MERRY CHRISTMAS, FRED, FROM THE CROSBYS (TV)
Summary
This holiday musical special features Fred Astaire paying a visit to Bing Crosby, and his family. The program opens with Bing calling Fred to question him about recording a record album together. Then, the two engage in musical banter about working together. Next, Crosby prepares to take a Christmas photo of his family as he sings “ The Week Before the Holiday,” then is joined by wife Kathryn, golf-playing son Nathaniel, guitar-strumming son Harry, and dancing daughter Mary Frances to sing “We Need a Little Christmas.” Then, Fred arrives and he and Bing try to pick out twelve songs for their album. First, they sing bits from “old chestnuts” such as “Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails” and “Would You Like to Swing on a Star.” Opting for something “contemporary,” the two men perform a duet on “Sing.” Afterward, Fred and Bing continue sorting through potential songs. Kathryn asks the men when they’ll be done with the music room so that the kids can rehearse for the school concert. Soon, the living room is packed with schoolchildren, embodied by the Young Americans, questioning the Crosby kids on their father and Fred. The youths belt out such songs as “Time for Living,” “Beautiful City,” and “Love Will Keep Us Together.” Afterward, Fred discusses Bing’s work with Bob Hope. Then, in a tribute to the “Road” movies, Bing, Fred, and Kathryn sing “Teamwork,” “The Road to Morocco,” “You Don’t Have to Know the Language,” and “We’re on Our Way.” Afterward, Bob arrives and sings with Fred and Kathryn. Later, Bing and Fred discuss having only selected two tunes for their album. They decide to do songs from movies they did together, singing “A Couple of Song and Dance Men“ from “Blue Skies.” Clips are shown of the two performing the tune in the 1946 film. Afterward, Mary Frances asks “Uncle Fred” if he can help her with her dancing. She and Fred sing “Pick Yourself Up.” Then, Mary Frances shows off her moves to “The Continental” and “I’m in Heaven.” That night, getting in late, Harry wakes Bing up at 3 a.m. to speak to his father “man-to-man” about love. Then, Fred joins them and, as Harry plays guitar, the three sing “You’ve Got a Friend.” By morning, Kathryn wakes up Bing and Harry, admiring how gracefully Fred sleeps. Kathryn wonders if Bing and Fred have gotten all their songs selected. She encourages the men to watch the children rehearse some more. Led by Nathaniel, the youths sing “Christmas Bells are Ringing,” then are joined by Bing and Fred for “Jingle Bells.” Kathryn helps out on “Sleigh Ride,” after which Fred sings “Toyland.” Bing, Fred, and Kathryn reunite for “Let It Snow” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” After the kids sing “Some Children See Him,” Bing discusses the nativity. Then, everyone sings “In the Bleak Midwinter.” Finally, Bing sings “White Christmas.” Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: December 3, 1975 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:35
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:84738
- GENRE: Music/Variety
- SUBJECT HEADING: Music/Variety
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV, 1975
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Kraft products
- TV - Promos - "Cannon"
CREDITS
- Gary Smith … Executive Producer, Producer
- Dwight Hemion … Executive Producer, Director
- Billy Glaze … Associate Producer
- Buz Kohan … Writer
- Larry Grossman … Music (Misc. Credits), Special Musical Material by
- Peter Gennaro … Choreographer
- Charlene Painter … Choreographer
- Bing Crosby … Host, Performer
- Fred Astaire … Performer, Guest
- Kathryn Crosby … Performer, Guest
- Harry Crosby … Performer , Guest
- Mary Frances Crosby … Performer, Guest
- Nathaniel Crosby … Performer, Guest
- Bob Hope … Performer, Guest
- Jim Bushkin … Performer , Guest
- The Young Americans … Performer