When I was a little girl, I had severe asthma. There was little hope of my getting better in Nebraska, so my Mom, a single, divorced parent, bravely took me to places that were supposed to have clean air. We would hop on a train and go to Colorado Springs, or Las Vegas, Albuquerque, or Prescott, Arizona. Mom would get a job and wait for me to start breathing. It didn't happen until Prescott.
My actual point here, is that it was just my young Mom and me in strange towns, knowing no one, but one thing was consistent, we loved the movies. And we especially loved the Bing Crosby Bob Hope road pictures, where they got up to their shenanigans in different, exotic geographical locations. We would go to the movies, see Bob Hope and then walk home in the quiet dark where the only light was pooled in circles under the street lamps . And we would sing..... songs like Buffalo Gals...gonna dance with the dolly with the hole in her stocking, while her toes keep a rockin'.....and her knees keep a knockin'...
When someone sent me this tribute to Bob Hope, I wanted to thank him for the memories so I decided to pass on the whole thing!
Who today, could possibly make American Troops feel appreciated like he did?
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 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."
Bob Hope's humor poked gentle fun at himself. It didn't depend on meanly cutting down another person. Maybe that's why he will always be loved and respected by those who remember him.
