WE WELCOME THOSE WITH A GENUINE INTEREST IN BING CROSBY. YOU WILL BE ASKED THREE QUESTIONS WHEN YOU REGISTER. DEPENDING ON YOUR ANSWERS, WE WILL EITHER APPROVE OR NOT APPROVE YOUR MEMBERSHIP. This requirement arises from misuse of the forum by a few.
KEEP AN EYE ON:-
Jon Oye keeps adding images to his site Contemplations on Classic Movies and Music
David Lobosco has continual additions to his site The Bing Crosby News Archive
Tony Mead adds photos and other interesting material Bing's Photos
NOTE: If you are having trouble logging in, please contact David Lobosco at davidlobosco@yahoo.com.
1 of 1- dgmprod
- Sustaining Member
Offline - Registered: 11/7/2022
- Posts: 58
Bob Hope Biography by Richard Zoglin
Even though published over 10 year ago now I’m finally reading this biography on Bob Hope. It’s very informative and generally a good read but it’s annoying that there always have to be a few jabs at Bing included somewhere. It’s the usual stuff such as Bing being cold etc but the most unsettling comment is a quote attributed to Bob himself in late 1977 just after Bings death. Bob was looking through old film clips for his TV special which I think was “On the Road with Bing”. The associate producer was a lady called Marcia Lewis who claimed Bob said to her (when she and Bob were alone) “You know I never liked Bing. He was a son of a bitch. In all the years of working together he never had Delores and me to dinner”. I found this to be quiet upsetting that Bob would say this especially when he had been so upset by Bings recent passing. I had a memory of a quote from Bings butler Alan Fisher in an interview he gave again in late 1977 for the special narrated by William Holden. I searched through my files and found the documentary and skipped through until I found the clip and sure enough Alan Fishers words were along the lines of: “Mr Crosby was a very private man. In the 16 years I worked for him he hardly even entertained at home. I remember once Bob and Delores Hope came for dinner, Phil Harris and Alice Faye once, Fred Astaire once for dinner in London……….” After confirming this it didn’t make sense. Because it was such a rare event I’m sure Alan Fisher would remember who visited for dinner and I can’t believe he’d lie. Also I find it hard to believe that Bob Hope wouldn’t remember if it was a once in a lifetime occasion and again I’m sure he wouldn’t lie. My only conclusion is that this woman Marcia Lewis either made it up or her memory of the event over 40 years ago was hazy and she exaggerated. Anyway I guess they need to dish some dirt in these biographies but unless they are 100% sure they shouldn’t include these alleged things.
Last edited by dgmprod (13/11/2025 10:06 am)
- Pantelis Kavouras
- Seasoned Member
Offline
- From: Athens, Greece
- Registered: 06/10/2024
- Posts: 208
Re: Bob Hope Biography by Richard Zoglin
I read that book recently and I enjoyed it a lot, it is a very well writen book about Bob Hope.
I wouldn't focus on few points that are phrased as opinions. It is the author's perogative to distinguish facts and opinions and Zoglin gets A+ here.
The book is also well sourced, a biographer cannot be responsible fully for all the information. He says that this was said by this particular source, I agree with you that the source might have lied, misremembered and perhaps misquote the phrase.
I also notice a few minor details that were not accurate, indeed it is factual correct that Bing according to his butler had invited Bob and Dolores Hope for dinner once, and he had even stay in Hope's house when his Toluca Lake residence was burned.
If I am remembering it right, Bing Crosby included some country club stories with Bob, suggesting they were socializing a bit more than Zoglin suggests.
I believe that Bing and Bob had a complicated relationship. They were in my view friendly enough.
It is also important that the subject is Bob Hope, the Bing Crosby mentions are contextual so I wouldn't judge them with the same weight if they were coming from a Crosby biographer.
Bing declined a cameo role as Father O’Malley (it was Hope’s idea), he was less willing to participate in some projects.
So, it seems likely that he might have some problems or complaints from the long standing relationship and their different personalities but not to the extent of really not liking him.
Bing at some point offered Bob the chance to purchase neighboring vacation houses.
So even if Bob had some complaints that Bing was perhaps less commited to him cannot reach the point of really not liking him. Zoglin neves says that they disliked each other, he says that they were not as close as many thought and quotes someone remembering that Bob said he didn't like Bing.
Bob also used more often Crosby references in his work, while Bing did that few and far in between.
Bob also used Bing many times as cameo while Bing didn't at the same degree.
Richard Zoglin is also mentioning in his writings that Bing and Bob really came closer when they stayed with families together in UK during the last road picture.
I would say that this is a full life story coverage of Bob and a pleasure to read. It is in my view a very good book.
Also Linda Hope provided valuable assistance and offered him her views and archives for the project.
Last edited by Pantelis Kavouras (23/2/2026 7:24 pm)
- Pantelis Kavouras
- Seasoned Member
Offline
- From: Athens, Greece
- Registered: 06/10/2024
- Posts: 208
Re: Bob Hope Biography by Richard Zoglin
It is a nice book and I agree with you dgmprod, that the quote appears to be false.
But Zoglin quotes it, he doesn't adopt it. In his writing he provides a dimensional overview of a complicated relationship, he does not narrowing his views based on one quote. Although he may believe that it was accurate and some times there is really no way to know. Even if Bob said that, he could have said it light hearted, without much thought. Bob defended Bing when his character was under scrutiny due to the Gary book, and remained a friend of the family forever. He was very good with Kathryn and with the Crosby children, Dixie's and Kathryn's as well.
Many people who aren't Bing's devoted funs might have assumed that Bing and Bob were the closest friends in the world, who dined together evey second Sunday. That is not true and the books who adress the general audience must clarify it. But the exact nature of a long-term relationship of two giants, with layered personalities is hard to define and imposible to put in a box of like or dislike period.
Giddins also provides a good image on their association. One thing is sure, they had an amazing chemistry.
- David Lobosco
- Moderator
Offline
- From: Pennsylvania
- Registered: 21/11/2010
- Posts: 1,634
Re: Bob Hope Biography by Richard Zoglin
I feel that Bing and Bob's personality were just too different to be close friends. They respected each other, but like people posted before they did not hang out every Sunday. A lot of books, especially after Bing and Bob both died took things said out of context to sell books.