Bob Hope (1903 - 2003)

Eltham's greatest son

He was born Leslie Townes Hope at 44 Craigton Road, Eltham (part of the borough of Greenwich) , England, on May 29, 1903. He was the fifth of seven sons of William Henry Hope, a stone mason, and Avis Townes Hope, a former concert singer.

When he was four, his father brought his family to Cleveland, Ohio. On December 20, 1920, by virtue of his father's naturalization, Bob - the name by which the world would later know him - and his six brothers also became U.S. citizens.

In Cleveland, Hope attended Fairmount Grammar and Junior High Schools. During his years at East High, he worked as a delivery boy, a soda fountain clerk, and a shoe salesman. When he left high school, he went to work for a motor car company.

The following year, he earned enough money to take dancing lessons from a couple of local instructors and even took over the classes for one of his teachers in 1922.

Hope also tried amateur boxing under the name of Packy East, and worked briefly as a newspaper reporter.

His first professional stage appearance was in a Fatty Arbuckle show with George Byrne. It was a hastily put together dancing act just for Arbuckle's Cleveland appearance.

The rest as they say is history.... For the full story, listen to some classic Bob Hope jokes or send him a message see the official Bob Hope website at: www.bobhope.com

Honorary Knighthood for Bob Hope

On 17th May 1998 in Washington DC (USA) at an official British Embassy dinner hosted by Ambassador Sir Christopher and Lady Meyer, Bob Hope was invested as a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order Of The British Empire (KBE). The honour was extended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to Bob Hope "in recognition of his contributions to film, to song, and to the entertainment of troops in the past."

Upon being informed of the honour by Ambassador Meyer in February, Bob said, "I'm speechless. Seventy years of ad lib material and I'm speechless." After collecting his thoughts, he continued, "What an honour and what a surprise for a boy who was born in England, raised in Cleveland and schooled in vaudeville. If Mahm could see me now!" (Mahm was the affectionate name that Bob and his six brothers called their mother.)

Eltham, My home town

Bob Hope has always maintained strong links with Britain. Within his organisation the idea was born that he might fund a theatre centre in his home town, particularly for the benefit of young people. Eltham Little Theatre was an established organisation in the town, but eviction from the building was threatened as the amateur theatre company, which had occupied the building for 40 years, could not afford to purchase the freehold. Following several visits, the project got off the ground and in 1982, accompanied by ex-President Gerald Ford, he unveiled the new name of The Bob Hope Theatre, and thus Eltham Little Theatre was renamed. Today it is one of the best equipped amateur theatres in the South East of England.

• Material courtesy of www.bobhope.com and the Bob Hope Theatre

Bob Hope Theatre

Wythfield Road, Eltham, London SE9 5TG

Telephone +44 (0)20 8850 3702

A Brief History of The Bob Hope Theatre (Eltham, England)

Eltham Little Theatre (now The Bob Hope Theatre) was formed on 12th November 1943 to promote drama, music and allied arts in Eltham and its immediate vicinity.

During the early years it was without a permanent home but early in 1946, by arrangement with the Parochial Church Council, ELT found a home in Eltham Parish Hall (the current Theatre) on an annual lease basis.

In May 1946 Eltham Little Theatre was registered as a Company, limited by guarantee. The first production, "Hedda Gabler", was staged by an affiliated society, The Kerwin Players, in 1946.

During the period from 1946 to 1950 there were some 600 individual members and 25 affiliated societies, and a production was staged every other weekend throughout the season.

The Theatre's management endeavoured to purchase the building. However, in 1957 it became clear that the asking price was beyond reach despite constant fund-raising efforts.

By 1979 funds were low. The Theatre membership was almost resigned to closure. The lease was not renewed, the premises were up for sale........

.......and then Bob Hope stepped in !!

• For more details, schedules etc see the Bob Hope Theatre website

Bob Hope on the Internet

• See Bob Hope on TV this month (US listing)
• Bob Hope his films - Internet Movie Database
• Bob Hope - A tribute