[Loose Photographs]: Bob Hope U.S.O. Shows

1950. Unbound. Near Fine. A collection of 14 black and white or sepia toned gelatin silver photographs from Korean War-era U.S.O. shows. All photos are near fine with some edgewear. The photographs show performances of celebrities such as Bob Hope, Jack Benny, and Jerry Colonna as well as a few women entertainers one of which appears to be Marilyn Maxwell. Maxwell was Hope's girlfriend between 1950 and 1954 and accompanied him on many of his U.S.O. tours throughout those years where she gained the nickname "Mrs. Hope." Some action shots show women dancing and are taken from the floor looking up capturing a scandalous up skirt view. Another photo shows a woman high kicking on stage not leaving much to the imagination. One well composed image shows a pretty, young woman teaching a soldier how to hula on stage with palm trees in the background. Other photos show the barracks, a posed, shirtless soldier, and the setup for an outdoor movie theater at the camp.

Hope's USO involvement was extensive and lasted over 50 years beginning with World War I. According to the Library of Congress Hope's shows included, "comedy monologs, specialty acts, celebrity appearances, dancers, singers, and skits." Combining his entertainment and vaudevillian roots with his patriotism he went overseas with a variety of troupes through the 1990s earning him "Honorary Veteran" status by President Clinton in 1997.

A modest but nice collection of U.S.O. show photographs taken by a soldier in the 1950s.