Ian Kerstein wrote:

Aaron, how could we not count this as a favourite! It's a terrific picture by your father - my goodness me, there's real talent there!!! Imagine if your jokey friend knew a little more, he could have even more joshingly suggested "Pin the Toupée on Bing" - or was he being kind (unlike me)?
Did your father at the time know that Sinatra painted? 

I also have a copy of "The Complete Crosby", published as a follow up edition to Charles Thompson's "Bing" (1976) to cover his death.
I've asked around Bingland but to no avail - do you happen to know what became of Charles Thompson? 
Since his 1981 biography: "Bob Hope: Portrait of a Superstar", he seems to have disappeared without trace. The Lord Lucan of Crosbyana. 
 

I can't remember if Dad knew that Sinatra painted or not back then. Not sure if he still would know or remember now. Dad is a compulsive. I'm sure he would have had a look through my copy of the book Nancy wrote on her father, which of course has some of Frank's paintings in.

I think Dad would have signed it F.Sinatra as a joke on the Crosby/Sinatra rivalry. Dad didn't like the drawing. He thought it didn't quite capture Bing. Therefore, it was a bad picture so therefore sign Sinatra's name as he would have deliberately set out to do a bad picture of Bing. 

I do have another photo of the picture. Dad added the signature and the pipe smoke as an after thought.

Pantelis, Thank you! I am having a rough few years but hanging in there. I miss all of you, I must try to be at next meeting. Aaron, So sad you don't have that drawing but at least you have photo of it.

Aaron Tickner wrote:

Ian Kerstein wrote:

Aaron, how could we not count this as a favourite! It's a terrific picture by your father - my goodness me, there's real talent there!!! Imagine if your jokey friend knew a little more, he could have even more joshingly suggested "Pin the Toupée on Bing" - or was he being kind (unlike me)?
Did your father at the time know that Sinatra painted? 

I also have a copy of "The Complete Crosby", published as a follow up edition to Charles Thompson's "Bing" (1976) to cover his death.
I've asked around Bingland but to no avail - do you happen to know what became of Charles Thompson? 
Since his 1981 biography: "Bob Hope: Portrait of a Superstar", he seems to have disappeared without trace. The Lord Lucan of Crosbyana. 
 

I can't remember if Dad knew that Sinatra painted or not back then. Not sure if he still would know or remember now. Dad is a compulsive. I'm sure he would have had a look through my copy of the book Nancy wrote on her father, which of course has some of Frank's paintings in.

I think Dad would have signed it F.Sinatra as a joke on the Crosby/Sinatra rivalry. Dad didn't like the drawing. He thought it didn't quite capture Bing. Therefore, it was a bad picture so therefore sign Sinatra's name as he would have deliberately set out to do a bad picture of Bing. 

I do have another photo of the picture. Dad added the signature and the pipe smoke as an after thought.

I like you father's humour! Unlike him, I also like his picture. Perfect style for the game you were playing!
 

Pleasure, Carmela.
I'm so sorry to hear of all this and hope you can soon catch up with everything.
Once again, nice to see you back on the forum - and with a great, original subject.
Do have another favoured picture of Bing? 

I know the one - being lucky enough to have having been bought the book by my late wife. That was a very happy Christmas day! Yes, it's a great early colour photograph - Bing's even holding his pipe to his mouth.

I must look at that again, as I must confess I had forgotten it was their first photograph together. 

Ian, I was able to post photo when I started post but after that I couldn't. Lucky I figure at a few things at this age. I think I know which photo Pantelis is talking about. Bing and Kathryn always radiated such warmth in photos. Especially that one. I always loved how Kathryn looked at Bing with such love and admiration. When they did the Joe Franklin Show she looks at him the way I described. Love that interview, one of the best. I remember going to Joe's restaurant in Manhattan and watching it on a tv( I had seen it already because a fan gave me a copy. ). Joe came over and greeted me. He remembered me from one of Kathryn's events in the city. Very nice man, started to get a little senile a few years after that. I loved his show. Nothing like it now.

No. I met him at a Bing Event that I was at with Kathryn. I believe it was at Sardys Restaurant back in the early 2000's.

I met Kathryn at Hofstra and I was with her at a few Crosby Brooklyn and New York events after that. She picked me to accompany her. I ate with her, saw movies with her and went to the ladies room with her. I only regret I could not go to her home when I was invited. If only I could turn back time! However, there was an evil fan around back then who got a little envious and ruined any future meetings with Kathryn. I do not think she is alive anymore but she was evil.

Awww … I'm so pleased Carmela has done this with you, Pantelis.
I know meeting her would have been a dream come true for you. 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (18/9/2026 9:34 pm)

That's a terrific one, David.
Do you know anything about it? 

It's true, Carmela that Bing remained photogenic throughout his life. I think more than anything else, it's his twinkling, gentle humour which seems to come across in so many of his photographs. 
Kathryn also photographed well, particularly up to the beginning of the 1980's.
I'm not familiar with the photograph you have in mind, Carmela but I am familiar with the Sinbad film, where she and co-star Kerwin Mathews made a most attractive and convincing couple. 
We certainly need Pantelis' expertise, here. 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (20/9/2026 3:05 am)