impact on Australian audiences and covers everything from record and film releases as well as sales information and newspaper articles. Unfortunately it was a limited edition and is sadly now sold out. A wonderful research reference for us Aussies!

I’d like to join this merry little group. I was 12 in 1976 and was a Bing fan but unfortunately London was too far away from our home in Sydney. He was scheduled to perform here in Australia in either late 1977 or early 1978. If only he could have hung on for a bit longer!

It’s nice and Phil had a good voice. Must have been hard to live in the shadow of his dad. Would have been an asset on one hand but a burden on the other always being compared but never coming close. 

It’s easy to see they caught Bing on an off day. It must have been a chilly day as well - he looks like he wants to get out of there quickly with no fuss. It’s easy to forget what a constant pressure it must have been not to be able to walk around in public like all of us do every day. All part of being a much loved global star but I think for the most part he coped very well. 

Thanks for that information David. Sorry to hear Bob had a stroke. I hope he wasn’t too young not that having a stroke is better at any age. 

David Lobosco wrote:

dgmprod wrote:

I agree David it is a great film to watch and I believe the most financially successful of the Road films. It’s a pity Bing and the Andrew’s Sisters didn’t perform together in any other films but at least there’s this one. 
Cheers, Dave D. 

I'm always left wanting more of Jerry Colonna - I am friends with his son Bob and a few years back he filled me in on some interesting tidbits about the film.
 

Hi David that’s nice you’re friends of Jerry’s son. Any interesting things you can share? Always keen to find out behind the scenes stuff.