Mercury Wonder Theater Starring Orson Welles - Part 5

Step Right Up and See 

The Amazing Mercury Wonder Show!

[Source: Life Magazine; August 1945]

The Magic of  Joseph Cotton, the Mysterious!

The Humor of Bob Hope

Or Some Kind of Duck Sacrifice

What Bob Hope thinks of Bridegrooms

Bob Hope's definition of a bridegroom:  "A wolf who paid too much for his whistle."




[Source:  Point;  August 1954]

Stanwyck helps George Gobel

Barbara Stanwyck
Noted for her help to newcomers in Hollywood, has climbed right on the bandwagon for a guy who has never appeared in pictures – he’s George Gobel of television. Right now he’s the most talked about new personality in town and everyone seems to have discovered him at the same time. Finding a movie vehicle for his particular brand of comedy talent might prove to be a difficult task.





George Geobel (May 20, 1919 - Feb 24, 1991) was a hilarious comedian and actor. He started out as a child star on the radio. This only child initially intended to be a country music star, but that didn't quite work out, so he opted for comedy and excelled at it. During WWII he was a flight instructor which he famously made fun of in the fantastic Johnny Carson clip above. It makes me long for the days when late night comedians were actually funny. This clip feels like one big party.



Many people are most familiar with George Gobel's appearances on Hollywood Squares, where he made over 200 appearances. In 1954, he had his own show, The George Gobel Show, which is quite hilarious. The company he helped found, Gomalco, produced the first four years of the beloved TV show, Leave It to Beaver. Unfortunately, his talent did not translate to the movies as Barbara Stanwyck and many others wished. George had a wife, Alice, whom he was married to from December 13, 1942 until his death. They had three children together. Alice was often used as a topic of George's humor, as you can see in the clip from The George Gobel Show below.







Although I didn't realize it, I first encountered George Gobel in the Rankin Bass 1974 classic, Twas The Night Before Christmas. He voiced the lovable Father Mouse in the Christmas classic. Some people might also remember him as Mayor Harper in the 1981 TV series Harper Valley PTA.






A great George Gobel quote: "I've never been drunk, but I've often been overserved"




A bit of trivia, the "Lonesome George" is named after him (Gobel's nickname was "Lonesome George"). There is only 1 of this subspecies of Galapagos Tortoise. The tortoise is anywhere from 60 - 90 years old. There is a $10,000 reward for anyone who can find a female of the same species, so keep your eyes open!

Golfing's For the Dogs

"A dog kept running in and out of the Bing Crosby - Bob Hope golf match the other day. At the last hole, Bob spied the pooch again and cracked, "That poor animal is worse off than I am. I didn't miss a single tree."" (Film Fun, 1941)

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Jerry Lewis

What did the forever fun Jerry Lewis want in 1956?

"Without health, professional success is nothing. I learned this the hard way which is why I am determined to raise money for the fight against muscular dystrophy". - Which he still is. For more information check out Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.

"To be a great comedian is my life's ambition. The goal is reached slowly but I hope the coming year will give me another stride toward it with my partner, Dean". - Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were comic gold! They played off themselves so well. Too bad egos got in the way of their partnership.

"In the future I intend to participate more actively in civic functions. America has been very good to me - the least I can do is to be worthy of my country."

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Bob Hope

What can one say about Bob Hope (May 29, 1903 - July 27, 2003)? Well loved entertainer, tirelessly helped our Armed Forces, won tons of awards and honors (including 58 honorary degrees), and of course lived to be 100. What did Bob Hope wish for in 1956?

"I've been away from home so much that personally I'd like one New Year's Eve I could spend with Dolores and the children." - Hope he got his wish, but he did so much I'm not sure if he ever did

"In That Certain Feeling I want to continue with the new Bob Hope who was professionally established in The Seven Little Foys. I want to do comedies - but switch to dramatic roles now and then." - I'm not sure if I've seen a dramatic Bob Hope film. Does anyone have a suggestion of a good one?

"As a citizen, I wish I had more time to do more for the men in service overseas" - I'm not sure what else he could have done. Bob Hope worked tirelessly to visit and entertain the troops. I can't name a celebrity who comes even remotely close to him these days

Up next - Rock Hudson and Tab Hunter