Hollywood Holidays — 1950

Crosby Christmas Follows Normal American Plan
By BOB THOMAS
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 23—(AP)—What’s the Crosby Christmas like? Probably the same as yours and mine.
“We do the same things most people do,” says Bing. “The routine has become traditional and rarely varies from year to year.”
Sometimes Bing, Dixie and the boys celebrate Christmas at their home on the Monterrey Peninsula up north. But this year Bing is working in “Here Comes the Groom,” so it will be a southern California Christmas for the family.
Prefer Big Tree
Preparations for the holiday are made several days before by Dixie, who is in charge of decorations. The Crosbys like lots of decorations and a big tree.
“We got the biggest tree that will fit in the room,” Bing remarked. “I’d say it’s about 15 feet.”
Christmas eve means carols by Bing and the boys—Gary, 17, Phillip and Dennis, 10, and Lindsay, 12. This is a tradition with them and they always visit the homes of Bob Hope, (if they can catch at him at home) Songwriter Johnny Burke, Larry Crosby and other relatives and close friends.
At six o’clock on Christmas morning, the entire family attends Catholic services at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills. They return home for breakfast.
“We have a big farm breakfast with ham and eggs and all the trimmings,” said Bing. Then come the gifts. He wouldn’t divulge what he was giving the boys. But Lindsay may receive some additions to his collection of unusual toy soldiers. The older boys will probably get some new golf equipment. Like their father, they’re fiends for the game.
Calls In Afternoon
The afternoon is spent on family calls, Bing has three brothers and a sister in Hollywood and most of them have big families. They will probably converge on Bing’s home, since mother Crosby is spending the holidays with him. There will be a sad note to the gathering because of the absence of Bing’s father. He died this year,
“We have dinner late in the afternoon,” said Bing. “Turkey and everything, of course.”
The evening is spent quietly, either calling on or receiving friends. The day ends with an inevitable song session, with the famed Crosby baritone joining in.
That’s the Crosby Christmas. Hope you have a nice one, too.

Filmdom Celebrates Happy Yule Throughout Industry
By BOB THOMAS
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 25—(AP) — It was a happy holiday for the majority of movie workers this year. Film production is keeping on a normal basis, despite the forces facing the industry.
Twas not always so. Even in normal times, the studios used to slack down at Christmas time. The reason was that each day of production costs a great deal of money. Losing the Christmas and New Year holidays mean added expense to a picture’s budget, not to mention the loss of efficiency by pre-holiday celebrations.
But this year production was fairly high, and so are movie workers’ spirits. Next year—well, they’ll worry about that when it comes. . .
Judy Garland is carrying on the “Show Must Go On” tradition. She said she will act in “The Wizard of Oz” on Radio Theater tonight despite her marital break with Vincente Minnelli. . .
N.B.C. will pull a novel stunt on its telecast of the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena New Year’s Day. The picture and commentary by Don Wilson will be carried on the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco TV stations. In addition a Pasadena station will carry commentary in Spanish. This is a service for the thousands of Spanish-speaking residents of this area.
Shirley Temple’s announcement of her film retirement seemed inevitable after the brush-off of news coverage on her marriage. Shirley was always the picture of co-operation with the press during her Hollywood career. Wanna bet the retirement doesn’t stick?. . .
June Allyson snagged the top spot in a movie popularity poll by a trade paper, nosing out Bing Crosby. Maybe that will change things at her studio, where she has long been treated like a stepchild taking roles that other actresses would refuse. I have been saying for five years that she is the most under-rated star in Hollywood. . .
My, Hollywood seems to be growing up. In two recent pictures, “The Magnificent Yankee” and “Halls of Montezuma,” characters actually use the word “hell.” And not in reference to the nether world either. Heavens to Betsy!
Since boyhood, I have heard the old saying “Nobody reads the paper on Christmas Day.” So I might as well give this up and join the festivities. And a merry one to you, too.


JACK BENNY CHRISTMAS SHOW, Dec. 17, 1950