The Who2 Blog
Bob Hope Trivia
Bob Hope hurt his ankle in 1965, when someone "shoved him off the stage" in Thailand. Bob Hope used Brut 33 cologne and Gillette shaving cream. Quite by accident, I learned that and more this week.
While I was celebrating the 84th birthday of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej earlier in the week, I came across a brief news story from the Miami News, dated 23 December, 1965. While at the air force base in Korat, Thailand, Bob Hope was shoved off the stage and ended up with a couple of torn ligaments in his ankle.
As you can see, he performed in Bangkok anyway. Then Bob Hope apparently went on his way to Siagon, no doubt to entertain American troops.
Last night I happened upon the wonderful site Lists of Note, an off-shoot of the other wonderful site Letters of Note. Front and center was this list of items Bob Hope requested for his tour around the world in 1969:
I like how straight-forward it is. Go take a look at Lists of Note.
And for more Bob Hope pleasure, I leave you with these two images, and the question: which of these "surreal" images is more surreal?
3 comments
"Make sure stays are in collar" -- how I wish I had someone to handle that for me. And to take them *out* before they go to the dry cleaner.
What do you suppose is up with "jogging shoes"? In 1969? That almost makes me question the whole list. He doesn't ask for shorts or athletic shirts, either -- just jogging shoes. He didn't call them "tennis shoes"?
Here's what Wikipedia says about the etymology of "jogging":
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In New Zealand during the 1960s or 1970s the word "roadwork" was mostly supplanted by the word "jogging", promoted by coach Arthur Lydiard, who is credited with popularizing jogging. The idea of jogging as an organised activity was mooted in a sports page article in the New Zealand Herald in February 1962, which told of a group of former athletes and fitness enthusiasts who would meet once a week to run for "fitness and sociability". Since they would be jogging, the newspaper suggested that the club "may be called the Auckland Joggers Club"—which is thought to be the first use of the noun "jogger". University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman, after jogging with Lydiard in New Zealand, brought the concept of jogging as exercise to the United States in 1962. Bowerman published the book Jogging in 1966, and later updated the book for a 1967 republication.
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So Bob Hope was on the bandwagon way early. Although I bet he wasn't actually jogging for exercise... was he?
Funny you should mention it. I also thought that "jogging shoes" really stood out. Everything else seemed so *standard* it could have been an ultra-wry modern parody.
It sounds like if Hope hadn't had to give the list to someone else, his own list would have been:
Clothes
Shoes
Bathroom Stuff
I also kind of wonder who actually typed this list, and who it was then given to. I suppose he had a personal secretary who typed it up (right?), but then who does it go to? The housekeeper? Did he have a butler? Who knows where the studs for the tuxedo are, but also has to be reminded to put them in?
And did Bing Crosby pack his own things?