Happy Birthday, Bob

A good intro to the comic genius Bob Hope. His life story is told by friends in songs and in pictures and we get a glimpse into the life (at least the movie and entertainment side of it) of a comedian. The big bonus in this TV special is that the friends are luminaries themselves: George Burns, Lucille Ball and Sammy Davis Jr., to name a few. Hope's childhood, early years and later success is documented in a vaudeville style.I especially liked the segments on the "Road Pictures" as presented by Dorothy Lamour. For those unfamiliar with these hilarious movies featuring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, the plot is simple: Bing thinks Lamour is his girl, Hope thinks Lamour is his girl, and Lamour thinks she's Bing' girl or Hope's girl or both. They encounter adventures and misadventures and all with "a laugh, a song, and a dance".