THE ROAD TO HOLLYWOOD~MY FORTY-YEAR LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE MOVIES

by Bob Hope

Excellent Book

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Humor

271 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1977

About the author

Bob 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."

Reviews

[Stephen Chase · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst of the late UK-born Bob Hope (1903-2003)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Michael P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knowing Bob Hope only from his tired routines dressed as a hippie or a chicken on TV, I was surprised to find what a vital comedian he was through most of the fifties, especially in radio and film where his coward hiding behind a brash braggart screen persona was so brilliant. This book lightly recounts Hope’s screen career from the start through 1972. The first half of the book is Hope spinning yearns about how he became involved in each film, usually going for a laugh while telling behind the scenes stories. The second half is Thomas giving an overview of Hope’s career, a chronological listing of Hope’s films with cast, crew, and synopsis, and just one stingy photograph per picture. I hoped for a lot more in the way of analysis and insight, but the book is fun. While Hope’s films also became tired in the sixties and seventies, those after the first half dozen features are well worth seeking out.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written in 1977, this book does not age well. Chock full of inappropriate one liners.