Scope and Content Note
Music from the Bob Hope Collection consists of manuscript and photocopied full scores, conductor's scores, parts, lead sheets, and lyric sheets for nearly 500 titles used in Hope's films, television programs, and personal appearances. Many of the arrangements were written for short play-ons and play-offs, interludes, and cues for Hope's television specials and USO tour appearances. The collection also includes fully arranged songs written for solo or duet performances by notable guests on the Bob Hope Show. Most of the arrangements were written by Bob Alberti, Nick Perito, and J. Hill. Additional arrangers represented in the collection include Frank Comstock, Manny Harmon, Pete Myers, Shorty Rogers, and Dave Wolpe. The first series, Music from Identified Films, Television Programs and Public Appearances, contains works identified from information included on the music or original accompanying folders. The series is arranged chronologically by date of film, television program, or event. Individual songs are listed therein. The second series, Music from Unidentified Sources, contains works whose sources were not able to be identified. This series is arranged alphabetically by work title. Qualifying information (e.g. "play-on") and date of the arrangement are provided wherever possible.
The Miscellaneous Music series includes manuscript scores and printed piano-vocal scores that Bob and Dolores Hope received as gifts, as well as a manuscript lead sheet for "The Star Beyond That Star." Two notebooks listing dates and songs for episodes of The Bob Hope Show and a ceremony program comprise the Miscellany series.