“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal – Love leaves a memory none can steal.”– from a headstone in Ireland
If I didn’t have photos, I’d still have memories, but I am so thankful for all the pictures I have to look back on and smile, even though sometimes the smile is between tears sliding down my cheeks. I may have too many photos, but that’s in large part because I am the keeper of the bulk of the pictures that were left behind by Mom and my mother-in-law.
Now in the digital age nearly everyone takes multiple photos on a daily basis. Back as a young teen when I first had a camera, I never knew until I got my developed film just what images I had captured. It was always a thrill to drive up to the Photo Bug to pick up my envelope of photographs.
photo via columbuscoasterco.com
I look forward to making more memories, taking more pictures, and one day passing them on for others to treasure.
London, July 26, 1943 – “When the time for recognition of service to the nation in wartime comes to be considered, Bob Hope should be high on the list. The man drives himself and is driven. It is impossible to see how he can do so much, can cover so much ground, can work so hard, and can be so effective. He works month after month at a pace that would kill most people,” – from Once There Was a War by John Steinbeck
After reading this, I had to do a little research on the man. I’ve enjoyed his movies over the years, and knew about his USO work, but I wanted to know more.
The song “Thanks for the Memory”, which later became his trademark, was introduced in the film The Big Broadcast of 1938 as a duet with Shirley Ross, accompanied by Shep Fields and his orchestra. The fluid nature of the music allowed Hope’s writers to later create variations of the song to fit specific circumstances, such as bidding farewell to troops while on tour. It has been sung by many of the greats over the years, including Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney, as well as in numerous parodies. When I was in college, my sorority wrote several parody songs and jingles to use during rush, and this was one of them. I sure wish I could remember the words we sang!
Hope performed his first USO show on May 6, 1941, at March Field, California, and continued to travel and entertain troops for the rest of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the third phase of the Lebanon Civil War, the latter years of the Iran–Iraq War, and the 1990–91 Persian Gulf War. Sometimes his wife, Dolores, joined him and once his granddaughter, Miranda, did also. Hope made 57 tours for the USO between 1941 and 1991 and was declared an honorary veteran of the United States Armed Forces in 1997 by act of the U.S. Congress.
1944
Other things I learned:
He and Dolores were married in 1934 and they adopted four children.
He was very involved with Fight for Sight, a nonprofit organization in the United States which funds medical research in vision and ophthalmology.
“Thanks for the Memory” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Hope was an investor/part owner of the Cleveland Indians.
Hope died of pneumonia at his home, two months after his 100th birthday.
Here are the original lyrics to “Thanks for the Memory”
Thanks for the memory Of sentimental verse Nothing in my purse And chuckles When the preacher said For better or for worse How lovely it was
Thanks for the memory Of Schubert’s Serenade Little things of jade And traffic jams And anagrams And bills we never paid How lovely it was
We who could laugh over big things Were parted by only a slight thing I wonder if we did the right thing Oh, well, that’s life, I guess I love your dress
Thanks for the memory Of faults that you forgave Of rainbows on a wave And stockings in the basin When a fellow needs a shave Thank you so much
Thanks for the memory Of tinkling temple bells Alma mater yells And Cuban rum And towels from The very best hotels Oh how lovely it was
Thanks for the memory Of cushions on the floor Hash with Dinty Moore That pair of gay pajamas That you bought And never wore
We said goodbye with a highball Then I got as high as a steeple But we were intelligent people No tears, no fuss Hooray for us
Strictly entre nous Darling, how are you? And how are all Those little dreams That never did come true?
Awfully glad I met you Cheerio and toodle-oo Thank you Thank you so much
Songwriters: Leo Robin / Ralph Rainger
There are so many versions. Here’s a clip from the movie – some of the words are different from those above.
Not In This Soup Alone 