Modern Screen (Dec 1949 - Nov 1950)

traditionally perfect American husband. In the past five years, Bing's seldom been seen with his wife. Just a few months ago when he walked into Ciro's with Dixie, the patrons were so surprised that they were on the verge of declaring that particular night a holiday. The photographers all over town were quickly notified, and they rushed to the night club. Bing, who's sensitive about his balding head, was annoyed at the number of pictures taken. He dislikes being photographed without a hat, and few such photos of him are in existence. Dixie's friends are certain that she's very much in love with Bing, always has been, and always will be. This is understandable. Crosby is charming, versatile, unselfish, natural, intelligent, and great fun. Unfortunately, his interests are so diversified that he spends very little time at home. This was all right with Dixie when the four boys were young, and she had her hands and time completely filled by them. Now, however, she's got more time for Bing. Their home in Holmby Hills (see page 32) is beautifully and comfortably furnished, but it's been many months since all six Crosbys were gathered there together. In essence, Dixie would like to see Bing more often. She won't come right out and say this. In fact, she will say virtually nothing about her marriage to Bing except, "It's wonderful," but you can find plenty of people who know the set-up, and knowing it, will tell you that Dixie would like fewer nights to spend alone. On Bing's side, it must be said that everything he has done, has been done for the members of his family. In an effort to provide them with a financial security which he as a boy never knew, he has worked or invested as few entertainers ever have. More than 70% of the $1,200,000 a year he earns, goes to the government in taxes. He also has a tremendous overhead that he must work to meet. Working takes time, and that time is the crux of the "strain" that exists between Bing and Dixie. Under his present setup, Bing has too little time. He utilizes most of it to earn money. (He's just finished Mr. Music.) "C'ew fans realize it but practically everything costs Crosby more. When the twins were born, for example, Bing received a bill for $4,000. "Tell you what," he said to the doctor, "I'll play you a round of golf for half or double." He won the round and paid $2,000. Oddly enough, when Dixie first met Bing some 21 years ago, she never expected that too much work would turn out to be one of his troubles. No one else did, either. Several fellows took a long, deep look into the Crosby background and came up with the information that he'd once been jailed in Portland for not paying his bill at a Chinese restaurant, that he had once been jailed in Los Angeles for driving a car while alcoholically stimulated, and that a truancy report in the Spokane Board of Education files carried the notation: "Boy's mother came for him and promised to keep him out of trouble." Despite this information and countless other warnings, Dixie continued to see Bing. She was very much in love with him, and he was trying to substantiate her faith by getting a start in motion pictures. Bing was jobless at the time Dixie gave up her career and married him. They had no money for a honeymoon. Sue Carol, who is now Mrs. Alan Ladd, was then a beautiful {Continued on page 77) Home Shampoo It's the real egg* that makes the magic in this luxury shampoo . . . the very same smooth liquid creme used in the famous Richard Hudnut Fifth Avenue Salon to make hair more manageable, tanglefree, easier to do, and permanents "take" better. Whisks in and out like a dream, removes loose dandruff, leaves hair extra lustrous because it's clean, clean, clean ! Try this gentler, kinder, luxury shampoo today. Wonderfully good for children's hair, good for the whole family! $1.00; economy size $1.75 From the Fifth Avenue Salon ENRICHED CREME Shampoo with egg It's the real egg in Hudnut Shampoo that makes hair more manageable. Home permanents "take" better. * powdered, 1% Hear the Walter Winchell Program, ABC Network, Sunday Nights