Harry here... well here's another immortal of the silver screen struck down. Rough summer for cinema titans this year. In 1987 at the age of 15, I was wandering around Sykes Center Mall in Wichita Falls, Texas. Just listlessly running around trying to find something to spend money on, but like a typical 15 year old in a Mall... Overwhelmed by the amount of choices. Do I drop my money at the Music Store on the latest TESLA or BON JOVI release? Do I spend the money on toys, clothes, a new hairstyle, video games, a movie, bad Mall food, that really cool fibre optic thing at Spencer's... These were life and death decisions for a young teenager... I was headed towards the B. Dalton's in the mall to read STARLOG, CINEFANTASTIQUE, FANGORIA and the other important film magazines, when I notice a small line of about 8 people in front of the store.
I get up there to see what the deal was, and there was Bob Hope. BOB HOPE. THE BOB HOPE! He had one of his military baseball caps on, smiling as big as could be... telling stories and listening to their stories... signing autographs and existing in my world.
He was on a book promotional tour for BOB HOPE'S CONFESSIONS OF A HOOKER: MY LIFE LONG LOVE AFFAIR WITH GOLF! I stood there for about 2 hours listening to Hope tell Golf jokes, stories about Crosby and USO tales. I bought his book and got him to sign it to me. The book was hilarious. Filled with innuendoes and double entendres... For years I've told people about Hope proclaiming that he was truly one of the worst swingers that ever lived, but that he had his moments.
That's just my little story about Bob Hope - I'm willing to bet that of every celebrity that ever lived... Bob Hope clasped more hands and meant more to his audiences, than just about anyone else that I can think of. He understood the smile and the laugh.
As a theatrical performer... he had a fantastic career. Who could forget his wonderful Ice Cream Vendor in THE MUPPET MOVIE!
The Hope comedies of the 30's-40's and 50's... they're priceless! Watching Hope & Crosby do their thing on screen is one of those deals that simply helps define THE GOLDEN AGE OF CINEMA. Those lush I.B. Technicolor ROAD films glisten like rock candy and tickle like the best filmic feather around.
Bob Hope is and was one of the great Good Deed Doers in the history of performers. It is as if he took the spirit of George M Cohan with none of the ego and just embodied all that was good and righteous about this country. His kind is being replaced with the more cynical breed. He was literally one of the greatest and is one of the greatest. Thanks for the Memories, Bob!
Memories of Bob Hope from George Barris
Bob was so thrilled that George was able to recreate Bob's likeness on his
golf cart for his "Bob Hope Classic Golf Tournament" in Palm Springs. The
Golf Cart was one of George's most noted creations to this day. Bob is the
most famous of all the stars that George made cars for. "It was an honor to
work with Bob" said George. "We pray for his soul, his family and friends.
There will never be another like Bob Hope."
