Bob Hope Show at Stadium Bowl. Mr. Hope is at the microphone. Back row, L to R: unidentified, Ronnie Severson, Laura Corbay, Virginia Doffy, Valmere Barman, Bea Allen, Mavis Murray, Ella and Eileen Nelson, others unidentified. The troupe put on a 2 1/2 hour show under thankfully dry skies on behalf of the Young Men's Business Club. The Y.M.B.C. was raising funds for a Greater Tacoma Jubilee to be held later in June. The 40 entertainers included Skinnay Ennis and his 16-piece orchestra. Many of the performers had gone with Mr. Hope when he entertained GIs during WWII. (TNT 5-28-46, p. 1, TNT 6-8-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Hope, Bob; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Bob Hope Show benefiting the Young Men's Business Club at Stadium Bowl. Mr. Hope is at the microphone. Back row, left to right: unidentified, Ronnie Severson, Laura Corbay, Virginia Doffy, Valmere Barman, Bea Allen, Mavis Murray, Ella and Eileen Nelson, others unidentified. Mr. Hope and troupe join in a song and dance, just one of the many numbers performed during the 2 1/2 hour show. One of the favorites appeared to be Ronnie Severson, the "human dictaphone," who first became known for his echo act while stationed at Fort Lewis during part of the war. The 7,500 in attendance was lower than expected disappointing promoters who had hoped to have a larger crowd; profits would be used to help put on a Greater Tacoma Jubilee the latter part of June. Mr. Hope did not let the smaller crowd influence his troupe's performance; musical and comedy bits entertained the audience immensely. (TNT 5-28-46, p. 1, TNT 6-7-46, p. 1, TNT 6-8-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Hope, Bob; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In June of 1946, to raise money for the Tacoma Jubilee, the Young Men's Business Club brought Bob Hope to Tacoma for a special show in the Stadium Bowl. Over 7,500 Tacomans came to see Mr. Hope, a collection of local performers, a small group of Hollywood starlets, and the "Skinnay" Ennis Band. Although the Y.M.B.C. did not make much beyond expenses, a fun evening was had by all who attended. The musical troupe had arrived at Boeing Field earlier on June 7, 1946, in two chartered planes. An avid golfer, Mr. Hope had played golf with good friend Bing Crosby in Spokane the day before and had beaten him by two strokes. He managed to squeeze in a PGA sanctioned event the day of the show but lost to "two Chucks." The man sitting next to Bob Hope is Walter Geehan. At the time this photograph was taken he was the manager of The Rudder Club. (TNT 6-7-46, p. 1, TNT 6-8-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Hope, Bob; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Geehan, Walter;

On Friday June 7, 1946 an estimated crowd of 7,500 in the Stadium Bowl cheered and "chortled" as Bob Hope mugged, pranced and wisecracked his way through a special 2 1/2 hour performance sponsored by the Tacoma Young Men's Business Club. When two unidentified performers began playing harmonicas, Hope picked up a small stand and began playing along. Skinnay Ennis' 16-piece orchestra can be seen in the background. The show was brought to Tacoma to raise money for the Greater Tacoma Jubilee to be held later that month. The 40-member ensemble had flown into Boeing Field earlier that day from Spokane. (TNT 5-28-46, p. 1, TNT 6-7-46, p. 1, TNT 6-8-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5 TPL-1400

Hope, Bob; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mouth organs;