Liberal Arts Blog — Bob Hope (1903–2003) — The Guy Who Made GIs Laugh
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Liberal Arts Blog — Sunday is the Joy of Humor, Food, Travel, Practical Life Tips, and Miscellaneous Day
Today’s Topic: Bob Hope (1903–2003) — The Guy Who Made GIs Laugh
I wanted to be Bob Hope because I wanted to be liked. And people like people who make them laugh. And as a child, my observation was that Bob Hope was the guy who made the most people laugh. Especially, soldiers. Most notably during World War Two. But, doing research for this post, I learned that he actually did 57 tours for the USO (United Services Organization) and that in 1997 “the US Congress passed a bill making Bob Hope an honorary veteran of the US Armed Forces.” He also starred in 54 feature films and hosted 19 Academy Awards, the most ever. He did seven “Road” movies co-starring Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. Today, a few more notes. Experts — please chime in. Correct, elaborate, elucidate.
THREE QUOTES — six brothers, Siberia, the birthday cake
1. “I grew up with six brothers. That’s how I learned to dance. Waiting for the bathroom.”
2. “The trees in Siberia are miles apart, that’s why the dogs are so fast.”
3. “You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.”
THREE MORE — Washington DC, kissing, golf
1. “I like going to Washington, if only to be near my money.”
2. “People who throw kisses are hopelessly lazy.”
3. “If you watch a game it’s fun. If you play a game it’s recreation. If you work at it, it’s golf.
NB: “I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything until noon. And then it’s time for a nap.”
BIOGRAPHICAL TIDBITS
1. Born in England, son of a stonemason and a cleaning woman who had once sung light opera. His parents moved to the US when he was five years old and settled in Cleveland.
2. He starting busking at age 12 and did a short stint as a boxer at age 16.
3. His signature tune was “Thanks for the Memory” which originally included the lyrics “That weekend at Niagara when we never saw the falls.” But, to the dismay of the lyricist, the producers insisted on changing the lyrics to the less suggestive: “That weekend at Niagara where we hardly saw the falls.”
NB: do you have a favorite Bob Hope one-liner?
1944 U.S.O. Show: Bob Hope, and Frances Langford, and Patty Thomas
For the last three years of posts organized by theme:
PDF with headlines — Google Drive
YOUR TURN
So what is the best cartoon you have seen lately? or in the last 10 years? or the last 50? or your favorite joke? Or what is your famous holiday food? Main course? Dessert? Fondest food memories? Favorite foods to eat or prepare? Anything miscellaneous to share from anywhere? Best trip you ever took in your life? Practical life tips? Random facts? Jokes?
This is your chance to make someone else’s day. Or to cement in your mind a memory that might otherwise disappear. Or to think more deeply about something dear to your heart. Continuity is key to depth of thought.
