Love that Bob, RIP. It seems like an awful lot of people die soon after reaching some kind of milestone, like turning 100 - I wonder if there is some kind of letdown or capitulation after something like that. Would we live forever if we didn't keep track of age?

Hope's horribly unentertaining shows for the troops were good PR (if you like warmongering), but undeniably poor entertainment; stale jokes about the President's golf game and chicks with big ones were the prime attractions. Of course, since the audiences got a break from killing and dying, they were hardly demanding.

In the movies, however, Hope's wisecracking, self-referential, often cowardly characters were memorable, infleuential and quite funny. His snappy, knowing delivery and way with a throwaway line were simply masterful.
The Road films are entertaining, and also try Paleface, My Favorite Blonde, the Princess and the Pirate, and pretty anything before about 1950, after which the shtick progressively becomes more and more pat, and his performances more mannered and diffident.

His 1960's comeback "comedies" like Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number are despicable and disastrous.

What a lovely way to commemorate someone's life, ClubhouseCancer. And how will you be remembered?

Every performer becomes routine - the question is whether you like the routine or not.

Some laughs, music and T&A: what more could a military man want?

The USO stuff was more an issue that someone of his stature would make the commitment of time, and perhaps some physical danger to come see you in the field rather than anything about the actual content of his shows. Under these circumstances, it's definitely the thought that counts. It's like getting a package of cookies from home; even if the cookies aren't that good, they're full of Mommy love.

Re: How I would like to be remembered

Being an alltime movie comedian who I think was "memorable" and "masterful" (see above) would be great. But I'm surely no Bob Hope. And I love cookies from home.

Mmm, cookies...

My favorite Bob-at-war joke:

(The comic is standing, requisite putter in hand, alongside a gorgeous woman in a very short skirt.)

All the girls are wearing miniskirts these days. A few of the guys too...

(laughter from spectator soldiers)

Don't laugh -- if you'd thought of it, you wouldn't be here!

====

When Hope had it, he had it. I don't agree with warmongering and the like, of course, but I have doubts that Hope was one. Yes, he supported the military's work, but in an interview he became indignant when someone suggested he was pro-war. Paraphrasing his angry response: "I am not pro-war. I've seen too many boys wounded and dying out there. I hate war."

I believe him. I believe he went into the killing areas so many times because he really wanted to do something terrific for the soldiers -- many of whom were scared kids far from home -- not because he supported war. There is a difference.

I agree exactly Natalie

I don't recall EVER seeing Hope say a word in favor of any war. If he favored any military action, he was certainly careful not to say so publicly. His old publicist was on FNC last night, and he couldn't remember even any private statements in favor of any war.

gce=^Q NVV:3m ja7MbJnqp pdb;yNKa8XDY b5Ll9]_LEdjx3 ntIc]0nO?B gW6]>;z0E qyuZhr^KfWe :fBf:Qxb Thkctj >LH4JC^8;BTq ?EtuX_5y]g=6T jMiR[:k`U4D^?V7 EFJ> rnFqP2 WW2F kiUuZ;P^O3mv:sA BPb:Cx1d0 W7V rEwmo7BRW DRP