Bing's annual Christmas show tradition began on radio in 1936, where it continued through 1962. Among the more memorable Christmas shows was the 1950 Chesterfield broadcast that featured Bing's wife, Dixie Lee, and his four boys. It was Dixie's only appearance with Bing on his radio program. Following the end of his radio variety show in May of 1954, Bing hosted a series of hour-long radio Christmas specials called "A Christmas Sing with Bing." The first of these shows became a best-selling LP.
1955 A CHRISTMAS SING WITH BING (CBS)
Broadcast December 24, 1955. A program of Christmas music from around the world hosted by Bing. The first tune is "Joy To The World." The broadcast includes the St. Louis Carol Association (four hundred high school singers), The Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir, Les Brown (from the Los Angeles Children's Hospital), David Schoenbrun (from Paris), Bill Downs (from Rome), Howard K. Smith (from Dedham, England). This show was released by Decca on LP and became a best-selling album.
1956 A CHRISTMAS SING WITH BING (CBS)
Bing, Ken Carpenter (announcer), Maurice Chevalier, Rosemary Clooney, Sarah Churchill, Norman Luboff Choir, Paul Weston Orchestra. Bing sings Deck the Halls, O Come All Ye Faithful, White Christmas, Jingle Bells, Little Town of Bethlehem, Joy to the World and Silent Night. Rosemary Clooney sings Away in a Manger. The broadcast is also transmitted over the Armed Forces Radio Service and Voice of America.
1957 A CHRISTMAS SING WITH BING (CBS)
Bing, Gary Crosby, Ken Carpenter, Norman Luboff Choir, Paul Weston Orchestra. Bing sings Joy to the World, The First Noel, White Christmas, Adeste Fidelis, Jingle Bells and Silent Night. Bing introduces his son, calling him "Private Gary Crosby," who is serving in the army and stationed in Austria. Written, produced and directed by Sam Pierce, Bill Morrow and Murdo Mackenzie. Broadcast over CBS, AFRS and Voice of America.
1958 A CHRISTMAS SING WITH BING (CBS)
Kathryn Crosby sings for the first time in public with her husband. Various world choirs add their voices. Bing sings Deck the Halls, The First Noel, Jingle Bells, White Christmas, Adeste Fidelis, Away in the Manger (w Kathryn), and Silent Night. Ken Carpenter narrates. Written, produced and directed by Sam Pierce, Bill Morrow and Murdo Mackenzie. Broadcast over CBS, AFRS and Voice of America.
1959 A CHRISTMAS SING WITH BING (CBS)
Fifth annual airing of this program on Christmas Eve hosted by Bing Crosby with Paul Weston's orchestra and the Norman Luboff Choir. Bing sings Jingle Bells, Away in a Manger, Joy to the World, White Christmas, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Deck The Halls, It's Christmas, and Silent Night. Ken Carpenter announces. This was the last program in the series to feature remotes from around the world. The program is again sponsored by INA Insurance. Written, produced and directed by Sam Pierce, Bill Morrow and Murdo Mackenzie. Broadcast over CBS, AFRS and Voice of America.
1960 A CHRISTMAS SING WITH BING (CBS)
Bing and his wife, Kathryn, Ken Carpenter, Rosemary Clooney and her husband, Jose Ferrer, the Paul Weston Orchestra and Norman Luboff Choir. Bing sings solo or with the group Joy to the World, It's Christmas, Rudolph, Here Comes Santa Claus, White Christmas, 12 Days of Christmas, Silent Night. Rosemary sings Winter Wonderland and The Christmas Song. Jose sings Good King Wenceslas. Written, produced and directed by Sam Pierce, Bill Morrow and Murdo Mackenzie. Broadcast over CBS, AFRS and Voice of America.
1961 A CHRISTMAS SING WITH BING (CBS)
This annual Christmas eve broadcast was again sponsored by the Insurance Company Of North America (INA). Rosemary Clooney was ill with the flu, so Mrs. Paul Weston (Jo Stafford) filled in. The program included an Edgar Bergen-Charlie McCarthy excerpt from December 24, 1955. Charlie "recites" "The Night Before Christmas." Bing Crosby, Kathryn Crosby, Ken Carpenter (announcer), Paul Weston Orchestra, The Norman Luboff Choir, Sam Pierce and Bill Morrow (writer, producer), Murdo McKenzie (director).
1962 A CHRISTMAS SING WITH BING (CBS)
Bing's 3-decade radio career came to a close in 1962, including his annual radio Christmas show. The eighth and final original show of the Christmas Sing with Bing series was broadcast December 24, 1962, over CBS and sponsored by INA. The first tune is "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" followed by a heaping helping of figgy pudding talk. In October Bing recorded an album of Christmas tunes, and Bing introduced two of the songs from the album -- "The Little Drummer Boy" and "The Holly and the Ivy." Johnny Mercer sings "Glow Worm" claiming that's how he lights his Christmas tree. Bing compliments Johnny on his latest hit composition, "Moon River." Bing Crosby, Ken Carpenter (announcer), Paul Weston and His Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, Johnny Mercer, Kathryn Crosby, The Norman Luboff Choir and The Boys Town Choir of Omaha Nebraska. Bill Morrow (writer, producer), Sam Pierce (writer, producer), Murdo McKenzie (director).
Along the way Bing appeared in his first Christmas TV special as a guest of Frank Sinatra in 1957. Bing's annual holiday Christmas TV tradition began in 1961 and continued through the year of his death, 1977.
After his death both CBS and NBC produced compilations of Bing's TV Christmas specials that included excerpts from Bing's Christmas specials from 1962-77. Here is a list of Bing's guests on his television Christmas specials:
Dec. 20, 1957 Happy Holidays with Frank and Bing (ABC) COLOR
Frank Sinatra's weekly ABC television show became Bing's first television Christmas special. The plot has Bing dropping by Frank's place bearing gifts, and the two join voices for a half hour of Christmas carols. The program ended with a duet on White Christmas. Sinatra's admiration for Bing was evident in that he chose to direct the show as well as film it in color years before ABC began broadcasting in color. The 35mm filmed color version was discovered in storage by Nancy Sinatra in 2001 and released on DVD in 2003. Supporting cast were not identified, but carolers included members of The Mellomen and Ken Darby Singers as well as Andy Williams and Norma Zimmer (future Welk "Champaign Lady"). Also making cameo appearances were Sinatra's former boss at Columbia Records Mitch Miller, actress Debra Paget and British actor David Farrar. A week after filming the program Bing married his second wife, Kathryn Grant.
Dec. 11, 1961 The Bing Crosby Christmas Show (ABC)
Guests: Bob Hope, Marion Ryan, Dave King, Terry-Thomas, Shirley Bassey and Ron Moody. Filmed on location in London, where Bing was filming The Road to Hong Kong. Bing wanders the streets of London encountering his guests. He enters a pub, where he discovers Bob Hope's secret life as a drag queen. Ron Moody arrests Bing for singing on a public street without a license, but Bing gets acquitted in court in time to sing "White Christmas," the only Christmas music in the entire show. Ken Carpenter announces.
Dec. 24, 1962 The Bing Crosby Christmas Show (ABC) COLOR
Guests: Mary Martin, Andre Previn, The UN Children's Choir.
"Ben Casey" got the night off to watch ABC broadcast its first special in COLOR. Few American viewers saw the episode in color. Few had color televisions, and many local ABC affiliates did not have the equipment to broadcast a color signal. The program reunited Bing with Mary Martin, who was his female costar in "Rhythm on the River" and "Dixie" and for a year on the radio version of the Kraft Music Hall. Martin probably should have been given top-billing with Bing because she was on-screen most of the show, and provided a level of energy that contrasted with Bing's laid-back style. Only the last 15 minutes of the program was devoted to Christmas music, including a solo by Bing of "The Little Drummer Boy" and a duet with Martin of "White Christmas." The show is probably most remembered for a novelty song called Doin' the Bing. Ken Carpenter announces. Sponsored by Clairol.
Dec. 24, 1963 The Promise (ABC) COLOR
Bing narrates a dramatized retelling of the Nativity for Father Patrick Peyton's Family Theater Group. The program follows Simeon, a devout man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before he died. The narrative includes the travels of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi, and the moment of Jesus’s presentation before Simeon. The film aligns with Family Theater’s mission to highlight the role of prayer in family life. The program concludes with Father Peyton discussing the program with Frankie Avalon. (30 minutes)
Dec. 21, 1964 The Bing Crosby Christmas Show (ABC) COLOR
Guests: Beverly Garland, Carol Faylen, Diane Sherry, Frank McHugh and The Wellingtons.
This was the only episode of Bing's 1964-65 situation comedy filmed in color. Bing and his TV family in character invite carolers into their home including The Wellingtons, a vocal trio most famous for singing the theme song of "Gilligan's Island." Songs include Christmas Candles, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, We Wish You the Merriest, Do You Hear What I Hear? and White Christmas. Like other episodes of this musical sit-com, the Christmas show has not been formally released for public viewing since its original airing.
Dec. 25, 1965 The Hollywood Palace (ABC) COLOR
Guests: Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians, Dorothy Collins, the cast of Hogan's Heroes television series, and Bing's son, Harry.
Bing hosted all but the first and the last of the 6 Hollywood Palace Christmas shows. The program begins with Bing lip-syncing to his latest holiday recording, "White World of Winter." Next Bing joins with Fred Waring's glee club to reprise their 1947 hit recording of The Whiffenpoof Song. Later Bing sings Glow Worm (w Collins), Go Tell It on the Mountain (w Waring), We Wish You the Merriest (w group) and White Christmas. Hogan's Heroes escape from Stalag 13 and step onto the stage of the Hollywood Palace, where they encounter their boss, the Chief Executive of Bing Crosby Productions. Soon Sgt. Schultz and Col. Klink arrive to order the prisoners back to camp. Instead, Klink is persuaded to let the cast hang around to sing some Christmas carols with Bing, including a duet of "Silent Night" sung in German by Col. Klink and Sgt. Schultz.
Dec. 24, 1966 The Hollywood Palace (ABC) COLOR
Guests: Kate Smith, Cyd Charise, Bob Newhart, the Crosby family.
Bing croons White Christmas, and with his entire family sings a medley of Yule songs. Kate Smith sings Christmas Eve in My Home Town, and Bing joins her in another Christmas medley. Cyd Charrise and Roy Fitzell appear as marionettes Pierette and Pierot to the tune of Nutcracker Suite. Comedian Bob Newhart plays a man trying to return a toupee received as a gift.
Dec. 19, 1967 The Hollywood Palace (ABC) COLOR
Guests: King family, Louis Nye, Adam West, the Crosby family.
The Crosby family sing It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, then goes shopping for Christmas gifts. At the store they encounter an annoying clerk, comedian Louis Nye, and many stuffed animals who inspire a rendition of Talk to the Animals. The King Family sing several Christmas songs, then join the Crosby family in Be a Santa. Mrs. Crosby performs Try to Remember, and daughter Mary Francis does a cute version of Where is Love? Adam West tries to return his superhero leotards but Louis Nye questions his masculinity. West then joins the Crosby kids in singing This Old Man. Bing sings the inevitable "White Christmas" and the show ends with a lengthy promo for his upcoming golf tournament.
Dec. 21, 1968 The Hollywood Palace (ABC) COLOR
Guests: the Four Lennon Sisters, Glen Campbell, John Byner, the Crosby family.
Bing's final Hollywood Palace Christmas special almost cost Mrs. Crosby her life when son Harry backed his golf cart into her. She recovered in time to sing a duet with Bing of "When the Kids Get Married." Glen Campbell sings the then-popular Wichita Lineman. The Four Lennon Sisters, recently departed from the Lawrence Welk Show, contribute a Christmas medley. John Byner is the show's featured comedian / impersonator. A highlight of the show is Bing's duet with Glen Campbell on "1432 Franklin Pike Circle Hero."
Dec. 17, 1969 Bing and Carol Together Again for the First Time (NBC) COLOR
Guests: Carol Burnett, Roy Clark, Juliet Prowse and Bob Hope.
John Scott Trotter directs the music for Bing for the last time.
Perry Como took over hosting duties at the Hollywood Palace for its final Christmas program. Perry explained, "I know that you're used to having Crosby do the Christmas show at the Palace, and so am I. He always did a wonderful show, but this year he asked me to substitute for him and in return he was going to give me a couple of shots in the sand trap or something." Most likely Bing saw the end was nearing for the Palace and decided to move his holiday clambake elsewhere. Bing took his Christmas cheer to NBC, where it would stay for the next 5 years. This first episode for NBC-TV has never been released in its entirety on home video.
Dec. 16, 1970 Bing Crosby's Christmas Show (NBC) COLOR
Guests: Jack Wild, the Doodletown Pipers, Melba Moore, the Crosby family.
18-year-old Jack Wild's ticket to a Crosby Christmas clambake was his starring role in the 1968 film "Oliver!" Melba Moore earned her ticket from her performances in the Broadway plays "Hair" and "Purlie." Moore and Crosby clashed in a skit over the rights to a street corner to shill for Christmas cash. Their musical shouting match was heading for Fist City when a cop intervened to send Bing and his ho-ho-hos packing. Sponsored by Bell Telephone.
Dec. 14, 1971 Bing Crosby and the Sounds of Christmas (NBC) COLOR
Guests: Mary Costa, Robert Goulet, Mitchell Singing Boys, the Crosby family.
The show starts with Bing singing a selection from his latest (and last) long-playing Christmas album, "A Time to Be Jolly." In a lengthy skit Bing plays a bum who is desperate to go to jail for Christmas. Bing joins opera star Costa in a raucous salute to songs about bells. Mary Costa knows how to have a good time. Goulet and Costa knock it out of the park on a duet of "O Holy Night." In the end, Bing refuses requests to let someone else sing "White Christmas." Sponsored by Bell Telephone.
Dec. 10, 1972 A Christmas with the Bing Crosbys (NBC) COLOR
Guests: Sally Struthers, David Hartman, Edward Villella, the Crosby family.
The ensemble go caroling and encounter assorted and some sordid characters from Santa Claus' abandoned family to Ebenezer Scrooge. Hartman gets the dubious honor of playing Scrooge and sings the Scrooge theme song, "I Hate People." Bing appears as the Ghost of Christmas to counsel "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," magically transforming Scrooge into a philanthropist. Our carolers hike to the North Pole, where they find Santa's family singing the blues because Santa has to work on Christmas. Eventually our weary carolers find their way back to the Crosby mansion with just enough time remainng for snacks and for Bing to sing "White Christmas."
Dec. 9, 1973 Bing Crosby's Sun Valley Christmas Show (NBC) COLOR
Guests: Michael Landon, Connie Stevens, John Byner, the Crosby family.
The Crosby family spend their Christmas holiday where the golf courses are buried in snow. John Byner makes his second appearance in a Crosby Christmas show, impersonating multiple characters from Bing Crosby to Donald Duck. Michael Landon, recently relieved of his long-running role as "Little Joe Cartwright," gets to reprise his early career as a singer. Bing sings "Style" with a snowman subbing for Sinatra and Martin. Despite all the snow, Bing still dreams of a "White Christmas." The holiday special was filmed 10 months prior to its broadcast. Sponsored by Bell Telephone.
Dec. 15, 1974 Christmas with the Bing Crosbys (NBC) COLOR
Guests: Mac Davis, Karen Valentine, the Crosby family.
Bing and his guests recount stories of Christmas while they decorate the tree. The stories are then acted out by the members of the cast. In the first story Bing plays multiple characters in a musical court room drama where Santa's on trial for fraud. The show finale has the cast fleeing outside as Bing prepares to sing "White Christmas." Bing can't take a hint, following them outdoors where he croons his trademark tune. The critics then pelt him with snowballs. Sponsored by Bell Telephone.
Dec. 3, 1975 Merry Christmas, Fred, from the Crosbys (CBS) COLOR
Guests: Fred Astaire, Joe Bushkin, the Young Americans, the Crosby family and Bob Hope.
In July Bing and Fred recorded a long-playing album in London. Four months later they filmed a Christmas holiday special in which Bing invites Fred to his home to rehearse an album of duets. The resulting video includes several selections from their album. Fred suggests Bing could've been a bigger star if he instead of Hope were his partner in the Road pictures. Kathryn dons a sarong and off they go singing tunes from the Road flicks until Hope breaks up the insurrection. It wasn't until the last 10 minutes of the show that the first Christmas songs were unwrapped. The finale, of course, was "White Christmas," with Fred doing the verse and Bing taking the chorus. Sponsored by Kraft Foods.
Dec. 1, 1976 The Bing Crosby White Christmas Special (CBS) COLOR
Guests: Jackie Gleason, Bernadette Peters, the Crosby family and an uncredited boys choir.
There's a heat wave outside, Bernadette arrives wearing a bikini top sporting a sunburn, but Bing conjures up some snow in the studio. The Crosby kids wiggle and jiggle to "Jingle Bells" in a salute to the disco craze. "Style" makes another appearance in a Crosby Christmas show, this time Jackie and Bernadette accompany Bing. Bing gives his Academy Award song, Swinging on a Star, another go. And despite Jackie's objection, Bing finishes with "White Christmas," and includes the introductory verse, which he never recorded commercially. Sponsored by Timex and Amana.
Nov. 30, 1977 Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas (CBS) COLOR
Guests: David Bowie, Twiggy, Ron Moody, Stanley Baxter, Trinity Boys Choir, the Crosby family.
The Crosby family travel to England to visit a distant relative. Instead they meet David Bowie, whose mom sent him to croon a holiday tune with her favorite singer. The sweet spot was Bing and Twiggy dueting on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Bing appears frail in his final Christmas TV special. Five weeks after its filming he would drop dead on a golf course from a massive heart attack.
Dec. 6, 1978 Bing Crosby -- The Christmas Years (CBS) COLOR
The Crosby family gathers to relive highlights of Bing's TV Christmas specials.
Dec. 6, 1979 A Bing Crosby Christmas: Like the Ones We Used to Know (NBC) COLOR
Gene Kelly and Kathryn Crosby host a restrospective of performances from Bing's TV Christmas specials.
