Crosby Fan World / Back of Bing check

**Posted by Blonde56** 27/7/2026 3:25 pm

**Posted by Malcolm Macfarlane** 28/7/2026 6:47 am

Thanks, Carmela. I've no idea who it was.

**Posted by Blonde56** 28/7/2026 7:00 am

First name looks like either Bob or Bing. Last name is a mystery. Lol!

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 07/8/2026 12:51 am

It is intriguing though, isn't it?

**Posted by Blonde56** 09/8/2026 3:37 am

Ian, Dear Chap! A job for Sherlock Holmes.

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 09/8/2026 6:35 pm

It could well be, Carmela.
Maybe you need to post it to 221B Baker Street, London for this.

**Posted by Blonde56** 10/8/2026 5:11 am

Will do! Cheerio!

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 10/8/2026 8:02 pm

.... or perhaps a job for another long running famous fictional detective, this one from US television - the part of whom Bing was offered first but turned down. Despite this, it still became a huge hit. Any ideas, anyone?
I do have a clue prepared if there's no takers.

**Posted by STEPO** 14/10/2026 12:37 am

It was Columbo.

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 14/10/2026 3:00 pm

That's right.
I know it's often so difficult to imagine someone else in another part so closely identified with a particular actor but any views as what sort of job Bing would have made of this?

**Posted by Blonde56** 15/10/2026 2:14 am

Ian, I think Bing would have been a great Columbo. Not like Peter Falk but a unique portrayal in a different way. I could picture Bing as a detective. I want to ask my brother which detective would Bing be good at portraying since he watches them all. I will get back to you on this one.

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 15/10/2026 5:21 am

I think you're right. He could have indeed been as laid back as Falk but possibly in a slightly more formal manner? Did Bing ever play a detective type in any of his films? Sinatra always did well in those parts right up until his final starring film, "The First Deadly Sin" (1980). Quite an interesting picture, even though I never saw anyone gradually die as glamorously in hospital as Fay Dunaway. This film began his expensive, lengthy but less than convincing "Scalp Doily" toupée phase.

I'd be most interested to know which ideal detective character your brother would come up with for Bing.
You're now really making me think over this one! I wish I was more versed on the subject of television detectives. Do you think Bing would have been up for Lieutenant Kojak?
He certainly wouldn't have had to have spent as long in make up.

I promise to fully follically behave from hereonin.

**Posted by Blonde56** 15/10/2026 3:43 pm

Ian, My brother said he thinks Bing would have made a great Marlowe. Dick Powell played a great Marlowe but my brother said Bing sings better than Dick Powell. Ian, Kojak? I watched that years ago. I can just see Bing with a Lollipop in his mouth and a bald head. "Who loves ya baby!" Lol!

**Posted by STEPO** 15/10/2026 9:22 pm

I am going to be controversial but i think Dick Powell was the best Philip Marlowe better than Bogey in "The Big Sleep" , Edward Dmytrak was better at directing that kind of movie than Howard Hawks "The Big Sleep" director who was better suited to comedies and westerns , also i think Hawks made the mistake of building up the Bogart and Bacall romance at the expense of the plot in the film as he did with "To Have And Have Not", Marlowe was way too cynical to have a lasting romance with any girl anyway, it would have been interesting to see what Bing would have done with Columbo had he accepted the part, but i can only picture Telly Savalas as Kojak.

Last edited by STEPO (15/10/2026 9:28 pm)

**Posted by Blonde56** 16/10/2026 1:11 am

Stepo, My brother said Dick Powell was great but he hated his singing. Lol! I agree with all you said.

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 16/10/2026 1:35 am

Bing as Marlowe - now that's interesting. Again, maybe Bing's laid back style could have made it work.
I must confess I've never seen Dick Powell play any straight, non-musical roles but I've heard he made a superb Philip Marlow. He had more of a less flexible, more formal tenor style of singing than Bing (nearer to Tony Martin) but tell your brother, Carmela, I have it on good authority that Dick Powell himself actually disliked singing and couldn't wait to retire from it and just act.
Here he is with Bing in a rare, later singing outing from 1950:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5kl84RaYps

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 16/10/2026 1:51 am

STEPO wrote:
I am going to be controversial but i think Dick Powell was the best Philip Marlowe better than Bogey in "The Big Sleep" , Edward Dmytrak was better at directing that kind of movie than Howard Hawks "The Big Sleep" director who was better suited to comedies and westerns , also i think Hawks made the mistake of building up the Bogart and Bacall romance at the expense of the plot in the film as he did with "To Have And Have Not", Marlowe was way too cynical to have a lasting romance with any girl anyway, it would have been interesting to see what Bing would have done with Columbo had he accepted the part, but i can only picture Telly Savalas as Kojak.

I really need to see Dick Powell as Philip Marlowe, don't I? I'm not familiar with the Chandler "The Big Sleep" novel, only the Bogie-Bacall film which I thought was superb, stylish entertainment . I've seen very few Howard Hawks films so can't really compare the genres. He being my favourite star actor, I can watch Bogie in just about anything and thought he and Bacall had perfect, onscreen chemistry - which is what stays with me as I couldn't fully follow the confusing plot. I agree with you, Stepo on Telly Savalas as Kojak. I just couldn't resist my cheap hair association.comment. I so wish Bing could have been afforded more later, acting roles.

**Posted by STEPO** 16/10/2026 10:30 am

I do agree that Bing was a far better singer than Dick Powell who's singing sounded like a dentist's drill, equally painful to listen to, Dick Powell thought that himself but Warner Brothers his studio he was contracted to would only put him in musicals it was only after he was freed from the shackles of his contract that he became a very good actor for RKO, after a shirt spell at Paramount who he left after he got passed over for the Walter Neff role which went to Fred McMurray in "Double Idemnity".that he got the chance to show what a fine actor he actually was with "Farewell My Lovely" and other fim noirs throughout the rest of the 1940s and early 1950s.

Last edited by STEPO (16/10/2026 10:31 am)

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 18/10/2026 5:19 pm

Yes, the Dick Powell/Tony Martin style of a more formal/operatic style of tenor singing is very much an acquired taste. Particularly when we compare it to the far more relaxed and accessible style of Bing's of whom it must be said was equally capable of those top notes. I must confess I do have a soft spot for Powell's singing as I grew up watching UK televised repeats of all those Warner Brothers/Busby Berkeley musicals. Plus my father (as do I) adore Dooley Wilson's (with all respects to Bing's superb rendition), surely definitive version of "As Time Goes By" from "Casablanca" which in 1977 United Artists records issued as 45rpm single. The "B Side" was Mr Powell singing "I'll String Along With You".
I had no idea, though that Dick Powell was being considered for the Fred MacMurray role in "Double Indemnity". Even though I have never seen Dick Powell act in a straight part (only excerpts of), it's not hard for me to imagine him in that film.

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (18/10/2026 5:37 pm)

**Posted by Blonde56** 18/10/2026 6:49 pm

Ian, My mum loved Dick Powell. I always associate him with Abbott and Costello movies and Footlight Parade movie.

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 18/10/2026 7:23 pm

Yes, Carmela. I felt Dick Powell had a very pleasing screen presence.
He always seemed to be singing the opening song which then gave way to those magical Busby Berkeley routines. I'm particularly fond of that huge tap routine of "Lullaby of Broadway" from "Gold Diggers of 1935" which ended in tragedy. I linked in a previous post, above of Dick and Bing duetting this song many years later.

I was fond of Abbott and Costello, too many years ago.
My favourite comedy double act of all, though still remains Laurel & Hardy.
Malcolm told me this summer at June's annual UK Crosby get together at Jason's in Warrington that he actually saw them live on stage after their film career had ended.
Many years ago, I also had a chance to chat to Stan Laurel's cousin, the late Nancy Wardell about them. She saw them "live" a number of times and also spent family time with them both.

**Posted by Blonde56** 19/10/2026 1:26 am

Wow! Stan Laurel's cousin! Awesome! I love Laurel and Hardy too but Abbott and Costello come first with me. They conquered radio, tv and the movies with loads of success. And they were good, family men.

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 19/10/2026 1:49 am

Yes, Abbott and Costello had long lasting marriages.
Laurel & Hardy's marital lives were far more complicated but their sheer, pure timeless quality and humanity of their work has me as a lifelong, devoted fan.
Stan's cousin told me many stories of their sheer decency and loving qualities of them as individuals and their partnership. Not that any lack of this would spoil me of my enjoyment of their comedy.

For example, I still enjoy seeing Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis together, despite the well documented evidence of their falling out. Plus Abbott and Costello's come to think of it. However, none of this makes any difference as to how brilliant all of these men were, together. Including Bob and Bing,. That they were all superlative entertainers is all that matters. Even though I will always remain curious over what went on backstage once the curtain had fallen fallen.

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (19/10/2026 5:14 am)

**Posted by Blonde56** 19/10/2026 10:13 am

I agree Ian, and I love all the people you mentioned but Abbott and Costello and Laurel and Hardy will always be my favs!! The YouTube videos people made of Laurel and Hardy dancing to modern songs are great, so funny!!

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** 19/10/2026 10:24 pm

I'll have to take a look at those, Carmela. Did you ever see the "Stan and Ollie" biopic from a few years ago?

I'm sorry if I'm sounding obsessed, here but do you or anyone else know if Bing ever played a detective role in any of his films or television work?
I can't think of any but then I have still yet to see a good deal of them.
Priest, Stage Producer, Doctor, Orphanage Director, Restaurateur, Hotelier, College Professor, Businessman, Journalist, Soldier, Songwriter - but I can't think of any detectives or policeman he played.
Fred Astaire and Bob Hope did but let's see ....

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (20/10/2026 12:21 am)