Celebrate Christmas With Der Bingle

Bing Crosby’s films have nearly reached the status of Santa Claus’ sleigh and reindeer as symbols for the holidays.

Consider how Der Bingle starred in three of the most popular Christmas films ever made: “Holiday Inn,” “Going My Way” and “White Christmas.” He also recorded “White Christmas,” the best-selling yuletide tune of all time. And until his death in 1977, Crosby and his family appeared in 13 Christmas TV specials.

Both the Disney Channel and American Movie Classics are celebrating Christmas with the help of Crosby.

Airing tonight at 9 and early Monday on Disney is the entertaining “A Bing Crosby Christmas: Like the Ones We Used to Know.” Widow Kathryn Crosby and good friend Gene Kelly host this hourlong special from 1979; it features a compilation of clips from the 13 original Crosby Christmas specials that aired from 1962 until 1977.

American Movie Classics is devoting all of Christmas Day to the films of Bing Crosby.

Kicking off the Crosby marathon before dawn (3 a.m.) is the 1953 melodrama “Little Boy Lost.” Next up is the 1944 classic “Going My Way.” Then it’s a veritable road trip when AMC presents four of the comic “Road” pictures Crosby made with Bob Hope.