SADLY AFTER 16 YEARS, BOARDHOST HAS DECIDED TO ELIMINATE THE FREE FORUM OPTION, AND THIS BOARD WILL HAVE TO BE A PAID BOARD AS OF SEPTEMBER 26TH. There has been a lot of interest keeping this board going. Let me know if you are interested in helping with this board. The more people that give, the cheaper it will end up being. Contact me if you are interested.
1 of 1- ModernBingFan0377
- Senior Member
Offline 
- Registered: 27/12/2019
- Posts: 355
What is Your Favorite Episode(s) of Bing's Radio Shows?
I wanted to propose the above question, as it seems like fertile ground for discussion and to also get people to revisit episodes that they may have once listened to.
What's my favorite episode out of all of Bing's radio shows? Well, I think I am about to speak sacrilege to this board on my answer to this, but I've listened to so little of Bing's shows in full that I cannot give one! I've been trying to fix this though, so I will admit this thread has the second purpose of seeing what episodes I should give a particular listen to...
Sing a song of sunbeams, let the notes fall where they may, sing a song of sunbeams in a light fantastic way.
- Ian Kerstein
- Super Fan
Offline
- From: Nottingham. United Kingdom.
- Registered: 19/2/2022
- Posts: 564
Re: What is Your Favorite Episode(s) of Bing's Radio Shows?
I'm afraid I'm the same in so far as I have not listened to too many full length radio shows of Bing's. I began buying LPs in the mid-1980's (with my first wages) which featured specifically selected songs and sketches from his shows. The first were two volumes on the Magic label entitled "Bing Crosby and Friends" compromising entirely of duets with the likes of Ethel Merman, Groucho Marx and Bob Hope.
As we know the specialist Spokane label presented many LP volumes of full shows of one per side.
However, my favourite radio collection was a four volume LP series on the Crescendo label, entitled "Bing Crosby - The Radio Years" which began issuing in 1985. The reason my fondness for this collection remains is judging by the dates of the recordings ( late 1940's to early 1950's and still with full orchestra), these would have been sourced from the Chesterfield and General Electric shows and the magnetic tape sound quality is wonderful. They sound as if they could have been recorded yesterday and also feature not just plentiful duets but some beautiful solos such as "Singin' in the Rain" "Lady of Spain" and "Young at Heart". Due to the improved sound, it's also even more of a pleasure to appreciate the wonderful orchestral backings of John Scott Trotter.
In direct answer, though - my favourite of the full shows I've so far heard is this one from February, 1952 featuring guests, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. It helps that Bogart is my favourite acting star and the combination of Bing's super smooth hosting skills, the interplay between the three of them and the (possibly only?) example of a recording of Bogie actually singing solo, makes this particular Chesterfield show a delight from beginning to end.
Last edited by Ian Kerstein (05/8/2026 6:53 pm)