Have Tux, Will Travel


Book Description

"If I had my life to live over again, I wouldn't have time." -- Bob Hope The legendary wit and unmistakable voice of America's favorite showman are captured here in the master entertainer's memoir of his first fifty years in show business. From his one-night stands in vaudeville to countless performances for servicemen on U.S. military bases across the globe, this delightfully candid book of funny life stories is pure Hope. In his own words, Hope recalls his brief career as an amateur prizefighter; his flops and successes in vaudeville; memories of sharing the stage with Ethel Merman and Jimmy Durante; his courtship of the young singer who would become his bride; his forgettable first screen test; his friendship with Bing Crosby and their high jinks on the sets of the famous "Road" pictures; poignant and hair-raising trips to entertain the troops; a personal request from General Patton; and eighteen holes of golf with President Eisenhower. Bob Hope was the unchallenged king of the one-liner, a consummate performer, and a beloved supporter of our men in uniform, and his irrepressible spirit shines through in these hilarious, nostalgic, and truly memorable stories from a life lived to bring laughter to others.




I Never Left Home


Book Description

"I Never Left Home is about ... Bob Hope's journey among our armed forces, during which he has traveled more than 80,000 miles and played before more than half the entire army. It is composed of about three-fourths straight Hope humor and one-fourth extremely moving tribute to our soldiers. It is a personal adventure story and a Hope's eye view of the war ..." --




Bob Hope


Book Description

Reporter: "What's it like to be Bob Hope?"Hope: "I wouldn't have it any other way."From Bob Hope's early career as an upstart among professionals like Jack Benny and Milton Berle in the rollicking world of traveling comedians, to his blazing success as a radio, television, and film star, this completely revised and updated version of William Faith's acclaimed biography takes a straightforward, appreciative, and very funny look at Hope's life and times on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Filled with anecdotes, photographs, and plenty of jokes, the book reveals the real Bob Hope from his boyhood in England and youth in Cleveland to his present status as a living legend-a full-blooded, authentic appraisal of the man and his humor, a comic institution who is also a brilliant businessman, manipulator of the media, and politically influential figure. And of course Hope is the man who brought laughter and cheer (and long-legged beauties) to GIs throughout the world. At a time when patriotic fervor has never been running higher it's worth recalling the singular tribute paid Hope by none other than John Steinbeck: "When the time for recognition of service to the nation in wartime comes to be considered, Bob Hope should be high on the list.... He gets laughter wherever he goes from men who need laughter." Happy 100th, Bob!




Bob Hopes̓ Own Story


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Howard Hughes Was Bob Hope in Make-Up


Book Description

I always knew Howard Hughes was Bob Hope in makeup. I knew who Bob Hope was since the ’70s. I began gathering facts and proofs to prove beyond reasonable doubt that I knew what I was talking about! I wrote this book because I was tired of telling my theory to just one or two people at a time. Howard Hughes was Bob Hope in makeup, and he told you so in his TV skits, in his movies, and in his books. The life of Bob Hope was a cover story bought and paid for by the United States government—an alleged life. Howard Rupert Hughes Jr. was “Sonny” billionaire industrialist, oilman, movie producer, screenwriter, director, photographer, and inventor of satellites, lasers, ships, planes, jets, and rockets. Hope himself stated that he had a group of writers, and he was the one with two (2) heads. And most of all, he was a character actor in his own movies from his own studios. I have in my possession a magazine ad with Hope lying in bed, and the header above his picture read: “Two of the most famous names in America sleep together.” My theory is, Howard Hughes disappeared, went underground, and reappeared in makeup as Bob Hope in an “alleged life,” wearing a mask. Howard Hughes was talking behind his Bob Hope face. Here’s a quote from Hope: “I do my best impersonations right in front of the people, and they don’t get it. They don’t listen.” Hope stated “my names” would go down in history. Another quote from Hope stated, “My sixty years with NBC proves Lincoln was wrong. You can fool all the people all the time.” He did!




Have Tux, Will Travel


Book Description




Show and Tell


Book Description

"What a talented, wonderful, and complete writer."--Mel Brooks "By far the best thing about my stuff I've ever read."--Arthur Miller "These are wonderful portraits."--Edna O'Brien "The high-water mark of theatrical reportage. Exhilarating! Smart! Lahr gives as much thunderous pleasure as the great entertainers he writes about."--Richard Avedon "There's never been an American critic like John Lahr. His writing exalts, honors, and dignifies the profession and, more importantly, the art."--Tony Kushner




Patton's War


Book Description

George S. Patton Jr. lived an exciting life in war and peace, but he is best remembered for his World War II battlefield exploits. Patton’s War: An American General’s Combat Leadership: November 1942–July 1944, the first of three volumes, follows the general from the beaches of Morocco to the fields of France, right before the birth of Third Army on the continent. In highly engaging fashion, Kevin Hymel uncovers new facts and challenges long-held beliefs about the mercurial Patton, not only examining his relationships with his superiors and fellow generals and colonels, but also with the soldiers of all ranks whom he led. Using new sources unavailable to previous historians and through extensive research of soldiers’ memoirs and interviews, Hymel adds a new dimension to the telling of Patton’s WWII story.




LIFE


Book Description

LIFE Magazine is the treasured photographic magazine that chronicled the 20th Century. It now lives on at LIFE.com, the largest, most amazing collection of professional photography on the internet. Users can browse, search and view photos of today’s people and events. They have free access to share, print and post images for personal use.




Bob Hope: A Tribute


Book Description

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES! He's an American legend whose wisecracks entertained us for more than sixty years. Now you can enjoy all the glamour and fun of Bob Hope's fabulous life in this intimate, wonderfully detailed biography. Discover how an English immigrant named Leslie Downs Hope became the great Bob Hope, the funniest man in Hollywood, a comedian who won our hearts … and those of thousands of American troops. Don't miss: •HIS GET-TO-THE-TOP-ANY-WAY-YOU-CAN ATTITUDE … The truth about con games in Cleveland and the bluff that got him star billing in Vaudeville •ROBERTA … Not a lady but a Broadway musical, Hope's part in this hit promised a crack at Hollywood … until a misstep nearly cost him everything •ON THE ROAD … Shrewd or lucky? The facts behind teaming up with Bing Crosby on the hilarious Road to Singapore, his long movie career, and his fabulous wealth •THE MYSTERY SURROUNDING HIS MARRIAGE … Although he fell head over heels for the socialite who became his wife, secrets remain about another woman, a child, and a marriage certificate •DAMES, WAR, AND U.S.O … Patriotism or fame? What led Hope into three wars as he brought the boys risque jokes and sexy pin-ups … and earned a place in history? •GOLF AND POLITICAL GAMES … The behind-the-scenes story of his influence on America's presidents, his clout, and his golf—the game he loved enough to put his money where his tee was …