As a student at Gonzaga High School and Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, Bing tried his hand at acting, but music was his priority. An acting career was not part of his plan. It wasn’t until he had some notoriety as a band singer that he made his first screen appearance, portraying himself in the 1930 film The King of Jazz, a musical tribute to his employer, Paul Whiteman. He next appeared in a series of short films, including some made by the legendary Mack Sennett.
As his radio popularity and record sales soared in the early 1930s, Bing embarked on a movie career that lasted until his final performance as one of the hosts and narrators of MGM’s That’s Entertainment in 1974. Most of his films were produced at Paramount, where he became one of the studio’s top stars.
Bing Crosby starred, co-starred, narrated or had a cameo appearance in 104 films. The enormously popular Road pictures series, co-starring Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour, became the template for “buddy pictures” still in use today.
For fifteen years, Crosby was one of the top ten Hollywood box-office stars, and between 1944 and 1948, he was ranked number one. While Crosby was often featured in the role of a light-hearted “crooner”, he had a surprisingly facile dramatic aptitude, evidenced in such films as Little Boy Lost (1953), The Country Girl (1954), Man on Fire (1957), Stagecoach (1966), and the television movie Dr. Cook’s Garden (1971).
Crosby put a different spin on his “light and breezy” persona in 1944’s Going My Way, which earned him an Academy Award as best actor. Crosby’s portrayal of Father Chuck O’Malley, a Roman Catholic priest, helped humanize the Catholic Church for many Americans. He reprised the role in the 1945 sequel, The Bells of St. Mary’s and earned a second Oscar nomination. Bing was nominated again in 1954 for The Country Girl, in which he portrayed an alcoholic actor.
Bing ranks seventh on the 2010 Motion Picture Almanac list of the highest grossing movie stars of all time, trailing only John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise, Gary Cooper, Clark Gable and Tom Hanks. Films starring Bing Crosby are estimated to have sold over one billion tickets. Bing’s films appeared in the annual top ten grossing films of the year list 29 times.
The 1930s
King of Jazz (1930, Universal, color)
Featured with Rhythm Boys. Cast: Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra.
Summary: Million-dollar musical revue, shot in two-color Technicolor process, is filled with larger-than-life production numbers and wonderful songs. Highlights include Walter Lantz’s cartoon sequence, Joe Venuti’s swing violin, young Bing Crosby with the Rhythm Boys, and, of course, Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021025/
Check and Double Check (1930, RKO)
Cameo with the Rhythm Boys. Cast: Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.
Summary: Movie debut for radio’s Amos ‘n’ Andy; Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys supply the singing trio’s voices.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0020758/
Reaching for the Moon (1930, United Artists)
Cameo appearance. Cast: Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Bebe Daniels, Edward Everett Horton.
Summary: Depression comedy depicting effect of booze on financier Fairbanks. Bing sings the Irving Berlin song “when the Folks High Up Do the Mean Low-Down”.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021287/
Two Plus Fours (1930, Pathe)
Featured with the Rhythm Boys. Cast: Nat Carr, Thelma Hill. Short film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021496/
I Surrender Dear (1931, Mack Sennett)
As himself. Cast: Arthur Stone, Marion Sayers. Short film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021987/
Just One More Chance (1931, Mack Sennett-Atlantic Pictures)
As himself. Cast: Arthur Stone, Patsy O’Leary. Short film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022230/
Billboard Girl (1931, Mack Sennett-Atlantic Pictures)
As himself. Cast: Marjorie Kane, Dick Stewart. Short film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022687/
Dream House (1931, Mack Sennett)
As “Bing Fawcett”. Cast: Ann Christy, Kathrin Clare Ward. Short film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022837/
Blue of the Night (1931, Mack Sennett)
As himself. Cast: Franklin Pangborn, Babe Kane. Short film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023820/
Sing, Bing, Sing (1931, Mack Sennett-Paramount)
As himself. Cast: Irving Bacon, Florine McKinney, Franklin Pangborn. Short film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024563/
Confessions of a Co-Ed (1931, Paramount Pictures)
Cameo as band vocalist. Cast: Sylvia Sidney, Phillips Holmes, Norman Foster. Short film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021758/
The Big Broadcast (1932, Paramount)
As “Bing Hornsby”. Cast: Stuart Erwin, Leila Hyams, George Burns and Gracie Allen.
Summary: A failing radio station is taken over by a millionaire, who presents an all-star show featuring Bing and many other radio stars.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022675/
Hollywood on Parade Z2 (1932, Paramount)
as Himself
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023019/
Hollywood on Parade Z3 (1933, Paramount)
as Himself
Hollywood on Parade Z4 (1933, Paramount)
as Himself
Hollywood on Parade Z7 (1933, Paramount)
as Himself
Just an Echo (1933, Paramount)
Summary: only half of this short remains
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0219846/
Please (1933, Paramount)
As “Howard Jones”. Cast: Mary Kornman, Vernon Dent. Short film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0219971/
College Humor (1933, Paramount)
As “Prof. Fredrick Danvers”. Cast: Jack Oakie, Mary Carlisle, George Burns and Gracie Allen.
Summary: College was never like this! Hokey, entertaining rah-rah musical with Bing as a professor!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023900/
Too Much Harmony (1933, Paramount)
As “Eddie Bronson”. Cast: Judith Allen, Jack Oakie, Skeets Gallagher.
Summary: Pleasant, if plotty, backstage musical with some good song numbers.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024683/
Going Hollywood (1933, MGM)
As “Bill Williams”. Cast: Marion Davies, Stuart Erwin, Patsy Kelly, Ned Sparks.
Summary: Enjoyable fluff with Davies following crooner Crosby to Hollywood determined to win him away from tempestuous screen star D’Orsay.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024067/
We’re Not Dressing (1934, Paramount)
As “Steve Jones”. Cast: Carole Lombard, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Ethel Merman, Leon Errol.
Summary: Musical ‘Admirable Crichton’ with rich girl Lombard falling in love with sailor Crosby when entourage is shipwrecked on desert isle. Great fun!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025965/
She Loves Me Not (1934, Paramount)
As “Paul Lawton”. Cast: Kitty Carlisle, Miriam Hopkins, Edward Nugent, Judith Allen
Summary: Hopkins is ebullient as a nightclub performer running from murder scene who hides out with college man Crosby in his Princeton dorm. Gets funnier as it goes along.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025774/
Here is My Heart (1934, Paramount)
As “J. Paul Jones”. Cast: Kitty Carlisle, Roland Young, Cecelia Parker, Marian Mansfield.
Summary: Crooner Crosby pretends to be a waiter in order to woo Russian princess Carlisle in this elegant romantic comedy.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025239/
Star Night at the Cocoanut Grove (1935, MGM, color)
As himself. Featuring: Mary Pickford, Leo Carillo, Jack Oakie. Short film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027039/
Mississippi (1935, Paramount)
As “Tom Grayson”. Cast: W.C. Fields, Joan Bennett, Queenie Smith, Gail Patrick.
Summary: Fine cast in musicomedy of riverboat captain Fields and singer Crosby, with Rodgers-Hart score.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026723/
Two for Tonight (1935, Paramount)
As “Gilbert Gordon”. Cast: Joan Bennett, Lynne Overman, Mary Boland, Thelma Todd.
Summary: Songwriter Crosby is forced to write musical play in one week. Entertaining slapstick musical.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027147/
The Big Broadcast of 1936 (1936, Paramount)
Cameo role. Cast: Jackie Oakie, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Lyda Roberti.
Summary: Curious muddle of specialty acts and nonsensical plot involving a radio station.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026113/
Anything Goes (1936, Paramount)
As “Billy Crocker”. Cast: Ethel Merman, Charles Ruggles, Ida Lupino, Arthur Treacher.
Summary: Pleasant Crosby shipboard musical retains Merman from the cast of the Broadway show, but scuttles much of the plot and most of Cole Porter’s songs.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027302/
Rhythm on the Range (1936, Paramount)
As “Jeff Larrabee”. Cast: Frances Farmer, Bob Burns, Martha Raye.
Summary: Spoiled NYC society girl runs away on the eve of her wedding and heads West, tangling with ranch hand Crosby along the way. Engaging, featherweight musical comedy.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028178/
Pennies from Heaven (1936, Columbia)
As “Larry Poole”. Cast: Madge Evans, Edith Fellows, Donald Meek, Louis Armstrong.
Summary: Minor but pleasant Crosby vehicle about a self-styled troubadour and drifter who befriends orphaned girl and her grandfather; Bing’s rendition of the title tune is classic.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028092/
Waikiki Wedding (1937, Paramount)
As “Tony Marvin”. Cast: Shirley Ross, Martha Raye, Bob Burns.
Summary: Light-hearted musical about a freewheeling “idea man” who finds himself in hot water when the winner of a beauty contest he cooked up, for PR purposes, shows up in Honolulu – and says she doesn’t care for it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029742/
Double or Nothing (1937, Paramount)
As “Lefty Boylan”. Cast: Mary Carlisle , Martha Raye, Andy Devine, William Frawley.
Summary: Entertaining musical about four people given 30 days to double gifts of $5000.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028806/
Hollywood Handicap (1938, MGM)
Cameo role short subject filmed at Santa Anita Racetrack. Featuring: Edgar Bergen, Oliver Hardy, Al Jolson, Dorothy Lamour, Mickey Rooney.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030242/
Doctor Rhythm (1938, Paramount)
As “Dr. Bill Remsen”. Cast: Beatrice Lillie, Mary Carlisle, Andy Devine.
Summary: Amiable Crosby vehicle about a doctor who masquerades as a copy and fills in love with the woman he’s assigned to guard.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030078/
Sing You Sinners (1938, Paramount)
As “Joe Beebe”. Cast: Fred MacMurray, Donald O’ Connor, Elizabeth Patterson, Ellen Drew.
Summary: Gambling gay-blade Crosby can’t face responsibility, despite prodding of brother; fine film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030752/
Paris Honeymoon (1939, Paramount)
As “Lucky Lawton”. Cast: Shirely Ross, Franciska Gaal, Akim Tamiroff, Edward Everett Horton.
Summary: Texan Crosby visits France planning to marry Ross, but meets a native girl and falls in love with her.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031787/
East Side of Heaven (1939, Universal)
As “Denny Martin”. Cast: Joan Blondell, Irene Harvey, Jerome Cowan, Mischa Auer.
Summary: Cute Crosby comedy with songs; Bing becomes the guardian of an abandoned baby.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031261/
The Star Maker (1939, Paramount)
As “Larry Earl”. Cast: Linda Ware, Louise Campbell, Ned Sparks, Thurston Hall.
Summary: Crosby plays Gus Edwards (although this is only suggested, as his character has another name), vaudeville impresario who turned talented youngsters into stars.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031974/
The 1940s
Swing With Bing (1940, Universal)
As himself. Short-subject golf film with Andy Devine, Byron Nelson, Jimmy Demeret, at the fourth annual Bing Crosby Pro-Am at Rancho Santa Fe.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0220080/
Road to Singapore (1940, Paramount)
As “Josh Mallon”. Cast: Dorothy Lamour, Bob Hope, Charles Coburn, Judith Barrett, Anthony Quinn.
Summary: Bing and Bob swear off women, hiding out in Singapore; then they meet saronged Lamour.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032993/
If I Had My Way (1940, Universal)
As “Buzz Blackwell”. Cast: Gloria Jean, Charles Winninger, El Brendel, Alyson Joslyn.
Summary: Pleasant Crosby vehicle in which he helps little Gloria find her guardian, vaudevillian Winninger.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032624/
Rhythm on the River (1940, Paramount)
As “Bob Sommers”. Cast: Mary Martin, Basil Rathbone, Oscar Levant, William Frawley
Summary: Breezy musical has Crosby ghostwriting music for Rathbone and meeting up with Martin, never dreaming that she’s been hired to ghostwrite the lyrics.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032986/
Road to Zanzibar (1941, Paramount)
As “Chuck Reardon”. Cast: Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Una Merkel, Eric Blore.
Summary: Bing and Bob are circus performers traveling through the jungle with Lamour and Merkel, looking for diamond mine.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034116/
Birth of the Blues (1941, Paramount)
As “Jeff Lambert”. Cast: Mary Martin, Brian Donlevy, Carolyn Lee.
Summary: Fiction about Crosby organizing jazz band in New Orleans; has great music.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033396/
Holiday Inn (1942, Paramount)
As “Jim Hardy”. Cast: Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale, Walter Abel.
Summary: Entertaining musical about a romantic triangle and the establishment of a country inn that’s only open on holidays.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034862/
Road to Morocco (1942, Paramount)
As “Jeff Peters”. Cast: Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Anthony Quinn, Dona Drake.
Summary: Bing sells Bob to slave-trader in mysterious Morocco, both going after princess Lamour.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035262/
Star-Spangled Rhythm (1942, Paramount)
As himself, cameo appearance. Cast: Bob Hope, Ray Milliand, Fred MacMurray, Alan Ladd, Dick Powell, Dorothy Lamour, Paulette Goddard, Mary Martin, Susan Hayward.
Summary: Paramount’s star-packed WW2 extravaganza, filled with songs and sketches.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035379/
My Favorite Blonde (1942, Paramount)
As “Man Giving Directions” (cameo appearance). Cast: Bob Hope, Madeleine Carroll.
Summary: Bob and his trained penguin become sitting ducks when a spy uses them to help deliver secret orders.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035100/
Don’t Hook Now (1942, United Artists)
As himself, with Bob Hope, Jimmy Demeret, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and others. Short-subject golf film about the 6th Crosby Pro-Am at Rancho Santa Fe.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0156484/
Show Business at War (1943, 20th Century Fox)
As himself in a short-subject also featuring Louis Armstrong, James Cagney, W.C. Fields, Bob Hope, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036351/
Dixie (1943, Paramount)
As “Dan Emmett”. Cast: Dorothy Lamour, Marjorie Reynolds, Billy De Wolfe, Eddie Foy Jr.
Summary: Biography of pioneer minstrel Dan Emmett, who wrote the title song.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035810/
The Road to Victory (1944, Warner Bros./War Activities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry) As himself in a short-subject featuring: Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Jack Carson, Charlie Ruggles. Re-cut for Canada as “The Shining Future”.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186497/
Going My Way (1944, Paramount)
As “Father Chuck O’Malley”. Cast: Rise Stevens, Barry Fitzgerald, Frank McHugh, Gene Lockhart, William Frawley, Porter Hall.
Summary: Sentimental story of down-to-earth priest winning over aging superior and sidewalk gang of kids is hard to resist.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036872/
Here Come the Waves (1944, Paramount)
As “Johnny Cabot”. Cast: Betty Hutton, Sonny Tufts, Ann Doran, Gwen Crawford.
Summary: Zippy wartime music-comedy with Crosby cleverly cast as a Sinatra-like crooner, the idol of bobby-soxers, who joins the Navy, and becomes involved with twin sisters.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036912/
Swinging with the Stars (1944, Department of the Navy)
As himself in a short-subject with the 11th Naval District Coast Guard Band.
Summary: Bing sings “Accentuate the Positive” and “Don’t Fence Me In.”
The Princess and the Pirate (1944, Goldwyn)
Cameo appearance. Cast: Bob Hope, Virginia Mayo
Summary: Bob and glamorous Virginia are on the lam from pirates, trapped by a potentate.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037193/
The Road to Home (1945, Paramount-Dept of the Navy)
As himself, with Bob Hope, in a short-subject urging sailors to remain in the service until their enlistment officially ends.
Meet the Crosbys (1945, Paramount / US Dept of the Treasury)
As himself, with his four sons, in a short-subject pitch for war bond sales.
Hollywood Victory Caravan (1945, Paramount)
As himself in a short-subject. Featuring Humphrey Bogart, Bob Hope, Alan Ladd, Barbara Stanwyck.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0219795/
The All-Star Bond Rally (1945, 20th Century Fox / US Dept of the Treasury)
As himself in a short-subject. Featuring Bob Hope, Betty Grable, Frank Sinatra, Harpo Marx.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037503/
The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945, Rainbow-RKO)
As “Father Chuck O’Malley”. Cast: Ingrid Bergman, Henry Travers, Ruth Donnelly, Joan Carroll.
Summary: Amiable sequel to “Going My Way” with Father O’Malley assigned to a run-down parish where Bergman is the Mother Superior.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037536/
Duffy’s Tavern (1945, Paramount)
As himself in a sketch with Jean Heather, Helen Walker, Gail Russell. Cast: Ed Gardner, Victor Moore, Marjorie Reynolds.
Summary: Comedy of radio character Ed Gardner trying to save Duffy’s Tavern.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037662/
Out of This World (1945, Paramount)
As the singing voice for star Eddie Bracken, “a Crosby-like crooner.” Cast: Eddie Bracken, Veronica Lake, Diana Lynn.
Summary: Bracken becomes a pop crooner with a very familiar-sounding voice.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037964/
Road to Utopia (1946, Paramount)
As “Duke Johnson”. Cast: Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Douglas Dumbrille, Hillary Brooke, Jack LaRue.
Summary: Bing and Bob in the Klondike with usual quota of gags, supplemented by talking animals and Robert Benchley’s dry commentary.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038032/
Blue Skies (1946, Paramount, color)
As “Johnny Adams”. Cast: Fred Astaire, Joan Caulfield, Billy DeWolfe, Olga San Juan.
Summary: Crosby and Astaire play one-time show-biz partners and rivals.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038370/
Welcome Stranger (1947, Paramount)
As “Dr. James Pearson”. Cast: Joan Caulfield, Barry Fitzgerald, Wanda Hendrix, Frank Faylen.
Summary: Entertaining musical of Crosby filling in for vacationing doctor in small community, getting involved with local girl and lovely little town.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039975/
Road to Rio (1947, Paramount)
As “Scat Sweeney”. Cast: Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Gale Sondergaard, Frank Faylen, Andrews Sisters.
Summary: Bing and Bob are musicians trying to wrest Dorothy from sinister aunt.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039776/
Variety Girl (1947, Paramount)
Cameo appearance. Cast: Mary Hatcher, Olga San Juan, Bob Hope.
Summary: Hatcher and San Juan head for Hollywood, hoping for stardom.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039951/
My Favorite Brunette (1947, Paramount)
Cameo role as “Executioner”. Cast: Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour
Summary: Bob is a photographer mixed up with mobsters.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039645/
The Emperor Waltz (1948, Paramount, color))
As “Virgil Smith”. Cast: Joan Fontaine, Roland Culver, Richard Haydn.
Summary: Musical set in Franz Joseph’s Austria with Bing selling record players to royalty.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040317/
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1949, Paramount, color)
As “Hank Martin”. Cast: Rhonda Fleming, William Bendix, Sir Cedric Hardwick.
Summary: Mark Twain’s story becomes carefree Crosby musical, with Bing transported into past, branded a wizard.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041259/
Top O’ the Morning (1949, Paramount)
As “Joe Millqueen”. Cast: Ann Blyth, Barry Fitzgerald, Hume Cronyn, Eileen Crowe.
Summary: Fanciful musical of Bing searching for a thief hiding the Blarney Stone.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041969/
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949, Walt Disney-RKO, color)
Narrator for the animated “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”.
Summary: Very entertaining animated doubleheader from Disney: A witty adapation of “The Wind in the Willows”…and a broad, cartoony version of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, with a genuinely scary climax, narrated (and sung) by Bing Crosby.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041094/
Honor Caddie (1949 – Pictorial Productions Inc. for Evans Scholars Foundation, color)
As himself, along with Bob Hope, in this short-subject about golf and caddies.
The Road to Peace (1949, Family Theater Productions)
As himself, with Ann Blyth, in an inspirational short-subject.
The 1950s
Riding High (1950, Paramount)
As “Dan Brooks”. Cast: Colleen Gray, Charles Bickford, William Demarest, Frances Gifford, Gene Lockhart.
Summary: Musical remake of “Broadway Bill”…Crosby is racehorse owner whose nag has yet to come through.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042893/
Mr. Music (1950, Paramount)
As “Paul Merrick”. Cast: Nancy Olson, Charles Coburn, Robert Stack, Groucho Marx, Peggy Lee.
Summary: Easy-going vehicle for crooner Crosby as Broadway songwriter who wants to live the easy life. Remake of “Accent on Youth”.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042753/
The Fifth Freedom (1951, Liggett & Myers, color)
As himself in a short-subject along with other Chesterfield cigarette spokesmen Arthur Godfrey, Perry Como, and Bob Hope, in touting “freedom of choice”.
You Can Change the World (1951, The Christophers)
As himself in a short subject with Jack Benny, Rochester, Loretta Young, William Holden, Irene Dunne, Ann Blyth, Paul Douglas, Bob Hope, Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen discuss how to change the world for the better.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0220177/
Here Comes the Groom (1951, Paramount)
As “Pete Garvey”. Cast: Jane Wyman, Alexis Smith, Franchot Tone, James Barton.
Summary: Crosby contrives to keep former fiancée from marrying millionaire Tone in this in this lightweight musical outing. Guest appearances by Louis Armstrong, Dorothy Lamour, Phil Harris and Cass Daley, plus Oscar-winning song “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening.”
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043633/
Angels in the Outfield (1951, MGM)
Cameo appearance. Cast: Paul Douglas, Janet Leigh, Keenan Wynn.
Summary: Cute comedy-fantasy with… a hot-tempered, foul-mouthed manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates whose hard-luck team goes on a winning streak thanks to some heavenly intervention; cameos by Crosby and other celebrities from the world of baseball and show business.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043286/
My Favorite Spy (1951, Paramount)
Cameo in a dream sequence. Cast: Bob Hope, Hedy Lamar.
Summary: Bob resembles a murdered spy and finds himself thrust into international intrigue.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043827/
Just For You (1952, Paramount, color)
As “Jordan Blake”. Cast: Jane Wyman, Ethel Barrymore, Natalie Wood, Robert Arthur.
Summary: Zesty musical of producer Crosby who can’t be bothered with his growing children til Wyman shows him the way. Pleasant Harry Warren/Leo Robin Score, highlighted by “Zing a Little Zong.”
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044782/
Road to Bali (1952, Paramount, color)
As “George Cochran”. Cast: Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Murvyn Vye, Peter Coe.
Summary: The only color “Road” film has lush trapping, many guest stars, and good laughs.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045094/
The Greatest Show on Earth (1952, Paramount, color)
Cameo appearance with Bob Hope. Cast: Charlton Heston, James Stewart, Betty Hutton, Cornel Wilde, Dorothy Lamour.
Summary: Big package of fun from DeMille…and some funny surprise guests appear.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044672/
Son of Paleface (1952, Paramount, color)
Cameo appearance. Cast: Bob Hope, Jane Russell, Roy Rogers.
Summary: One of Hope’s best.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045177/
Scared Stiff (1953, Paramount)
Cameo appearance with Bob Hope. Cast: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
Summary: Usual Martin and Lewis hijinks. Remake of Bob Hope’s “The Ghost Breakers.”
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046280/
Little Boy Lost (1953, Paramount)
As “Bill Wainwright”. Cast: Claude Dauphin, Christian Fourcade, Gabrielle Dorziat, Nicole Maurey.
Summary: Tearjerker set in post-WWII France, where newspaperman Crosby is trying to locate his son, not knowing which boy at the orphanage is his.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046003/
Faith, Hope and Hogan (1953, The Christophers)
as Himself
White Christmas (1954, Paramount, color)
As “Bob Wallace”. Cast: Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera Ellen, Dean Jagger, Mary Wickes.
Summary: Army buddies Crosby and Kaye boost the popularity of a resort run by their ex-general.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047673/
The County Girl (1954, Paramount)
As “Frank Elgin”. Cast: Grace Kelly, William Holden, Anthony Ross, Gene Reynolds.
Summary: Kelly won an Oscar as the wife of an alcoholic singer (Crosby) trying for a comeback via help of director (Holden). Crosby excels in one of his finest roles.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046874/
Anything Goes (1956, Paramount, color)
As “Bill Benson”. Cast: Donald O’Connor, Mitzi Gaynor, Jeanmarie, Phil Harris.
Summary: Musical involving show business partners Crosby and O’Connor, each signing a performer for the leading role in their next show; the script bears little resemblance to the original Broadway show.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048954/
High Society (1956, MGM, color)
As “C.K. Dexter-Haven”. Cast: Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Celeste Holm, Louis Calhern, Louis Armstrong.
Summary: Kelly is about to marry Lund when ex-hubby Crosby arrives, along with reporters Sinatra and Holm. Cole porter score.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049314/
Bing Presents Oreste (1956, Paramount)
as Himself
The Heart of Show Business (1957, Columbia Pictures)
Narrator
Man on Fire (1957, MGM)
As “Earl Carleton”. Cast: Inger Stevens, E.G. Marshall, Mary Fickett, Malcolm Broderick.
Summary: Divorced father Crosby refuses to grant his re-married ex-wife partial custody of their son.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050682/
Showdown at Ulcer Gulch (1958, Shamus-Calhane Productions)
as Himself
Say One for Me (1959, 20th Century Fox, color)
As “Father Conroy”. Cast: Debbie Reynolds, Robert Wagner, Ray Walston, Frank McHugh.
Summary: Bing plays a Broadway priest who gets mixed up with a chorus girl (Debbie) and a TV charity show.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053245/
Alias Jesse James (1959, United Artists, Hope Enterprises, Inc., color)
Cameo appearance. Cast: Bob Hope, Rhonda Fleming, Wendell Corey.
Summary: One of Hope’s funniest; many guests appear at the climax.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052545/
The 1960s
High Time (1960, 20th Century Fox, color)
As “Harvey Howard”. Cast: Fabian, Tuesday Weld, Nicole Maurey, Richard Beymer, Yvonne Craig.
Summary: Bing’s a widower resuming a college career.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053912/
Let’s Make Love (1960, 20th Century Fox, color)
Cameo appearance. Cast: Marilyn Monroe, Yves Montand.
Summary: A billionaire hears of a show spoofing him and wants to stop it, then meets the star. To charm her, he hires Crosby to teach him to sing.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054022/
Pepe (1960, Columbia, color)
Cameo appearance. Cast: Cantinflas, Dan Dailey, Shirley Jones, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin.
Summary: This one’s only if you’re desperate.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054172/
The Road to Hong Kong (1962, United Artists)
As “Harry Turner”. Cast: Bob Hope, Joan Collins, Dorothy Lamour, Robert Morley.
Summary: Bing and Bob are con men who become involved in international intrigue and space travel.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056417/
Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964, Warner Bros., color)
As “Allen A. Dale”. Cast: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Falk, Barbara Rush.
Summary: A Chicago gangster stumbles into philanthropic work during a gang war.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058529/
Cinerama’s Russian Adventure (1966, United Roadshow Presentations, Inc., color)
Narrator.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0219592/
Stagecoach (1966, 20th Century Fox, color)
As “Doc Josiah Boone”. Cast: Ann-Margaret, Red Buttons, Alex Cord, Michael Connors, Bob Cummings.
Summary: Remake of ’39 John Ford film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061024/
Bing Crosby’s Washington State (1967, Cinecrest Productions)
Narrator
The 1970s
Golf’s Golden Year (1970)
Narrator
Cancel My Reservation (1972, Warner Bros. color)
Cameo appearance. Cast: Bob Hope, Eva Marie Saint.
Summary: A TV-talk-show host takes a vacation on a ranch in Arizona.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068332/
That’s Entertainment (1974, MGM, color)
Celebrity host. Compilation of musical footage from the glory days of the MGM studios.
Summary: An all-star cast introduces clips from MGM’s greatest musicals.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072272/
