His book "Bud And Lou" became one of the strangest made-for-TV movies, offering Harvey Korman as Bud Abbott and Buddy Hackett as Lou Costello. Hackett had actually "subbed" for Lou Costello decades earlier. The team were scheduled to make a movie called "Fireman Save my Child," but when problems arose, the film was re-cast with the "team" of Buddy Hackett and straight man Hugh O'Brien. Bob's book concentrated on the duo's feuds and financial woes, and the undeniable fact that Costello was actually the driven, ruthless one and gravel-voiced Bud a benign and easygoing fellow just glad to get through the day without an attack of epilepsy.
As you can see from the picture at left, Thomas was more than eager to cover the glamour world of Hollywood, including a check of Betty Grable's measurements. He reported on over 60 Academy Award shows. But he also covered less frivolous events, and was one of the reporters on the scene when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was shot at the Ambassador Hotel, instantly filing the incredible news for Associated Press to release to newspapers around the world. The influential writer became the first reporter to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He received that honor in 1988, and was still working for another two decades.
Thomas was a dedicated reporter who kept huge file cabinets filled with clippings so that he could instantly research most any star, or give information to a colleague. In a world that was dominated by sniping, powerful "gossip" columnists such as Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons, Bob was also known to shy away from sensationalism. Very few stars had a harsh word to say about him. He enjoyed writing books, but reporting was the number one passion. In1999 he said, "I get to interview some of the most beautiful people in the world. It's what I always wanted to do."
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