Screenland (Nov 1950-Oct 1951)

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THE Spaniards up around Monterey have a word for Bing. They speak of him as "simpatico." which means congenial, pleasant, or just plain nice. He is all of that, plus several added features. When I speak of added features. I refer to that reserve which sets him apart from ordinary mortals. Without it. he just wouldn't be Bing. It is this same quality that divides people's opinion of him. That is. those who do not know him. The truth of the matter is that the guy is so natural that he throws everyone off of the scent. I'd like to give you the "Groaner." as I've observed him over a period of years. Usually around some golf course, wearing something loud and loose, and having a pretty good time. When he comes over to his own club. Lakeside, he always brings his "mallets" with him. which means that he intends to do a bit of practicing or playing. He takes it slow and easy. First, he'll "shoot the breeze" with the caddies, then greet the boys in the golf shop, then pass on to the men's locker room where he'll take time out to ask the attendants how business is in that department. Then he'll saunter up to the grill, select a non -fattening luncheon from the heavily laden buffet table, and join a few intimate friends. No grand entrances or exits. Bing commands attention without seeking it Now he is ready for the practice tee. No prima donna stuff here either. He is always surrounded by a group of kibitzers who chat merrily while he works with his shots. If they are good he gets cheers and whistles, and if they are bad. he gets a lot of free advice, which he calls a bootleg lesson. If his detractors are too insistent, he has been known to sit down and relax while he asks them to demonstrate their theories. He may even toss in a couple of wagers to shut them up. if possible. He then becomes the mentor and does what he can to foul them up. His concentration is a thing of beauty. No amount of heckling can disturb him. He keeps right on swinging, and before he leaves the practice tee he has mastered his problem, and shows no sign of fatigue. Another salute to his power of concentration, is the way he used to practice in the early mornings, with all four of his boys trying to emulate him. Each one had his own miniature golf club, and went to work with a vengeance. Bing assigned each one to his own square of turf, and warned them to keep their distance, so there would be no accidents. If a Tong war broke out among them, he'd settle it with a quiet warning, and return to his practice. It is this same concentration that people who do not know him mistake for indifference. In reality, it is just the reverse. It isn't a pose. He is sitting back quietly trying to figure out what makes the wheels go around in this old world, and what he, in his small way, can do to help. When he lends a helping hand he'd much prefer that no one was looking, and if they are. that they'd keep mum about it. This is particularly so during the holiday season. It is then that the back of his car becomes a treasure chest for the needy. The clothing that his four boys have outgrown is carefully put into neat A visit Bing paid to old friend Paul Jones nearly alienated Paul's family and in-laws bundles and delivered to a Mexican family to distribute within their colony in North Hollywood. When Bing lived in the Valley he did his own delivering, for they were his friends and neighbors, and they were used to seeing jiim about. However, when he wanted to help a poor family on the East side of Los Angeles, where there was the risk of running into large crowds, he equipped a friend with a hundred dollars, his car. an address, and instructions to load the car with as much food as it would hold, and if there was am change, it was to be given to the mother of the brood, with his good wishes. One of his Christmas forays almost caused the complete alienation of one Hollywood family. That of Paul Jones, who is a pretty funny man in his own right, as may be deduced from his having produced the Hope-Crosby very successful "Road" pictures. This particular holiday was one of those long weekends where Christmas fell on Sunday, so it was celebrated on Monday too. The Joneses elected to entertain their respective families on Sunday. The celebration was an eminently successful one, in so far as numbers, duration, gifts exchanged, and food consumed were concerned. There was just enough of the second turkey left to provide Monday night pickings for the hosts. Tired and hungry, they had put on their robes and slippers and were all set to raid the pantry, when they were greeted by five male voices singing Christmas carols. They were sure that someone had left the radio on, for it was unmistakably Der Bingle leading the singers. By the time they got to the living room for a quick survey from behind the drawn curtains, the doorbell rang and in filed Bing and his homemade quartet. The concert continued, except for time out while the boys helped themselves to the remnants of the Christmas candies. By this time the neighbors had (Please turn to page 58)