SPOKANE, Wash. — The 2024 Annual Bing Crosby Holiday Film Festival will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024. It will feature some of the best loved, family-friendly films of Spokane’s famous son Bing Crosby.
The non-profit Bing Crosby Advocates (BCA) is presenting its 17th festival at the Bing Crosby Theater in downtown Spokane as part of the community’s yearly celebration of the holiday season. It was on the stage of this theater, known in 1925 as the Clemmer, that young Harry L. “Bing” Crosby began his professional career by singing and performing skits in between silent films shown there.
The films will be introduced by Spokane historian and narrator Tom McArthur, host of KSPS’ Saturday Night Cinema Shaun Higgins, and BCA's own Carol Capra, a relative of legendary director Frank Capra.
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. The festival begins with the 11:00 a.m. showing of Bing Crosby’s traditional beloved holiday film "White Christmas" — which is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its release.
Frank Capra's musical romantic comedy “Here Comes the Groom” starring Bing Crosby and Jayne Wyman will play at 1:30 p.m. This 1951 release will be introduced by Spokanite Carol Capra, who was married to the director’s son Tom Capra.
Then at 4 p.m., BCA will celebrate the 75th anniversary of “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”, starring Bing Crosby and Rhonda Fleming. Shaun Higgins will introduce this fantastical romp about a New England auto mechanic who finds himself transported to the time and place of Britain’s mythical King Arthur. The 1949 musical comedy was based on the popular humorous novel by Mark Twain.
At 7:00 p.m. the festival concludes with a repeat showing of White Christmas.
“It’s such an honor to present these treasures in the exact place where Bing launched his career nearly 100 years ago,” said Dave Reynolds, Board President of Bing Crosby Advocates. “The smiles we see from film-goers at these festivals show us how Bing still brings joy to all ages.
Tickets for the festival are $20 each and are good for the entire day's events. Tickets are available online or at the door on the day of the event. Minors age 17 and under will be admitted at no charge.
