Bob Hope had a long and varied career, notably as a comedian, but starting as a truly gifted "hoofer" (dancer, especially vaudeville tap) and as a vocalist. His road movies with Crosby produced sequel after sequel, a virtual franchise, and he was an early success when TV was new, and was ever faithful in his USO tours, especially around the holidays, bringing show biz to guys and gals who were were often in battle fatigues and recently off patrol. Like many other stars -- John Wayne, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis Jr., and quite a few others -- he got chewed up in his later career by the politics of his time. But I will forever admire his skill in stand-up, his precision timing, his careful and endless scripting and offhanded seeming delivery, and his always being prepared and up for a performance, unlike so many who felt, or feel, that their stardom would carry them over. He was an experienced, crusty, determined performer right on through his life, and his work is still funny and ebullient, full of life and much authenticity. Do i agree with everything he said and did? Nope. But he was a talent and a figure of his time.
