A very young looking Bob Hope during a visit to Jacksonville around 1950. The notes with the image indicate it was shot in the Florida Theatre although looking at the image I’m not so sure. Anyone out there with more information?
Tags: audience, Bob Hope, Florida Theatre, men, WJAX, women
Don’t know anything about the photo, but Bob Hope did own property on Jacksonville’s far westside under his legal name of Leslie Townes Hope–it was out somewhere near Cecil Field.
Looks more like a television studio or radio
True. I remember when he sold it in the early 1990’s. It was mentioned in the paper.
It could be in the old screening room on the 7th floor. When the Planning Department was in the Florida Theater Building, I attended many meetings in it.
It looks like it is in the balcony of the Florida Theater
This was about 1947 or 48, I believe, because Bob Hope had a USO show at Jax NAS. It was publicized very well. At the same time was one of Bob’s Road films with Bing Crosby….Road to Rio, I think. He made an impromptu appearance at the theatre. I can’t remember the theater name, but it was on Forsythe.
This is the screening room on the 7th floor of the Florida Theatre. I enjoyed watching many movies there before they were released to the public. This is back in the day when actors came out to promote their movies. My father was the Advertising and PR Manager for Florida State Theatres. Always loved the bags of popcorn he would bring home.
Hi Lisa! Yes, I remember being invited to come along with your family on several screenings here. It was so cool to see the movies in this quaint space. Thanks for the great memories!
Looks like one of the small screening rooms that were upstairs in the Florida Theater.
The seats and the carpet look a lot like the old Florida Theater.
My mother took me out to Imeson Airport to meet Hope in about 1947 or 1948. I was around three years old. As he got off the plane and walked into the terminal I got his autograph which I still have.He was unfriendly and not at all funny. But I roared with laughter a few years later watching Son of Paleface at the old Edgewood Theater.
The photo was taken in the upstairs screening room of the Florida Theatre. I had the opportunity to visit it during some renovations and it is still there and was clearly identifiable as the location of this photo. Bob Self/Vintage Jacksonville