New deal to market classic comedy

Bob Hope's classic radio shows are to get a new lease of life following a new deal over their rights.

American spoken word specialist MediaBay has won the right to market all 700 or so episodes of The Bob Hope Show, originally broadcast between 1937 and 1955.

A compilation of 20 hours of the best material will be the first recordings released to the public under the deal.

London-born Hope, who turns 99 next Wednesday, is the most honoured entertainer in the world with more than 2,000 awards and citations for humanitarian and professional work.

He attributed the success to his long-running radio show to the fast-paced opening monologue - "speed comedy", as he called it. The show also boasted a stellar cast and singers such as Judy Garland and Doris Day.

During the Second World War, all but two of The Bob Hope Shows were performed and aired from military bases.

MediaBay president Michael Herrick said: "Bob Hope is truly a living legend, one of the funniest performers of all time.

"His radio performances are comic gems, which remind us of what is funny even in unfunny times. We are honoured and awed to be entrusted with these recordings. We will endeavour to create products which are as special, unique and entertaining as Mr Hope himself."

"One of the initial products we intend to develop is a 'Big Pack' of 20 hours of The Bob Hope Show, which we expect to be our best-selling title this autumn."

Linda Hope, Bob's daughter, said: "It is so important to my father that the talent of the many gifted people he was fortunate to work with on the radio be preserved and available to the public.

"And, in the words of Bob Hope, finally, I've found a way to recycle some of my old jokes."

Mediabay also sells downloads of classic radio clips on its website

Published: 20 May 2002