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The Last Christmas Show
Just the places that Bob Hope and his troupe visited in twenty-five trips would fill the space on this cover. The names of the entertainers who went along, the huge camps, the tiny outposts, the ships and the air bases-and the units of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines entertained-would fill a book.
They do fill a book, because they're all here, woven into a story of three decades that is part of American history. The fun is here, the sadness too, the danger, the narrow escapes from death, and the frantic efforts involved in getting as many as seventy people organized, hastily rehearsed, and in the air to places some of them had never heard of, all in a few hectic days.
"We went ... not just me but scores of entertainers because there were kids there who needed a show. And television gave us a chance to do something that hadn't been done before. It made it possible for us to show the faces of thousands of kids in combat areas to the families back home-mothers, fathers, wives and children. To prove to them that their kids were alive and not too skinny and best of all still capable of laughter. I'm not too sure I'm too happy about this, but a lot of reviewers said that the faces of the audiences were the best part of the show." - Bob Hope
They do fill a book, because they're all here, woven into a story of three decades that is part of American history. The fun is here, the sadness too, the danger, the narrow escapes from death, and the frantic efforts involved in getting as many as seventy people organized, hastily rehearsed, and in the air to places some of them had never heard of, all in a few hectic days.
"We went ... not just me but scores of entertainers because there were kids there who needed a show. And television gave us a chance to do something that hadn't been done before. It made it possible for us to show the faces of thousands of kids in combat areas to the families back home-mothers, fathers, wives and children. To prove to them that their kids were alive and not too skinny and best of all still capable of laughter. I'm not too sure I'm too happy about this, but a lot of reviewers said that the faces of the audiences were the best part of the show." - Bob Hope
383 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
About the author
Bob Hope
55 books29 followersBob Hope, KBE, KCSG (born Leslie Townes Hope) was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO tours entertaining American military personnel.
Throughout his career, he was honored for his humanitarian work. In 1996, the U.S. Congress honored Bob Hope by declaring him the "first and only honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces."
Throughout his career, he was honored for his humanitarian work. In 1996, the U.S. Congress honored Bob Hope by declaring him the "first and only honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces."
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 13, 2019
A very entertaining and nostalgic read. The photographs of WWII, Korean and Vietnam War servicemen are all eerily the same - young faces.
September 6, 2016
read some time in 1977
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February 23, 2008791.092
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews