Broadcast on December 18, 1945, the Bob Hope Christmas show for 1945 gives an interesting insight into America as it observed its first peacetime Christmas in five years. Hope mentions product shortages in his jokes and in a skit the housing shortage comes up. His guest star was actor Wayne Morris. Morris had served as a Navy flier, shooting down seven Japanese planes and contributing to the sinking of five ships, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He earned four Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals. A rising star before the War, Morris never recovered from putting his career on hiatus during the War. He spent the rest of his career mostly in low budget Westerns. He died of a heart attack in 1959 at age 45 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Bob Hope Show: Christmas 1945
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
My favorite WWII radio show is the Fibber Mcgee and Molly Christmas show on December 22, 1942. Touching story, with the debut of “A Night Before Christmas” sung by Teeny (played by Marion Jordon) and the Kingsmen. It ends with a prayer for God’s blessings and protection upon our troops fight for good. I always find it very emotional.
Interesting side note: most of the big time shows went on hiatus over the summer, that’s why they don’t have shows celebrating the end of the war. These post-war shows are interesting however, especially the Christmas ones, like the Bob Hope Show above.