Don't Shoot, It's Only Me
Writing with Hollywood producer-director Shavelson, Hope revisits the years from 1940 onward, during which he built his singular showbiz career with radio, movie and TV performances. Although he numbers several American presidents among his enthusiatic rooters, the star stresses that he values most the responses from members of the armed forces, whom he entertained around the world through a half-century of conflicts. The stories and jokes he tells here echo the comic's wry wit, counterpointed by strains of his theme song, "Thanks for the Memory," which pay tribute to war's victims and dead friends (Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, Jerry Colonna). The book is an odds-on crowd pleaser, funny and touching. Photos not seen by PW. Major ad/promo; Literary Guild selection.Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.