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May 29, 2010

Thanks For The Memories, Mr. Hope




Bob Hope would have been 107 today. He was born May 29 1903. He lived 100 years though, so that is a long time to spend on this earth. He must have been doing something right to live that long. On turning 100 years old, Bob quipped "I don't feel old. In fact, I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap."

Clouding the pain of his family's early poverty, Mr. Hope laughed "Four of us slept in one bed. When it got cold, mother threw on another brother."

And regarding his six brothers (he was the fifth of seven sons), "That's how I learned to dance, waiting for the bathroom."


This man did make a difference with his dedication and talent and humor. Bob Hope entertained the service men and women in locations around the world, year after year. Musicians and singers and entertainers volunteered to travel and perform everywhere Mr. Hope went.

Bob Hope starred in more than 50 feature films and appeared in cameos for another 15 -- the last being "Spies Like Us" in 1985. Mr. Hope introduced two Academy Award-winning songs: "Thanks for the Memory" with Shirley Ross in "The Big Broadcast of 1938" and "Buttons and Bows" in "The Paleface" (1948).

Oh, I think he played a little golf too.

This blog is being featured this Sunday on the Sunday Roast at Eddie Bluelight's blog Clouds and Silvery Linings.Check it out and let me know what you think.

56 comments:

Ms. A said...

The USO wouldn't have been the same without the Ambassador of Good Will. Happy Birthday, Bob.

-Don said...

What a wonderful tribute. Thank you for reminding me of the memories...

-Don

Gappy said...

I've got his autograph somewhere - in an old book of my grandads.

Anonymous said...

I didnt know some of those facts... Great guy. Great tribute :0)

Maggie May said...

Great tribute. He did have good innings and was a very funny man.

Enjoyed your Sunday Roast over at Eddie's. I am pleased to get to know the person behind the name that I have seen dotted all over the place.
Maggie

Nuts in May

Brian Miller said...

definitely a great tribute...i remember him so much of my years growing up...

and someone's getting roasted today...smiles.

Anne H said...

Love me some Bob Hope.
100 years is a long long time indeed!

Shrinky said...

I so loved his sharp wit, and wonderful movies.. he really was a "one off", he made the world a brighter place for having him. Glad to know you were also a fellow fan. Happy birthday, Bob.

Unknown said...

This is a nice tribute. I don't recall much of Bob. My Parents loved him though!
Have a good day...:)

Unknown said...

I too grew up with Bob Hope almost feeling like family
Great tribute.

Cheryl Kohan said...

They just don't make 'em like that, anymore! So glad you decided to post this tribute. "Thanks for the memories"!

DJan said...

I was busy volunteering all day yesterday and am just getting caught up. Your challenge to me is on my list! And now I've got to go over to read the roast, along with two dozen posts to read! Thanks for the memories about Bob Hope. Happy Birthday, Ski Nose!

Kulio said...

Nice tribute, he was an amazing man!

Jeanie said...

Congratulations on the Sunday Roast recognition. Bob Hope was an iconic entertainer for so many of us. He was one of the best.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Bob Hope was (and still is) one of my favourite comedians. Did youn know he was born in England? The family emigrated to US on 1908. Bob was born in London and the family moved to Weston Super Marewhere they loved until they emigrated. Weston is just 25 miles from where I love in Bristol. Also from Weston Super Mare comes the famouse John Cleese alias Basil Fawlty and a Python of Monty Python fame.

Very pleased you are roasting nicely at my place. Come on everybody - plenty of steaks left.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe I nearly missed your roast... running there now!!

Jason, as himself said...

Agreed that he was an amazing person. But I still think that the Burbank Airport should not have been renamed as The Bob Hope Airport. That's just me.

Mike said...

Bob Hope just always seemed like a genuinely good soul to me. I am going to read your roast.

Charlie said...

I was lucky enough to see Bob Hope's show in Vietnam from about the sixth row. I'd been in-country about three days, it was a few days before Christmas, and there I sat, laughing.

Bless you, Mr. Hope.

Robert the Skeptic said...

He was a great man, sorely missed.

TALON said...

The era of the George Burns and the Bob Hopes just seems more and more golden the more you look back. They just don't make entertainers like that anymore. I enjoyed this, TechnoBabe. It brought back great memories of watching Bob Hope specials with all the family gathered around :)

Betty W said...

I loved his clean simple humor. A great comic!

Opaque said...

A very good tribute.

Claudya Martinez said...

I used to love watching Bob Hope movies when I was a kid.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

What he did for our service men and woman was truly appreciated.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

He was a gem, a great American treasure who will always be missed.

This is a wonderful birthday post, which I'm sure Mr. Hope would much appreciate. Thank you for sharing the love!

Berni said...

I didn't know he lived that long. I remember seeing him in a few movies. Interesting post.

Thanks for leaving comments I have been away from blogging for some time but it is nice to feel welcomed back. As to patience you must be talking about someone else.

Ina in Alaska said...

Hello Dear Friend. I absolutely ADORED Bob Hope. I never missed his Christmas Specials and just loved his shows for the troops. It seemed he was able to reach into their hearts with wonderful entertainment and always the latest "It" girls.... Always wonderful monologues and perfect for an entire family to sit and enjoy. Thank you for this tribute to a great American icon and a wonderful human being. xoxoxoxo

Joanna Jenkins said...

Yeah Bob Hope-- I loved him.

And congrats on your Roast, I'm off to read it now. (I love Eddie Bluelights)

xo

Joanna Jenkins said...

PS Just back from Eddie's Roast. AWE-SOME job. And look how gorgeous you are :-)
xo

Sniffles and Smiles said...

YOUR ROAST WAS FABULOUS!!!! So great to get to know you that much better!!! I do love your blog!! And this tribute to Bob Hope was wonderful...he always made me laugh...Happy Birthday to Bob Hope! And congratulations to you on your fantastic feature at Eddie's!! Love, Janine XO

Ronda Laveen said...

Bob Hope got two massages a day for at least his last 10 or more years. He had a live in therapist. I'm signing up!

Silver Strands said...

Wow - glad to have read this. There will never be anyone like Bob Hope. Thanks for sharing :)
Denalee

Kristina P. said...

I love Eddie Bluelights! Love this.

Charlie said...

Because of your mention on Eddie's Roast, I have been contacted by two readers. I am so grateful to you for the helper you are.

Bill Lisleman said...

bob hope was one funny guy and worked well with the others in his shows.
thanks

steveroni said...

I believe Bob played in the show "Roberta" in 1932, and there sang "Thanks For the Memories". What an entertainer, always giving freely of his talent. How wonderful of you to remember him.

LadyFi said...

Oh, Bob Hope was so funny!

Congrats on the Sunday Roast!

Ms Scarlet said...

I used to watch 'The Road To..' films when I was a kid, during the school summer holidays - they used to show them in the mornings.
Bob Hope was so sharp.
Sx

Unknown said...

Hello Madam TechnoBabe! Nice to read about Bob Hope here.

Sorry for the long absence :)

Maude Lynn said...

A wonderful tribute!

Liz Mays said...

I had forgotten that he lived to be 100. I watched many variety shows with him through the years...great memories indeed!

Karen said...

I loved Bob Hope. Very lovely tribute.

Unknown said...

Oh how I loved Bob Hope, I have watched his movies over and over and they shaped my childhood in ways unseen and seen.

I have his autograph as I was lucky enough to meet him in a quick layover he had in my hometown..

Great post thank you!

The Urban Cowboy said...

Awesome tribute. Mr. Hope gave so much of himself to those in the service.

Pseudo said...

Loved the roast and tribute.

Owen said...

Beautiful tribute... love the line about learning to dance waiting for the bathroom !

Hilary said...

It was a fine roast, TB. I was happy to see your name pop up.

Great tribute to Bob Hope.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

lovely cartoon,
cool post!
Happy Sunday!

Pietro Brosio said...

Very interesting post, a beautiful tribute to Bob Hope, I've read it with great pleasure.
Happy new week!

Jeni said...

Wasn't he just the best though? Him and George Allen too -always loved and enjoyed his humor as well!

And the roast -good job there!

Kazzy said...

What a great entertainer!

Bernie said...

I have been trying to get here since reading Eddie's roast yesterday, I had written a long comment and my power went off (just as I clicked on publish) for over 2 hours, still have not been able to get back to Eddie's. I really enjoyed the roast, you were wonderful and your answers were funny....loved.it.
This is a great tribute.....I hope you share the day with family and friends........:-) Hugs

secret agent woman said...

I saw him do a show back in the mid-80's when I was ushering concerts.

Mrs4444 said...

I loved Bob Hope. Your post is a treat. Thanks for the walk back down Memory Lane :)

Eileen said...

I love Bob Hope, and I loved Bing too! They were a great duo!

Great tribute to one of our best!