The Keesler field news., 1942-05-27
Bob Hopes Victory Caravan Visits Keesler
Thousands of Soldiers See
Miss Frances Langford and
JerryCoIonna in Person

More Than 10000 future Air
Mechanics and soldiers now sta
toned At Keealcr Field crowded
everysineh Of space in one Of me
Air Corps Technical Schools gi-
ganile double hangsra last We'd
ncsday to hear and see Comedians
Bob Hope and Jerry colonna and
Miss Frances Langfond. radio and
screen singer, In a special Vic
tory Caravan show. Forming one
OF the most tremendous crowds
ever assembled at Keesler Field,
hundreds Of soldiers began arfiv-
ing Al the hangar before o'clock
10 see he show, which began at
8.l5 pm
Hope, who had the nation
laughing AZ his Interpretation Of a
soldier Caught In the Draft. mad
Tho soldiers here Laughing Tor al
most an hour a. he described hi
Trip over ne nation and tao J1lssa
on civilians caught In The suaal
lrationing program" Now making
n coast-io-coast tour OF Army
Navy and Marine Corps camps. he
was ai bis best with his impromp-
"a wise cracks.
Calonns gave several OF those
long wlnded songs for which he il
noted and Miss LanRford won
tremendous applause for such
famous sentimental songs as you
Made Me Love YOU" and Might
and Day" She was forced 10 give
three eneones.
Hope and Coionna teamed 10
present their original interpreia-
tons Of rivals meeting on the
street, These included sketches OF
rival klslness men, politicians and
farmers. An Interpretation OF two
politicians meeting vas the most
HILARIOUS farce Of all The two
wrestled for several minutes while
attempting 70 rob each other and
after they parted, Hope Hpens
several minutes scanning the floor
and muttcring that ne had "lost a
dime in the deal"
The weli~known Hope Jokes on
his movie partner, Bing Crosby,
also made thcir appearance on
The program. Hope modestly de-
scribed Crosby as man VINO
has so much money stacked away
that be doesn't pay income tax--
he jus. asks the government how
much Il needs"
Tn Air Force Dance Band. un-
der the direction OF Sgt. Russell
Sessions, came In for a good share
Of the applause. They accom-
panied Miss Langford. Hope and
Colonna in their musical numbers
and concluded the program with
a jam session which had Hope on
his knees tagging them down
with a handkerchief. They're
really swell" he said In com
mending them for their work.
Hope and his troupe came to
Keesier Field from New Orleans.
arriving in time 70 make a brief
inspection Of the Field before go
ing into their act Ali were amaz-
ed al the size Of the field. They
were accompanied on the tour by
Capt. Harry D. Kurtz, Public Re
lations Officer, VINO arranged the
show with Rooert Stephenson,
Hopes manager.
Hope was contacted through
Private Jack Kreismer, a member
Of the Special Services Staff al
the Field. Private Krelsmer, "Jay
Kay" Of Hollywood in civilian
life, worked with Hedda Hopper
and Jimmy Fiddler in the movie
capital and sketehed many Of the
leading film stars, including Miss
Langford. As he knew Miss Lang
ford well. he wrote her concern
ing the possibilities Of q visit 10
Keesier Field and she referred aim
10 Mr.. Stephenson. who imme-
diately contacted Captain Karfz
regarding details.
II was impossible 10 arrange for
the show before Wednesday morn
ing and presentation OF khe per-
formance would have been i'm
possible had Il not been for the
wholehesrted cooperation OF many
organizations on the Field.
---------=----a7---=---------
Maj. John o. Rammerman.
Asst. Executive, S-s. will deliver
the commencement address TO