Bob Hope Gets His First Show

 

On this day in 1935, Bob Hope made his national radio debut on the Blue Network. With his success on The Rudy Vallée Show, NBC offered Hope his own radio show, The Intimate Revue. Sponsored by Emerson's Bromo-Seltzer, alongside Hope were singers James Melton, Jane Froman and Patricia Wilder with musical accompaniment from Al Goodman. Radio programs were generated constantly during this era and Hope's show ended four months later. It was the first of several precursors to the long-running The Pepsodent Show, beginning in 1938, which ran for a decade. The American radio comedy program starred Hope and his long-time sidekick, Jerry Colonna, (above) along with a continuously rotating supporting cast and musicians.

Not All Smiles

 

On this date in 1930, the 2-act Broadway musical "Smiles" premiered in New York City and closed sixty-three performances later. Among the extensive cast on opening night were Fred Astaire and sister Adele as Bob and Dot Hastings, respectively. Swallowed up in the ensemble cast was Bob Hope. Produced by Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. with music by Vincent Youmans, Ring Lardner provided some additional lyrics for the music numbers.