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Private Notes
Show Business at War is a short film made by The March of Time in 1943 to tout the United States film industry's contribution to the Second World War effort. It was a collaboration between several studios, directors and actors.
Various CBS stars appear in this one hour variety program about the opening of the brand new $7 million dollar CBS Television City Studios.
With Gracie Allen, Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, George Burns, Jack Benny, Eve Arden, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz
Bing's debut special from January 3, 1954, featuring Jack Benny
Hollywood turns out for a benefit for Easter Seals, the association collecting donations to aide medical research into diseases crippling children. Interspersed with the donation pitches are musical numbers performed by popular recording artists of the 1950s. The half-hour program aired without commercial interruption
with Jack Benny, Liberace & Jayne Mansfield, Vincent Price
On Feb 13, 1958, "Shower of Stars" presented this gala celebration of Jack Benny's (gasp) 40th birthday. Despite the fact that it's all a gag, the list of performers who turned out to pay tribute to Jack is astounding, including most of the major performers who had been part of his program going all the way back to his debut on radio. Even Mary Livingstone shows up, in what I believe is her only appearance ever on a live television broadcast (by this point in her life, Mary was terrified of appearing in front of live audiences and only appeared in occasional pre-filmed episodes of the Benny TV show). Just about the only regular cast member not on the program is Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, who was too ill to participate (as Jack explains in the program).
This is a fairly strange program, filled with bizarre musical tributes and overstuffed with guests. Supposedly broadcast live from the Coconut Grove, the restaurant is clearly a stage set (the show is announced as originating from "Television City in Hollywood"). There are also clearly segments that have been pre-filmed (e.g., the scene in Jack's bedroom); but what's really strange is that the entire program-- even the portions that appear to have been broadcast live-- uses an artificial laugh track to sweeten the audience response. If you have an ear for these things, you can't miss it. But how could there be laugh track sweetening on a live broadcast?
Despite how big a deal is made of Jack Benny finally turning 40, his character predictably reverted to being perpetually 39 afterwards, with no reference ever made again to this nationally televised celebration.
Jack Benny Hour with guests Bob Hope, Mitzi Gaynor, Senor Wences and The Marquis Family
In this spoof of "The Jack Benny Program", a mouse with Jack Benny's personality and poor violin playing ability lives, along with a mouse version of Benny's valet, Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, in a hole in a wall of Jack Benny's own home. Jack the rodent takes a mouse version of 'Mary Livingstone (I)' out to dinner, and the two unwittingly walk right into the disguised mouth of an orange cat!
Danny Thomas heckles Jack from the audience and the McGuire Sisters sing. Raymond Burr appears as Perry Mason in a sketch.
The town of Primrose, Arizona is beset by outlaws, so the towns people hire Fletcher Bissell III (A.K.A. The Silver Dollar Kid) as their new sheriff. Fletcher is so cowardly the townsfolk are sure that the local outlaws will be too proud to gun him down. This proves to be the case, and the outlaws hire their own cowardly gunfighter, Chicken Farnsworth, to go up against The Silver Dollar Kid. Starring Phil Silvers & Jack Benny
This special, originally aired September 27, 1961, is a one of a kind tribute to Jack Benny for the benefit concerts he performed all over the country to raise money for struggling orchestras. Through the course of his life, Jack said nothing gave him more pleasure in show business than these concerts, affording him the opportunity to play with the greatest symphonies in the world while helping them stay afloat financially.
This largely musical special is overflowing with great performances, by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, pianist Van Cliburn, violinist Isaac Stern and jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman.
Video quality is very rough here, but this is still worth seeing as a very rare bit of Jack Benny history. The priceless concert footage here has hardly been seen since this special originally aired, and I'm not aware of any other video of Jack's symphony performances.
"Jack Benny in Australia" was originally a stage tour, in association with J.C. Williamson Theatres, opening in Melbourne at the Comedy Theatre on March 16 1964 before moving to Sydney and adapted as a television special featuring the original cast. Australian rock legend Johnny O'Keefe introduced a new hit song during this show's run, "She Wears My Ring", which later went to No. 1 nationally.
The Beach Boys appear in a skit with Benny and Hope as surfers. Jack trys to weasel Disneyland tickets from Walt Disney. Also, a skit with Benny, Hope and Sommer in a takeoff on Italian movies. This was Benny's first special after the demise of his regular series. Benny obviously trys to appeal to the younger viewers by booking the very popular Beach Boys.
Bob Hope welcomes guests Jack Benny, Bobby Darim and Ethel Merman.
Another skit with Mel Sy Blanc and the Tijuana Brass
Jack's back with the first of two specials he'll do this season. Joining him are madcap Phyllis Diller, singer-guitarist Trini Lopez and the Smothers Brothers, comedy folk singers. During the hour, Jack does a reprise of his famous 'si' routine with side-kick Mel Blanc playing the leader of a misfit Mariachi band asks Trini for a guitar lesson and presents his very own beauty pageant, a parody of every beauty contest you've ever seen. Highlights: Fly me to the moon, This train--Trini; I talk to the trees--Smothers; Spanish flea--band; Here she is, Miss Northern and Southern Hemisphere--Jack"--TV guide, December 1, 1966. In his opening monologue, Jack describes the negotiations with General Sarnoff of NBC concerning his pay for this show. Jack agrees to the deal when General Sarnoff allows him to return all of the empties from the Dean Martin rehearsals. Benny starts to talk about how he always wanted to have his own beauty pageant, and will be doing so tonight, when he is interrupted to have his picture taken with "the beauties"--which turn out to be American Motors' new cars; the photographer from Acme Photo is played by Frank Nelson. Benny introduces Trini Lopez, who sings Fly me to the moon. Benny talks with him about playing the guitar, then tries singing Fly me to the moon himself. Phyllis Diller runs out; she has volunteered to be the chaperone for the beauty pageant contestants but they are making her ill--they're too beautiful; she shows Jack how she thinks they should walk. Trini Lopez sings This train. Benny introduces the Smothers Brothers; Tommy gives an overly flowery speech, which, when chided, he modifes to "It's nice to be on your dumb show." They argue about who their mom liked best. While Dick is trying to introduce their song, Tommy insists on asking him about the fastest animal in the world; when they begin the song, I talk to the trees, Tommy quickly interrupts to assert that it is a stupid song from a stupid show (Paint your wagon); "I'm an Ame
Host: Jack Benny
--Jack Benny appears with Gloria Chappell, his musical teacher, for a violin duet.
--Petula Clark - "Winchester Cathedral" & "This Is My Song"
--Johnny Mathis - medley from "Man of La Mancha"
ack Benny (host) --Liza Minnelli --Sammy Davis Jr. - dances to "You Got Trouble," a recording by Robert Preston --Peter and Chris Allen (Australian folk singers) --Beverly Washburn, Iris Adrian and Peggy Mondo (actresses) - appear in a sketch in which they audition a musical act for Benny. --The Rudenko Brothers (jugglers) --Jack Benny and Sammy Davis Jr. - "Fascinating Rhythm," a musical duel with Benny's violin playing against Sammy's dancing and singing.
A comedy/variety special hosted by Jack Benny. The program opens with Hope and Thomas as paper hangers discussing Benny's stinginess. Benny delivers a monologue and explains the program's theme. Highlights of this program include the following: Johnny Carson plays a carnival barker introducing Lucille Ball as a red-headed bombshell who portrays Cleopatra and Helen of Troy in her carnival act; Ben Blue plays the world's foremost mindreader; and Paul Revere and the Raiders sing "Too Much Talk" and "Him or Me," and are interrupted by Benny in the guise of a band member. Also, Blue and Benny perform a pantomime and Carson impersonates Benny.
Highlights include an extended parody of "The Graduate" with Benny and Diller.
Jack Benny in a 1 hour Comedy Special Celebrating his Birthday with Lucille Ball, Dan Blocker, Dennis Day, Ann-Margaret, And Lawrence Welk.
Very funny special with Benny displaying his "groovy" new look. Burns, Benny, Peck perform a vaudeville act.
"The Friars Roast Jack Benny" with Johnny Carson (as the Roastmaster) Guests: --Spiro Agnew (Vice-President) --Milton Berle --George Burns --Phil Harris --Dennis Day --Alan King --Ed Sullivan
20th Anniversary Special with his guests: Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, Red Skelton, Mel Blanc, Mary Livingston, Eddie Anderson and Benny Rubin.
A one hour special from 1971 Starring Jack Benny. With his guests David Reuben, George Burns, Lucille Ball, Phil Harris, Dionne Warwick & John Wayne.
Jack Benny on the Tonight Show with Johhny Carson. With Guests Jack Benny, Rich Little, Dylana Jenson, Dick Barlow & Roger Pida
Jack Benny on the Tonight Show with Johhny Carson. Also with guests Elke Sommer & Joe Namath
Roasters: Jimmy Stewart, Joey Bishop, Florence Henderson, George Burns, Norm Crosby, Zubin Mehta, Pearl Bailey, Dick Martin, Mark Spitz, Wayne Newton, Rich Little, Demond Wilson, Jack Carter, Foster Brooks, Gary Burghoff
This special aired just days after Jack Benny's unexpected death from pancreatic cancer the day after Christmas, 1974. Hosted by Charles Kuralt, this is a respectful and well done tribute/obituary to a masterful performer and universally beloved human being. Includes a good deal of clips from the Jack Benny radio show and television show, as well as interviews with cast members Frank Nelson, Don Wilson and Mel Blanc.
Among the mourners interviewed briefly are Danny Thomas, Ronald & Nancy Reagan, and Milton Berle. There's even a priceless record of Bob Hope's deeply moving eulogy - George Burns was so overcome with grief he was unable to utter more than a few words before needing to be escorted from podium.
A show both funny and emotionally moving-- just the kind of tribute a giant like Jack Benny deserved.
A special hosted by three of Jack's close friends featuring clips from past TV shows and specials.
A special featuring vintage clips of comedian Jack Benny, as well as reminiscences by friends.
With Jack Benny, Nannette Fabray and Johnnie Ray
Barry Cryer pays tribute to the heroes of comedy who he has worked with over his many years in the business. Each episode celebrates one legend and include highlights from their comedy careers as Barry recalls some of his funniest moments working with each of them. This British made episode is about Jack Benny
Unedited Newreel Footage form May 1935, May 1941, June 16th 194 and December 1945
Clips of some of Jack Benny's best
