SINCE his death at age 100 last Sunday, Bob Hope has been celebrated worldwide as an acclaimed actor, comedian, singer, and entertainer. However, Bermudians will also remember Bob Hope as a distinguished visitor to our shores.

Mr. Hope filmed the last of his long series of TV Christmas Specials on the island in 1990, garnering attention from overseas viewers and boosting a flagging tourism industry. Charles Webbe, manager of public relations for the Department of Tourism at the time, fondly remembers the charismatic performer's visit, and explained how it came about.

"The Department of Tourism and our PR firm had communicated with Bob Hope's agents that we were available if he wanted to do a special here," Mr. Webbe recalled. "What happens in those cases is that Bermuda participates by paying for part of the production. It was worth it, as it gave us a great deal of mileage in the United States, publicity-wise."

News of Mr. Hope's Christmas Special came at a crucial time: Adrian Robson's report on "the biggest entertainment extravaganza ever seen on the island" in the November 2, 1990 edition of the Mid-Ocean News went hand in hand with The Royal Gazette's publication of falling tourism figures for the autumn season.

Consequently, then-Tourism Minister Jim Woolridge considered the Bob Hope 1990 Christmas Special "a major promotional coup" for the island, with an estimated 30 million viewers tuning in to US network NBC to watch Mr. Hope flanked by supporting stars Loni Anderson, Dixie Carter, and Joan van Ark. A crew from Entertainment Tonight covered the filming of the Special, bringing additional attention to Bermuda.

Described in the November 16 Mid-Ocean News as a "fanatical golfer", Bob Hope handpicked the now defunct Belmont Hotel after learning of its superior golf course and "Bermudian flavour". He and his cast and crew occupied 40 rooms at the luxurious Warwick hotel.

Mr. Hope's first visit to Bermuda in more than 50 years featured the comedian as Sir George Somers, dressed in full colonial garb on Horseshoe Bay, at Albuoy's Point delivering a monologue of comic sketches entitled "Bermuda Shorts", and singing Silver Bells with Dixie Carter against a backdrop of twinkling lights on Front Street.

Charles Webbe remembers Mr. Hope's conscientious nature, particularly concerning the musical scene.

"I do recall that he was quite meticulous, in a very sort of amiable way. He liked everything done right. You could see the professionalism," said. Mr. Webbe. "And you have to remember he was already 87 years old at the time; his professionalism was bred in the bone.

"The night we were due to film on Front Street, he pointed out that the streets would have to be wet. No one else had thought of this. We had to hire a water truck to spray the streets down. Indeed, it made the film look much nicer, and it was Bob that had recommended it rather than the producer."

Bob Hope's "Bermuda Shorts" comedy act performed before a live audience of locals and tourists at Albuoy's Point included a variety of Bermuda-themed jokes and one-liners, including the following: "Bermuda is so British, the whole island is shaped like a stiff upper lip."

"The Admiral was on his way to Virginia but took one look at these isles and said, 'To hell with colonising America. Pour me another rum swizzle'."

"It's easy to tell Bermuda's British. We had to land on the left side of the airstrip."

Bob Hope was a veteran of television specials, having appeared in more than 200 by the time he arrived in Bermuda in 1990. His Christmas Special was part of a 51-year contract with NBC. After filming the Special on December 2, 3, and 4, Mr. Hope flew to the Middle East to entertain American troops fighting in the Gulf War.

After learning of Bob Hope's passing, Charles Webbe reminisced about his time spent with the entertainer almost 13 years ago.

"One thing I did remember when I heard that he'd passed was that for somebody so wealthy, well-known, and popular, he was so down-to-earth," Mr. Webbe said. "There was no fuss. Even then he was an old man, but he didn't wait for some flunky to do things for him."

Above all, Mr. Webbe remembers Bob Hope's pleasant demeanour. "He was a true gentleman: very nice, talkative, and friendly with everybody. He never put on airs. He was a very charming man."