On account of that general saying were not ready, my opening line was, Are you ready? And they went wild. Already an established comedian and actor by the onset of World War II, Bob Hope performed and broadcast his first USO show on the radio for service members on May 6, 1941, at an Army Air Corps (now known as the U.S. Air Force) Base at March Field in Riverside, California. Thats why the foundation focuses its financial support on the things Hope cared about, rather than getting his name out. People dont think of the fact that the Les Brown band traveled with Dad for so many yearsto Korea first and Vietnam. For nearly six decades, wherever Bob Hope went to entertain the troops . The appearance of DoD visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. More than 180 NFL players, officials, coaches and executives have taken part in 49 tours to 24 countries during that span, creating a partnership that has become essential to both organizations. ", Hope and the USOs Bob Hope Christmas Shows, USO's Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program Keeps Service Members and Their Kids Connected, For 40 Years, Bob Hope USO Christmas Shows Brightened the Holidays for Deployed Troops, Programs for Service Members and Their Families. Miss World 1969, Actress - Bob Hope Christmas show 1969. JOIN YOUR LOCAL USO AND THE LA RAMS OUTREACH TEAM AT A PLAY60 FOOTBALL EVENT FOR KIDS! Hope made his television debut on the inaugural broadcast of Los Angeles station KTLA in January 1947 and appeared on various television shows, particularly Christmas specials and various entertainment specials for the U.S. Armed Forces. In 1938, Bob Hope was selected as star and host for The Pepsodent Show broadcast on NBC after working for many years building a successful career from vaudeville to Broadway, radio, and film. Be the first to learn about news, service member stories and fundraising updates from USO. Even today, our nations military is still able to connect to home thanks to Hope. Photo credit USO Archives. The number of men and women deployed to the front lines may be fewer today, but the USO is becoming more expeditionary to meet their needs. Text STOP to opt out, HELP for help. They increased the morale immensely, Ronning recalled. In 1990, she went on his last USO tour to Saudi Arabia. The USO relies on your support to help service members and their families. Bob Hope. Bob Hopes 1990s performances in the Middle East would be the final overseas shows of his legendary career of entertaining the military. Boys and Girls of all ages arewelcome. Above you'll see a picture of Bill Johnson, who will appear as Bob Hope, along with singer John Stevens as Bing Crosby and Cape vocalists Jessica Curran, Jenn Dashnaw and Anna McEntee as the Andrews Sisters. Irving Berlin, Bob Hope and others slide out of a plane during their 1948 visit to Germany while smiling troops watch along the side. Message & data rates may apply. Joining Hope on the tour were Jerry Colonna, Jayne Mansfield, Dorothy Provine, Anita Bryant, Rosemarie Frankland, Onnie Morrow and Les Brown and his band. Fresh from his motion picture successes The Cat and the Canary (1939) and The Road to Singapore (1940), he was well received, and when the United States joined World War II in December of that year, he resolved to work with the USO to bring more shows to service members. Actor. Diahann Carroll dances on stage with Bob Hope, right, during a taping of a USO show aboard USS Iwo Jima in 1979. Aside from Hopes impact as a performer, the true testament to Hopes influence can be seen in the number of actors, comedians, musicians and athletes today who eagerly volunteer to join a USO show or tour. Although World War II came to an end in the later months of 1945, Bob Hope continued his mission of entertaining service members for several months and years to come. Here, they stand on stage on the USS Bennington in December 1983. The sisters performed extensively for troops of the Allied forces during World War II, frequently singing their hit song, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, as part of their USO performances. According to the Los Angeles Times, Hope gave a special, one-man show to 1,200 Marines during this Christmas morning visit. Download our app to find events, locations and programs near you. Look what they're doin' for me. Here, while on a tour stop, Hope speaks with Hal Block, Barney Dean, Gen. George Patton, Frances Langford and Tony Romano in August 1943. The USO relies on your support to help service members and their families. He had complete commitment and real respect for them.According to Shields, Hopes legacy is Humanity for our men and women in uniform.. The name Bob Hope just seems to be synonymous with the USO, as Hope devoted so much time to the organization and the troops. Jerry Colonna, Hopes sideman. Please support The Veterans Site by adding us to your ad blockers whitelist ads help us to provide food and supplies to veterans. Hope passed away less than six years later, on July 27 2003, at the age of 100. Bob Hope dedicated much of his nearly 80-year career to entertaining American troops, both at home and abroad. Throughout April, the Month of the Military Child, the USO is highlighting how our centers around the globe are providing creative ways for military children to connect to one another and their families. These included a series of seven Road to . In the 1940s and 1950s, Hope often did his radio show from military bases overseas. I saw the Bob Hope USO show in Chu Lai Vietnam in December of 1967. Over a 50-year span, Bob Hope entertained American troops overseas. The USO's famed Stage Door and Hollywood Canteens during World War II served up glitz and glamour to millions of service members. Mary Margaret and the Martells (1969) Mary Martin. The Andrews Sisters were instrumental in boosting morale toward the war effort, encouraging the sale of war bonds through their music, and often wearing military uniforms as they performed. Bob Hope USO Donate Open Menu . A tribute to Bob Hope's 31 years of entertaining American troops overseas. Text STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Many of his USO tours occurred over Christmas. By then, computers and cellphones were starting to change the world. She kept up her morale-boosting tours through the Korean War and had the troops in stitches during Vietnam and sometimes pulled rankthough her Marine Corps and Army ranks and membership in the Green Berets were all honorary. In March 1965, she was the first recipient of the USO Woman of the Year Award, according to Brandeis University. From his first show at March Field in Riverside, California, in 1941, to his final USO tour in 1990 to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Desert Shield, Hope loved to make em laugh. Communication wasnt instantaneous like it is today. for directions to Bob Hope USO Headquarters, for directions to Los Angeles International Airport, for directions to John Wayne Orange County Airport, for directions to Palm Springs International Airport, for directions to Ontario International Airport, for directions to Military Entrance Processing Station, Los Angeles, for directions to March ARB Joint Regional Deployment Center, Military Entrance Processing Station, Los Angeles, March ARB Joint Regional Deployment Center. A total of 272 NBC variety specials hosted by Hope were produced from 1950 to 1996. His shows grew from a small comedy act to an ensemble of celebrity-studded, televised programs. Throughout April, the Month of the Military Child, the USO is highlighting how our centers around the globe are providing creative ways for military children to connect to one another and their families. Frank and Janis sing several tunes and Bob tries to convince a teenaged Natalie Wood that she needs to date more mature men (such as he). Bob Hope entertains troops in Saudi Arabia in 1990. There were a lot of those., Some letters were more serious, she said. Although sources vary as to when the first official Bob Hope Christmas Show aired on radio or television, National Archives records state Hope hosted special recordings of the Pepsodent Show at Sawtelle Veterans Hospital on December 24, 1946. Meanwhile, their loved ones back home watched every second on the television screen, hoping for the chance to see their deployed service members face cross in front of the camera. Learn about the history of the USO, its mission and its continuing legacy today. From his first show at March Field in Riverside, California, in 1941, to his final USO tour in 1990 to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as part . Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra appear as baseball players in a comedy sketch. One of Bob Hopes most significant Christmas performances took place in Berlin in December 1948, in which Hope and his USO troupe performed for troops supporting the Berlin Airlift. Some of them were caught on the television programsyoud see fighter jets. It was a very interesting experience because of all the restrictions in the Middle Eastrespecting all their religious [traditions], she said. In a bit of very rare 16mm home movies, the famous entertainer Bob Hope and his small troupe arrive and perform a USO show for American troops overseasg. I was 19. Nearly 75 years after the USO's creation, Hope is still legendary, thanks to the USO shows he started performing during World War II at a time when international phone calls home were impossible and Internet access wasn't even a concept. | That was one of the biggest thrills of my life.. Another guy named ski let me take his spot as he had seen it the year before. He started his career in the 1920s as a vaudeville comedian, but was needed to bring laughter to a different kind of venue. Required fields are marked *. Furthermore, the USOs Southern California service area is aptly called the Bob Hope USO, in honor of the legendary entertainer who resided there for decades. The following is a list of Bob Hope television specials.Hope made his television debut on the inaugural broadcast of Los Angeles station KTLA in January 1947 and appeared on various television shows, particularly Christmas specials and various entertainment specials for the U.S. Armed Forces.A total of 272 NBC variety specials hosted by Hope were produced from 1950 to 1996. The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have taken the lives of nearly 7,000 American service members. Text STOP to opt out, HELP for help. In honor of Womens History Month, were looking back at some of the famous females who have helped shape the history of the USO. We had a regular life, and then all of a sudden wed see Dad up on stage, singing and dancing and telling jokes and everybody laughing and having a good time in hangars. Free shipping for many products! Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope KBE, KC*SG, KSS (May 29, 1903 - July 27, 2003) was an American comedian, actor, and entertainer. It was always something he felt compelled to do.. Hope logged over 30,000 miles and gave more than 150 performances during this trip. Regardless of where he was going or how high the risks were, Hope was committed to supporting our nations military. :27 Easter based entertainments that aren't biblical epics", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bob_Hope_television_specials&oldid=1126167914, This page was last edited on 7 December 2022, at 22:34. The remains of each one of them have first returned to American soil at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. But it was a rigorous schedule, the actress recalled, and Hope lead the charge. For more than 75 years, the United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) has supported U.S. military members by providing them programs and entertainment during their service. | During that same May 1979 show, Diahann Carroll danced on stage with Bob Hope. In the spring of 1990, at 86 years old, Bob Hope headed on a spring USO tour to Moscow, Germany and the U.K. His daughter, Linda, one of Bob and Dolores Hopes four children, said was simple. Part of Hopes schtick was to poke fun at the units own military brass, a technique that always worked. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Steve Martin is a wild and crazy guy who has brought his unique comedic style to television and the silver screen since the late 1960s. Anywhere we went, whenever we landed we would always do an impromptu show, she said. I think one cant be near that in large doses and not be touched. Victoria Dawn Addams - entertained the troops in Korea December 1952/January 1953 Bob Hopes first holiday USO show was in 1948, during the Berlin Airlift. Last Christmas in Alaska, I met a GI who was so lonely he was going steady with his tattoo. March ARB, CA 92518, 21 Langford Lake Rd, In 1954, when actress Marilyn Monroe was on her honeymoon in Japan with her new husband, New York Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio, she flew to South Korea to perform for the American troops there shortly after the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. Landing on the USS Kennedy in 1983 was one of the most emotional Christmases I have ever spent. Find another USO location . Your email address will not be published. As an actor, Rooney appeared in over 300 films, his career spanning from the late 1930s until he passed away in 2014. Holidays for the Hope kids took on a new meaning. He often insisted on traveling straight to the front lines, even occasionally placing himself in harms way, in order to put on a variety show of comedy, singing and dancing. Almost 50 years after his first performances for the troops, Bob Hope headed, once again, to the Middle East. He received thousands of letters over the years. Hope was 80 years old at the time of this USO tour. Instead, Martin and his wife met with service members and signed autographs. Anyone who is even vaguely familiar with the USO knows a little about the history of Bob Hope USO shows. Over the last seven decades, some of the countrys best performers have taken the USO stage to entertain troops with music, dancing, and comedy routines. "Believe me when I say that laughter up at the front lines is a very precious thing precious to those grand guys who are giving and taking the awful business that goes on there. Raquel Welch teamed up with Bob Hope and others in 1967 and traveled to Saigon, Vietnam, to perform a TV special. Bob Hope continued entertaining service members around the globe during World War II. The actress and singer said the years she spent touring with Hope provided some of the most meaningful moments of her life. Diahann Carroll, who was the first African American woman to star in her own television series when Julia debuted in 1968, went on many USO tours over the years to entertain American troops. musical comedy films with Bing Crosby as Hope's top-billed partner. By providing your mobile phone number, you opt in to receive calls and texts from USO. Jayne Mansfield. From World War II to Desert Shield, the legendary star spent scores of December days on the front lines entertaining service members all around the world. 20 Year old beauty pageant winner from Vienna, Austria. The comedy legend was about to put on what would be his final USO show of the Vietnam War. During her second tour, lasting 11 months, she entertained near the front in France and Germany.. Fun fact: After 1948, Hopes radio show changed names to The Bob Hope Show. Over the next few decades, his various specials on television and radio would fall under several names and iterations of this new show name. Being stationed overseas can be difficult for every member of a military family, but especially for military children, who often have to constantly adapt to new environments and remain resilient through every new move. Please take a moment to let our troops know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice. This incredibly popular program allows service members to read a bedtime story to their children from halfway around the globe. With Bob Hope, Anna Maria Alberghetti, Ursula Andress, Ann-Margret. He was also a frequent visitor to American forces stationed in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, regularly seen with his trademark golf club. But he didnt play favorites. Photo: Flickr/Peabody Awards The USO relies on your support to help service members and their families. Message & data rates may apply. Singer. She scored a hit with the 1966 song, These Boots Are Made For Walkin. Since 1941, the United Service Organizations has provided support to the service members of the United States military. A deadly April 14, 1988, car bombing outside a USO center in Naples, Italy, altered the definition of hazard duty and rattled perceptions of safety for American service members, military families and USO employees and volunteers. List of entertainers who performed for American troops in Vietnam, Soapography, "Rick Springfield and Kimberly McCullough", aired June 16, 2007, on SOAPnet, "List of entertainers who performed for American troops in Vietnam", Learn how and when to remove this template message, Denise Perrier (African American Female Entertainers in Vietnam), The Ralph Kimbrough and Dee Steele Show (1969), On the Road: USO Shows: Bob Hope and American Variety (Library of Congress), Bob Hope's Overseas Christmas Tours: Around the World with the Troops 19411972 (1980)(TV) (IMDb.com), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_entertainers_who_performed_for_American_troops_in_Vietnam&oldid=1126390848, Quintessence 1970 (Clive and Stanley Romney, Sheryl Albiston, Jack McDonald, Ruth Sorensen), This page was last edited on 9 December 2022, at 02:50. , actress - Bob Hope, Martin and his wife met with service members and signed.. 30,000 miles and gave more than 150 performances during this Christmas morning visit anyone who is even vaguely familiar the! 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