Biography Perry Como: The Singing Barber (1987– ) Online

Harry Smith narrates this (circa 1998) episode, centering around the life and career of singer and television star Perry Como, from his 1912 birth, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, the fourth son born to Lucia and Pietro Como, and their first child born in the U.S.A., after they arrive from Italy.

While father, Pietro, works in a factory position, his sons also enter the working force at young ages, while still in school. Perry, at age ten, begins working in a barber shoppe, earning 50¢ a week. Both parents encourage their children to take music lessons, at which Perry excels, and entertains customers at the barber shoppe (hence this episode's sub-title).

At age 13, Perry opens his own shoppe and hires barbers to work the shift while he attends school. But by the time which Perry reaches the age of 16, the Great Depression strikes and forces his barber shoppe out of business.

About this time, Perry meets Roselle Belline at a picnic, and after their 1933 wedding, Roselle and Perry enjoy a very close marriage, welcoming three children, Ronald, David and Terri, together lasting for the next 65 years, until her unfortunate passing, in 1998. From here....

* 1933, Perry, who has by now been singing at many local events, accepts the invitation to sing with Freddy Carlone and his Orchestra, in Cleveland, Ohio, with the encouragement of both Pietro and Roselle, to receive $28 per week.

* 1936, Perry is invited to join Ted Weems and his Orchestra, a very famous band-leader of the 1930's, which gives Perry Como national exposure on radio, to receive $100 per week.

* 1940, Perry and Roselle tour the country from their New York City base, as he travels with the band, to be well-received by adoring fans.

* 1943, the CBS Radio Network hires Perry to perform 15-minute segments once a week.

* 1944, the NBC Radio Network hires Perry to perform three hours a week on its new program, "The Perry Como Chesterfield Supper Club" (1944–50).

* 1944, 20th Century Fox Studios signs Perry Como to a film acting and singing contract, as he stars in four pictures. But when zealous fans begin to stalk son Ronald at his school, Perry breaks his contract and leaves Hollywood to return to NYC.

RCA Victor also signs Perry Como in 1944, as its crooner singing sensation, beginning his long series of solo recordings, which sell millions of copies.

Perry Como's first major hit record, "Till the End of Time," outperforms all others in 1945, and begins his long string of hit records, in his smooth, casual hallmark style.

In 1950, Perry conquers another medium, television, as he begins to host "Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall," which lasts for the next 15 seasons, before young audiences of the mid-1960's begin to turn to a faster pace in popular music than Perry's smooth and easy style.

But Perry correctly maintains that he is still able to draw in the audiences, and so he begins his annual "Perry Como Christmas Special," which he produces in alternate cities for the next 20 years, climaxing in 1986.

And through it all, Perry Como continuously encourages young talents to perform, as Vic Damone attests, reporting that when Vic is serving as an elevator operator, and Perry Como enters the car, Vic would stop the lift between floors to practice his singing before a pleasant captive audience in Perry Como.

To commemorate his six-decade career in radio, records, film and television, his hometown of Cannonsburg, PA, erects a singing statue, which continues to stand to this day.

Interview Guests for this episode consist of Perry Como (Self), Terri Thibadeau (Daughter), Gene Como (Brother), Mickey Glass (Manager), Nick Perito (Music Director/Arranger), Vic Damone (Singer/friend), Eddie Fisher (Singer/friend), Robert Batscha (Museum of Television & Radio), and Will Friedwald (Music Critic), with Harry Smith (Host and Narrator).

Still Photographs include Perry Como, brothers and Pietro and Lucia Como (Parents), Freddy Carlone, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante, Bob Hope, the Everly Brothers, Mickey Mantle and Judy Garland.

Archive film footage includes Perry Como, Roselle Como (Wife), Ronald, Terri and David Como (Children), Bing Crosby, Enrico Caruso, Jackie Gleason, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Beatles, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and U.S. First Lady Nancy Reagan, as well as many unidentified singers and co-stars.

Perry's Song Performance Clips here include "Till the End of Time" (1945), "Ave Maria" (1949), "Dream Along With Me (I'm On My Way To A Star)" (1956), "Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)" (1956), "Round and Round" (1957), "It's Impossible" (1971), plus "The First Noel" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," along with early unidentified titles.

Film Clips include scenes from Something for the Boys (Screen test) (1944), and Doll Face (1945), plus WWII Era Newsreel footage.

Television Clips include scenes from "Perry Christmas Special" (1954), "Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall" (1950-66), "SCTV Network: Perry Como Live" (1981), Christmas in San Antonio (1986) (TV), and Irish Christmas (1994) (TV), plus footage from Perry's honor from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (1987).