Product Description
A brief biography of the entertainer and comedian emphasizing the events of his more than forty-year career in show business. ... Read more

Product Description
Bob Hope got his start in show business when he was in his twenties, remained active past the age of 90, and lived to be 100. His longevity was remarkable, especially when one considers that he was active in vaudeville, radio, motion pictures and television. He excelled in each of these popular forms of entertainment, but his films are the most genuine testaments to his timeless comedy. His smart quips, fast pace, and breezy manner were perfect ingredients for the brand of comedy that was popular during World War II and the years immediately following the war.

This book begins with a discussion of Bob Hope’s early career and the short films that he starred in, and then covers each of the Hope films beginning with The Big Broadcast of 1938. The Hope films, the author says, do not have deep subtexts or clever cinematic innovations, but provide clever, uplifting entertainment that continues to inspire laughter and offer solid examples of the humor that made Americans smile during and after World War II. Cast and credit information is provided for each film. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great reference for the great comedian
This is a really terrific starter book for any Bob Hope fan.All of his films are here in detail. Yes, it leaves you wanting more photos (that's its only fault), but it's loaded with fascinating trivia.Any shelf full of film and tv books needs this edition.

Nice appetizer, but where's the meal?
I am a fan of Mr. Neibaur's writing.His book on the Jerry Lewis films is one of my favorites.This book, however, reeks of, "Hope recently died, so let's throw something together.".Hope was THE greatest single comedian working in films during the 40's into the mid 50's.He even surpassed the wonderful Red Skelton.(The best team films were made by Abbott and Costello during this time.)Therefore, Hope's film work should have inspired a much more detailed and incisive look.Chapters seem like blurbs you'd find in a festival screening program.Quotes are minimal, and reviews even less so.When I read the great review by Simon Louvish (whom I really admire as one of the best myth busting biographers in film book history) I immediately pressed my purchase button.It isn't without value, and I can't say that I didn't enjoy the few hours it took me to read it, but come on Jim....

How about a follow up that really gets to the heart of the matter?Mr. Neibaur?Mr. Louvish?Anybody???

A wonderfulguide tothe Hope films
OK, we all know about the negatives in Hope's later work. But read and refer to this book and you will be able to pick the films that will tickle your funny bone again and again. I grew up on these films but the book is solid with interesting observations andfacts. Example: "Where There's Life" was unknown to me. Not any more. Neibaur also doesn't let his admiration for Hope get in the way of his evaluations of the films. Finally, you get lots of information about the films and the role each played in Hope's career, as well as information about other actors. I read the book in one night and keep it handy as the best reference you can have on Hope. Woody Allen once said he copied from Hope shamelessly. It is obvious he wasn't just saying that when you examine the book and the films. Use this book to double your pleasure of seeing Hope at his best and learning loads of interesting facts about his career and each film.

Bob Hope Films
I agree with the negative reiews of this disappoiinting book.It has no depth and contains no thoughtful accounts of Hope's unique career in film.Not worth even a highly discounted price.

A Hope-Full Volume
"The Bob Hope Films" is not an in-depth biography or scandal-riddled tell-all. It is exactly what the title states, a history of Bob Hope's movie career. So on that level, it achieves its goal. Mr. Neibaur is obviously a Hope fan and rightfully champions many of the comedian's underrated comedies, but he is objective enough to separate the gold from the garbage. Be advised that if your only exposure to Hope movies has been "Call Me Bwana" or "Cancel My Reservation" you seriously need to check out his hilarious '40s-early '50s work and this book can serve as your tour guide. Mr. Hope was one of the funniest people ever to set foot in front of a motion picture camera, and "The Bob Hope Films" serves as an important reminder of that simple fact. ... Read more

Product Description
This absorbing biography of one of the entertainment world's best-known and loved personalities traces in fascinating detail the great entertainer's multi-sided career. It also gives a unique insight into Bob Hope, the man behind the public image. Peter Carrick not only takes the reader into the world of show business, but also explores the disasters, disappointments, fear and frustrations of one of the world's greatest comics. Though born in England, Bob moved to America at the age of four, where, as a teenager, he worked his way up through the jungle of American vaudeville as a comic, musician, actor, singer and dancer, before gaining fame on Broadway and rising to become one of the biggest stars on radio during the 1930s and 1940s. He then moved to Hollywood where, after an unsteady start, he soared to stardom, becoming one of the biggest box office attractions of all time. In contrast to the uncertainty and insecurity of professional life in show business, here is the personal story of Bob's enduring marriage to Dolores and of their four adopted children, of his extensive business interests, his obsession with golf and his love of Britain.Bob Hope is a unique assessment of an entertainer and personality loved by fans throughout the world who is looking forward to celebrating his 100th birthday in May 2003. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Knights of St. Sylvester, Oskar Schindler, Bob Hope, William Joseph Donovan, E. W. Pugin, Rodrigo Augusto Da Silva, Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine, Joseph Flores, Giorgio Borg Olivier, Ken Harada, Nasser David Khalili, Kazys Lozoraitis, Anthony J. Bailey, Maria Theodor Ratisbonne, Peter Paul Pugin, Elmar Mäder, Chittampalam Abraham Gardiner, Robert J. Lane. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 91. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG (born Leslie Townes Hope; May 29, 1903 July 27, 2003) was an American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO tours entertaining American military personnel. Throughout his career, he was honored for his humanitarian work. In 1996, the U.S. Congress honored Bob Hope by declaring him the "first and only honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces." Bob Hope appeared in or hosted 199 known USO shows. Hope was born in Eltham, London, England, the fifth of seven sons. His father, William Henry Hope, was a stonemason from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset and his Welsh mother, Avis Townes, was a light opera singer who later worked as a cleaning woman. The family lived in Weston-super-Mare, then Whitehall and St George in Bristol, before moving to Cleveland, Ohio in 1908. The family emigrated to the United States aboard the SS Philadelphia, and passed inspection at Ellis Island on March 30, 1908. Hope became a U.S. citizen in 1920 at the age of seventeen. In a 1942 legal document, Hope's legal name is given as Lester Townes Hope. His name on the Social Security Index is also listed as Lester T. Hope. His name at birth as registered during the JulyAugustSeptember quarter in the Lewisham district of Greater London was ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=161292 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great book!And this from another Hope writer!
Gene and Martha have done a superb job capturing the essence of Hope.I wrote for Bob myself and know what he was like on a day-to-day basis and they nailed him.He was a true joy to work for and left all of us withvalued memories of experiences we'd otherwise have only dreamed of. Geneand Martha have documented what it was like to work for a legend.My hat'soff to them both!

An amazing book on the behind scenes of a Comedy Ledgen.
If you read just one book on Show Business this is the one!!I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the experinece of going behind the scenes with two of Bob Hope's Comedy Writers.Both writers paint a real and excitingpicture of a true comedy ledgend.I would also reccomend that anyoneinterrested in becoming a comedy writer read this book.

Good for a few thousand laughs!
Trust me.Read this one.Any fan of Hope, or any fan of comedy, will love the behind-the-scenes stories of being on the road with Hope. How the punch lines came about are as funny as the lines themselves.I bought acopy for my Dad - a BIG Hope fan - with the intention of stealing it back. No such luck.He won't let it go!

Talk about a good book...this one fits the bill!
Want to read agood book?....Talk about Hope is just that. This book gives real insight into the legendary Bob Hope as a performer and a person from two people who really know him -- they both have talked, worked, andtraveled with him for many years. It is a humorous & insightful bookwritten in an easy-to-read, conversational style.As you read this book,you will feel like you, too, REALLYknow the real Bob Hope.

"Talk About Hope" is a look at a comedy legend.
"Talk About Hope" is a behind the scenes look into a comedylegend as told by two of Bob Hope's longtime writers. It's written in aconversational style that makes you think the writer's were speakingdirectly to you.

The book is filled with stories that are both funnyand give some insights into why Bob Hope has enjoyed longevity as anentertainer.

I recommend this book to anyone that likes to laugh andenjoys a good read. ... Read more

Product Description
Spotlights four popular comedians and discusses their roles in the renaissance of the comedy film. ... Read more

Product Description
A heartfelt tribute to Bob Hope, America's most famous citizen and beloved comedian. Bob Hope lives upon the pages that traces his career from vaudeville stages, on radio, in television and films,(those infamous Bing Crosby/Bob Hope seven "Road" films) right through his unselfish USO performances before servicemen and women from World War II through Desert Storm. With a foreword by his friend Jane Russell, who appeared with him in "The Paleface" where he sang "Buttons & Bows," there are over 125 terrific photos, including some never befoe published. There are 21 famous friends who have lent their feelings in their own words about Bob Hope inclulding Rhonda Fleming, Connie Haines, Ann Jillian, Kathryn Crosby, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Patty Andrews, Shirley Jones, Sid Caesar and others. This is the book Bob Hope fans have been waiting for for 20 years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

One of the better books on Bob Hope.
I have read many books on and by Bob Hope and have been a fan since I was a kid in Cleveland.At least 70 years of fandom since my parents took me as a child to see a "Road Picture".
A lot of the material in the book was not new for me, however it tugged at my heart strings memory wise to again review the life of one of America's greatest, if not the greatest, entertainers.Bob is a legend and gave so much to our nation, especially the young men and women in uniform.I have had the privilege of seeing him in two live performances and meeting him in person.He is bigger than life.I have collected many of his films on DVD and can watch them over and over.Also enjoyableare radio shows on cassette and TV shows on DVD.I mention this for those who have not really had the experience of hearing the master of humor at his best.

Richard Grudens, The Spirit of Bob Hope
Grudens, who focuses on celebrities from the 1930s through the 1950s, has written a starry-eyed story about entertainer Hope.What it lacks in depth it makes up for in its puerile descriptions of the man and his accomplishments.Hardly a biography, this book stands as more a puff piece written by an admirer.

A Bob Hope Fan
I gave the book a 4 primarily for the subject.However, I found that a lot of the material was covered in depth in Mr. Hope's autobiography circa 1954 and which is in re-print to my knowledge.

Bob and Richard, What a Combo
Boy, this is the best of the Hope books, and I've read them all. The photos are amazing and the book is a virtual encylopedia of information on one of America's best entertainers, the unselfish traveler who enterained our troops in every war since WW2. If you like Bob Hope, get this book and you will get to know Leslie Townes Hope as well as I do. Five Stars for this one. Honest.

Fantastic Book! Well written!
Bob Hope has always been a favorite of me and my family. Bob Hope, the unselfish celebrity who entertained our troops in every war from World War II through the Vietnam War, dispensing songs, comedy and always brought along beautiful girls, all to help boost their morale. Richard Grudens book The Spirit of Bob Hope is the best of the Hope books because it covers every aspect of his career from his vaudeville days through his Broadway appearances, his great radio shows and his television specials. Also covered well is his association with Bing Crosby and those seven classic Road Shows, which are also narrated by Mr. Grudens in the special feature section of the DVD Tributes. The book featuresoriginal comments from contemporaries and associates like Charlton Heston, Frances Langford, John Steinbeck, Rhonda Fleming, Doris Day, Sid Caesar, Jane Russell, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, Rosemary Clooney,Tony Bennett, Shirley Jones, Ann Jillian and Les Brown, among many others. The opening contains a tribute prayer from his friend, Billy Graham. The Spirit of Bob Hope is clearly a wonderful tributeto a wonderful performer who was loved and who will be missed. This book is the Bob Hope Bible to keep on your shelf.The book is interspersed with over 100 terrific photos at strategic places in the book, many never before published,and the words to songs introduced by him over the years-the best of which is "Thanks for the Memory." A first -rank Bob Hope book. It get five stars from me. ... Read more

Product Description
Starting with Road to Singaporein 1940, Paramount Pictures teamed Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour to star in one of the most successful series of movies ever made.All seven "road" films followed the same basic format: adventurers Hope and Crosby would be caught in a seemingly impossible situation, they would defeat the bad guys, and then vie with one another for Lamour's attention. A few ballads, duets, and comedy numbers were added for musical flavor and it all worked to perfection.This book is a fond look back on three screen stars, all with successful careers of their own, who traveled seven "roads" together and left audiences with miles of movie memories. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

"Road to Box Office ... Randall G. Mielke ... BearManoir Media (2010)"
BearManor Media presents "ROAD TO BOX OFFICE - THE SEVEN FILM COMEDIES OF CROSBY, HOPE & LAMOUR, 1940-1962" (Paperback), by Randall G. Mielke (Author) --- The formula for the "Road Series" followed a flimsy plot with adventurers Crosby and Hope caught in seemingly impossible situations --- They would defeat the bad guys - usually utilizing the famous patty-cake routine - and vie with one another for Lamour's attention, who completed the famous trio --- Nice musicality with a few ballads, duets and comedy numbers were added for musical flavor --- And for the fans it all worked perfectly --- the "Road" films were in a league of their and financially successful --- the author Mielke brings this out in some detailed ways that gives each actor their own chapters, plus nice synopsis on each film.

INCLUDED IN THIS BOOK:
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Preface ------- v
Introduction ------------ ix
How They Met ----- 1
Taking Them on the Road ----- 11
Road to Singapore, 1940 ----- 17
Road to Zanzibar, 1941 ------ 37
Road to Morocco, 1942 ----- 57
Road to Utopia, 1945 ------ 75
Road to Rio, 1947 ----------- 93
Road to Bali, 1952 --------- 115
The Road to Hong Kong, 1962 ---- 133
The Final Road -------------------- 153
Stopping by the Side of the Road:
An Overview of the "Road" Series --- 157
The Crooner Goes to Hollywood:
The Movies of Bing Crosby ---- 171
The Vaudeville Comic Hits the Screen:
The Movies of Bob Hope ------ 197
Have Sarong, Will Travel:
The Movies of Dorothy Lamour --- 225
Bibliography ---------------------- 243
Index ---------------------------- 245

BIOS:
1. Bing Crosby (aka:Harry Lillis Crosby)
Date of Birth:2 May 1903 - Tacoma, Washington
Date of Death:14 October 1977 - Madrid, Spain

2.Bob Hope(aka: Leslie Townes Hope)
Date of Birth:29 May 1903 - Eltham, London, England, UK
Date of Death:27 July 2003 - Toluca Lake, California

3.Dorothy Lamour(aka: Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton)
Date of Birth:10 December 1914 - New Orleans, Louisiana
Date of Death:22 September 1996 - Los Angeles, California

Realize this book does not cover everything in detail, but gives an overview of each cast member and film --- There are some flawed statements, but does wet the appetite for all of the fans who love to read about this subject and their stars --- Not enough on our favorite girl in the sarong Dorothy Lamour, agree with one of the reviewers on this page author could have included some rare reviews to these pictures --- But all in all, "Road to Box Office - The Seven Film Comedies of Crosby, Hope and Dorothy Lamour, 1940-1962, is a good and fun read as reprinted by BearManor Media. the new paperback ---look back on three screen stars, all with successful careers of their own, who traveled seven "roads" together and left audiences with miles of movie memories.

This is why I gave a three and a half star rating for the readers who lived and enjoyed this special time with the trios films, music and television appearances --- Never be another time the likes of them again, gotta love it!

Total Page: 272 Pages ~ BearManor Media #ISBN-13: 978-1593935450~ (08/19/2010)

Road to Nowhere
A critical study of the great Hope-Crosby-Lamour Road Movies is long overdue - but this does not even begin to fit the bill.

Low on facts and thin on substance, the book seems more like a student's essay than a real study of the films. The author seems content that a quick overview of scenes from each film is enough to comprise an in-depth discussion, and constantly repeats himself, often putting the exact same paragraph within a couple of pages (Who was the proof reader for this book? ....).

When the book attempts to be critical (which it rarely does) it falls flat on it's face. The idea that The Road To Hong Kong is the least of the series purely due to it's Space Travel plot, -meaning it is less based in reality than the other films - is totally flawed.

To sum up - a potentially great book is scuppered by repetitious prose, little new information or research and very weak arguments. ....

Oh well, nice try - hopefully someone will do the series justice one day...

Flat Tire for the Road movies
A disappointment.Although the author deservedly credits Dorothy Lamour as an important part of the star combo for this series, he seems to have very little knowledge about her own illustrious non-Road career.Indeed,his bio chapter on her seems little more than paraphrasing James RobertParish's chapter on her in the old 70s book The Paramount Pretties.Andthere is regrettably little fresh information for fans of the movies, whono doubt know everything mentioned here.At least he could have includedsome rare reviews to these pictures.

Pleasant but not enough meat for the price
I did enjoy this book, I must admit, yet the 47.99 price tag seems a bit hefty for a book that is a pretty superficial overview of the Road Films.The fimographies at the end do not list the cameo and unbilled performancesof the three stars in each others' films (which is easy to research).Allin all, the result was disappointing for this truly sparkling era ofHollywood production. ... Read more