Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Christmas Sing With Bing (61-12-24)

Episode Overview

This seventh annual “Christmas Sing With Bing,” originally broadcast on December 24th, 1961, radiates the warmth, joy, and nostalgia of classic mid-century holiday celebrations. Hosted by Bing Crosby, joined by Ken Carpenter, Catherine (Griffith) Crosby, Joe Stafford, Edgar Bergen (with Charlie McCarthy), and the Norman Luboff Choir, the show features beloved carols, lighthearted banter, and themes of tradition, family, and community—perfectly capturing the Golden Age of Radio’s holiday spirit.

Main Discussion Points & Key Segments

1. Welcoming Christmas Eve (00:32–02:24)

• Opening greetings: Bing Crosby and Ken Carpenter set a jovial, inclusive tone. The show is a dedication to families, togetherness, and the spirit of Christmas.
  • “It's Christmas Eve and time again for the Christmas Sing with Bing.” – Ken Carpenter (00:32)
• Emphasis on how Christmas rejuvenates everyone, not just children.
• Bing notes this is their seventh Christmas sing for INA (Insurance Company of North America):
  • “Do you realize this makes our seventh Christmas sing?” – Bing Crosby (02:04)

2. Kickoff Carol: “Joy to the World” (02:33–04:44)

• Bing leads the first carol with encouragement:
  • “Joy to the world, all you carolers out there now. Joy to the world and if you don't mind, I'll take the solo part.” – Bing Crosby (02:33)
• Supported by Paul Weston and the Norman Luboff Choir, and with Catherine Crosby's contribution.

3. Cozy Conversations and Special Guests (04:44–08:23)

• Nostalgic banter among Bing, Ken, and guests, with jokes about Christmas chaos.
• Joe Stafford arrives and sends greetings to absent Rosemary Clooney, ill with the flu.
  • “Rosie girl, I'm sorry you're bedded down with that flu bug and can't be here tonight. But I hope you're listening. Cause we all want to say get well and Merry Christmas.” – Catherine Crosby (05:20)
• Edgar Bergen arrives with Charlie McCarthy, infusing humor:
  • “You know, Bergen has been known to start a little trouble on Christmas Eve so he could sort of hold back in the gift department.” – Charlie McCarthy (06:02)

4. Solo Performances & Classic Carols

“Winter Wonderland” – Joe Stafford (08:38–10:43)

• A gentle, cozy rendition highlighting the show’s musical talent and family appeal.
• “You're in wonderful voice tonight, Ms. Stafford.” – Bing Crosby (11:09)

“Deck the Halls” – Group (12:15–13:23)

• Bing’s playful encouragement to all listeners:
  • “Deck the halls with boughs of holly so why don't you all join me out there, huh? Sing out loud and clear now.” (11:46)

5. Lively Banter & Christmastime Chaos (13:23–16:27)

• Discussion about last-minute Christmas preparations and differing approaches to gift wrapping and holiday organization.
  • “There are some individuals who just insist upon confusion.” – Catherine Crosby (15:38)
  • “Yes, it's panic and plum pudding.” – Catherine Crosby (15:48)
  • “It's chaos and candy cane, turmoil and turkey, but we love it.” – Edgar Bergen & Catherine Crosby (15:51–15:53)
• Lightly veiled advertisement for INA package insurance, woven into the conversation.

6. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (16:27–18:12)

• Sung joyfully by the group, with special dedication to all the “newly arrived children of the year.”
• Playful back-and-forth as the cast assigns singing roles.

7. Engaging the Audience and More Carols (18:26–21:27)

• Bing encourages listeners everywhere to sing along—“gang singing is a lot more fun than you'll ever know unless you give it a whirl.”
• "The First Noel" performed in communal spirit.

8. Christmas Hit Parade Medley (21:15–25:00)

• Bing and Joe Stafford lead “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” “Silver Bells,” and “Here Comes Santa Claus”—iconic 1940s and ‘50s Christmas favorites.
  • “Incidentally, Bing, you can be the lead reindeer.” – Catherine Crosby (21:37)

9. “White Christmas” & Reflections (26:37–29:56)

• Bing gives his famous rendition.
  • “May your days be merry and bright. And may all your Christmases be white.” – Bing Crosby (27:32)
• Recognizes “White Christmas” as a modern Christmas standard and playfully jokes about its commercial popularity.

10. A Nod to Tradition & History (30:29–31:47)

• Bing shares the show’s tradition with the Insurance Company of North America and underscores the reassuring presence of tradition.
  • “This is the seventh year that I've been singing on Christmas Eve for the insurance company of North America. Now that's tradition.” – Bing Crosby (30:56)

11. “The Christmas Song” (31:47–34:08)

• Sung tenderly by Joe Stafford, providing a memorable emotional moment:
  • “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose…”
• Bing: “It was lovely. Makes a wonderful gift for all of us, your rendition of this Christmas song.” (34:18)

12. International Touch: St. Michael’s Choir from London (34:54–37:48)

• London’s St. Michael’s Choir sings “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” bringing global and traditional flair.
  • Bing paints a vivid scene of London’s Christmas Eve atmosphere.

13. Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy, and Family Traditions (39:03–46:00)

• Discussion about new fatherhood and memorable stories of past Christmases.
• A deeply humorous and heartwarming segment as Bergen remembers Charlie’s reluctant poetry recital with his daughter Candy, including a hilariously botched “Night Before Christmas.”
  • “Which part? The title.” – Bing Crosby (41:44)
  • “Not a creature was stirring. Not even a louse nor a mouse?” – Charlie McCarthy (42:41)

14. Curtain Carols: Jingle Bells, Closing Reflections, “Silent Night” (46:24–52:15)

• Lively group performance of “Jingle Bells” (46:24). Banter about its appeal to both children and adults follows.
  • “I think everybody ought to like that.” – Bing Crosby (48:06)
• Ken Carpenter delivers a heartfelt reminder that the real “Santa Clauses” are the INA agents serving families year-round.
• Bing invites all to join in “Silent Night,” culminating in a signature, moving close to the program.

15. Parting Thoughts and Farewell (52:15–53:51)

• Bing thanks guests and listeners, sending warm Christmas wishes.
  • “It’s our way of wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas… The best of everything tomorrow and in the new year.” – Bing Crosby (52:21)
  • Quoting the London Daily Express:
    • “There’s so little magic in the world. Let us encourage it in our children just as long as we can.” – Bing Crosby (52:58)
• Norman Luboff Choir reprises “Happy Holiday” (53:08).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Bing Crosby: “Christmas time is a great rejuvenator, isn't it?” (01:39)
• Catherine Crosby: “It's chaos and candy cane, turmoil and turkey, but we love it.” (15:51–15:53)
• Bing Crosby: On White Christmas – “That's one I don't really have to fake.” (29:38)
• Charlie McCarthy: “Dancer, Prancer, Dandruff and Blintzes.” (44:22)
• Bing Crosby: “There’s so little magic in the world. Let us encourage it in our children just as long as we can.” (52:58)

Notable Musical Numbers with Timestamps

• Joy to the World – (02:33–04:44)
• Winter Wonderland – (08:38–10:43)
• Deck the Halls – (12:15–13:23)
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – (16:27–18:12)
• The First Noel – (19:34–21:15)
• Santa Claus Is Coming to Town / Silver Bells / Here Comes Santa Claus medley – (21:54–25:00)
• White Christmas – (27:02–29:56)
• The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting) – (31:47–34:08)
• Ding Dong Merrily on High (St. Michael’s Choir) – (36:25–37:48)
• Jingle Bells – (46:24–47:53)
• Silent Night – (50:21–52:15)
• Happy Holiday – (53:08–53:21)

Lasting Spirit

The “Christmas Sing With Bing” perfectly embodies the nostalgia, humor, and sentimentality of classic radio’s holiday specials. Amidst jokes, familiar carols, and heartfelt wishes, Bing Crosby and friends remind listeners—both then and now—of the unchanging joys of Christmas: gathering, singing, and sharing the season’s magic with loved ones.

For first-timers or nostalgic fans alike, this episode is the essence of a family Christmas radio celebration—full of warmth, laughter, classic music, and timeless togetherness.