Mack Sennett, who had brought the world the Keystone Kops and Charlie Chaplin, caught Bing's act at the Cocoanut Grove in March 1931. "What struck me about this guy," Sennett said of Bing, "was that all the stuffed shirts at the Grove stopped dancing and gathered around the bandstand to watch him croon. They came to hear him night after night. He held them."

Sennett was impressed enough with Bing's performance at the Grove that he signed him to do a short musical-comedy film in March, 1931, in which Bing would play himself. That film, "I Surrender Dear," was so successful that it led to 5 more with Sennett. Bing was paid $750 for each 20-minute picture.

Sennett was more famous for his slapstick than his dialogue. Crosby worked without formal scripts for these movies ... only outlines. During the filming Crosby found himself dunked in water tanks, chased by lions and half-baked in quick-rising dough. Bing's success with Sennett helped convince him that the time was ripe to leave the Rhythm Boys and get on with his solo career. The Rhythm Boys dissolved that summer.

The six Sennett two-reelers were:



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