The Demon Under the Bed

Bing Crosby may have had actor/friend William Gargan in mind when he consented to do this hour long dramatic episode on the Danny Thomas Hour. Gargan had appeared with Bing in one of his most beloved films, The Bells of St. Mary's and in the early Sixties had lost his voice due to a cancer found in his throat which necessitated his larynx removal. Gargan went on to be a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society.

In this episode Crosby plays musical performer Charlie Castle, but we're always aware that playing Castle is the musical performer with the voice that more people have heard in the history of the world. To more than most his voice was his fortune and the doctors have discovered polyps on his vocal cords. An operation has to happen sooner or later.

In addition Crosby is having a custody battle with his ex-wife Joan Collins over his real life daughter Mary Frances Crosby. This was Mary Frances's acting debut, though dare I say playing her real father's daughter wasn't too much of a stretch. George Maharis is around as a paparazzo who has attached himself to Bing in hopes of a breaking story.

Still Bing is the star here, his performance is a mini-version of his role as Frank Elgin from The Country Girl. Hopefully it will be broadcast some time, so a new generation can appreciate Bing's dramatic talent as well as the singing voice heard by more people since the beginning of mankind.