Very interesting!  Thanks, Pantelis!  My admiration for the Reagans has only grown from this.  Are they much remembered in Greece?

Nice!  And thanks!  Considering I couldn't name a single Greek leader, I'm always curious how America is overseas.

In my collection are two or three photos of Bing together with Shirley Temple supporting the Republican nomination of her in 1966. Shirley Temple lost this nomination, but she have later some political shops.

Ian, I always said Bing would have been Great with Shirley Temple. Too bad it never came to be. As far as heartthrob the women in my family always thought of Bing as a heartthrob. That voice, eyes and magnetism! Sinatra don't come close. And Bing was very handsome when he was young! Never got past the voice and eyes to see the ears. But those ears were probably a lot of fun in the bedroom. Lol! My family the women were Italian Americans, you would think they would have leaned toward Sinatra. Only one liked Sinatra. She dragged my mom to a Sinatra concert at the NY Paramount. My mom was the only girl not standing up and screaming. Mom also loved Perry Como. Her mother learned to speak English listening to Bing Crosby and called Frank Sinatra, Frank Snotra. Lol! About politics Kathryn told me Bing was Apolitical.

Of course you may ask, Michael - and hello by the way. Sorry it's been so long, again. 
It's actually because my late wife had placed on our laptop's taskbar an alternative search engine, just in case we had problems with Google. For about a year on there, Google has now been so slow in its searches (I'm sure it will have something to do with my own PC, I am barely computer literate, she was), that I've since switched to this far faster alternative which has coincidentally and delightfully turned out to be "Bing".

I wonder if Nancy Reagan, who survived and remained sharply alert well into the internet age, made use of digital technology? I've heard from Nancy Sinatra Jr that her father lamented towards the end of his life that home computers had come along too late for him.

Obviously, the internet wasn't anywhere near around when Bing left us but I have no idea what his general, everyday, domestic views were towards advancing technologies. I highlight the above word, knowing us Crosbyphiles are all more than aware of Der Bingle's forward thinking when it came to the professional founding and use of audio-visual technology. 

Isn't it wonderful though that these days, within just a digital click, courtesy of Dieter's comment and help, I could then instantly see for myslef, proof of a (previously unaware) public Republican activity of Mr Cros? 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (08/2/2025 2:02 pm)

Yes, Ian, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So true! I also think it is inherited. My grandmothers, mom and I thought Bing was very handsome as a young man. We thought Sinatra was ugly. Lol! Bing's sexy voice, personality and eyes added with looks was a deadly combo for most women. I know many women who met him felt that way. Ian, I told you I met James Cagney when he was old, I felt he was handsome too when he was a young guy. About Shirley Temple, picture her in "Pennies from Heaven" with Bing. She had made a movie with Madge Evans but never Bing. Even though I like Edith Fellows in the movie, Shirley would have been great with Bing. By the way, I love Madge Evans, wish Bing would have made more movies with her. Tootaloo, Pip pip! Carmela

Bing Crosby was not always quiet about his politics. He openly supported Wendell Willkie in the 1940 US Presidential Election against incumbent FDR, who successfully ran for a third term in 1940. He also supported General Dwight Eisenhower's candidacy for President in 1952 and 1956. They met each other during World War II and maintained regular correspondence ever since. He also publicly endorsed the conservative Republican nominee Barry Goldwater in the 1964 US election, who went on to lose by a landslide to Lyndon Johnson. However, he believed that it wasn’t an actor’s job to speak about politics.
 
Bing Crosby didn’t speak much about politics in public, but he was certainly active in California political circles and endorsed numerous candidates for local offices across the United States. He was friendly with Texan Democratic Governor and Nixon’s Treasury Secretary John Connally. In 1950, during his stay at Hayden Lake and Coeur d'Alene, he actively campaigned for Herman Welker, a Republican running to become a US Senator from Idaho. Welker won the 1950 election and served one term as a Senator before he was defeated in his bid for a second term in 1956.
 
I think that Bing Crosby would have been included in the Reagan Hollywood circle because they knew each other socially for a long time, and Bing was close with him while he was Governor. Bing Crosby avoided expressing his opinions publicly and selectively made statements of support for certain candidates. He never considered himself a political figure and never acted like one. Other Hollywood actors like John Wayne were very vocal about their politics, and even Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra actively participated in political campaigns and often spoke about their beliefs and preferences. Bing’s contribution to American political life was never meant to be invasive; he just sometimes expressed some of his opinions and support for candidates close to his ideas almost exclusively during election years.

 
I sincerely thank you Ian, for your kind comments, I am glad that you are finding my postings interesting and I assure you the feeling is mutual. I always look forward to read the interesting anecdotes you know and often share in this forum. 

I have real admiration for Gary Giddins, although I was a superfan of Bing Crosby before I started reading the books, he is a very talented author, the first chapters about his family is like reading a novel,while the rest of them covering his life from the begining till 1946 makes you feel as though you are witnessing the events unfold through a camera lens.If you start reading you will find it very difficult to stop. It is clear however that his total research is focused on the first half of his life, a third book covering the rest of the years would not be the same because it's impossible to contain in one volume so many years with the depth that Giddins typical provides. He describes Bing’s lifestyle in his later years as “baronial” due to the “demand of his second wife”, that is not in my opinion an accurate description of his lifestyle even in the latest years when he lived in the Chateau in Hillsborough and enjoyed the services of an English butler, if you look deeper you -or at least I- will see that Bing was always a simple man and the same goes for his second family and especially Kathryn who always led a down to earth life. Despite their houses and the frequent traveling, they never indulge themselves into the immense luxuries that the reported Bing’s net worth could support. They never owned a jet, a mega-yacht, car collections etc.

But many years have passed since Giddins wrote his volumes and perhaps he has dedicated a comparable -if not equal- time to his research for the next book. I will be looking forward to a third volume as all of us. Unfortunately, it is my understanding that it will not be out any time in the foreseeable future.

I don't think that Bing intentionaly engaged in political activities, but it is reasonable for a well-educated man like Bing to have certain political philosophies and a healthy interest in public life. He endorsed candidates, but he never judged someone based on their party preference and he never used his work as an artist in any way as propaganda pieces for political purposes. He was always an artist for all his audience and friendly with all no matter their party.

He was not just tolerant of people with differences, as tolerance imply a certain notion of superiority. Instead he respected everyone and judged people by their behavior. Bing himself mentioned in his autobiography that his family liked Spokane because it was a place that your past life didn’t count, it was only your behavior after you arrived that mattered. This philosophy was obvious in his life, and a true testament to the genuine quality of his character.

Last edited by Pantelis Kavouras (09/2/2025 4:49 pm)

Could most of the performers who loudly and publicly pontificate over their party politics, sometimes be in danger of losing around half their potential audience? I know it's a tricky one and one Bing seemingly played beautifully. It always amuses me both here and in the USA, how many of the highly outspoken artistes, on being questioned over specific policies, often fail to be able to respond in a well informed manner. 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (09/2/2025 11:53 pm)

Bing Crosby was an active citizen and a well-educated man who on occasions publicly stated his support for candidates he believed in. He was a Roman Catholic conservative with liberal views on many issues like civil rights. However, the important thing was that he never played politics or used his artistic work for political purposes. This, in my opinion, preserved the universal appeal that artists like Bing Crosby achieve. Traditionally, mainstream singers have not been grouped by their political views. For example, in the 1940s, Republican Bing Crosby and Democrat Frank Sinatra were rival stars, but their audiences appreciated them for their music, not their party preference. It is natural for individuals in the public eye to express their opinions on various matters, but it's crucial to maintain a clear distinction between personal views and professional achievements. By doing so, they ensure their work remains appealing to all, regardless of personal beliefs. Music is something universal, and musical distinctions are not based on politics or ideology but purely on taste. Music can bring together people with many differences, and that’s something all great artists have achieved. Bing was the epitome of an All-American singer, embodying the values that his country represented during the time he was growing up. The things he represented were not left or right, Republican or Democrat. Bing, the man with a certain political ideology, would be characterized as a conservative Republican with bold and ahead-of-his-time views on issues like civil rights and environmental sensitivities and frienships on both sides.

 Kathryn once mentioned that the Russians in Siberia were not exposed to his voice before the end of the Cold War. When Kathryn toured Russia in the 1990s, she played them "White Christmas," and they cried. That is proof that his voice and artistry were so pervasive and knew no borders of any kind.

 Bing Crosby actively participated in sports and was never criticized for it. Unfortunately, the recent Super Bowl incident was a different case; Taylor Swift was booed by the Eagles audience and applauded by the Chiefs' fans, where her boyfriend plays. Although I don't have a team preference in American football, I understand it is natural for people to feel dissatisfied when their favorite artist supports a different team. However, it is very sad to see people booing someone over their team preference. Bing never faced any problems for supporting the Pittsburgh Pirates, which demonstrates how much more divisive our era is. I do not think her politics was the reason, as she was applauded by her team's fans and booed by the opposing team. In all countries, people have different views on key issues, and it’s impossible to speak publicly about one without isolating the other side because there are always multiple perspectives.

 Bing was one of the few artists who enjoyed the virtues of a classical education. He was an excellent student at Gonzaga University, where he received a comprehensive education with core religious values that not only prepared him for life but also broadened his intellectual horizons. He shaped a profound and well-rounded personality and was always very religious. His ability to speak about issues with depth was rare, if not unique, in the entertainment world. When Bing spoke up about something, he knew exactly what he was talking about. 

Last edited by Pantelis Kavouras (12/2/2025 11:16 am)

Pantelis, Taylor Swift was not booed by just Eagles fans, She was booed by the American people who are fed up with her views. Trump was cheered by all. But I agree with the rest of what you said. I was an Elton fan for years, and he may express his views but he tells people to vote for who they want to vote for. Some celebrities in America right now tell the people who to vote for and do nothing but spread hate and division. American people are fed up with those celebrities and rightfully so.

Lol! I think Taylor would have been booed at a baseball game too as well as some other celebrities. I am a huge Steelers fan since I was a little girl. I grew up in Brooklyn. I played sports and learned how to fight from one of my older brothers. I am a gentle and loving gal but I have a tough side. Anyway, I have seen more violence at baseball games than football games. Especially when the Yankees played the Braves. I almost got hit with a bottle. The person who got the biggest cheers at Yankees Stadium was James Cagney. I was there and met him. I love him like I love Bing. Anyway, I am not that into baseball anymore but I still love football. I guess I like seeing strong, handsome guys tackling each other. Lol! Thanks Mike for responding. I see your point.