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Film / Road to ...

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The Road to ... movies are a series of comedic adventure films starring Bob Hope , Bing Crosby , and (usually) Dorothy Lamour. Each of the films is a parody of a particular genre set in a different "exotic" locale, brimming with gags and musical numbers.

The series inspired a number of later comedy films, including Spies Like Us , Ishtar , and The Road to El Dorado , as well as the Family Guy "Road to..." episodes focusing mostly on Brian and Stewie.

The films are:

• Road to Singapore (1940)
• Road to Zanzibar (1941)
• Road to Morocco (1942)
• Road to Utopia (1946)
• Road to Rio (1947)
• Road to Bali (1952) — the only one in color
• The Road to Hong Kong (1962) — with Joan Collins as the female lead

Other films in this series provide examples, straight or parodied, of:

• Aside Glance : When not outright Breaking the Fourth Wall , the guys often glance at the camera.
• Be Careful What You Wish For : Hope's magic flute in Bali , which backfires horribly when Crosby tries his hand at it.
• Born in the Theatre : As Crosby gets ready to sing a song, Hope turns to the camera and says, "OK, folks, now's the time to go get some more popcorn from the lobby."
• Brainwashed Bride : Road To Rio has the villains hypnotize the heroine into getting married, but the ceremony gets interrupted by the heroes, even as Dorothy Lamour robotically chants "I do."
• Breaking the Fourth Wall : Hope addressed remarks directly to the audience several times per movie.
• Buddy Picture
• The Cavalry Arrives Late : The climax of Road to Rio . While the two heroes are busy tangling the villainess and her two henchmen, an ally (Jerry Colonna) and a bunch of reinforcements ride furiously toward the heroes' location. But then suddenly, the heroes have won and the villains are hauled off to jail without The Cavalry ever arriving. Colonna reins in his horse mid-gallop and cheerfully comments to the camera: "Well, we never made it. But exciting, wasn't it!"
• The Cameo : Several, particularly in the last two films.
• Casanova Wannabe : Hope's usual persona is either this, a Lovable Coward , or both.
• Character Aged with the Actor : The Road to Hong Kong , filmed much later, deals with the pair being significantly older. Ironically, Dorothy Lamour (in spite of being over a decade younger than the guys) was judged by Crosby to be too old to be a leading lady anymore, so she was Demoted to Extra .
• Cymbal-Banging Monkey : In Road to Utopia , when Hope and Crosby enter a talent contest, their act follows a man with a cymbal-banging monkey. The monkey wins.
• Demoted to Extra : Dorothy Lamour, in The Road to Hong Kong . She actually wasn't going to appear in it at all after Crosby insisted on (and got) a younger female lead in Joan Collins , but Hope intervened to at least get her a cameo appearance.
• Drink-Based Characterization : In Road to Utopia , Hope's character tries to fit in at tough-guy frontier bar, but then orders a lemonade. Realizing his mistake, he quickly turns to the bartender and growls, "...in a dirty glass!"
• Early-Installment Weirdness : Road to Singapore is a lot more subdued and conventional than the films that followed, with less Breaking the Fourth Wall .
• The End : In Road to Bali , Hope is unsatisfied with the ending, so he keeps trying to shove the "The End" card off the screen, until it becomes "Positively The End".
• Extreme Doormat : Hope's characters repeatedly get dragged into various schemes hatched by Crosby's.
• The Gay '90s : Road to Utopia is set in the '90s gold rush in the Yukon.
• Giant Squid : In Road to Bali .
• Greek Chorus : Humorist Robert Benchley, in Road to Utopia .
• Guns Do Not Work That Way : In Road to Bali , a bullet shot out of a bent gun barrel starts whizzing around in circles, due to the Rule of Funny .
• How We Got Here : Road to Utopia starts out in current (1946) times and then flashes back to the turn of the century.
• I Surrender, Suckers : Bob and Bing's "pattycake" game .
• Iconic Outfit : Dorothy Lamour's sarong. They even managed to sneak it into Road to Utopia , which is set in the Yukon, via an Imagine Spot .
• Identical Grandson : Used to hilarious effect at the end of Road to Utopia . ("We adopted him.")
• Incredibly Long Note : Jerry Colonna's rendition of "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" in Road to Singapore begins with one of these.
• Just Smile and Nod : Dorothy Lamour frequently did this when she shared scenes with Hope and Crosby. Justified in that more often than not Hope and Crosby were off-script.
• Language of Love : Road to Rio suggests this trope in the song "You Don't Have to Know the Language".
• Large Ham : Dorothy Lamour on making the pictures: "I felt like a wonderful sandwich, a slice of white bread between two slices of ham."
• Logo Joke : In Road to Utopia , Hope and Crosby are sledding through the Klondike countryside and enjoying the scenery, when something catches Hope's eye: Hope: Hey, get a load of that bread and butter! (Cut to a shot of a snow-covered mountain) Crosby: Bread and butter? That's a mountain! (The " Paramount Pictures " logo suddenly appears in front of the mountain) Hope: Maybe a mountain to you, but it's bread and butter to me!
• MacGuffin : In Road to Rio , there are the mysterious Papers that have no bearing on the plot besides having an interesting safe-cracking scene. Lampshaded when Hope and Crosby say that "the world must never know" their contents . At the end, when the papers have been recovered and they're about to be read, they get torn up instead, since they've served their dramatic purpose.
• Medicine Show : Road to Singapore has Hope, Crosby and Lamour playing ocarinas and selling bottled soap as a miracle stain remover.
• Narrator : Robert Benchley in Road to Utopia .
• Overly Polite Pals : Hope and Crosby had been known to invoke the trope on occasion.
• Plot Armor : Road to Bali : The branch that Hope and Crosby are leaning against breaks, but they stay suspended in mid-air. Crosby : Hey, why don't we fall? Hope : Paramount wouldn't dare, at your age!
• Road Trip Plot : All of the pictures featured Bob and Bing as comic partners getting in various misadventures as they traveled from A to B.
• Running Gag : The boys play pattycake before the big brawl at the climax of each film.
• The Smurfette Principle : Lamour, though both Zanzibar and Morocco gave her a female sidekick/traveling companion.
• The "The" Title Confusion : Only The Road to Hong Kong includes the definite article in its title.
• Thematic Series : Despite sharing the same actors and style of humor (to say nothing of being in the same series), the movies are technically not part of the same narrative, with the actors playing different, yet similar characters in each.
• Tropical Island Adventure : Road to Singapore , Road to Zanzibar and Road to Bali .
• Universal-Adaptor Cast : In each movie, Hope, Crosby and Lamour play different characters with similar personalities.
• Unusual Euphemism : "Personality," the big hit song of Road to Utopia , uses the title as a euphemism for a woman's body, with lines like "She had a well-developed personality."
• Vagabond Buddies : Forever on the road, bickering every step of the way.
• Vitriolic Best Buds : Hope and Crosby have this dynamic.
• Worthless Currency : Road to Utopia has Bing, having swindled some money out of drunks in their crooked theater show, discarding some of it because it is "Confederate ten spots"; remarking that " some people can be so crooked ."

Alternative Title(s): Road To Singapore , Road To Utopia , Road To Rio , Road To Bali , The Road To Hong Kong

• Road to Zanzibar
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15 Best Bob Hope Movies: The Timeless Humor and Endearing Performances of a Comedy Icon

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Bob Hope was one of Hollywood’s most beloved entertainers, known for his comedic timing and charm.

Best Bob Hope Movies

He starred in over 70 films throughout his career, showcasing his talent as both an actor and a comedian. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best Bob Hope movies that have become classic Hollywood comedies and showcase his unique style of humor.

1. The Ghost Breakers (1940)

“The Ghost Breakers” is a comedy-horror film that stars Bob Hope in the lead role. The film tells the story of a radio personality who is hired to investigate a haunted castle in Cuba, where he becomes embroiled in a dangerous mystery.

Hope’s performance is both charming and comedic, as he delivers his trademark one-liners and witty remarks while navigating the spooky surroundings.

The film is a classic example of the horror-comedy genre and showcases Bob Hope’s unique style of humor. “The Ghost Breakers” remains a beloved favorite among fans of classic Hollywood comedies.

• Factory sealed DVD
• Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard, Richard Carlson (Actors)
• George Marshall (Director) - Walter DeLeon (Writer) - Arthur Hornblow, Jr. (Producer)
• English, Spanish, French (Subtitles)
• Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)

2. Road to Rio (1931)

“Road to Rio” is a comedy film that stars Bob Hope and Bing Crosby in the lead roles. The film tells the story of two musicians who become embroiled in a love triangle while on the run from a group of jewel thieves.

The film features some memorable musical numbers and hilarious comedic scenes, as Hope and Crosby deliver their signature banter and zany antics.

The film was a hit with audiences and spawned a series of successful “Road” movies that continued throughout the 1940s and 1950s. “Road to Rio” remains a classic Hollywood comedy that showcases the comedic chemistry between Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.

• Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour (Actors)
• Norman Z. McLeod (Director) - Edmund Beloin (Writer)
• Audience Rating: Unrated (Not Rated)

3. Road to Morocco (1942)

“Road to Morocco” is another classic comedy film that stars Bob Hope and Bing Crosby in the lead roles. The film tells the story of two musicians who find themselves stranded in Morocco and become involved in a series of misadventures.

The film was a hit with audiences and is often cited as one of the best films in the “Road” series. “Road to Morocco” is a must-see for fans of classic Hollywood comedies and the comedic duo of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.

• Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
• Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour (Actors)
• David Butler (Director) - Frank Butler (Writer) - Paul Jones (Producer)
• English (Playback Language)
• English (Subtitle)

4. My Favorite Blonde (1942)

“My Favorite Blonde” is a comedy film that stars Bob Hope and Madeleine Carroll in the lead roles. The film tells the story of a struggling vaudeville performer who becomes involved in a spy plot while on tour in Europe.

The film features some hilarious comedic scenes, as Hope delivers his trademark one-liners and physical comedy, while Carroll provides a strong and charming supporting performance.

The film was a hit with audiences and helped solidify Bob Hope’s status as one of Hollywood’s top comedians. “My Favorite Blonde” remains a beloved classic Hollywood comedy that showcases Bob Hope’s unique brand of humor.

• Bob Hope, Madeleine Carroll, Gale Sondergaard (Actors)
• Sidney Lanfield (Director) - Don Hartman (Writer) - Buddy G. DeSylva (Producer)

5. The Paleface (1948)

“The Paleface” is a comedy-Western film that stars Bob Hope in the lead role. The film tells the story of a cowardly dentist who is mistaken for a gunfighter and becomes embroiled in a dangerous adventure in the Wild West.

The film features some hilarious comedic scenes, as Hope delivers his trademark one-liners and physical comedy while trying to navigate the dangerous surroundings.

The film also features a memorable supporting performance from Jane Russell as a tough gunfighter who helps Hope’s character on his journey. “The Paleface” was a hit with audiences and remains a classic example of the Western-comedy genre.

• Bob Hope, Jane Russell, Robert Armstrong (Actors)
• Norman Z. McLeod (Director) - Edmund L. Hartmann (Writer) - Robert L. Welch (Producer)

6. Son of Paleface (1952)

“Son of Paleface” is a comedy-Western film that is a sequel to “The Paleface” and stars Bob Hope in the lead role. The film tells the story of the son of the original film’s hero, who comes to the Wild West to claim his inheritance and becomes embroiled in a dangerous adventure.

The film also features a memorable supporting performance from Roy Rogers as a singing cowboy who helps Hope’s character on his journey. “Son of Paleface” was a hit with audiences and remains a beloved classic Hollywood comedy that showcases Bob Hope’s unique brand of humor.

• Son of Paleface (1952) ( Son of Pale face )
• Son of Paleface (1952)
• Son of Pale face
• Bob Hope, Jane Russell, Roy Rogers (Actors)
• Frank Tashlin (Director) - Son of Paleface (1952) ( Son of Pale face ) (Producer)

7. The Seven Little Foys (1955)

“The Seven Little Foys” is a biographical comedy-drama film that stars Bob Hope in the lead role. The film tells the story of vaudeville performer Eddie Foy and his family, who traveled the country in the late 19th century, performing their musical and comedy acts.

Hope delivers a strong and heartfelt performance as Eddie Foy, showcasing his dramatic range in addition to his comedic talent.

The film features some memorable musical numbers and comedic scenes, as well as a strong supporting cast that includes James Cagney in a small role.

“The Seven Little Foys” is a classic Hollywood film that remains a must-see for fans of biographical dramas and Bob Hope’s impressive acting abilities.

• Bob Hope, Milly Vitale, George Tobias (Actors)
• Melville Shavelson (Director) - Jack Rose (Writer)

8. Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966)

“Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number!” is a comedy film that stars Bob Hope and Elke Sommer in the lead roles. The film tells the story of a businessman who accidentally ends up in the wrong hotel room and becomes embroiled in a series of misadventures with a beautiful woman.

The film features some hilarious comedic scenes, as Hope delivers his trademark one-liners and physical comedy while trying to navigate the chaotic situation.

Sommer provides a strong and charming supporting performance as the woman who becomes involved with Hope’s character.

“Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number!” was a hit with audiences and remains a beloved classic Hollywood comedy that showcases Bob Hope’s unique brand of humor.

• Bob Hope, Elke Sommer, Phyllis Diller (Actors)
• George Marshall (Director) - George Beck (Writer) - Edward Small (Producer)

9. Fancy Pants (1950)

“Fancy Pants” is a comedy film that stars Bob Hope and Lucille Ball in the lead roles. The film tells the story of a penniless actor who pretends to be a British nobleman in order to impress a wealthy woman.

The film features some hilarious comedic scenes, as Hope delivers his trademark one-liners and physical comedy while trying to maintain his façade.

Ball provides a strong and charming supporting performance as the woman who becomes involved with Hope’s character. The film also features some memorable musical numbers and impressive set designs.

“Fancy Pants” was a hit with audiences and remains a beloved classic Hollywood comedy that showcases Bob Hope’s unique brand of humor.

• Condition: New
• Format: DVD
• Closed-captioned; Color; Dolby; DVD; Full Screen; Subtitled; NTSC
• Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Bruce Cabot (Actors)
• George Marshall (Director) - Edmund L. Hartmann (Writer)

10. Road to Bali (1952)

“Road to Bali” is another film in the popular “Road” series that stars Bob Hope and Bing Crosby in the lead roles. The film tells the story of two musicians who find themselves stranded on a tropical island and become involved in a series of misadventures.

The film also features some impressive visual effects, including a famous scene in which Hope and Crosby find themselves in the middle of a volcano eruption.

“Road to Bali” was a hit with audiences and remains a beloved classic Hollywood comedy that showcases the comedic chemistry between Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.

• Bingb Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour (Actors)
• Hal Walker (Director)

11. How to Commit Marriage (1969)

“How to Commit Marriage” is a comedy film that stars Bob Hope in the lead role. The film tells the story of a couple who are struggling to maintain their marriage, as they navigate the challenges of raising a family and dealing with the pressures of modern society.

Hope delivers a strong comedic performance as a therapist who tries to help the couple save their marriage, while also providing some hilarious one-liners and physical comedy.

The film also features some memorable supporting performances from Jane Wyman and Jackie Gleason. “How to Commit Marriage” was a hit with audiences and remains a beloved classic Hollywood comedy that showcases Bob Hope’s unique brand of humor.

• Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, Jane Wyman (Actors)
• Norman Panama (Director) - Ben Starr (Writer)
• Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)

12. Call Me Bwana (1963)

“Call Me Bwana” is a comedy film that stars Bob Hope in the lead role. The film tells the story of a bumbling American spy who is sent to Africa to track down a missing satellite, but becomes embroiled in a series of misadventures.

Hope delivers a strong comedic performance as the hapless spy, delivering his trademark one-liners and physical comedy while navigating the dangerous surroundings.

The film also features some impressive location filming in Africa, as well as some memorable supporting performances from Anita Ekberg and Edie Adams.

“Call Me Bwana” was a hit with audiences and remains a beloved classic Hollywood comedy that showcases Bob Hope’s unique brand of humor.

• Gordon Douglas (Director) - Nate Monaster (Writer) - Albert R. Broccoli (Producer)
• (Playback Language)
• Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)

13. My Favorite Spy (1951)

“My Favorite Spy” is a comedy film that stars Bob Hope in the lead role. The film tells the story of a struggling comedian who is mistaken for a spy and sent on a dangerous mission to Europe.

Hope delivers a strong comedic performance as the reluctant spy, delivering his trademark one-liners and physical comedy while trying to navigate the dangerous surroundings.

The film also features some memorable supporting performances from Hedy Lamarr and Francis L. Sullivan. “My Favorite Spy” was a hit with audiences and remains a beloved classic Hollywood comedy that showcases Bob Hope’s unique brand of humor.

• Bob Hope, Hedy Lamarr, Francis L. Sullivan (Actors)
• Norman Z. McLeod (Director)
• English (Publication Language)

14. The Lemon Drop Kid (1951)

“The Lemon Drop Kid” is a comedy film that stars Bob Hope in the lead role. The film tells the story of a small-time con artist who tries to make amends with a gangster by raising money for a charity in time for Christmas.

Hope delivers a strong comedic performance as the likable con artist, delivering his trademark one-liners and physical comedy while trying to raise the money.

The film also features some memorable musical numbers, including the classic holiday song “Silver Bells.” “The Lemon Drop Kid” was a hit with audiences and remains a beloved classic Hollywood comedy that showcases Bob Hope’s unique brand of humor.

• Bob Hope, Marilyn Maxwell, Lloyd Nolan (Actors)
• Frank Tashlin (Director) - Damon Runyon (Writer)

15. The Princess and the Pirate (1944)

“The Princess and the Pirate” is a comedy film that stars Bob Hope and Virginia Mayo in the lead roles. The film tells the story of a cowardly entertainer who becomes involved in a pirate adventure when he helps a princess escape from her captors.

Hope delivers a strong comedic performance as the cowardly entertainer, delivering his trademark one-liners and physical comedy while trying to navigate the dangerous surroundings.

Mayo provides a strong and charming supporting performance as the princess who becomes involved with Hope’s character.

The film also features some impressive action sequences and a memorable supporting performance from Walter Brennan.

“The Princess and the Pirate” was a hit with audiences and remains a beloved classic Hollywood comedy that showcases Bob Hope’s unique brand of humor.

• Bob Hope, Virginia Mayo, Walter Brennan (Actors)
• David Butler (Director) - Allen Boretz (Writer)

3 Reasons To Watch Bob Hope Movies

His unique brand of humor: Bob Hope was known for his quick wit and ability to deliver hilarious one-liners. His unique brand of humor has stood the test of time and remains just as funny and entertaining today as it was when he was at the height of his career.

Classic Hollywood nostalgia: Bob Hope’s films provide a glimpse into the golden age of Hollywood, with their glamorous sets, stylish costumes, and unforgettable musical numbers.

Watching his movies is a way to connect with the rich history of Hollywood cinema and to appreciate the artistry and talent of the performers of that era.

Fun and entertainment: Bob Hope’s movies are pure entertainment, offering a mix of comedy, romance, and adventure.

They are the perfect way to unwind and escape from the stresses of everyday life, offering a chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun.

Best Bob Hope Movies – Wrap Up

In conclusion, Bob Hope was a beloved comedian and actor who left a lasting legacy in Hollywood. His films continue to be popular today, and his unique brand of humor and charm have made him a favorite among audiences of all ages.

From his classic “Road” movies with Bing Crosby to his memorable performances in films like “The Ghost Breakers” and “The Lemon Drop Kid,” Bob Hope left his mark on the world of comedy and entertainment.

Whether you’re a fan of classic Hollywood comedies or just looking for some good old-fashioned fun, Bob Hope’s movies are sure to provide a lot of laughs and entertainment.

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Ultimate Movie Rankings

Ranking movies since 2011, bob hope movies.

Want to know the best Bob Hope movies?  How about the worst Bob Hope movies?  Curious about Bob Hope’s box office grosses or which Bob Hope movie picked up the most Oscar® nominations? Need to know which Bob Hope movie got the best reviews from critics and audiences and which one got the worst reviews? Well you have come to the right place….because we have all of that information.

Back in 2011 I wrote a movie page that ranked Bing Crosby’s movies.  At the time I got numerous requests to do a Bob Hope page.  Well 4 years later….I am happy to report that I finally have a Bob Hope movie page written….sorry for the delay.  Bob Hope (1903-2003) was one of the greatest entertainers ever!  During his almost 80 year career….he did it all!  Movie star….check.  Television star…..check.  Best selling author…..check.   Popular singer…..check.  Accomplished dancer……check.  Stand up comedian……check.  Oscar® host….check.  This page is only going to look at his impressive movie career.

His IMDb page shows 94 acting credits from 1934-1994. This page will rank Bob Hope movies from Best to Worst in six different sortable columns of information.   His 6 cameo roles, his 10 shorts and 15 television credits were not included in the rankings.  After the massive Hope table is a section of possibly interesting facts about Bob Hope.

Bob Hope Movies Ranked In Chronological Order With Ultimate Movie Rankings Score (1 to 5 UMR Tickets) *Best combo of box office, reviews and awards.

Bob hope movies can be ranked 6 ways in this table, the really cool thing about this table is that it is “user-sortable”. rank the movies anyway you want..

• Sort by Bob Hope’s co-stars of his movies.
• Sort Bob Hope movies by adjusted domestic box office grosses using current movie ticket cost.
• Sort Bob Hope movies by their yearly box office rank
• Sort Bob Hope movies how they were received by critics and audiences.  60% rating or higher should indicate a good movie.
• Sort by how many Oscar® nominations and how many Oscar® wins each Bob Hope movie received.
• Sort Bob Hope movies by Ultimate Movie Rankings (UMR) Score.  UMR Score puts box office, reviews and awards into a mathematical equation and gives each movie a score.

Possibly Interesting Facts About Bob Hope

1.  Leslie Townes “Bob” Hope was born in Eltham, London on May 29th,1903.  He was the 5th of 7 sons.

2.  Bob Hope’s path to stardom .  His family left London and settled in Cleveland, Ohio in 1905.  After working as a butcher, Hope decided to try a career in entertainment.  While performing in 1925, Hope was spotted by silent film star, Fatty Arbuckle.  Arbuckle helped Hope get higher profile work. By 1934 Hope was performing on the radio.  In 1935 he started appearing in some movie shorts…which eventually got him a role in The Big Broadcast of 1938 .  His performance in that movie was singled out and Hope never looked back.

3. In 1939 Bob Hope hosted the Academy Awards® ceremony .  He ended up hosting the ceremony fourteen times between 1939 and 1977.

4. Bob Hope was never nominated for an Oscar®.  The Academy did give Hope an incredible 5 Honorary Oscars ®.  He got Honorary Oscars® in 1940, 1944, 1952, 1959 and 1965.  Bob Hope did pick up two Best Actor Golden Globe® nominations for 1960’s The Facts of Life and 1961’s Bachelor in Paradise.

5. Bob Hope and the USO (United Service Organizations).  Bob Hope entertained active service American military personnel from 1941 to 1991.  He made 57 tours for the USO.  Hope was declared an honorary veteran of the United States Armed Forces in 1997 by an act of Congress.

6. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby made a series of “Road To” movies.  From 1940 (Road to Singapore)  to 1962 (Road To Hong Kong) they made 7 “Road To” movies.  The combined adjusted box office gross for the 7 movies is over 1 BILLION dollars.

7. Bob Hope was married two times.  He was married to Grace Louise Troxell from 1933 to 1934.  He married Dolores Reade in 1934.  He and Dolores were married 69 years. They adopted four children. Hope passed away at age 100….while Dolores passed away at age 102.

8. Bob Hope movies that never happened:  1. Cary Grant role in Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)…Paramount would not loan him out.  2.  Hope turned down Cary Grant role in Operation Petticoat (1959).  3.  Guys and Dolls (1955) was supposed to be another Hope/Crosby movie….instead it turned to be a Marlon Brando/Frank Sinatra movie.  4.  The Road to the Fountain of Youth ….was going to be the 8th “Road To” movie…was in pre-production stages when Bing Crosby passed away.

9. When I write a page on a classic actor….I usually end up reading lots of books on that classic performer as I try to track down elusive box office information.  Normally these books end up not being too helpful.  Well I am happy to say that the book, Hope (2014) by Richard Zoglin, is an exception to that rule.  Zoglin’s Hope is a great read filled with lots of informative and interesting information on Hope’s career and life…not to mention some nice box office nuggets.  I think any Bob Hope fan will really enjoy reading the Zoglin book on Bob Hope.

10.  Bob Hope and “ Thanks For The Memories” .  In the 1938 movie The Big Broadcast of 1938 , Bob Hope sang “Thanks For The Memories”….the song won an Oscar®.  To capitalize on the success of the song, Paramount named the next Hope movie…. Thanks For The Memories (1938).  The song would become Hope’s theme song for the rest of his life..  I can not think of a better way to end this page other than to say Thanks For The Memories Mr. Hope.

If you do a comment….please ignore the email address and website section.

37 thoughts on “ Bob Hope Movies ”

Hey David S. Thanks for checking out our Bob Hope page. Good comment. I agree with almost all of it…..as I have read the same things…in a life that spanned 100 years…I am sure there are times were Hope might not have been the easiest to work with….but those times are far out numbered by the times he was not. Good point about To Be Or Not To Be…….I think Hope’s best movies….all get put into the “Road To…” movies…so they lose some identification. Good stuff.

Interesting, and surprising, the observation that Bob could be somewhat difficult on the movie set, while Bing was not. Most of the evidence seems to point the other way. From what I have picked up, Dorothy Lamour found Bob easier than Bing to work with. I’m not saying it isn’t so, and let’s face it (pun intended) as Joe E Brown said, Nobody’s Perfect. Another oddity is that while Bob may be said to surpass Jack Benny in respect of their movie careers, certainly so far as output goes, Jack is generally held to have scored the biggest hit and appeared in the greatest film with To Be Or Not To Be.

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From the Archives: Bob Hope entertains the troops

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Over a 50-year span, Bob Hope entertained American troops overseas. Many of his USO tours occurred over Christmas. Los Angeles Times photographers often covered his departures and arrivals.

In the above image, Hope was embarking on his 13th annual two-week Christmas tour of U.S. military bases.

In 2003, Times staff writer Al Martinez reported in Bob Hope's obituary:

...His face was known to millions of Americans spanning three generations, perhaps especially those who served in the military during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

The comedian began entertaining servicemen and women at U.S. bases in 1941—starting at California's March Field near Riverside — and in 1948 began annual Christmas shows at American bases overseas.

Hope was never a member of the military. But on Oct. 29, 1997, when he was 94, he became the first American designated by Congress as an "honorary veteran of the United States Armed Forces." .…

His shows for the troops — with an entourage of other comics, singers, dancers and pretty girls — lasted for half a century, often not far from the fighting, earning Hope praise for his patriotic efforts and criticism for his hawkish stance during the Vietnam War.

He once said — either exaggerating for effect or on the level — that he had traveled almost 10 million air miles entertaining American service personnel around the world. He ended his regular Christmas shows in 1972 during the difficult days of the Vietnam War.

The hiatus lasted 11 years. In 1983, at 80, Hope once more hit the road, this time traveling to Lebanon, where a peacekeeping force of U.S. Marines and ships of the 6th Fleet had gathered to attempt, without success, to stem the internal bloodshed in Beirut.

The comedian entertained first aboard the naval ships off the coast and then, to everyone's surprise, went ashore to give the Marines his special brand of humor. He got out a scant 30 minutes before the compound at which he appeared was shelled.

"If this is peace," Hope told the cheering troops, "aren't you glad you're not in a war? I was told not to fraternize with the enemy, and I won't ... as soon as I figure out who it is."

In 1990, the octogenarian Hope was in the Middle East cheering troops in Operation Desert Shield and then Operation Desert Storm, the first U.S.-led campaigns against Saddam Hussein. ...

Martinez’s full article Bob Hope, the master of the one-liner, dies at 100 is online.

This photo gallery includes a couple of Associated Press photos of Bob Hope performances overseas.

This post was originally published on Dec. 23, 2011.

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Have Tuxedos, Will Travel: How Bob Hope Earned His Reputation

• Lily Rothman @lilyrothman

In 1943, Bob Hope was already establishing himself as an entertainment legend among the armed forces

In this week’s issue of TIME , Richard Zoglin takes a look at how the legendary performer Bob Hope paved the way for the activists of modern Hollywood. As Zoglin — the author of a new book about the comedian, Hope: Entertainer of the Century — points outs, Hope was just one of many celebrities who kept World War II morale high with USO tours, but he managed to establish a lasting connection between his career and the armed forces.

Which would not surprise anyone who read TIME’s Sept. 20, 1943, cover story about Bob Hope. As that article recounts, the entertainer was so devoted to the cause that at one point, when it looked like his tour might not happen, he wired a Lieutenant General directly: “WE SING, DANCE, TELL STORIES; HAVE TUXEDOS; WILL TRAVEL; CAN WE PLAY YOUR CIRCUIT?”

And the audiences were nothing if not appreciative of the effort:

For fighting men, this grimmest of wars is in one small way also the gayest. Never before have the folks who entertain the boys been so numerous or so notable; never have they worked so hard, traveled so far, risked so much. In the Middle East last week were Jack Benny, Larry Adler with his harmonica, Al Jolson with a harmonium; Ray Bolger was in the South Pacific, Judith Anderson in Hawaii. A while back Martha Raye went to the foxholes of Tunisia; and in New Guinea a show went on within earshot of the Japs. From the ranks of show business have sprung heroes and even martyrs, but so far only one legend. That legend is Bob Hope. It sprang up swiftly, telepathically, among U.S. servicemen in Britain this summer, traveling faster than even whirlwind Hope himself, then flew ahead of him to North Africa and Sicily, growing larger as it went. Like most legends, it represents measurable qualities in a kind of mystical blend. Hope was funny, treating hordes of soldiers to roars of laughter. He was friendly—ate with servicemen, drank with them, read their doggerel, listened to their songs. He was indefatigable, running himself ragged with five, six, seven shows a day. He was figurative—the straight link with home, the radio voice that for years had filled the living room and that in foreign parts called up its image. Hence boys whom Hope might entertain for an hour awaited him for weeks. And when he came, anonymous guys who had had no other recognition felt personally remembered.

Read the full 1943 cover story here, in TIME’s archives: Hope for Humanity

LIFE with Bob Hope: Classic Photos of an American Wisecracker

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