Bob Hope entertained thousands of Soldiers at hundreds of bases over a decades-long United Service Organizations (USO) partnership. His show mixed comedy, music and popular culture to bring relief to exhausted troops serving overseas. This special exhibition highlights Hope’s World War II experiences. Hope’s USO career began May 6, 1941 when he performed his popular radio show for a live military audience at March Field in California. Inspired by the service members’reactions, Hope took his radio show on the road, performing for troops at camps and bases across the country. Of the 144 broadcasts Hope recorded during the war, only nine were recorded in a studio.

 

Join the Museum’s Chief Curator Paul Morando for a discussion with Kim Guise, curator of the “So Ready for Laughter” traveling exhibit. Guise will participate live via Zoom and share how Hope transitioned his radio show into a road show, bringing laughter to generations of troops from World War II to Operation Desert Shield.

 

Following the Gallery Talk, Morando and in-person attendees tour the exhibit. The tour is not available for virtual attendees.

 

Explore more free public programs curated specifically for the special exhibition, “So Ready for Laughter: The Legacy of Bob Hope”.

 

Register for the VIRTUAL Gallery Talk on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 12 p.m.

 

Get a Museum General Admission ticket on Thursday, December 1, 2022 to attend IN-PERSON.