As I noticed the news appear on my Twitter account Sept. 19 about the passing of Dolores Hope at age 102, I was reminded of the wonderful legacy that she helped to give America during her 70-year marriage to the amazing Bob Hope. As a child, whenever I could catch Bob Hope or Bing Crosby on the air, I would never miss it.
Whether it was their individual Christmas specials or re-runs of their individual and joint movies, I was truly a devoted follower, anxiously waiting to be entertained by these icons. I had the distinct pleasure of visiting with Bob and Dolores on Bob’s birthday and it is an experience I will always remember. There is probably not another individual on earth who has entertained more American servicemen and women. There is also probably not another entertainer who has logged more time in the White House’s Lincoln bedroom.
While in office, President Jimmy Carter once joked at an event honoring Hope that in a few more days he and Rosalynn would soon have more nights in the White House than Bob Hope. Hope entertained at least 11 presidents.
I was just in my 20’s when an opportunity came for me to meet this gentleman who had made such a difference in the lives of millions in every conflict our country faced since WW II. I grew up on what use to be the site of Fort Gordon during WWI, and later a Naval Air Station during WWII. The airstrip would eventually become DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, a favorite bedding place for corporate jets in Atlanta. Whenever Hope and Dolores visited Atlanta, they would bed their jet there. It was during a visit to appear at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre that I was struck by the urge to meet this man who had given me endless hours of entertainment. After doing a little investigating as a column writer for a local entertainment publication, I discovered the timing of their departure and made sure I would be on hand at the airport to wave goodbye.
It was Mr. Hope’s birthday, so I decided I would share with him a couple of my fiddle cassettes as a gift. I arrived early at the airport. This was a place where many of my family’s Sunday afternoons were spent with a picnic lunch as we sat watching the planes take off and land. I dropped the gift off at the terminal with the company preparing his jet for take-off. I watched as they took it aboard a plane, which had the look of a mini-Air Force One, complete with American flag. I waited in the terminal along with the other company employees for his arrival from the hotel.
In a few moments, an ambulance arrived with lights flashing followed by a limo. Out of the limo stepped Mr. and Mrs. Hope with a number of their pets on leashes. He walked with that bounce in his step that I had seen in so many films. Making my way to the carpet at the foot of the stairs, I waited patiently as they gathered items from the car. I watched him take some cash from his pocket and tip the limo driver. As I waited hoping to have a moment to say hello, my heart beat faster and faster. I truly was at a loss for words, as he and Dolores grew closer.
Beneath the roar of the jet engines, I watched as he handed over the leashes to someone who led their favorite pets onto the plane. I could not believe it as he stuck out his hand to me and said, “Hello.” His wife Dolores also greeted me as she passed. We lingered there a moment as I wished him a happy birthday and asked him for an autograph. I handed him the paper and pen. I wanted to tell him how much his movies had meant to me those endless hours as a child when I was confined to bed due to prolonged illnesses.
I wanted to thank him for changing my life.
By watching Hope and Crosby, I aspired to do what they did. While there was no longer those type of movies in which to star, I could not help dreaming of singing like Bing and making people laugh like Bob. I only wish I had told him, but I simply stood in awe, allowing him to pass the pleasantries about the weather under the roar of the engines.
I watched as he ascended the stairs of the jet. At the top, he turned presidentially, waved and entered the plane. I watched the door close. As the plane taxied away and took off, I thought to myself what a privilege I had just shared with a man who made such a difference.
I was so glad to have shook hands with Mr. Hope. I really felt that was one of the greatest things that could ever happen to me. A greater surprise came a few weeks later when a letter arrived thanking me for the fiddle cassettes that I had given him. While our paths have never crossed again, I do often think of him and Dolores, who is a talented singer and recording artist in her own right. She left her career behind to be a devoted wife and mother. She also became a philanthropist guiding the couple’s efforts to uplift with the blessings that their work had created.
She limited her singing largely to appearances on Hope’s many years of USO tours until she recorded an album at age 73 and then shared a concert run with Rosemary Clooney.
A few years ago, I acquired some photos of an early 50s performance by Bob Hope where he is backed musically by my childhood mentor – WSB Barndance host Cotton Carrier. The photos added nicely to the autograph and thank you note that still are treasures to me. Bob Hope was a great talent but it has been said behind every great man is a great woman. I am sure if Bob were still here to speak on that subject, he would agree that his star only shined brighter because of the flame that Dolores kept burning in the lives.
Randall Franks is an award-winning musician, singer and actor. He is best known for his role as “Officer Randy Goode” on TV’s “In the Heat of the Night” now on WGN America. His latest CD release, “An Appalachian Musical Revival,” is by www.shareamericafoundation.org. He is a member of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. He is a syndicated columnist for http://randallfranks.com and can be reached at rfrankscatoosa@gmail.com.