Executive producer Geoff Milne described the background in a magazine article after Crosby’s death.

“Argo wanted to do something to commemorate the American Bicentennial celebrations, and it seemed a good idea to do Tom Sawyer - we all agreed that the only person who could relate the story was Bing Crosby…The recordings were done in two sessions, one lasting four hours and the other two and one-half hours...It was interesting to watch him in the studios.

It was a master stroke to get Bing Crosby to read it, for the ‘Old Groaner’ has a devastatingly charming manner, compounded of a relaxed and sympathetic delivery and a lovely speaking voice.

Delicate, dry, humorous but never whimsical or condescending, he is one of the most delightful readers Argo has offered us.

Bing’s expressive narrative and his dialect voicing of the characters enhance an impressive and entertaining story.