Bob
Hope: Hope For The Holidays (2004/Time Life DVD)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: D Compilation Film: B+
There
is no place like home. And there is no Christmas like Bob Hope's
Christmases. Bob Hope: Hope for the Holidays (2004) is
dedicated to Bob Hope and his life of being an entertainer in a
collage of TV and Christmas specials.
Bob
Hope was an American icon for the 20th century, he has been a staple
for many holidays and Christmas specials. He spent most of his
natural life being an entertainer, but what he was probably most
known for was his performances for U.S. Troops during times of war.
He performed for the weary troops regardless of the war or it's
causes. Most of his jokes reflected the American Culture of the
times and were self-deprecating one liners, as he got older he was
able to get away with more dirty and sexual jokes, with the female
hostesses with him playing the role of the dirty old man.
Before
this film, I had never watched a single episode of a Bob Hope TV show
(of which there are so many) or seen his Christmas specials, but even
so, I have certainly heard and known of him. I respected him as an
entertainer and his willingness to bring cheer in the middle of
horrible wars; it was far better than being a soldier causing death
and destruction. This film was a homage to his life and those lives
he has touched.
The
1.33 X 1 image and lossy Dolby Digital 2.0 sound (barely stereo) are
passable, but not great and sometimes even rough, so don't have high
playback expectations. There are no extras.
-
Ricky Chiang
