When did Bob Hope host Miss World and what happened in 1970?
WHEN Bob Hope hosted the Miss World 1970 beauty pageant it became one of the most watched live television events of the time as feminist activists stormed the stage in protest.
Now 50 years on director Philippa Lowthorpe has made a film, Misbehaviour, about the nights events, but what really happened that night and what do we know about the host himself?
Who was Bob Hope?
Bob hope was born, May 29, 1903 in London and died at the staggering ripe age of 100 in July, 2003.
He was a British American stand-up comedian with a career in show business spanning nearly 80 years appearing in numerous production and TV roles and hosting the Academy Awards 19 times.
Hope was also known as an avid golfer playing to a four handicap and he played in around 150 charity tournaments a year.
He was married twice, first to Grace Troxell (1933-1934) and then to Dolores Reade (1934) from which he had four adopted children.
His relationships were plagued by rumours of his reputation as a womaniser, his alleged infidelities included the actresses, Lucille Ball and Joan Fontaine.
What happened when he hosted the 1970 Miss World competition?
Miss world is the oldest running international beauty pageant that started in 1951.
When the awards took place on, November 20, 1970, it was disrupted by women's liberation protesters who stormed the event armed with flour missiles, water pistols filled with ink, rotten fruit and stink bombs.
The events unfolded at The Royal Albert Hall in London with 58 participating contestants, nine judges including actress, Joan Collins and legendary showbiz host, Bob Hope.
History student, Sally Alexander was the main organiser of the 1970 protest, telling Radio 4's The Reunion, "We had no quarrel with the contestants...our argument was with why you have to be beautiful before you get noticed as a woman"
What did he say in his opening remarks?
The contentious host of the 1970 pageant, Bob Hope began his speech by acknowledging the outside protests saying' "It is quite a cattle market here tonight"
Adding, "And I've been there checking calves. But I don't want you to think that I'm a dirty old man because I never give women a second thought. My first covers everything."
This was met by feminist protesters clambering onto the stage unfurling banners and hurling their flour bombs before police dissipated the crowd and the pageant continued, leading to the crowning of the first Black beauty queen, Jennifer Hosten.
Keira Knightly and Keeley Hawkes star in the 2020 film, Misbehaviour film which retells the poignant story of the events that happened at, Miss World 1970.