![]() The show at the Capitol proved to be another career milestone for Bob. Bob, as one of the theater attractions, was booked for the show. Bowes originated from the theater every morning. In the interest of using radio to promote its box-office attractions, the “Capitol Family Hour” hosted by Major Edward J. in New York, it was his performance in “Red, Hot and Blue” that opened the door to his first major feature film for Paramount Pictures, “The Big Broadcast of 1938.”īob’s first radio hit grew out of a personal appearance at New York’s Capitol Theater. Bob’s success in “Follies” led him to a role in “Red, Hot, and Blue” (1936) with Ethel Merman and Jimmy Durante.Īlthough Bob had made seven one-reel comedies for Educational Films with Warner Bros. Later, four grandchildren would also be added to the family.įollowing “Roberta,” Bob opened in the 1934 Broadway musical “Say When” followed by the 1936 edition of “Ziegfeld Follies” in which he shared the spotlight with Fanny Brice. After a brief courtship, the couple married in February 1934 and eventually started a family that included four children: Linda, Anthony, Nora, and Kelly. In 1932 Bob appeared on Broadway again in “Ballyhoo.” But Bob’s first major recognition, by critics and the public, came in 1933 for his wise-cracking role as Huckleberry Haines in the highly successful Broadway musical, “Roberta.”īob’s personal life changed during “Roberta.” One of his co-performers in the musical, George Murphy, introduced him to a young singer, Dolores Reade, then appearing at the Vogue Club on 57th Street. At the conclusion of the three-day engagement, Bob became a “single.” Encouraged by the audience responses and the theater manager, Bob enlarged his introduction routine to five minutes. On opening night Bob was asked to announce the coming attractions to the theater audiences. They secured a three-day date in a tiny theater in New Castle, Pennsylvania. On the advice of their agent, Hope and Byrne headed west to change their act and start over again. The show enjoyed a long run, but Hope & Byrne did not! In New York they were chosen for the Broadway show “Sidewalks of New York,” which starred Ruby Keeler and Smith & Dale. They polished their act and soon were playing major houses including Keith’s Flushing in New York City. One year later, Bob teamed with George Byrne for a tour with tab shows. After developing their act in local bookings, they were hired by the Bandbox Theater in Cleveland as a “cheap act” for the Fatty Arbuckle Show. However, the curtain fell abruptly on Hope and Rosequist when Mildred’s mother finally saw the act.īob then teamed up with his friend, Lloyd Durbin. Appearing at nearby vaudeville houses, they worked their way to the princely wage of $8 a night and were ready to take their show on tour. Bob gave up boxing when he “was not only being carried out of the ring, but into the ring.”Īt 18, Bob persuaded his girlfriend, Mildred Rosequist, to become his dance partner. Bob also worked briefly as a newspaper reporter and tried amateur boxing under the name of Packy East. A natural, he took over some classes for his teachers. He was also a soda jerk, a shoe salesman, and a pool hustler.Īfter high school, Bob took dancing lessons from entertainer King Rastus Brown and from vaudeville hoofer Johnny Root. During his years at East High School he worked as a delivery boy in his Uncle Fred’s meat market. Bob joked, “I left England at the age of four when I found out I couldn’t be king.”Īs a youth in Cleveland he earned spending money selling newspapers and as a constant entrant in amateur shows. In 1920, by virtue of his father’s naturalization, ‘Bob’ - the name by which the world would later know him - and his brothers became United States citizens. In 1907, Leslie’s father brought the family to Cleveland, Ohio. His English father, William Henry Hope, was a stonemason, while his Welsh mother, Avis Townes Hope, an aspiring concert singer. The fifth of seven sons, he was born Leslie Townes Hope in Eltham, England on May 29, 1903.
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