THE BOB HOPE AND THE USO CHRISTMAS SHOWS INSPIRED A LONG-STANDING HOLIDAY TRADITION
There are few entertainment legends quite on the level of Bob Hope. Known for his comedy and charisma, Hope was able to entertain the masses and became known for his USO shows. He would reach even more people both within the military community fighting abroad and civilians tuning in back home through holiday specials from all over the world. Bob Hope and the USO Christmas shows are a fond memory of holiday cheer from a man who genuinely loved giving back to the U.S. military.
How Bob Hope and the USO Christmas Shows Came to Be
Starting in World War II, Bob Hope and the USO Christmas shows would bring holiday cheer to troops in December around the globe.
However, the show when it started and where it ended would go through multiple changes and expand to reach a wide audience around the world. All while keeping the military at the heart of his mission to entertain.
In May 1941, Hope visited a Navy base in California while recording his radio show for NBC.
This sparked a year and a half of USO shows where Bob Hope would host and tape additional performances throughout the United States on military installations.
This would include holiday shows and finally brought Hope to holding his first overseas USO Camp Show tour in 1943.
During WWII, Bob Hope hosted variety-style shows featuring top Hollywood stars, performing mostly for military audiences.
His legendary status grew in the mid-20th century with the Bob Hope Christmas Show, solidifying Hope as a mainstay in military entertainment.
Records show he hosted special Pepsodent Show episodes at Veterans’ hospitals in 1946 and 1947.
Berlin Airlift
In 1948, Hope entertained deployed troops in Germany during the Berlin Airlift, sparking his tradition of holiday military performances.
This era was the beginning of The Bob Hope Show, which would have many different names and TV specials as time went on.
In 1950, Bob Hope reluctantly moved to more television broadcasts, providing a variety of holiday entertainment to a studio audience in New York, but the next year, he visited troops coming back from Korea on the USS Boxer in San Diego.
USO Military Traditions for Deployed Troops
By 1954, Bob Hope USO Christmas shows were being recorded overseas with specials taking place on a number of military audiences taking it all in.
For decades, Hope and his crew visited places around the world to deliver military entertainment for deployed troops—there were a total of nine holiday specials recorded in Vietnam, which started in 1964.
Performing in Vietnam helped make Hope’s legacy of as a great performer and patriot who supports the troops stick.
Big names would join Bob Hope and the USO Christmas shows, including Raquel Welch, Sammy Davis Jr., Neil Armstrong, and many more. Jerry Colonna, Hope’s long-time partner, would often take on the role of Santa Claus during these events.
On top of the appearances by beloved celebrities, many other acts were brought in ranging from famous dancer troupes to up-and-coming comedians.
Many troops who were able to enjoy Bob Hope and his USO Christmas shows have mentioned the experience as a rare highlight of Vietnam and stateside, viewers loved tuning in to enjoy the entertainment while looking for loved ones in the crowd.
To bring a close to the Christmas shows, the singing of “Silent Night” would set the mood for the holidays even with troops so far away from home.
“I hope I can be excused a little sentimentality as I look back over 22 of these Christmas trips (and remember) the millions of service men and women who responded to our efforts with warmth, enthusiasm, and affection,” said Hope.
The Legacy of Bob Hope and USO Christmas Shows Lives On
Bob Hope’s USO tours continued even after performing in Vietnam for his Christmas show in 1972.
His holiday specials over the years still resonate in the hearts of many Americans and his 1970 holiday broadcast is still one of the most-watched episodes of television in history.
Hope continued performing, lifting the military morale among American warfighters, until 1990 during Operation Desert Shield.
Today, USO continues to entertain the military community while also giving back. The impact of Bob Hope and the USO Christmas shows are larger than just their era or the holidays and shows the importance of giving back to our nation’s heroes whenever you can.
Suggested reads:
