The Bing Crosby Collection (College Humor / We're Not Dressing / Here Is My Heart / Mississippi / Sing You Sinners / Welcome Stranger)

What a treat for all Bing Crosby fans, or music & movie lovers in general! 5 of Bing's much sought after 1930's films, plus one of his best from the 1940's! For me, all worth it for 'Sing You Sinners' alone, a crystal clear, sparkling copy of this, one of, if not his best movie from the 1930's? The others are all excellent as well, all offering some of the top 'pop' tunes of the day, 'We're Not Dressing' packed with tunefull early Bing, plus the gorgeous Carole Lombard to boot, 'Mississippi' a riot of fun with the great W.C. Fields as a riverboat Captain, plus, the gorgeous Joan Bennett to boot, 'College Humour', Bing's second starring role in a feature, plus, the gorgeous Mary Carlisle to boot, 'Welcome Stranger' from 1946, great songs, great humour,plus, the gorgeous Joan Caulfield to boot [has anyone appeared with more gorgeous women than Bing?], and, one of Bing's rarest in 'Hear Is My Heart', all delightful in their own way, and a must for anyone interested in the history of musical films, and Bing, long before Elvis or the Beatles, Bing had already done it all! According to my calculations, there are still 8 of Bing's 1930's films yet to be put out on DVD, so plenty of good material for another 'Young Bing' collection down the track, hopefully! I for one, can't wait!

A great many reviewers have given this collection four or five stars. I was skeptical, but now I heartily share their views. Leonard Maltin, in his indispensable Classic Movie Guide  Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide  gives all six of these films 2.5 or 3 stars, well in the realm of an LM thumbs up. He and these other perceptive Amazon patrons have more than covered these films, so I will just make a few comments based on my own viewing.These films are part Vaudeville, part stand-up, part radio merging into TV, part sitcom, part play, part musical, and most of all, vehicles for singing stars like Bing, and comic entertainers of the day such as George and Gracie, of whom I can never get enough. Here's my down and dirty shooting from the hip review. First of all, it's almost a no-brainer to get this collection, since here are six films, well-packaged, for less than the usual cost of one DVD. And little-seen films. But, I promised, and here goes. "College Humor" I didn't find very funny, but "We're Not Dressing" I did. "Here is My Heart" sparkles with Roland Young, not as comic relief, but an integral part of the ensemble. Bing, it seems to me, generally plays himself, as in the "Road" pictures, but in "Mississippi," he doesn't. In fact, no one does in that film, made from a book, and in which the actors try to adhere to a story line, and which features, unfortunate roles for Black performers, including kids. "Sing You Sinners" is a quite decent little film, with Fred MacMurray and Bing as brothers, and Bing the slacker of the two. In "Welcome Stranger," Bing adheres to the role of a doctor, but seems to still play himself. A good story in the "It's a Wonderful Life" vein, with some great songs like "Smile Right Back at the Sun."It's an understatement to say they don't make movies like this anymore, but why don't they? Because these are seen as too underbudget, unpolished, impromptu and naive. But I far prefer them over bloated big-budget blockbusters with a special effects budget in the stratosphere. These are also all-family movies. Finally, a reason to own a DVD player. Keep em' coming, Universal. Thank you, Bing.

MISSISSIPPI and SING YOU SINNERS are among BING's best films;COLLEGE HUMOUR,WE'RE NOT DRESSING and HERE IN MY HEART are dated .but those films were made in the thirties,that's a long time ago.WELCOME STRANGER has BING team up with BARRY FITZGERALD(GOING MY WAY) and JOAN CAULFIELD(BLUE SKIES)Great fun to watch BING with W.C.FIELDS.In SING YOU SINNERS BING had his first real dramatic part and he makes the character real.In WELCOME STRANGER, you have some wonderful JOHNNY BURKE songs

I'm in my early 30's and I love Bing Crosby. I enjoy his music and the simplicity of these old films. I think "Sing You Sinners" and "Welcome Stranger" are the best movies in this set but I like them all. A different era to be sure....and how I wish I was part of it. If you like this collection and want to see more of Mr. Crosby I'd also recommend "Riding High".

I have to admit that I am a Bing Crosby fan, so I am going to like most anything in which he appears. As for this set, there are some clear winners, however. The highlights for me . . . in order are "Sing You Sinners," followed by "Welcome Stranger." Both are really fine films, made even better because of the supporting cast. "Sinners" is entertaining from start to finish and a young Donald O'Conner is a standout. "Welcome Stranger" is a warm comedy that rates closely with "Going My Way." Another film in the set "Mississippi" is interesting and entertaining because of its 1930s take on the Old South, its top-notch Rogers and Hart score, the performance of W. C. Fields, and of course, Bing! It's dated, but that's what makes it even more fun. As for being dated, "College Humor" takes the cake, but it is still fun to watch and has some good musical moments. The other two titles,"Here is My Heart" and "We're Not Dressing" are just not good films. Not even easy to watch. This is still a great set and worth the money if you like good music and one of the best voices of the 20th century. And I don't mean Ethel Merman.