A Jovial Nixon Tells Strangers He’s Bob Hope, Makes Prank Phone Calls

Posted on November 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 4, 1959, Richard Nixon

Vice President Richard Nixon interrupting early morning walk on Wilshire Boulevard to watch sidewalk repairs, lingers to talk sports with Vic Salazar, left and another worker.

Nov. 4, 1949, Times Cover

It's easy to find weird stories about Richard Nixon, before and
after his presidency. Even in a paper like The Times that for years
boosted his political career, it doesn't take much investigating to
locate something worth rereading.

Today's example is a story of Nixon walking along Wilshire
Boulevard, having a hamburger for breakfast and…wait for it….
talking to real people. The headline even announces, "Nixon Takes
Stroll and Talks With Strangers."

"Normally I have hot cereal for breakfast but this is the equivalent
of 11 a.m. Washington time and I feel like having lunch," he said. At
least he wasn't over-analyzing it. What else did he have for lunch?
Would you believe buttermilk and coffee?

His waitress didn't recognize him. "He looks like a nice gentleman," she told The Times' reporter.

"I'm Bob Hope," Nixon said.

–Keith Thursby
Nov. 4, 1959, Richard Nixon 

Nov. 4, 1959, Richard Nixon

Nov. 4, 1959, Jean Baptiste Poulin

The sad story of Jean Baptiste Poulin, local musician, who almost lived to be 100.

image 

The Board of Supervisors asks why the MTA is switching from streetcars to buses while Los Angeles is trying to reduce smog. It’s a good question. Let’s see if I can find the answer.

Nov. 4, 1959, Career
Dean Martin, Anthony Franciosa and Shirley MacLaine star in “Career.” And it’s not on Netflix!

Nov. 4, 1959, Sports

USC President Norman Topping apologizes for an incident during the USC-Berkeley game in which USC guard Mike McKeever hit Cal halfback Steve Bates with a rolling tackle while they were out of bounds on the sideline. The referees didn't call a penalty on the play.
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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times
This entry was posted in Environment, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Richard Nixon, Sports. Bookmark the permalink.

3 Responses to A Jovial Nixon Tells Strangers He’s Bob Hope, Makes Prank Phone Calls

  1. Trolley Dodger's avatar Trolley Dodger says:
    November 4, 2009 at 8:20 am

    Goodness that Nixon article couldn’t have been more scripted:
    * Friend to the white collar worker
    * Friend to the blue collar worker
    * Women think he’s funny and looks like a nice guy
    * Regular guy who likes a hamburger for lunch
    * Has a sense of humor and likes to joke around

    Like

  2. Chris Morales's avatar Chris Morales says:
    November 4, 2009 at 11:14 am

    “Career” was an unusual choice for Dean Martin, early in his solo work.
    While not quite what we would call an “independent” film, it was the story of an aspiring actor (Tony Franciosa) and the choices he makes to climb the ladder of success. Dean Martin plays the snake-in-the-grass agent he connects with. He is the standout in this film that unfortunately does not live up to its own aspirations.
    What makes “Career” unusual is that there is a subplot involving the Hollywood blacklist; very surprising for a film made in 1959 with the Cold War raging and the blacklist still in effect.

    Like

  3. Keith Thursby's avatar Keith Thursby says:
    November 5, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    Great point, Trolley—and Nixon still comes off creepy.

    Like

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