Posted on 09/17/2015 2:46:07 PM PDT by gorush
Cagney and Bob Hope at a Friar's Club Meeting in 1955, back when actors were real performers; Hope was 52 and Cagney was 56.
This looks like it's from a movie, not a routine from a Friar's Club meeting. Doesn't take away from it though!
For the young folks, here is something you probably never seen before and, unfortunately, you may never see again.
For us older folks, this is the best of the best, and we had it for many years! This is a side of these two entertainers you hardly ever saw, but it shows you their enormous talent. Bob Hope, the best of comedians, and James Cagney, mostly cast as the bad guy, a gangster in the movies.
That’s because Cagney IS playing George M. Cohan, to Hope’s Eddie Foy, in this movie. Foy & Cohan were Broadway rivals.
My Dad thought Bob Hope was the greatest. Not for his comedy, but for Hope entertaining the troops. Dad got to meet Bob and his wife when they sat next to us in a restaurant. He talked about that for years after.
It was such a dishonor back in the early 70s when Alan Alda and the writers on MASH basically crapped all over USO entertainers like Hope in one episode. That’s like crapping in your living room out of spite for your own profession.
Great stuff!
I always liked Gene Kelly’s Singing in the Rain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w40ushYAaYA
I saw Kurt Browning’s ice skating excellent tribute. It seemed to only show up during some PBS telethons:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXtd7xq7URM
I know his 1967 Christmas show in Ple Ku meant the world to me, just about forgot where I was and what I was there for for a couple of hours. Never will be another like him.
The whole point of MASH was to dishonour America. It's one of the foulest, most intense America-hating show ever made.
Now I want to watch the whole movie! Thanks! :)
“and it was Mary, Mary...” If I recall correctly, Hope began his career as a hoofer.
Thank you so much!
My grandfather saw Hope perform in a bombed out airplane hangar in Regensberg. 50-odd years later, Grandpa still cherished the memory. ‘Tis why I donate to the USO, even today.
Wasn't that Jack Benny?
Saw it years ago on youtube, loved it. Saw most of the old films too. Homeschool will do that for you! :)
While we’re on the subject of old guys dancing, I’d like to share this. Sammy Davis doing Mr. Bojangles, as Tom Jones sings. This is in 1970, his later performances can’t compare to it. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7RK7R-v6w8
Even more amazing, he admitted he was in considerable pain when this scene was shot.
Anyways, I forwarded him the link to the OP's video via email and he responded saying to check out The Gallant Hours... as it reminds him of his time in the USN.
I distinctively remember seeing this movie with him on TCM, as I recall noting the Fleet Admiral Flag flying at the beginning of the film, and that at the end of the film that flag the one passed to him as he is Piped Ashore.
I think that was one of the songs (Hope and Cagney) that they were dancing to.
http://www.oldhollywoodfilms.com/2015/02/love-songs-marys-grand-old-name.html
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.