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Reader Memories: Bob Hope
May-June 2003
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WE HAD FRONT ROW SEATS
Back in 1956-57, I was stationed with the hospital at Ladd AFB, Fairbanks, Alaska. The night Bob Hope was there, I was on duty at the hospital as Administrative Officer of the Day. We got a call to bring our patients to the show. It was 40 degrees below that night. The hospital group got front row seats. What a great show and a night to remember.
John P. Schenkel, Ret. A.F. Major
I'M STILL LAUGHING AFTER 50 YEARS!
I was only 13 when I saw Bob Hope perform live. I was in the audience of the Ed Sullivan Show in 1954, during Eisenhower's presidency. Famous for his "gaffes" about presidents, Hope uttered one of his funniest quips ever about Ike, an inveterate golfer: "And now, an important word from our president—Fore!"
Almost 50 years later, I'm still chuckling over it.
Audrey M. Juresic
Bronx, NY
THRILLED, FROM OHIO
In July 1943, after landing in Scotland, I went the next day to Stone, England. My name, low in the alphabet, was assigned KP in the Officer's Mess where Bob Hope was the guest of honor.
After dinner Mr. Hope came to the kitchen to see who had to work. He asked if anyone was from Ohio—up went my hand. He gave me a hug and kiss, and asked "if we were going to get to attend his show."
We did and thoroughly (laughed until I cried) enjoyed the show with Bob Hope, Jerry Colona, and Frances Langford.
Florence (Brecheisen) Landis
Columbus, OH
AGE APPROPRIATE MATERIAL
The year was 1942—at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. He was 39, I was 14. Dapper in a royal blue suit and backed by Claude Thornhill's Orchestra, Hope delivered a 30-minute monologue to a handful of teenagers that could not have numbered more than 50. For it was an 11:30 a.m. performance, one of five or six he did each day between feature film presentations. Knowing of his capability for saucy jokes and zingy one-liners, this pro was able to tailor remarks exactly to our level, yet still have us laughing. Happy birthday, Bob!
Rick Smith
Tucson, AZ
A POINT OF PRINCIPLE
In 1962, I was stationed in Guam.
As a military policeman, I was assigned to the staging area where Bob Hope and his entourage were to perform.
Before the show, the best seats were taken by air force and naval officers, leaving the enlisted personnel in less desirable seats.
Mr. Hope saw the situation and said there would be no show unless the enlisted personnel—the people he came to perform for—were seated up front.
Well, the show went on with Jerry Colona, Anita Bryant, Janis Paige, etc. with the GIs whooping and hollering up front and the officers many rows back.
Herb Ericson
Virginia Beach, VA
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