'Bing Crosby: Rediscovered' For 'American Masters' Will Help You Remember Everything Good The 'White Christmas' Star Had To Offer

Bing Crosby was one of the greats when it came to Hollywood acting and performing. Now, director Robert Trachtenberg is opening up about his new film Bing Crosby: Rediscovered for American Masters, and he is reminding us why Crosby, who died in 1977, was so great.

Bing Crosby: Rediscovered airs on PBS on Tuesday (December 2) and it will prove that Crosby was one of the most influential performers during the 20th century. The legendary performer is known for his work in White Christmas, The Bells of St. Mary's and The Bing Crosby Show and now he is being given a second life through this film that will shine a positive light (for the most part) on Crosby's life and career.

"I thought of him as an old man in the cardigan. The Crosby we need is the relaxed cool, hip Crosby," Robert Trachtenberg told TV Guide. Going forward with the project, Trachtenberg talked to Crosby's family and they seemed to be on board.

"The good thing about American Masters is the subject's heirs don't have editorial approval. The people who run the estate for the Crosbys showed them my films on Cary Grant and Gene Kelly, where some sensitive issues were touched on," he explained to the publication.

"They were like 'he can do it. He's the guy.' Truly, they couldn't have been nicer. They wanted the truth out there because it's been 30 plus years of just misinformation. They wanted it cleared up."

When being compared to Frank Sinatra's legacy, Trachtenberg revealed that Crosby and Sinatra were on different levels based on the era they became famous in. "The hard truth is Sinatra took more care with his arrangements by hooking up with Nelson Riddle and all those great arrangers that he used on his albums. He was more involved," Trachtenberg revealed.

"With Bing, there was a real natural gift. He loved to harmonize with these other people but he just didn't take that much care with the arrangements."

The last thing Robert talked about was Bing's duet with David Bowie, which is explored within the film. "I thought it was hilarious. The funny thing about that is everyone thinks it's hilarious and camp. Then they watch it, and they're like, 'They're actually really good together.' Bowie did it because his mom loved Bing Crosby," the director explained about their duet to "The Little Drummer Boy."

Tune in on Tuesday to see the truth behind Crosby's life, career and legacy.