Thanks for the Memories, Bob
Bob Hope, legendary comedian, virtuoso entertainer, superstar of radio, film and television, King of the one-liners, hero to servicemen, friend of Presidents, honored citizen, genuine American patriot, died late Sunday. But try telling Bob Hope that. 'Me, dead? No way. It's just a little change in location,' he'd insist. He was home in Toluca Lake, Calif., his beloved family at his bedside, when the Lord called him home. Hope had hit the 'Big 100' two months ago.
"Today America lost a great citizen," said President Bush Monday. "We mourn the passing of Bob Hope. Bob Hope made us laugh. He lifted our spirits."
I don't know how many miles Heaven is from Earth, but I have a hunch it's nowhere near the sweeping distances the dean of comedy traveled tirelessly during decades bringing joy and laughter to servicemen in far-flung bases around the globe. Whether in a jungle, on an airstrip, in a field hospital, or on the deck of an aircraft carrier, it didn't seem to matter: Bob Hope, whose 70-year career earned him scores of awards, would make you laugh. The boost his U.S.O. road show, which began in 1941, brought to troop morale was immeasurable. Bob Hope, whose uncompromising optimism and buoyancy proved infectious, brought cheers and delight, joy and good spirits to millions of servicemen. He loved the troops and the troops loved him -- every bit as much.
"Bob Hope served our nation when he went to battlefields to entertain thousands of troops from different regions," Bush said movingly.
U.S.O. President, Edward A. Powell, put it this way: "Bob Hope came to symbolize, for every man and woman in uniform, the idea that America cared for and supported its troops."
Bob Hope, his energy and drive during those U.S.O. tours enough to power a fleet of aircraft carriers, embodied the very best that is America, his adopted country (his parents brought him here from England at age 4). He was gregarious, easygoing, self-effacing, many times poking fun at himself. "I want to tell you, I was built like an athlete once -- big chest, hard stomach. Of course, that's all behind me now," he joked. Warm, big-hearted, always considerate, he bonded with people so easily. His was truly a pull-oneself-up-by-one's-own-bootstrap life story. The son of a British stonemason father, he helped mom and pop make ends meet every way he could -- from selling newspapers to working at a meat market.
Later, after a boxing stint and a college semester, he found his true calling in life: Entertainment. Show business. He never looked back.
From vaudeville he catapulted to national fame in 1938, with his wildly popular weekly radio series, "The Bob Hope Pepsodent Show," featuring the song, 'Thanks for the Memory,' from his motion picture debut that year, "The Big Broadcast of 1938." The ballad later became the theme song of his career. Teaming up with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour for the "Road" pictures series, Bob Hope became a star of the screen.
Many motion pictures later, including the '39 hit, "Cat and the Canary," in the 50s it was on to the 'small screen,' hosting the variety series, "Chesterfield Sound Off Time," two years later, "The Colgate Comedy Hour," and 10 years later, the "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre."
I could go on, but why should I? Bob Hope was such a household name, hey, chances are you already know all this stuff anyway (wink, wink).
Oh, one last thought. On a clear, quiet night, listen closely, very closely, and you'll hear, if ever so faintly, somewhere in the distance, the sounds of cheering crowds, whistles and boisterous applause, and some wise-cracking guy doing some monologue comedy routine. Not a soul in sight, though. No, you're not going bonkers. It's the new Bob Hope show, bringing cheers and delight to millions of good spirits in Heaven. I guess Heaven isn't really far from earth after all.
Bob, God had great plans for ya. And Thanks for the Memories!
My two cents..
"JohnHuang2"
