Synopsis
Singer
Bing Crosby's formal television debut (ignoring a few scattered cameo appearances in the late '40s) was an event considered worthy of a TV Guide cover story. Rather than appear in a "live" spectacular, Crosby chose instead to headline a modest filmed half-hour special, produced at the same studios used by
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Though
Rosemary Clooney had been slated for an appearance, by the time the program went before the cameras, the guest stars had been narrowed down to
Jack Benny and relative newcomer
Sheree North. It might come as a surprise to contemporary viewers that
Bob Hope did not appear on Crosby's inaugural TV show, but remember that Hope was under contract to NBC, and Crosby's program was beamed out by CBS (as indicated by the stage curtain seen during most of the proceedings, which was festooned with replications of the CBS "eye" logo). As for the special itself, Crosby performs a monologue, trades quips with Benny, and sings such tunes as "It Had to Be You" (accompanied by pianist Buddy Cole), "I Love Paris," "Changing Partners," and, accompanied by the Cass Country Boys, Perry Botkin, and a talented troupe of dancers, "Y'All Come."
Sheree North, who spends much of the time playing the character of
Jack Benny's girlfriend "Crystal Fogg," struts her stuff in a wild rock & roll jitterbug, not dissimilar to the dance she performed in the Martin and Lewis feature film
Living It Up. Currently available prints of
The Bing Crosby Show include the opening and closing General Electric commercials. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide