Bob Hope brought his USO show to Okinawa, as part of the Far East Christmas tour in 1957. With him were
regulars; Jerry Colonna, bandleader Les Brown and his band of renowned, and columnist Hedda Hopper.
The attention was focused upon his “guests”. Jayne Mansfield, and her husband, the former Mr. Universe,
Mickey Hargitay. Knowing full well, I’d probably never ever get to see this famous personality again in my
lifetime., I made it a point to attend the show.
It was being held at the gym at the Sukiran Army/Marine Base, down the road a few miles, from my base.
To be certain I got a good seat, I arrived some 4 hours early, and occupied a coveted place in line, right
at the glass doors. I would be one of the first dozen or so, to get in, and knowing this, would be assured a
front row seat, if not second row. The crowds grew as the time approached for us to be let into the massive
gym. Finally - the attendants were unlocking the doors. As luck would have it, the glass doors next to the
doors I was standing in front of, were unlocked and opened first. In horror, I saw dozens of people, run for
the coveted front row seats. Our doors were then opened, and I sort of moved along with this mass of
humanity, who by now had worked themselves up to a very disagreeable crowd of irate people. I think I
could have lifted my feet off the floor and been easily carried along by the rush of people. It was not a place
to fall down. I managed to get a seat, 10 rows from the front. It wasn’t too bad, and I felt like I had a seat that
would afford me an opportunity to take some excellent colored slides photos of the stars from Hollywood.
I do not recall much of the show. Erin O’Brian came out to sing songs. The newspaper clippings state that
her name was Erin O’Brian. Hope’s spoofing with his buddy Jerry Colonna was hilarious.
Hedda Hopper,
wearing her unfashionable but trademark large hats, quipped with Hope for a few minutes.
Reading Hope’s
book, he reveals that he and Hedda never saw eye to eye. Hope didn’t want Hedda along,
but Hedda,
being Hedda, went anyway. It must have been a stressful tour for all concerned.
Everyone wanted to see Jayne Mansfield, the very buxom, sexy lady of the silver screen. Her entrance is one
never to be forgotten. Dressed in a skin tight, but tasteful one piece dress, she waited off to the right of the
stage, while Hope told some jokes, and then introduced Jayne Mansfield, in his own personal style - “and
here she is ladies and gentlemen - direct from Hollywood - the one - the only, Jayne Mansfield. Right here!!”
At this point, Les Brown’s band began to play a very racy bump and grind number ala burlesque, to which
Ms. Mansfield walked up about 10 steps to the platform (stage) and then, in perfect step to the grinding of
the horn, and the beating of the drum, she actually bumped and jiggled all across the stage to Hope, to the
hoopla and cries of the audience. The roar was deafening. Screaming and whistles. Flash bulbs popping
everywhere. People on their feet- yelling. Hope, as only Hope can, positioned Jayne sideways to the
audience, to be certain that everyone got a good look at her buxom body and then said to the audience, “and
wait till Chrysler sees THIS model” (referring to the ‘57 Chrysler which had some really pronounced curves).
The audience reacted to his sly remark with whoops and hollers and wild abandon. I don’t recall now what
Jayne did except stand there, but I think it was enough, because everyone was horse by the time the show
ended. I used up all of my film - most of it on Jayne.
The show was to move to Japan to Itazuke Air Base, then to Yokohama, Japan, Korea, and back to the states.
When I received orders to transfer to the states in May of 1958, I flew up to Tokyo and boarded a military
flight to California via Wake Island, and Honolulu, Hawaii. While at Wake Island, those of us on the bus
that took time to eat, were bused over to the chow hall, but not before we were shown the now famous pool
in which Jayne Mansfield, wearing only a mink bikini, swam for a few brief moments. She had put the Wake
Island swimming hole on the map. I took slides of this now famous swimming hole.
