Crosby's effortless, mellow singing style, easygoing charm and escapist material -- songs with a "Sunny Side of the Street/Pennies From Heaven" philosophy and sentimental films like HOLIDAY INN (1942), GOING MY WAY (1944), WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954) and HIGH SOCIETY (1956) -- helped audiences forget WW II and its aftermath and made him enormously popular. Although he refused to play screen heavies, in the 1950s Crosby proved his skill as dramatic actor with his complex performance as a washed-up, alcoholic singer in THE COUNTRY GIRL (1954); he played another alcoholic, this time a doctor, in the 1966 remake of STAGECOACH. Crosby co-authored an autobiography, Call Me Lucky, in 1952, but his son Gary's scathing portrait of his father in Going My Own Way 1983 reveals a stern, unloving disciplinarian in stark contrast to Crosby's easygoing public image.
In his 2001 biography of Crosby, Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams; The Early Years 1903-1940, author Gary Giddins places Der Bingle at the top of those who influenced popular music (and popular culture) in the 20th century -- above Ella Fitzgerald, even above his friend and mentor, Louis Armstrong. Giddins describes Crosby's extensive drinking as a young man and his emotional distance from friends and family without demonizing him. (Giddins worships the art but likes the artist.) Although the first volume of this biography ends in 1940, the troubled nature of Crosby's marriage to Dixie Lee is addressed. A gifted singer and actress, Lee was the star in the family when she married Crosby, but her career vanished and booze took over. For the jazz aficionado and the Crosby fanatic, this book will be high clover. Each song with its particular nuances is explored, every single turn of his career analyzed, every musician is mentioned, every film is detailed. Clearly, Giddins is writing the definitive biography for the ages. I can hardly wait for the follow-up volume to hit the bookstore. (Use this link to go directly to our aStore and get more information on this great book.)
Actor 1944: GOING MY WAY
Nominated for Actor 1945: THE BELLS OF ST MARY'S
Nominated for Actor 1954: THE COUNTRY GIRL
3 nominations, 1 Award