Bing Crosby – Road to Hollywood / Reaching for the Moon (U)

Bing Crosby (1903 – 1977) was, without doubt, the most popular and influential media star of the first half of the 20th century. The undisputed best-selling artist until well into the rock era (with over half a billion records in circulation), the most popular radio star of all time, and the biggest box-office draw of the 1940’s, Crosby dominated the entertainment world from the Depression until the mid-’50s, and proved just as influential as he was popular.

 

Road to Hollywood 

Road to Hollywood (1947) is a compilation of bits and songs from the Mack Sennett shorts that Bing Crosby appeared in during the time he was between the Paul Whiteman band and his first feature film starring role in The Big Broadcast. Here is a great opportunity to see some Crosby performances of early solo hits he had like I Surrender Dear, Just One More Chance, Out of Nowhere, etc. A must for Crosby fans!

 

Reaching for the Moon

Reaching for the Moon (1931) sees Douglas Fairbanks play Larry Day, a New York millionaire and financial genius but an incompetent with women. Entranced with a beautiful young woman, he takes lessons from his valet on the subject of womanizing, then follows her on an ocean voyage, where he manages to humiliate himself in numerous ways. The young lady, however, is not blind to the fine young man inside the awkward exterior. A young Bing Crosby sings Irvin Berlin’s Lower Than Lowdown.

(Certificate U)