The first definitive biography of Bob Hope, featuring exclusive and extensive reporting that makes the persuasive case that he was the most important entertainer of the twentieth century. With his topical jokes and his all-American, brash-but-cowardly screen character, Bob Hope was the only entertainer to achieve top-rated success in every major mass-entertainment medium of the century, from vaudeville in the 1920s all the way to television in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. He virtually invented modern stand-up comedy. Above all, he helped redefine the very notion of what it means to be a star: a savvy businessman, an enterprising builder of his own brand, and a public-spirited entertainer whose Christmas military tours and unflagging work for charity set the standard for public service in Hollywood. As Richard Zoglin shows in this "entertaining and important book" (The Wall Street Journal), there is still much to be learned about this most public of figures, from his secret first marriage and his stint in reform school, to his indiscriminate womanizing and his ambivalent relationships with Bing Crosby and Johnny Carson. Hope could be cold, self-centered, tight with a buck, and perhaps the least introspective man in Hollywood. But he was also a tireless worker, devoted to his fans, and generous with friends. "Hope" is both a celebration of the entertainer and a complex portrait of a gifted but flawed man.

From his early days as a vaudeville singer and dancer to his later work as a star of radio, film, and television, Bob Hope set the standard for many comedians and brought joy to countless fans over the course of a decades-long career. Bob Hope captures the comedian's fun-loving, off-the-wall sense of humor and describes the dedication and hard work that made him a well-loved star. Insights into his personal life, including his lifelong marriage to singer Dolores Reader Hope, and details on the performance stints during World War II round out this loving tribute to one of the world's most beloved entertainer. With more than 100 intimate photographs, this heartwarming volume commemorates Hope's remarkable life and work.

From Bob Hope's early career as an upstart among professionals like Jack Benny and Milton Berle in the rollicking world of traveling comedians, to his blazing success as a radio, television, and film star, this completely revised and updated version of William Faith's acclaimed biography takes a straightforward, appreciative, and very funny look at Hope's life and times on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Filled with anecdotes, photographs, and plenty of jokes, the book reveals the real Bob Hope from his boyhood in England and youth in Cleveland to his present status as a legend--a full-blooded, authentic appraisal of the man and his humour, a comic institution who was also a brilliant businessman, manipulator of the media, and politically influential figure.

This book traces the real Bob Hope from his early days performing in Cleveland, Ohio, and New York, to his world-wide fame earned in radio, television and films, as well as his unselfish performances all over the world for the USO during World War II right through Desert Storm, documented through the eyes of many of his friends and fellow performers, as well as Bob's own comments as told to Grudens during personal interviews, revealing a touching portrait of a wonderful man. Here you will find personal testimonials and tributes in their own words from legendary actress Jane Russell, singer Connie Haines, actress Rhonda Fleming, M*A*S*H creator Larry Gelbart, vocalist Jerry Vale, President's Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, golfers Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, singers Tony Bennett, Frances Langford, Margaret Whiting, Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day, and Frankie Laine, and all recent Presidents. With a loving foreword by co-star Jane Russell, this book provides a perfect personal portrait of America's best loved comedian and the world's most famous citizen.

One of the greatest figures in American show business celebrates his 100th birthday by sharing a lifetime of jokes. Organised by the stages of his life, accompanied by b/w 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 on live charity events and his very own Bob Hope Special, and much more.

Lawrence J. Quirk delves into every personal and professional aspect of Bob Hope's long complex and dramatic life; rising by sheer dint of will to great wealth and fame. Why did Hope become so identified with sponsoring the Vietnam War? What's the real scoop on his relationship with Bing Crosby? How far astray did Hope's frankly oversexed nature lead him from the marriage he successfully maintained with Dolores for over sixty years? Quirk writes about Hope based on long experience. He knew and interviewed Bob Hope while serving as an army seargeant during the Korean war and later as entertainment editor and interviewer of top stars for over forty years. Quirk approaches his subject with original observations born of years of studying this most celebrated yet in some ways most mysterious of entertainment giants.

Published in three volumes. Barnouw (1908-2001) is a former chief of the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division.

Volume 1: A Tower in Babel, to 1933.
Volume 2: The Golden Web, 1933 to 1953.
Volume 3. The Image Empire, from 1953.

Prior special permission required to access this collection. Request by Comic Book number and issue/number date.