Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Aug 03 - 01:47 AM

Hope Guest, dave b remembers he posted this......I did find some music to buy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Aug 03 - 03:44 PM

I forgot to mention that the song won an Oscar.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Aug 03 - 03:41 PM

I posted the original lyrics to "Thanks for the Memory" (note: Memory, not Memories) in the thread called Songs from old movies. The lyrics at the web site mentioned above are not the original ones. After Hope adopted the song as his theme song, he changed "Memory" to "Memories" and rewrote the lyrics (or his hired writers did) to suit himself and the times. I think he sang many versions over the years.

To appreciate the original, you have to see in the context of the film. If I remember correctly, Bob Hope and Shirley Ross play a divorced couple who encounter each other by accident after a long separation. They chat awhile, and discover that, although they don't regret getting divorced, they still have some affection for each other. They sing the song to each other as a duet, alternating verses. I found it well-acted and rather touching, the highlight of an otherwise frivolous film.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Sorcha
Date: 15 Aug 03 - 11:39 AM

Jazz band
Piano,vocal,chords
more
And lots more

Yo, Guest dave b--if you leave an e mail we can contact you directly with the answer to your request. No dots found on line.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: GUEST,dave b
Date: 15 Aug 03 - 08:34 AM

Could anyone please help out with the music to "Thanks for the memory"? Everyone knows the way the chorus goes, but what about the verse?
We want to arrange it for brass, for our 25th anniversary concert due soon.

Many thanks in advance.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Aug 03 - 10:41 AM

THAT guest was hauled off to the Massachusetts Home for the Bewildered!

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Beccy
Date: 01 Aug 03 - 09:18 AM

Yeesh- I just took the time to go through and read a bunch of stuff that anon. Guest wrote about hope. He said something about Hope never receiving awards for acting. Actually, one of Hope's funnier lines referred to just that... When he hosted the Academy Awards he once quipped, "Welcome to the Academy Awards, or as we like to refer to it in my house, Passover."

There may have been reports of him being dour, but not from my Grandpa (who as I mentioned before worked with Mr. Hope.) My Grandpa had plenty of things to say about those for whom he had no respect, but he never uttered a bad word about Mr. Hope. Anecdotal? You betcha- but it's a personal connection and that's more than the anon. Guest had for credentials!
That's my two cents worth- Off to gestate!

Beccy

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Deckman
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 05:07 PM

I forgot to add a comment to my earlier post about my coffee visit with Bob Hope. He paid for my coffee and doughnut! He said that he appreciated the laugh! Bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Beccy
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 04:40 PM

My favorite Bob Hope line? "I love visiting Washington... if for no other reason than being close to my money."

Sidebar- My Grandpa played stand-up bass and his brother played guitar for Bob Hope's band a very, very long time ago.

Beccy

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Fiolar
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 08:20 AM

It seems that as soon as a great comedian dies, the rats in the walls can't wait to denigrate the memory of the laughter and happiness he/she brought to millions. The latest to receive the poisoned chalice is I understand, the magnificent Spike Milligan. OK - some thread creep but for me, nothing can blacken the memory of Bob Hope who proved he was a good actor as well as a great funny man. Watch "Beau James" some time.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Blackcatter
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 01:38 AM

gee Mary, I wonder if it was the same one.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: mg
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 12:56 AM

well hate to change the subject but (a) may he rest in peace and (b) I got pinched by a Clancy brother onced. mg

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Deckman
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 12:12 AM

Did I ever tell you about the time I rode in a elevator with Bing crosby ..... Oh, never mind! Bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Little Hawk
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 11:32 PM

I've never been on an elevator with anyone notable. Oh, boo hoo!!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Blackcatter
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 06:46 PM

Ron -

It's a shame Yasmine wasn't changing her shirt . . .


I've shared a elevator with Doctor Who numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6. Not all at the same time, mind you, but once with Pat Troughton, Peter Davison and Tom Baker and along for the ride was John Nathan Turner who has been an aquaintence of mine since 1983.

I helped one of the Clancy Brothers into and out of an elevator once. I'm sworn to secrecy as to which one and why he needed the help.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Don Firth
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 06:02 PM

Mine are mostly of the "next table" variety. In 1955 I had occasion to be at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. The National Figure Skating Championships were taking place nearby, and a lot of celebrities were to be seen in the dining room (saw lots of familiar faces). On one occasion, my parents, my sister, and I noticed that seated at the next table were Phil Harris and Alice Faye and a couple of other people.

In 1959, the lovely Ellen and I were going a Harry Belafonte concert at Seattle's Orpheum Theater. We decided to have dinner before the concert in the dining room of the Benjamin Franklin Hotel, just down the block from the theater. Once we were seated, we notice a group of about eight people a couple tables away. Harry Belafonte and his entourage. They were all staying at the hotel and having a bite before going to the theater to get ready for the concert.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 05:35 PM

My two favorite "celebrity" elevator stories are:

1) Getting on an elevator with Dick Cavett who is changing his shirt (in the elevator) because he was late for his taping.

2) Getting on an elevator with Yasmine Bleeth.   An uneventful ride, but I can now say I was on an elevator with Yasmine Bleeth.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 05:22 PM

I rode in an elevator with Henry Kissenger and his wife. True story. He was in for heart surgery as was a friend of mine. I get on the elevator and there he is in a hospital gown - all four feet of him - and next to him his six foot wife dressed to the nines. I nodded, turned and pushed a button. Next floor, a man gets on and sees Kissenger, goes over and shakes his hand and then goes on and on about "You must remember me. We met at the carshow in 1974. Remember? etc. etc. Kissenger finally "recalled" their meeting but never remmembered his name. A New York moment.

And I saw Milton Bearle at a Howard Johnson's on the thruway.

Never shared coffee with Bob Hope though.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Deckman
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 01:48 PM

As I started to say ... Did I ever tell you about the time I rode in an elevator with Bing crosby and Phil ........

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 01:34 PM

How do we know you are the same guest????    See, there is one of the problem with anonymous postings.

I have nothing further to say.   I will continue to challenge anyone who makes a statement that comes across as "fact" when evidence points to the contrary. I also think that EVERYONE should be careful about what they post.   You are certainly entitled to post anonymously if you wish (although I can't understand it) but you are still responsible for what you write.    Some of the statments people make in these forums border on libel and slander. It isn't right to make assumptions about people.

I'm all for a truce.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 01:34 PM

True. But I am trying to end it now. And towards that end, I leave the rest of you to do what you will.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Ralphie
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 01:33 PM

Haven't read all of the Flame Wars above, but maybe now that this thread has reached the 100 mark, we should leave it, like Mr Hope, to RIP
Ralphie

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 01:31 PM

you could have ended the argument at any point earlier.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 01:28 PM

OK Ron, in the interest of peace, I was completely wrong about everything I said about Bob Hope. I apologize for infuriating those of you whom I infuriated, for whatever reason. I want this argument to end, here and now.

So how about a truce, fellas--whaddya say?

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Deckman
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 01:27 PM

Did I ever tell you about the time I rode in an elevator with Bing Crosby and Phil Harris? True story ... it was 1956, at the Olympic hotel, in seattle, and ..... Oh, never mind! Bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 01:15 PM

Boo hoo hoo.   I feel so sorry.   What a persecution complex you have!

So you still expect to make blind statements and all of us to regard them as fact? What superiority you must feel!! When we challenge you, you cry "foul" and instead of discussing our points you choose to fight back at us. Poor victim.

Ax to grind?   Each time I've posted I've responded to a comment you made. Now I am out to get you? Please. Are you hearing voices too?

I do not "dislike" you. I have no admiration for your cowardice and blatant lieing which you call your "opinion" (check a dictionary, there is a huge difference.) Each of your posts show you falling deeper and deeper into your own rage - a cornered rat who is now clawing at anything to get out.   You can't simply admit you were wrong in your posts.   

"Flame the anon guest". What a rallying cry.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 01:06 PM

That makes 4 flame mongerers in the Mudcat "flame the anon guest" game. Ah well, the dog days of summer is when the flame warriors love to fire up their flame throwers for a little mindless gladiator-style entertainment.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Blackcatter
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 12:44 PM

GUEST - just leave - no one here apears to appreciate your comments. You are also boring and redundant. I've been part of Mudcat for 4 years and entities like you come and go while the rest of us continue to stay on and enjoy the discussions.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Don Firth
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 12:35 PM

GUEST, who did you say was being silly and petulant? Jeez! Get a life!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: jeffp
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 12:29 PM

There you go again, proving Ron's point.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 12:03 PM

Oh stop your whining Ron. Facts and personal opinions aren't equatable, and you bloody well know it. The very idea that you are demanding someone "prove" their opinion is silly and petulant. Your intense dislike of me personally, gets triggered nearly every time I appear to express a negative opinion. Your dislike of me has turned you into one of the Mudcat vendetta men. This isn't about you being well reasoned, it is about you wanting to have at me, for bloodsport. That doesn't make me a victim at all, buddy. But it does make you a man with an personal ax to grind here.

Why not do what truly reasonable people do when someone they dislike as intensely as you dislike me, comes into their presence--and ignore me, instead of always trying to pick a fight? Had you been able to restrain that reply trigger finger of yours when you saw me posting here, we could all still be merrily saying wonderful and nasty things about the deceased.

Like I said, give the "flame the guest" crap a rest. Your intemperate obsession with flaming me is getting the better of you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 11:48 AM

Ahhh... persecution complex now. Turning the discussion around so tht you will look like the victim. Still avoiding the facts. Interesting.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 11:34 AM

Yah, and with all the English posters here, someone here might be related to the Queen Mum. Right.

Why not give it a rest, boys? This is an obit thread about a 100 year old celeb who made many a friend, and many an enemy, and had many defenders and detractors, some of whom showed up here to say their bit, whether "provable" or not.

If you found him funny, fine. If not, fine. There is no need to use the person (me) who's opinion/personality/habit of posting anonymously you don't like, as yet another excuse for starting a tiresome "kill the anon guest" flame war. I know, it's the doldrums of summer, and you are bored, and haven't had your quota of anon guest fresh meat of late.

Yawn.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Little Hawk
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 11:24 AM

Bob Hope's glory days were a bit before my time. I didn't become much aware of him until the later 60's, and I was repelled by his political stance. Accordingly, I did not find him funny in the least. It's kind of comparable to how I came to feel about Al Capp (although he was definitely a good cartoonist, and Li'l Abner could be quite enjoyable when it wasn't political).

So you could say I'm prejudiced against Bob Hope, and you'd be right. Due to this prejudice I have remained largely ignorant of whatever worthwhile contributions he made to the art of humour. After all, when I go to the video store I'm not going to pick out a Bob Hope movie to watch, am I?

Oh, well. I guess Bob Hope was prejudiced against leftist antiwar people and it created that old karmic backlash in return. That's the way it goes.

Anyway, he must have been a tenacious old guy, because not too many people live to 100. I hope he enjoyed his remarkable life to the fullest, but I'd still like to throw a pie in his face over the political stuff. Politics is like that, I'm afraid. It gets in the way of positive relating to people.

- LH

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 11:15 AM

Guest at 10:56.   You make some good points, but I think you are missing one critical point.   I don't think this is a case of celebrity worship where people won't accept criticisms.   This is a case where some people are just spouting made up or erroneous statements. That is different than expressing an opinion.   When someone posts a note that people who worked with Hope failed to say how funny he was - that is plain wrong. There are tons of comments to the contrary and if that guest would open up his or her eyes they would have found them. Instead they made a statement, not claiming it to be their opinion, but stating it as if it were fact. If a newspaper, TV or radio reporter did that we would be all over them. Instead, because it is the "internet", some people think that those rules don't apply.   Wrong.

The other statement you made, that no one here knew Bob Hope COULD also be wrong. You can't make that assumption. I did not know him, but I do know people that did. (I've worked in television production for 23 years.)   The stories I've heard do not make him out to be the bully that some people make him out to be. He understood the business and what was expected from each person. His control over his productions was not unusual and merely the mark of a man who knew his craft.

Your note does point out something. While there area people who do not like to see their idols with feet of clay, there are others who refuse to see anything good about someone they don't like. You will never convince these people to see that someone may have been genuine in their committment and actually did good. The glass is always either half empty or half full but rarely do people realize it is just a glass of water.

Ron

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Blackcatter
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 11:10 AM

We're not worshipping the guy.

We're just reflecting on the FACT that he brought enjoyment to many of us and a hell of a lot of other people.

GUEST - you lie and miss represent. Calling a spade a spade is ok, but calling a spade a club is stupid.

Go grind your axe up you ass.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 10:56 AM

Mudcat went through this same self-righteously indignant row of "how dare they besmirch the fallen hero like this..." when the Queen Mother died too, remember?

Look, no one here even knew Bob Hope or the Queen Mother. Both lived well beyond the norm because of their wealth and the good health it bought them (and of course, their healthy genes obviously contributed). These were figures that were both loathed and loved. There should be room for both here, but those with a tendency towards beatification of the recently deceased will always have a problem with ANY of the loathers making an appearance.

I, and nearly all people who post here (in my experience) do make distinctions as to what is and isn't appropriate with the obituary threads. In some of the obituary threads, where people actually knew the deceased, I would never dream of saying a bad word. That would be tasteless. But when it comes to the cult of celebrity, royal or otherwise, where no one in this circle of people knew the celebrity in question, those standards just don't apply.

Celebrity worship is a strange phenomenen, and the death of a celebrity announced in an obituary thread here is in no way equatable to the authentic, genuine grief and mourning expressed in obituary threads where the deceased is a member of this music community, or friends or relatives of the posters. With the celebrity obituary, people usually either loved or loathed the celebrity, and say so. No one should have a problem with that, as all that is being expressed is people's opinions of the celebrity. If you are one of the one's who loved the celebrity, you aren't going to like what the loathers say about them. But eventually, with the tendency of every celebrity death trumpeted by mainstream media to land in a Mudcat obituary thread, we all will have to suffer through the threads where our beloved celebrity gets slammed by those who loathed them.

So what? It ain't like the loathers and standing up in church, and screaming expletives in middle of the eulogy at your mother's funeral. This is the internet, remember?

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: RangerSteve
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 10:36 AM

I meant to add to the above: Don Firth, thanks for the "horses ass" comment. I always appreciate when someone can start my day with a good laugh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: RangerSteve
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 10:33 AM

Sometimes, when I watch movies today that I thought were hilarious as a kid, I end up wondering what I thought was so funny. I don't know if I could watch "Paris Holiday" or "Fancy Pants" today and laugh the way I did when they first came out, but Mr. Hope made me laugh hysterically years ago, and I thank him for that.

As for the few folks who seem to be ready to get up and dance with joy over Hope's death, you have the right to say what you feel, but it's also perfectly okay to keep your thoughts to yourself. Were you with that "religious" group at Matthew Sheppard's funeral chanting "God Hates Queers"? Probably not, because that would be tasteless. But if a guy's politics or humor isn't to your taste, rejoicing isn't tasteless, it's actually perfectly justifiable.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 09:30 AM

Guest- Why do you continue to make things up? You write sentences without any facts to back them. I guess in the tarpaper shack where you are writing from it sounds pretty good, but to the rest of us in the real world it sounds as if you are the one with some severe problems.

Sounds like jealousy on your part if you are stretching to find fault with the man. Forbes Rich List?   So what is wrong with that?   The man built hospitals, theaters and did more philanthropic work than you will ever do - money or no money.

To use Dick Cavett as a barometer for what is funny is like using Colonel Sanders as an authority on gourmet cooking. Also, if you use anything that Arthur Marx wrote as the definitive source, you should look again. His track record and research skills are questionable to say the least. If you really read the comments you will find numerous compliments from other comedians including Woody Allen who basically gave Hope credit for his entire career.

You fault him for not writing his own stuff? I guess you have little respect for someone like Laurence Olivier since some guy name Shakespeare wrote his best material. Where is it written that a comedian has to write their own material? You would be surprised at how many comics have help.

Bob Hope was far from the funniest comedian and the majority of his films. He was not a saint. He does deserve respect and recognition for his work. Your snide comments do little to make a mark since you are too much of a coward to even use a name. I can point you to REAL comments that go against every comment you make. Do some real research before you post next time.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 09:09 AM

In his biograpy of Bob Hope, Groucho's son says that the Groucho didn't think much of Hope as a comedian, as he couldn't improvise, never wrote his own stuff, and as a person off stage really wasn't funny (he is said to have been rather dour, in fact). But Groucho felt he was a good intepreter of what other people wrote for him. And I heard Dick Cavett pay him the supreme compliment to every comedian--that he had wonderful diction.

Odd isn't it, how the people who worked with him in comedy didn't comment on how funny they thought he was? And that was 53 leading acting roles in films Hope had, and not one award for acting.

But he sure was shrewd enough to know how to turn a buck, elbow his way into the circles of the ruling elite (remember, he WAS English), exploit situations and people to his own advantage, and make it onto the Forbes Rich List. Ya gotta love him for that!

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: mooman
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 04:10 AM

A good innings....

May he R.I.P.

moo

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 01:32 AM

The Library of Congress has a LOT of Hope memorabilia online: click.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 01:17 AM

Somewhere there is a copy of an old radio show, an "Hour of Stars" kinda' thing. Goucho and Hope were on together and Hope dropped his script. Groucho then stepped on it and threw his own to the floor. The result was 5 minutes of the biggest laughs ever gotten on radio. Hope couldn't really hang with Groucho (but damn few could) but he knew how to keep setting him up. The Grouch later said it was his favorite performance on radio.

For those of you finding fault with him......well damn folks, he was born in England and grew up in Cleveland....What the hell do you expect? (Spaw now runs like hell and ducks for cover)

Bye Bob......

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Blackcatter
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 12:59 AM

Just exactly which (or what) comedy award was there to be won until the 1980s? I can't remember any, which means Hope was in the best of company along with Groucho, Ceasar, Brooks, Berle, Burns, Ball, Bruce, Cosby, Carlin, et al.

Once again the pointlessness of a GUEST comment is apparent.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 12:45 AM

Mudcat & 'mudcatter' did not work

Sorry, should have read: click here and enter "Mudcat5" for user name plus "mudcatter" for the password, if you don't want to sign up for access.
- joe clone -

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 10:09 PM

I did not think he was funny. Ever. But I also didn't get "Best In Show" or "A Mighty Wind". Not my politics, I think.

Anyway, RIP, Bob. After 100 years you deserve to.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 02:40 PM

Read todays New York Times Arts Page.
Giok

click here and enter "Mudcat5" for user name plus "mudcatter" for the password, if you don't want to sign up for access.
- joe clone -

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 09:29 AM

Personally I think a public service award is much more rewarding. Anyone can buy an acting award. It is much more significant that he received honors from around the globe for his actions. That will leave a mark that will last long after his films have turned to dust.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hope dies at 100
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 09:25 AM

Or as Thumper's father put it - "If You Can't Say Nothin' Nice, Then Don't Say Nothin' At All" (Bambi's mate Thumper, that is.