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Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes by Bob Hope with Linda Hope (Review)

October 19, 2019 By Joi 1 Comment

Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes

Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes

One of my favorite entertainers of all time is synonymous with the word, itself: Bob Hope. The man was simply brilliant in everything he did – every word, every joke, every film… brilliant.

Not only was Bob Hope a wonderful actor and entertainer, like some of my other favorites, he was also all class – with some to spare. James Stewart, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Hattie McDaniel, Maureen O’Hara, Olivia de Havilland… some stars were such high quality people that it makes being a fan as easy as an autumn breeze.

The book above, Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes by Bob Hope with Linda Hope is one of my all-time favorite books in my collection. It’s like sitting down in your favorite chair with a hot cup of tea (or tall glass of iced raspberry tea, depending on the season) and having Bob Hope, himself, stand in the middle of your room making you laugh until your sides ache.

“I was destined to be an actor. The day I was born, I stood up and took a bow. Really. When the doctor slapped me, I thought it was applause “

The stories, jokes, and vintage Bob Hope self-deprecating humor are such a joy, I’m really at a loss for words. If you, or anyone in your life loves to laugh, this book is a must have…. if you love to laugh and are a fan of the wonderful Bob Hope, Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes is an absolute MUST HAVE.

To comedians, ‘material’–their jokes–has always been precious, worthy of protecting and preserving. On stage, a good vaudeville routine could last years as it was performed on tour across the country. On radio, a year’s vaudeville material might be fodder for one week’s broadcast. Bob Hope used new material not only for his weekly radio series, but also for the several live charity appearances he made each week.

Organized by the stages of his life, accompanied by black-and-white photographs, this book gives readers a chance to enjoy the very best of Hope’s jokes, from his early years in vaudeville, his top-rated radio show in the ’30s and ’40s, his legendary television appearances, and much more.

Bob Hope’s wonderful, one-of-a-kind personality comes shining through on every page of this delightful and fun book.

“I knew the troops would be glad to see me. I said, ‘Look at me, fellas, these are the kind of clothes you’ll be wearing when you get home!’ Fifty guys re-enlisted.”

About the Authors

Bob Hope was in the forefront of the entertainment industry for virtually his entire life. Primarily a comedian, he also acted, sang, and even danced, hosted his own radio and television shows, and starred in sixty movies. Bob Hope’s dedication to and love for the American GI is legendary. He traveled around the world to entertain the men and women in uniform during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Desert Storm. No individual in the history of show business journeyed so far–and so often–to entertain so many. He received more than two thousand awards and citations for his humanitarian and professional efforts, and was honored and befriended by every U.S. president since Franklin Roosevelt.

Linda Hope, Bob and Dolores Hope’s daughter, is chief operating officer of Hope Enterprises, Inc., and producer of her father’s television specials for the last twenty-five years.

“Jobs didn’t come easy. For months at a time, I forgot what kind of work I was out of.”

Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes is absolutely hilarious and would make a perfect gift idea for anyone. They broke the mold when Bob Hope came along and this collection is a perfect reminder of this very fact.

Filed Under: Bob Hope, Old Hollywood Book Reviews, Quotes from Old Hollywood's Stars Tagged With: Bob Hope, Old Hollywood Book Reviews

Bob Hope & Shirley Ross Sing “Thanks For The Memory”

June 19, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

In the video below, Bob Hope and Shirley Ross sing “Thanks For The Memory” from the film The Big Broadcast of 1938.  This wonderfully emotional song deservedly won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1938.

Thanks for the Memories became Bob Hope’s theme song, one he used it for the rest of his career.

I love this duet so much. It makes me want to see the movie again. I haven’t seen it in over 10 years – it’s definitely time for a rewatch!


Filed Under: Bob Hope Tagged With: Bob Hope, Shirley Ross

Critic’s Choice Starring Lucille Ball and Bob Hope (Review)

June 8, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

Critic’s Choice (Official Trailer)

When it comes to watching old movies, I’m obsessive and not the least bit confined. Many (most??) have a particular era or genre they’re most passionate about –   the 40s, silents, musicals, the 50s, the 60s, westerns, etc. I’d imagine that specializing would make things a lot less complicated. There’d be fewer movies to DVR, fewer movies to add to actor/actress collections, and fewer favorite actors and actresses to name when asked for your favorites.  You can see how that goes for me on the Hollywood Yesterday About page!

I will, however, be the first to admit that some 60s movies are a breed all their own. As I’ve often said about much earlier films, you have to accept them for what they are… films made very, very long ago. I believe the problem a lot of people have with films from the 60s is that our brain sees they are in color, so we automatically think of them as “modern,” somehow, at least when compared to classics such as Top Hat, Christmas in Connecticut, and Casablanca.

It pays to remind yourself, when watching a colorful oldie that it’s still an oldie. I have to remind myself of this from time to time. I actually had to pause Two for the Road (1967) twice (once for each of the “Two,” I guess!) and give myself a wake up call. This particular era is fascinating to me because it’s so beautifully unique. Movie makers were trying new things… being more daring and bold, while clinging to many traditional plots and scenes.

Fascinating… yet, at times… well… in need of a pause or two.

One film from the 60s that never needs a pause is Critic’s Choice (1963) starring Lucille Ball and Bob Hope. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m an insanely huge fan of each of these household names or if it’s the fun pace of the movie, itself, but I can’t get enough of it. The humor is as hilarious today as it was then.

Bob Hope plays popular New York theater critic Parker Ballantine. He has a reputation for greatly impacting a star or play’s longevity or success with his reviews. The level of glee he gets from shredding what he considers to be a flop is priceless. As always, he is wonderful in each and every scene.

Speaking of wonderful, Lucille Ball plays Angie Ballantine, Parker’s wife. All’s fine and well until she decides that she wants to write a play. Things get especially tense when her play is made into a play. Parker doesn’t have a very high opinion of it which means, if he reviews it, it could be the end of his marriage. However, if he doesn’t, it could be the end of his self respect in a career he values very highly.

This is one of those movies you can turn on and watch again and again – Bob Hope and Lucille Ball are, without a single doubt, two of the greatest entertainers of ALL TIME. Each line… each expression… each move – they’re each pure magic, so when you combine the two… look out!

The always regal-looking Jessie Royce Landis (Angie’s mother, Charlie) and adorable Ricky Kelman (Parker’s son/Angie’s stepson, John) are major scene stealers in this movie – which is no small feat when the stars are Bob Hope and Lucille Ball. I remember Ricky from an episode of Gunsmoke but I’m really surprised he didn’t have more movies in his filmography. Not only was he a great little actor, he had a special something that made him stand out. When he was in a scene, you wanted to watch his reactions to what was playing out around him.

If you’ve never seen Critic’s Choice, I hope you’ll watch it asap and see exactly what I’m talking about with Ricky.

As for Jessie Royce Landis, the greatest compliment I can give her is that her beauty and screen presence stood next to that of Lucille Ball’s and didn’t diminish one bit. Each time I see the movie, I’m left wanting more scenes with her in them. When I watched the movie for, probably the third time, it occurred to me why this actress resonates so much with me – she has equal parts of two of my all time favorites – Maureen O’Hara and Lucille Ball.

Can’t beat that combo!

The movie serves as a perfect reminder (as though we even need it) of just how talented and special Bob Hope and Lucille Ball were. They broke the mold with these two, didn’t they?! As an Old Hollywood fanatic, I am just so thankful we have movies and television shows with these two legends side by side.  They were very talented actors – a fact that they sometimes gets lost in the shadows cast by their glittery super stardom. They almost shined too bright for their own good. The same thing can be said of other wonderful entertainers who went on to become household names – often without households recognizing why they became household names in the first place. Elvis, Rita Hayworth, Bob Hope, Joan Crawford, Betty Davis, Marilyn Monroe… there is so much more to these individuals than the tiny little compartments people tend to place them in.


Old movies are an exceptional place to let them break loose and show you what they have.

One final word about Lucille Ball (not only is she one of my top three favorite actresses, she’s one of my absolute favorite people, so bear with me!) – we remember her, rightly, for being so deliciously funny. The woman was hysterical – there’s no other way to put it. Her timing, expressions… the things she did with her voice. Pure genius.

However, as I always point out when talking about her (which, admittedly, I do a great deal of) is this: She was absolutely, uncommonly, ridiculously beautiful. The gorgeous eyes, flawless skin, perfect figure (she had a dancer’s body… as enviable as that is), and beautiful “I-Dare-You-Not-To-Notice-Me!” red hair – they all went together to make one stunning human being.

I re-watched another of her movies recently, “Miss Grant Takes Richmond” (review should be up next week), and was blown away by just how lovely she was.

Most beautiful clown in the world.


Filed Under: Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Movie Reviews Tagged With: Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Old Movie Reviews

2019 Christmas Gift Guide

Lena Horne Christmas Music

Click here for Hollywood Yesterday’s 2019 Gift Guide.

About Hollywood Yesterday

My name is Joi (“Joy”) and I created Hollywood Yesterday as my personal tribute to Old Hollywood. It’s my effort to help keep the stars from Old Hollywood, Classic Television, and Old Radio Shows alive and shining forever. Old Hollywood was sheer magic and I see no reason for the magic to ever die! Read more about Hollywood Yesterday (and see my own favorites!) here.

Buttons: A Christmas Tale on DVD

Buttons: A Christmas Tale on DVD

Pre-Order Buttons  with Angela Lansbury and Dick Van Dyke Today!

Old Hollywood Actresses

Gloria Grahame, The Cobweb Promo

Old Hollywood Actresses

Old Hollywood Actors

Old Hollywood Actors

Lucille Ball

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Recent Posts

  • Lucille Ball and John Hodiak, Two Smart People (1946)
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Old Hollywood Movie Reviews

The Quiet Man is one of the most beautiful, entertaining, colorful, and perfect movies ever made. Two of my favorite stars (Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne) in one of my favorite movies? It doesn’t get much better than that!

More old movie reviews.


Greta Garbo Silents Collection

Greta Garbo: The Silents Collection

Up for a Challenge?

Bette Davis in All About Eve

If you love old movies even half as much as I do, I have an idea for a personal challenge that you might enjoy… you never know who you might fall for along the way!

Meet: Mildred Davis

Mildred Davis

The beauty above is Silent Film star Mildred Davis. She was a frequent co-star (and longtime wife) of legendary actor Harold Lloyd. She’s one of my favorite silent film actresses and one I can’t understand not being a household name.

Ava Gardner Posters

Ava Gardner Show Boat Publicity Photo

Ava Gardner Posters

Rita Hayworth Posters

Rita Hayworth Posters

Old Hollywood Movies

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire Top Hat Cheek to Cheek

There’s nothing quite like watching a movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Whether it’s a Musical, Western, Comedy, Romance, Film Noir, or Drama – if it’s on, I’m not too far away… with popcorn and raspberry tea in hand and a couple of cats nearby.

Below are a few Old Hollywood movie reviews I’ve done on the blog. There are, as you’d imagine, a lot more to come. – Joi (“Joy”)

We’re in the Money (Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell)

The Naked Spur (James Stewart, Janet Leigh)

The Prince and the Showgirl (Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier)

The White Sister (Helen Hayes, Clark Gable)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Howard Keel, Jane Powell, Russ Tamblyn, Julie Newmar)

Rio Bravo (John Wayne, Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan)

El Dorado (John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, Michele Carey)

Rio Grande (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara)

Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein (What is it With Me and These Movies??)

The Stooge (Jerry Lewis’ favorite Lewis and Martin Movie… for good reason.)

Critic’s Choice (Hilarious movie starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball)

To Please a Lady (Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck team up in a fast track movie)

Grand Hotel (Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore)

Hearts Divided (Marion Davies, Dick Powell)

The Quiet Man (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald)

More Old Hollywood Movie Reviews

Classic Hollywood Books & Biographies (Reviews)

Maureen O'Hara's Autobiography 'Tis Herself

‘Tis Herself by Maureen O’Hara
I Know Where I'm Going (Katharine Hepburn Biography) and Princess

I Know Where I’m Going: Katharine Hepburn, A Personal Biography

Debbie Reynolds Unsinkable
Unsinkable: A Memoir by Debbie Reynolds

Ginger Rogers Autobiography - Ginger: My Story

Ginger by Ginger Rogers
Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball

Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball
Coming Soon…

Steps in Time (Fred Astaire)

Enchantment (Audrey Hepburn)

Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge Carmen Jones Poster

Getting to Know the Gorgeous and Talented Dorothy Dandridge

My Lucy Obsession

Lucille Ball

Find out just how much I (truly) Love Lucy in the Lucille Ball category. I’m warning you, I call it an obsession for a very good reason…

Barbara Stanwyck Quotes

Another personal absolute favorite of mine is Barbara Stanwyck. Not only was she beautiful and outrageously talented, she was exceptionally bright and colorful. This growing collection of Barbara Stanwyck Quotes will give you an idea of just how colorful she was!

Legalities…

Aside from pictures of books I review, I do not claim to have taken any of the pictures on this website, nor do I own the pictures – the ones of the stars or the affiliate (product) pictures.  Other, far more talented photographers than me have the credit for the beautiful photos you see. If you would like credit for a photograph or would like one removed, please e-mail me.

Movie posters and promotional photos are used in the belief that they qualify for the Fair Use law. Fair use is a doctrine in the law of the United States that permits limited use of copyrighted material without having to first acquire permission from the copyright holder. Fair use is one of the limitations to copyright intended to balance the interests of copyright holders with the public interest in the wider distribution and use of creative works by allowing as a defense to copyright infringement claims certain limited uses that might otherwise be considered infringement.

When you click through an affiliate (product, book, dvds..) link, I earn a small portion of the money you spend IF you purchase anything. This does not cost you any extra money, of course. This is how I am able to work from home and support my cats! – Joi

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