I found a unique way to drive my kids nuts. Force them to watch classic television programs featuring people they are unfamiliar with singing classic songs. LOL! Just kidding.
I have always enjoyed music. I have a very eclectic taste in the types of music I enjoy. If you saw the line up on my iPod you’ll see that I enjoy all kinds of music. I might listen to something classical one moment and then the next song is heavy metal, followed by something from the 70’s or 80’s.
When it comes to holiday music I’m all for the classics from entertainers like Bing Crosby, Deam Martin, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams and Nat King Cole. Some songs just sound so much better when they sing it.
I recently had the opportunity to review a DVD collection called Bing Crosby: The Television Specials, Volume 2, The Christmas Specials. I can honestly say I was super excited to review this. I love watching old televisions shows. Its fun to see just how much things have changed over the last 50+ years.
The DVD collection starts out with an episode of The Bing Crosby Show that aired on December 11, 1961, many years before I was even born. This was Bing Crosby’s first Christmas special, although you wouldn’t know it. The only holiday song that was sung was at the very end when Bing sang his classic hit “White Christmas“.
This episode was made in England and featured British artists that I am unfamiliar with. None the less it was interesting to watch. They sang some songs I have never heard of before but did a wonderful job with a song and dance routine for “Tea for Two“. Even Bob Hope made an appearance in this episode. This episode was also in black and white.
I was a bit disappointed after watching the first part of the DVD. I was expecting more holiday songs.
The next episode on the DVD was another Bing Crosby Show, although this one says “for Clairol”. I’m assuming this was the sponsor of the show at that time. This episode originally aired on December 24, 1962 and was in color.
This episode featured a few more holiday songs compared to the first one, but it wasn’t what I would call a holiday show. Bing did sing “Little Drummer Boy” and “White Christmas“. There was a lovely children’s choir that accompanied him on the song which I thought was nice. There was also an interesting song and dance routine where Bing sat in a chair and the rest of the dancers mimicked his moves on the chairs placed behind him. I wouldn’t expect something like this from Bing Crosby. This was also Bing’s first show to air in color.
At this point I was getting a bit disappointed. I know that the DVD collection was suppose to show some of his classic shows, but it seemed to fall short on the “holiday” aspect that I was looking for. That is until I saw the bonus episode called Happy Holidays with Bing and Frank (December 20, 1957). Now THIS is the episode I was waiting for. I LOVE IT! I have actually watched it FOUR TIMES so far. I know I’ll probably watch it a few more times before the holiday.
This episode originally aired in black and white, but was filmed in color for theatrical use. The color version was some how lost only to be discovered decades later in Sinatra’s archives. This show was actually directed by Frank too. I’m grateful that they included it in this Bing Crosby collection.
In this episode Frank Sinatra is preparing his home for Christmas when Bing Crosby stops by. The men exchange a lot of witty banter. You can tell that back then these men were pretty “cool”. LOL!
I got such a kick out of how retro everything looked. From the tinsel on the tree to the rather funky look artwork on the wall, it was really fun and nostalgic to watch. I’m impressed by the fire pit in the middle of Frank’s living room too.
Frank and Bing go on to sing several holiday songs together including “Jingle Bells”, “White Christmas“, and “The Christmas Song“. Bing sings solo on “Away in the Manger” and “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer“. Frank also sings a few songs too including “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”, “Mistletoe and Holly” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town“.
This episode was PERFECT and exactly what I was expecting with this DVD collection. I truly enjoyed listening to them sing those classic songs and I found even the story line to be fun to watch too.
Another bonus episode on this DVD was from another Bing Crosby Show for Clairol, featuring outtakes. This aired on December 24, 1962.
The second disc in this DVD collection starts off with a show called Bing Crosby and the Sounds of Christmas (December 14, 1971). Finally, something that aired after I was born. LOL!
This show featured Bing’s second wife, Kathryn, and their children Harry, Nathaniel and daughter Mary. Mary Crosby is the one who shot JR in the series “Dallas“. Their son Harry was in the original Friday the 13th. Just some fun trivia for you.
This show was a combination of holiday songs and non-holiday songs. Robert Goulet joins Bing to sing some holiday tunes. Even Bing’s family joins in and sings with him.
There is one part of the show that features a tune for the Nutcracker Suite. I’m not 100% sure but I think his daughter Mary was playing the part of the ballerina.
Also included on this DVD is Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas from November 30, 1977.
In this episode Bing and his family are in England when they recieve a message to come and meet a long, lost relative who appears to live in some kind of old castle. The story its self is a bit cheesy but the songs were amazing.
This is the episode that featured that infamous pairing of Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing “Little Drummer Boy“. Bing also duets with Twiggy with the song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas“. Unless you are around my age you probably will have no clue who Twiggy is.
There is a mini-skit based upon the timeless tale of the Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Twiggy plays the part of Tiny Tim.
The holiday songs in this episode were a delight to watch. I could have done without the cheesy plot. Bing ended the show with his classic “White Christmas“. This episode was taped a mere five weeks before his death.
This DVD has some bonus material too including a Public Service Announcement he did for Toys for Tot and a film Bing did to promote tourism to the UK. Apparently Bing loved the United Kingdom very much and shared his love of England including activities such as horse racing, golf and shooting Grouse.
I have mixed feelings about the DVD collection. If you are a huge fan of Bing Crosby, even if he’s not singing the holiday classics, then you will certainly enjoy this DVD collection. If you are interesting in only the holiday songs you might find some of the material disappointing, but, the episode with Frank Sinatra and the one he did prior to his death, make it all worth while.
This DVD collection will be part of my family’s holiday collection of shows and specials that we’ll watch year after year. I know I’ll be watching the episode with Frank Sinatra and the Merry Olde Christmas, must to the dismay of my children who can’t understand why I like shows like this. That is because they can’t appreciate the classics.
Bing Crosby: The Television Specials, Volume 2, The Christmas Specials is available on DVD where ever most DVDs are sold.
Kimberly
*I received a free sample copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.
sounds like great entertainment!!!
like you. i am all about the traditional classic holiday songs—sung by the ones who really sang them from the heart-and with style and class!
How cool! I love old shows and I don’t think I’ve ever seen his show (I know about it, just never saw it).