Hope Springs Eternal

I am about to cost you at least a half-hour of on-line time, especially if you're interested in old show biz memorabilia — Bob Hope's, in particular.  The Library of Congress is currently hosting an exhibition of Hope curios and they've put a few dozen items on their website.  Browse around and you'll find photos, scripts for monologues, Bob's packing list for his U.S.O. tours…even his old business cards from vaudeville.  There are notes and telegrams from Al Boasberg (mentioned here last week) suggesting gags to Mr. Hope.  There are rundowns from vaudeville, radio and TV shows.  There are also a number of non-Hope items you'll enjoy, including pages from radio scripts and vintage portraits and…oh, stop reading this and just go there.  Here's the link.  It'll make you want to jump on a plane, go back to D.C. and see the whole exhibit in person.  I love this kind of stuff.