1903 - 2003
Thanks for the Memories
Bob Hope's 100th Birthday Brings A Flood Of Memories (AP)
May 29 (AP) — Bob Hope might need another century to be thanked by all the veterans who cherish the wisecracker's performances for U.S. troops.
From World War II to Desert Storm, Hope swaggered fearlessly through battle zones as if strolling the back nine of a golf course. As he turns 100 on Thursday, Hope remains the only civilian named an honorary veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The ailing comic, who spends most of his time at his Toluca Lake estate, is no longer able to communicate and was not expected to appear at any of the numerous birthday celebrations. But his centennial has many servicemen offering remembrances of the entertainer, whose signature song is "Thanks for the Memory."
ABC News Story
BBC's News
100 Years of Hope
Bob Hope Dies at 100:
Thanks for the Memories
HOLLYWOOD (AP) -- Bob Hope, ski jump-nosed master of the one-liner and favorite comedian of servicemen and presidents alike, has died, just two months after turning 100.
The nation's most-honored comedian, Hope was a star in every category open to him — vaudeville, radio, television and film, most notably a string of "Road" movies with longtime friend Bing Crosby.
Thanks for the memory
Many people will remember Hope's signature song, "Thanks for the Memory," which became an instant classic with the release of his very first feature film, "The Big Broadcast of 1938."
For decades, he took his show on the road to bases around the world, boosting the morale of servicemen from World War II to the Gulf War.
Entertaining Uncle Sam
Hope started playing to troops well before the United States entered World War II.
He tried to enlist, but was told he could be of more use as an entertainer. He played his first camp show at California's March Field on May 6, 1941, seven months before Pearl Harbor.
His traditional Christmas tours began in 1948, when he went to Berlin to entertain GIs involved in the airlift.
"It's as if every one of them was his kid brother," Mrs. Hope once said.
His 1966 Vietnam Christmas show, when televised, was watched by an estimated 65 million people, the largest audience of his career. But his initially hawkish views on Vietnam opened a gap between the comedian and young Americans opposed to the war, who sometimes heckled him.
Later, Hope said he was "just praying they get an honorable peace so our guys don't have to fight. I've seen too many wars."
Entertainment Today
Bob Hope's Gallery
LINKS :
Bob Hope's Official Web Site
Bob Hope's Breaking News
Tribute To Bob Hope
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History will be made June 12-16, 2003 on the grounds of Henry Ford II World Center in Dearborn, Michigan, when Ford Motor |
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While the actualy date of NBC 75th Anniversary fell on November 15, 2001; the network celebrated on May 5, 2002. |
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May 25, 2002 |
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PEZ celebrates 50 years of U.S. citizenship. |
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- October 12, 1997, in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco: |
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Started 100 years ago and going strong - who would believe it but Harley-Davidson is more popular than ever with Baby Boomers Generation!! |
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Sunday, Januray 19th, 2003 The Hollywood Foreign Press Association awards the Golden Globes to honor achievements in film and television during the calendar year. |
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March 23, 2003 |
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MORE BLAST FROM THE PAST
• ABC 50Th Aniversary• 60Th Annual Golden Globe Award
• KOREA War 50Th Anniversary
• 50Th Anniversary - Mount Everest
• Queen Elizabeth's 50Th Anniversary
• Central Park 150Th Anniversary
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