Watch Bob Hope - Entertaining The Troops

Bob Hope - Entertaining The Troops is a documentary film that captures the legendary comedian Bob Hope's career as a performer and entertainer for the American troops. The documentary runs for approximately 90 minutes and is narrated by actor Patrick O' Neal. The film is a tribute to Bob Hope's life and his contributions to the American soldier's entertainment for over half a century, starting from World War II to the Gulf War. It features rare archival footage from Hope's personal collection, interviews with colleagues, celebrities, and military personnel, and extracts from his performances.

The narration follows a chronological order of Hope's life, from his early days in England to his ascent to Hollywood, starting with his performance in the movie 'The Big Broadcast of 1938.' The story then moves on to Hope's very first performance for the troops, which occurred during World War II. The film explains how Hope's role as an entertainer evolved during the war and describes how he helped alleviate the soldiers' stress and anxiety through his humor.

The narrative then moves on to Hope's post-war career as an entertainer. It showcases his roles in movies like "The Lemon Drop Kid," "The Seven Little Foys," and "The Princess and the Pirate." It also highlights Hope's work in television, such as his shows "The Bob Hope Show" and "The Comedy Hour."

The film also features accounts of Hope's performance at the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The audience can witness how the comedian's jokes and antics helped the American troops feel close to home and forget, even if only for a short time, the horrors they were experiencing daily.

Aside from the archival footage, the documentary also contains interviews with celebrities like Les Brown, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, as well as military personnel. The anecdotes shared by these individuals paint a picture of Hope as an entertainer, person, and patriot.

The film is not only a tribute to Bob Hope but also to the US military. Hope's selflessness, dedication, and patriotism are evident throughout the documentary. His will to entertain the soldiers to relieve their stress and display his gratitude for their service is honorable and remarkable.

Overall, Bob Hope - Entertaining The Troops is an exceptional documentary that highlights Hope's extensive contributions to the United States military and his phenomenal career as a performer. The story is engaging, entertaining, and informative. Even for those who did not experience Hope's performances or were not part of the military during his active years, the documentary is worthwhile and leaves the audience-inspired and touched by Hope's legacy.

Bob Hope - Entertaining The Troops is a documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.8.