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| Thanks
for the Memories, Bob! 1903 ~ 2003 Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope, comedian, died on July 27th, age 100 THE song most associated with Bob Hope was “Thanks for the Memory”, which he first sang in a film called “The Big Broadcast” in 1938. He made it his theme tune, adapting its originally bittersweet words to the needs of the time. So in the second world war he was introducing his act with, “Thanks to our brave allies/ You gallant Russian bear/ You British everywhere..” As Russians became less gallant and British influence shrank, the words were changed. Topicality was always one of his strengths. But Bob Hope himself seemed to remain the same. |
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| Family and friends of US comic legend Bob Hope bade him a final farewell at an intimate dawn burial that came less than three days after his death at the age of 100. As he was buried Wednesday, flags flew at half mast on official buildings across the United States in honour of the comedian known for his half-century devotion to entertaining millions of US troops on battlefields across the world. ''At the conclusion of the ceremony, there was a standing ovation and applause filled the cemetery grounds,'' Hope's longtime friend and publicist Ward Grant said at the burial at Los Angeles' San Fernando Mission cemetery. | |
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| Some of the honors and awards
given to Bob Hope: • 1941, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, special silver plaque "in recognition of his unselfish services to the motion picture industry" • 1941, 1943, Golden Apple Male Star of the Year, Hollywood Women's Press Club. • 1943, George Foster Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting, special citation "for his untiring zeal and the high level of entertainment of his camp tours in the United States and throughout the world" • 1945, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a life membership "for his many services to the Academy" • 1953, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, special Oscar "for his contributions to the laughter of the world, his service to the motion picture industry, and his devotion to the American premise" • 1959, Silver Buffalo Award, Boy Scouts of America • 1960, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award • 1963, Cecil B. DeMille Award, Hollywood Foreign Press Association • 1966, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, gold medal "for unique and distinguished service to our industry and the Academy" • 1967, Hasty Pudding man of the year • 1967, Variety Clubs International Humanitarian Award • 1967, George Foster Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting • 1969, Presidential Medal of Freedom • 1978, Bob Jones Award, United States Golf Association • 1979, Charles Evans Hughes Gold Medal Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews • 1980, Defense Industry Award for Defense Preparedness, American Defense Preparedness Association • 1982, Jefferson Award for public service performed by a private citizen, American Institute for Public Service • 1983, Professional Golfers' Association-World Golf Hall of Fame • 1985, Kennedy Center Honors • 1988, the first Hope Award for advancing the arts • 1993, Emmy Award, best variety, music or comedy special: Bob Hope: The First 90 Years • 1997: USNS Bob Hope christened by Navy; cargo plane "The Spirit of Bob Hope" christened by Air Force • 1997: citation by Congress as honorary veteran. • 2003: On Hope's 100th birthday, President Bush establishes the Bob Hope American Patriot Award for civilians showing "extraordinary love of country" and devotion to the armed forces. |
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| Birth
Name: Leslie Townes Hope Birth date: May 29, 1903 Birthplace: Eltham, England Date of Death: July 27, 2003 Occupations: Actor, Comedian, TV/radio host, Producer Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope, the son of stonemason William Henry Hope and Avis Townes Hope. The family emigrated from England to Cleveland, Ohio in 1908, when Leslie, the fifth of seven children, was not yet five years old. In Cleveland the family struggled financially, as they had in England, and Avis took in boarders to supplement William's erratic income. Avis, an amateur musician, taught singing to Leslie, an outgoing boy who entertained his family with singing, impersonations, and dancing. After dropping out of school at the age of sixteen, Leslie worked at a number of part-time jobs. He boxed for a short time under the name of "Packy East" but changed his name officially to Lester Hope. Lester's interest in entertainment and show business, cultivated by his mother, led him to take dancing lessons and seek employment as a variety stage entertainer. Not until he had achieved considerable success on the stage did he begin using the name, "Bob Hope." |
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| Classic
Hope(s):
On Turning 70 — "You still chase women, but only downhill". On Turning 80 — "That's the time of your life when even your birthday suit needs pressing." On Turning 90 — "You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake." On Turning 100 — "I don't feel old. In fact I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap." On Giving Up His Early Career,Boxing — "I ruined my hands in the ring ... the referee kept stepping on them." On Sailors — "They spend the first six days of each week sowing their wild oats, then they go to church on Sunday and pray for crop failure." On Never Winning An Oscar — "Welcome to the Academy Awards or, as it's called at my home, 'Passover'." On Golf — "Golf is my profession. Show business is just to pay the green fees." On Presidents — " I have performed for 12 presidents and entertained only six." On Why He Chose Showbiz For His Career — "When I was born, the doctor said to my mother, 'Congratulations.You have an eight-pound ham'." On Receiving The Congressional Gold Medal — "I feel very humble, but I think I have the strength of character to fight it." On His Family's Early Poverty — "Four of us slept in the one bed. When it got cold, mother threw on another brother." On His Six Brothers — "That's how I learned to dance. Waiting for the bathroom." On His Early Failures — "I would not have had anything to eat if it wasn't for the stuff the audience threw at me." On Going To Heaven — "I've done benefits for ALL religions. I'd hate to blow the hereafter on a technicality." |
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| The Memories here are not about my ability to create graphics. After making the decision to make my assignment a Tribute to Bob Hope, I've had the toughest time trying to decide how do I do this Man justice. If I could compose and create graphics half as good as Bob Hope entertained, I would be very pleased with my efforts. Knowing none of us are immortal makes our memories even more precious. "Thanks for the Memories, Bob!" I shed tears every time I tried to complete this page more because we forget so quickly how others bring so much to our lives. Thanks Sara for giving so much to us that want to inspire! ~ Jane | |
