Bob Hope Dead at 100

[Steven J. Gross]

Possibly the greatest entertainer of our time died Sunday at 100.
It is kind of beyond words what this man was all about.
Thanks for the memories.

 

[thestitch]

It's really kind of overwhelming, isn't it? Just to sit and think about this very generous man and all he's done during his life, is truly, as you so rightly put it, Steven, "beyond words".

With many happy memories of you, Bob,
Marilyn

 

[Captain Bacardi]

This isn't exactly a surprise, given his poor health the past few years. But I remember watching those TV specials during the 60's, and having many laughs. He was the ultimate showman. I like watching those old movies that Bob did with Bing Crosby. There were quite a few zingers that they threw at each other that were hilarious. Of course, he was also famous for all those USO tours that he did for our troops throughout the decades - a much needed lift for those troops at the time. Another legend lost.


Capt. Bacardi

 

[cakeicer]

I loved watching Bob Hopes old comedy shows and especially his "Road" movies with Crosby and Lamour. I am surprised that Queen Elizabeth never knighted him or at least made him an Honorary knight once he became a U.S. citizen. I watched his biography on A&E tonight and laughed at one of his zingers at the academy when he said that at his house Oscar night was known as "Passover"

 

[Brasil_Nut]

An era has passed. Hope, Benny, Burns -- all of them gone. We'll never see their likes again. How wonderful it is to have experienced their magic.

I had the distinct honor of meeting Mr. Hope the day we rededicated the Magic Kingdom, during our 25th Anniversary Celebration at Walt Disney World. We were backstage (behind Main Street) getting ready to escort everyone toward the Castle where the ceremony would take place. Bob's Tour Guide, my good friend John Zahars, approached and said, "Do you want to meet Bob Hope?" I was thrilled. We approached to find Bob seated in a wheelchair, Dolores by his side. John leaned down and said in a raised voice, "Bob, I'd like you to meet my friend, Jon..." Bob looked up, extended his hand and said, "Well, hi Lon!" With that, Dolores leaned over into Bob's ear and yelled, "He said 'Jon', Bob!" "Oh yes...hi Jon!" Bob replied. It was a magical moment. One I shall never forget.

My prayers and good wishes go out to Dolores, the family and friends of Mr. Hope -- Definitely an American Institution!

Jon

...who thanks Mr. Hope for the memories, online...

 

[Murray]

I am surprised that Queen Elizabeth never knighted him or at least made him an Honorary knight once he became a U.S. citizen.

Perhaps she wasn't amused by his explanation of why he left England to live in the USA... "One day, I realised that I could never become King, so I left." Anyway, the Queen has no say in who is awarded an honourary knighthood, the decision is entirely that of the British government. I'm sure that being made an honourary US veteran meant more to him than any knighthood would have.


Murray
...saying farewell to the last great comedy legend...

 

[thestitch]

You know guys, I just got finished reading tonight's paper and it mentioned in an article on Bob Hope that Queen Elizabeth awarded him honorary knighthood in May of 1998! They showed a tiny little photo, maybe an inch across, of he and Dolores at the ceremony. He was wearing a ribbon around his neck and on the ribbon was a very ornate looking cross. I don't claim to know beans about the ceremony or what it involves. but it DID say HONORARY knighthood. Murray, how does this differ from the real thing? Is the award different looking? I'd love to know. If I had a scanner, I'd post it here so you could see it, too.

Marilyn,
who wonders if our paper was wrong about the whole thing...

 

[cakeicer]

Yes Murray, now I want to know more. If the British Government decides on who is honored, in what way is the Queen involved? I know of course that she is always shown awarding the person their medal. I am happy to hear that he was recognized, thanks Marilyn. And also heard how much being made an honorary veteran meant to him, my middle brother Bill saw him in person in Japan sometime during the Korean war, I believe aboard the U.S.S. Navisota. He was certainly a well loved humanitarian.

 

[Murray]

Hi Marilyn and Shirley. I did a little research, and indeed, Bob Hope was made an honourary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He was presented with his insignia on May 17, 1998 at the British embassy in Washington. As an honourary knight, Mr. Hope received the same medal as a "regular" knight, and was allowed to use the initials "KBE" after his name, but honourary knights do NOT get the title "Sir". There's a reason for this. By law, US citizens are not allowed to accept foreign titles. Many other countries, including Canada, have similar laws. By making a knighthood honourary (without the title), Britain is able to honour distinguished foreigners without breaking the laws of their countries.

The Queen actually does personally choose who gets a knighthood in the "Noble" orders - the Order of the Garter, and the Order of the Thistle. Knighthoods in the other orders are awarded "by the Queen on the advice of her ministers", in other words, the cabinet decides, and the Queen signs the certificate and hands out the medal.

That's probably more information than you ever wanted to know!

Murray
...who will, sadly, never be "Sir Murray"...

 

[Steven J. Gross]

Herb Alpert does a great version of "Thanks For The Memories"(Beat of the Brass, of course).

 

[cakeicer]

That's probably more information than you ever wanted to know!

Murray
...who will, sadly, never be "Sir Murray"...

Well you will be to us! And thanks for the British history lesson, I found it to be interesting.

 

[thestitch]

Here, here!! I ditto you, Shirl! Three cheers for our very own "Sir Murray"!!

Marilyn

 

[Harry]

I think Herb Alpert does a great version of "Thanks For The Memories"(Beat of the Brass, of course).

Yep. I've listened to that one a few times over the last couple of days.

Harry

 

[W.B.]

One rare album Mr. Hope put out in 1973 was an LP titled Holidays, which consisted solely of monologues about various holidays ranging from New Year's to Christmas.

I'd bought that album some time ago, the main reason of which can be found inside thus:

Yep . . . good ol' Columbia/Pitman, N.J. fonts.