Kevin Rader/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis, July 28 - Bob Hope's film career included more than 50 movies. He launched his weekly radio show on NBC in 1938. He was a TV pioneer. His USO Christmas shows entertained four generations of troops.
And despite his age and failing health, he continued his public appearances. Some of those appearances were in Indianapolis.
Hope made many trips to Indianapolis over the years but one stands out for the O'Briens. In fact it's memorialized on tape in the form of a commercial he did for the family's car dealership.
The O'Briens used the audio clip as advertising for 30 years.
"It's just meant so much to us and our family," says Tom O'Brien.
Dr. Myron Greene met Hope during WWII in Algiers. "As we were eating dessert, the air raid siren went off. Being anti-aircraft everybody left. There I was sitting all alone with Hope. He said, 'This is the first time in my life I've ever been glad to see a dentist."
Dr. Greene drove a worried Hope to his hotel. "I took my helmet off and put it on him. He seemed to relax with that."
According to Kevin O'Brien, Hope was always relaxed in Indianapolis. "Took a walk around Monument Circle about eleven or twelve at night. He had his driver (golf club) in his hand walking around Monument Circle. I remember asking him. He said he always takes his driver with him when he takes a walk."
It's an O'Brien memory.
Of Hope, Tom O'Brien says, "I can't think of anyone who may have been better known in the entire world. One of a kind."
There are many tributes and memorials planned for him in the month ahead.
