Bob Hope: A World of Laughter

Bob Hope: A World of Laughter will appeal to fans of Bob Hope, golf and comedy lovers, nostalgia and culture vultures and if you’re looking for an alternative to the “big games” that will be taking place in London, this is the ideal destination.

Why London?  Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope in Eltham, in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, South London on May 29 1903.  At the age of four his family emigrated to America and the rest as they say, is history, as Bob Hope became one of the world’s most loved, endearing and enduring comedians, renowned equally for his one-liners, his films, his support of the American troops during several wars and of course, his love of golf.

Bob Hope: A World of Laughter will feature more than 170 artifacts including his KBE and CBE conferred on him by The Queen. The exhibition will also include Bob Hope’s honorary Oscar statuette, Honorary Veterans citation, and Congressional Gold Medal and his PGA of America money clip.  More than 200 vintage photos and several video displays will tell the story about Hope’s early years as part of an immigrant family in the early 20th century, his rise as a star of stage, screen and radio, the relationships he had with U.S. presidents, his devotion to the men and women of the military and his love of golf.

He was awarded the Freedom of the Borough in 2000 aged 97, and died in 2003, aged 100. This award will be among many on display. In addition, never seen artifacts that tell the story of his roots in England, his returns to his homeland to entertain HRH, and his charitable endeavors through the Bob Hope British Classic will be included in this stop on the tour.

The exhibition will be available free of charge to the public in the Berkeley Gallery at the Greenwich Heritage Center from Friday July 13 through October 28, 2012. It is open tuesday to friday, 9am to 5pm.