Thursday, June 24, 1943

Dear Diary,

Jean White and I had lunch at the Club today and went to a movie. During lunch we got to feeling pretty good, so we decided that we would call this Bob Hope day. We celebrated it all day, and decided that now and hereafter, June 24 is Bob Hope day.

Later we walked over to the Record Shop, and I bought an album of Danny Kaye records. One of the songs was “Let’s Not Talk About Love,” and he suggested various topics of conversation. Part of the lyrics go, “Let’s talk about drugs, let’s talk about dope; let’s try to picture Paramount minus Bob Hope. Etc.” That song is from the Broadway musical, “Let’s Face It,” starring Danny Kaye. Bob just finished the movie version, also aptly called “Let’s Face It.” It would be worth the whole show to hear Bob sing that song (if they leave it in) and watch the expression on his face with he sings that line.

Friday, June 11, 1943

Dear Diary,

I read today that Bob and ZaSu Pitts do a jitterbug number in “Let’s Face It.” I can see right now that I’m going to enjoy that picture a great deal.

Jack Benny and company was on the Camel Comedy Caravan tonight in the second of five special programs. Ken Niles, Wen’s younger brother was the announcer. At one spot, Benny said, “Come in now, Wen Niles.” Ken said, “Aren’t you mistaken? The Hope show was on last week. I’m Ken Niles. ” Benny said, “Well are you Wen Niles’ brother?” Ken replied, “I don’t know. I have so many brothers. There’s also Ben, Yen, Lynn, and Titicitum.” How’d he get in there?

I also got a picture of Bob and Dot today.

Monday, December 28, 1942

Dear Diary,

Today was about the first really cold day we’ve had this winter and even at that the mercury didn’t go lower than 26 and hovered in the forties most of the day. It snowed a little last night but it had disappeared completely by noon.

I saw in the paper today that Betty Jane Rhodes has been given the lead in “Let’s Face It” opposite Bob Hope. She’s the singer who was once a guest on Bob’s show. Bob told her he knew her relatives, “Road to Singapore” and “Road to Zanzibar.” (That was before “Road to Morocco.”)

Friday, December 11, 1942

Dear Diary,

I spent the day in bed today with a sore throat, cold, and high fever, but I feel a lot better now.

The paper this morning said Dona Drake will be co-starred with Bob Hope in “Let’s Face It.”

“Road to Morocco was held over for a third week at the Tower starting today.

There was another article on the recent radio poll made annually by Motion Picture Daily. For the second year Bob Hope was chosen champion of champions and best comedian. Fred Allen was second in champion of champions, and Jack Benny was number two comedian. My friend, Zero Mostel was chosen second to Dinah Shore as the year’s outstanding star. Herb Shriner, the comedian I heard for the first time when Bob Hope was on Lanny Ross’ show and immediately like is “most promising star of tomorrow.”