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@neil-gaiman spoke with the International Jack Benny Fan Club (501c) for the Jack Benny Convention about Why He Loves Jack Benny
Thank you, Neil! Like you said, “knowing and loving Jack is a responsibility”.
#Jack Benny#Neil Gaiman#old time radio#otr#Benjamin Kubelsky#All of the classics#classics#radio#Jack Benny Show#Jack Benny Program#comedy#writing#author#writers on tumblr#writer#interview#Good Omens#Doctor Who#Thank you
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Good afternoon, everyone, and Happy Valentine's Day! With those good wishes goes something else - a very, very Happy 129th Birthday to one of the greatest comedians of all time - Benjamin Kubelsky, who we will always fondly remember... as Jack Benny. His career spanned decades, from the stages of Vaudeville, to the radio airwaves, and to the movie sets in Hollywood. With a trademark expression of mildly feigned surprise, followed with a slighty aghast "Well!", Jack's comedic timing was superb in every genre. His character on the air was generally played - hysterically - as both egotistic and as cheap as the day was long, leading to howls from the studio audiences and wherever a radio was tuned into CBS. In specific mention to our look at 1943, today is Jack's 39th birthday - again. This was another long standing gag that ran for years; he perpetually celebrated his 39th birthday (although today, in 1943, he turned 49, born on (Wed) 2/14/1894). Jack wouldn't spend the War Years in the studio, either - he did plenty of work for the Troops, and we'll be covering those dates as they come up. But with today's subject comes something else - from 1934 to 1942, Jack's show was sponsored by Jell-O, and was known as the "The Jell-O Program Starring Jack Benny." Yes folks, Jell-O has been around that long! Of note, as sugar became rationed for the war effort in the spring of 1943, Jell-O had to switch gears, as did Jack who was thus sponsored by Grape Nuts cereal. Happy Birthday, Mr. Benny!! You made us laugh then, and you're still doing it now - and you always will. God Bless You. 🇺🇲🇺🇲 ** Please Like & Follow "Sandy Hook History" on Facebook & Instagram for more amazing maritime and military histories of the Garden State and New York Harbor as well as a review of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle Of The Atlantic and World War 2** 🇺🇲🇺🇲 (at Fort Hancock, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoqHZtegeR0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
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RETROCRUSH - JACK BENNY
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JACK BENNY
February 14, 1894
Jack Benny was born Benjamin Kublesky in Chicago, Illinois, on Valentine’s Day 1894. He had a successful vaudeville career, and an even greater career on radio with “The Jack Benny Program” which also became a successful television show. Benny was a Beverly Hills neighbor of Lucille Ball’s and the two were off-screen friends.
His screen persona was known for being a penny-pincher and for (badly) playing the violin. His theme song was "Love in Bloom" by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin. He often used the phrase, "Now cut that out!"
Benny and Ball were first on the same bill in “Stars in the Eye”, a special marking the opening of Television City and including all the CBS stars. Lucy and Benny did not share any screen time.
On “Sunday Showcase: A Tribute to Eleanor Roosevelt on Her Diamond Jubilee” on October 11, 1959, Jack Benny, Lucille Ball and dozens of other stars turn out to pay homage to former first lady and humanitarian Eleanor Roosevelt. Arthur Godfrey hosted on NBC.
On June 24, 1962, Benny and Ball were on hand to quickly wish Ed Sullivan a happy 14th anniversary on “The Ed Sullivan Show” (S14;E41). Lucille Ball enters riding atop an elephant!
Another collaboration of the network headlines came in 1962 and 1963, when both “The Lucy Show” and “The Jack Benny Program” were on the CBS schedules. They launched the season with “Opening Night” TV specials.
Benny appeared on “The Lucy Show” as Harry Tuttle (a Jack Benny doppelganger) in “Lucy and the Plumber” (TLS S3;E2), on September 28, 1964.
On October 16, 1964, Benny and Ball played themselves in "Chrysler Presents a Bob Hope Comedy Special: Have Girls - Will Travel." The show was used by RCA to sell color televisions.
In return, Lucille appeared on “The Jack Benny Program” playing Mrs. Paul Revere, the woman behind the man. It aired on October 2, 1964.
He did a voice over cameo as himself in “Lucy With George Burns” (TLS S5;E1), first aired on September 12, 1966.
The feature film A Guide For The Married Man (1967) had plenty of comic performers on the marquee, including Benny and Ball.
That same year, Benny and Ball provided voice over for a documentary by the United Jewish Welfare Fund titled All About People.
He played himself in “Lucy Gets Jack Benny’s Account” (TLS S6;E6), a stunt-filled episode that first aired on October 16, 1967.
On March 20, 1968, Lucille Ball appeared on “Jack Benny’s Carnival Nights” along with Johnny Carson and Ben Blue. Lucille played an exotic side-show attraction Luscious Lucille, a Woman on a Pier in a silent movie, and Agnes Kubelsky, Benny’s mother!
He played himself on “Here’s Lucy” three times, starting with the second episode, “Lucy Visits Jack Benny” (HL S1;E2) on September 30, 1968. The action was set at Benny’s Palm Springs home, which he was renting out as a resort!
Ball and Andy Griffith were the main guest stars on “The Tennessee Ernie Ford Special” on November 16, 1968. Benny made a quick pitch for his special “Jack Benny’s Bag” which followed, but did not feature Lucille Ball.
On December 19, 1968, Ball and Benny joined other stars on “The Dean Martin Christmas Special” in cameo announcements about toys being sent to children’s hospitals. Each cameo was self-contained.
On “Jack Benny’s Birthday Special” on February 17, 1969 (3 days after his 75th birthday) Lucille Ball appeared and did patter with Benny as well as played Lucille LaTour in an old West sketch.
As “Jack Benny’s New Look” is nearly over, Lucille Ball walks by and says “How dare you do a show without me?” slaps Benny and exits! This walk-on cameo happened on December 3, 1969.
“Lucy and Jack Benny’s Biography” (HL S3;E11) on November 23, 1970, Benny dictates his memoirs to secretary Lucy, and the episodes come to life for viewers, with Lucy playing all the women in his life, including his wife Mary Livingstone, although Lucille Ball lip synchs to Livingstone’s actual voice!
“Jack Benny’s 20th Anniversary Special” on November 16, 1970, featured Lucille Ball playing the Benny’s maid Janet in a scene with Benny’s real-life wife Mary Livingstone. Ball receives no screen credit but gets a verbal thank you from Benny at show’s conclusion. Lucy has three lines and 30 seconds of screen time!
Lucy, Benny, Bob Hope, Dean Martin, George Burns, and Red Skelton, all appeared in the patriotic TV special “John Wayne’s: Swing Out, Sweet Land” which aired on November 29, 1970.
Benny has a walk-on cameo at the end of “The Unemployment Follies” (HL S3;E22) on February 8, 1971 starring Carol Burnett, his second appearance on “Here’s Lucy”.
In “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Jack Benny But Were Afraid to Ask” (March 10, 1971), Lucy plays a chorus girl seduced by movie star Benny.
“The 23rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards” on May 9, 1971 featured Benny and Ball (who presented an award).
His final appearance on “The Lucy Show” was in “Lucy and The Celebrities” (HL S4;E10), on November 15, 1971, had Benny playing himself and imitated by guest star Rich Little!
The Friars Club celebrates Milton Berle’s 60 years in show business on December 4, 1973. Sammy Davis Jr. hosts with guests Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, and others.
The last public appearance of Jack Benny was roasting Lucille Ball on “The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast for Lucille Ball” aired on February 7, 1975. Benny died weeks after the taping of this special. Dean Martin appeared in a special introduction dedicating the show to Benny’s memory.
“Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” ~ Jack Benny
Jack Benny succumbed to pancreatic cancer on December 26, 1974 at age 80 although he never admitted to being older than 39. He was survived by his wife Mary Livingstone, with whom he adopted a child, Joan.
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TV Guide - November 7 - 13, 1959
Jack Benny (February 14, 1894 – December 26, 1974), born Benjamin Kubelsky, comedian, vaudevillian, radio, television, and film actor, and violinist. Recognized as a leading American entertainer of the 20th century, Benny portrayed his character as a miser, playing his violin badly. In character, he would claim to be 39 years of age, regardless of his actual age.
The network television version of The Jack Benny Program ran from October 28, 1950, to 1965, all but the last season on CBS. Initially scheduled as a series of five “specials” during the 1950–1951 season, the show appeared every six weeks for the 1951–1952 season, every four weeks for the 1952–1953 season and every three weeks in 1953–1954. For the 1953–1954 season, half the episodes were live and half were filmed during the summer, to allow Benny to continue doing his radio show. From the fall of 1954 to 1960, it appeared every other week, and from 1960 to 1965 it was seen weekly. (Wikipedia)
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On Valentine's Day, 14th February 1894, funny man Jack Benny (Benjamin Kubelsky) was born. On the radio from 1932 - 1958 he was probably the best loved entertainer during the golden age of radio, and remains one of the all-time greats almost fifty years after his death. Maybe he was so popular because he was born on the day of lurrrve?! ❤️ You decide 😀
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Jack Benny Net Worth 2022: Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Kids, Bio-Wiki
Jack Benny Net Worth 2022: Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Kids, Bio-Wiki
Jack Benny
Celebrated Name:
Jack Benny
Real Name/Full Name:
Benjamin Kubelsky
Gender:
Male
Age at the time of death:
80 years old
Birth Date:
14 February 1894
Date of Death:
26 December 1974
Birth Place:
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Nationality:
American
Height:
1.72 m
Weight:
82 Kg
Sexual Orientation:
Straight
Marital Status:
Married
Wife/Spouse (Name):
Mary Livingstone (m.…
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“You Don’t Hate A Race When You are Laughing at It.”
“You Don’t Hate A Race When You are Laughing at It.”
These are the words of Jack Benny – whose real name was Benjamin Kubelsky. And they are – more or less – an affirmation of ethnic humor. He thought of such humor as – in the words of Lawrence Epstein – “socially redemptive.” They were spoken in relation to racist and anti-Semitic claims made against Jews and African-Americans during the depression; and the characters that Benny found “socially…
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February 14: On This Day in Music
February 14: On This Day in Music
Happy Valentine’s Day
. 1602 ~ Pier Francesco Cavalli, Italian opera composer
. 1813 ~ Alexander Dargomyzhsky, Russian composer
. 1882 ~ Ignace Friedman, Polish pianist and composer
. 1894 ~ Jack Benny (Benjamin Kubelsky), The stingy, violin-playing, perennial-39- year-old comedian of radio, television and vaudeville
. 1923 ~ Cesare Siepi, Opera basso
. 1925 ~ Elliot Lawrence (Broza), Emmy…
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#arranger#composer#conductor#dancer#Elton John#Frederick Loewe#George Shearing#Gregory Hines#Ignace Friedman#Kennedy Center Honors#musical director#opera#pianist#Today in Music History#Valentine&039;s Day#video#violin
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Benjamin Kubelsky Feb. 14, 1894 ~ Dec. 26, 1974 Violinist
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#Jack Benny#Jack Benny Fan Club#benjamin kubelsky#Laura Leibowitz#Dennis Day#Phil Harris#anchor fm#podcast#George Balzer#Les Moonves#classic radio#old time radio#rat pack#Leonardo DiCaprio#studio system#Doctor Who#Classic Who#Craig Ferguson#The Jack Kitty Show#Genessee theater
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endless list of favorites:
JACK BENNY PROGRAM
Jack Benny (born Benjamin Kubelsky February 14, 1894 - December 26, 1974) was an American comedian, vaudevillian, and actor for radio, television, and film. Widely recognized as one of the leading American entertainers of the 20th century, Benny was known for his comic timing and his ability to get laughs with either a pregnant pause or a single expression, such as his signature exasperated "Well!" His radio and television programs, tremendously popular in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, were a foundational influence on the situation comedy.
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"Oh, no, it isn't the trees . . . ."
“Oh, no, it isn’t the trees . . . .”
The young JACK BENNY (Benjamin Kubelsky) with his violin.
I was about to watch an episode of the Jack Benny Program recently when I became absorbed in the opening theme. The theme is associated not just with the television series but with Jack Benny himself. The song, “Love in Bloom,” was not written by amateurs. The music was by Ralph Rainger and the lyrics by Leo Robin. Ralph Rainger, a member…
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#Bing Crosby#Early television#Jack Benny#Kitty Carlisle#Leo Robin#Liberace#Love in Bloom#Music#Ralph Rainger#Songwriters Hall of Fame#Television
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Lucy Gets Jack Benny’s Account
S6;E6~ October 16, 1967
Synopsis
When the bank needs to find unique depositors, Lucy sets out to convince notorious miser Jack Benny to become a customer. But first, they have to build a vault secure enough to satisfy Benny.
Regular Cast
Lucille Ball (Lucy Carmichael), Gale Gordon (Theodore J. Mooney), Roy Roberts (Mr. Cheever)
Mary Jane Croft (Mary Jane Lewis) does not appear in this episode.
Guest Cast
Jack Benny (Himself) was born on Valentine’s day 1894. He had a successful vaudeville career, and an even greater career on radio with “The Jack Benny Program” which also became a successful television show. His screen persona was known for being a penny-pincher and playing the violin. His theme song was “Love in Bloom.” Benny was a Beverly Hills neighbor of Lucille Ball’s and the two were off-screen friends. Benny previously appeared on the series as Harry Tuttle (a Jack Benny doppelganger) in “Lucy and the Plumber” (S3;E2) and did a voice over cameo as himself in “Lucy With George Burns” (S5;E1). He later appeared on three episodes of “Here’s Lucy.” Benny and Ball appeared on many TV variety and award shows together. He died in 1974.
Gladys (voice on the intercom), six Native Americans in full war paint, and Irving the gorilla, all go uncredited. It is possible, however, that actor George Barrows was inside the gorilla costume. Barrows played gorillas in three previous “Lucy Show” episodes.
The episode was filmed on September 15, 1967.
The script, written by Milt Josefsberg and Ray Singer, won an Emmy nomination in 1968, the only writing nomination of the entire series. The episode was so popular with viewers that it was included in “The Lucy Show” rerun series presented on CBS in prime time every summer through 1971.
Lucy proposes that the bank go after unique accounts like the Queen of England or the King of Thailand or Mickey Mouse (“Put your money where your mouse is!”). Lucy calls Benny “the Maharajah of Beverly Hills” because he doesn't trust banks and keeps all his money in his home.
The scene at Benny's home begins with him practicing the violin, but when the doorbell rings he stops 'playing' and the music continues. Before answering the door, he shuts off the stereo and says “I'll be right back Jascha.” Jascha Heifetz (1901-87) was a Russian-born musician considered him to be the greatest violinist of all time.
In Benny's home there is an autographed photo of Bob Hope prominently displayed. At one point the camera actually nudges a few inches mid-shot in order to get the photo in the frame. Hope had a cameo the first time Benny appeared on the series in “Lucy and the Plumber” (S3;E2). Throughout their careers, Hope and Benny would appear on each others programs and even did two films together. In the episode, Benny describes Hope as “one of his fans.”
Benny says he used to have a polar bear named Carmichael. On Benny's radio show he often referred to a pet polar bear named Carmichael, voiced by Mel Blanc. Blanc did the voice of a parrot in The Fuller Brush Girl (1950) starring Lucille Ball. He will also lend his voice talents to a 1969 episode of “Here's Lucy.” Coincidentally, Carmichael was Lucille Ball’s surname in her previous sitcom, “The Lucy Show.”
Seeing a photo of Jack Benny in the navy Lucy asks if he was in the Korean War. Benny takes one of his famous long takes and then says “bless you!” Benny actually served in World War I, often entertaining the troops with his violin. The Korean War started in 1950 and ended (unofficially) in 1953.
Lucy also spots photos of Benny with two presidents. Benny met several times with President Harry S. Truman and also met John F. Kennedy in 1962.
Lucy recognizes a photo of Rochester. In 1937, Eddie Rochester Anderson began playing Rochester Van Jones, Jack Benny's valet, on his radio show “The Jack Benny Program.” Anderson became the first Black American to have a regular role on a nationwide radio program. When the series moved to television, Anderson continued in the role until the series ended in 1965.
When Lucy admires a cast photo of Benny's old television show, Benny says he often sees Dennis Day and sometimes “trips over” Phil Harris (right), a reference to Harris' persona as a lush. In “Lucy and Joan” (S4;E4) Joan (Joan Blondell) says she’s been in pictures so long she saw Phil Harris take his first drink. Harris was a bandleader who became a comic radio star as a Jack Benny sidekick in the 1930’s. Although his fondness for bourbon was largely a creation of the Benny's writers, Harris played the part to the hilt. Dennis Day (left) appeared for the first time on Benny's radio show in 1939 and remained associated with him until Benny's death in 1974. He was introduced as a young, naïve boy singer – a character he kept through his whole career.
There is a flirtatiousness between Benny and Lucy that ignores the fact that Benny was married to Mary Livingstone. Lucy even proposes that she and Benny go out on a date. Curiously, Livingstone is nowhere to be seen at the home (nor are any servants, but perhaps that is due to Benny's frugality).
Jack Benny gets entrance applause in his second scene, indicating the episode may have been shot out of sequence to accommodate the unusual settings.
Benny tells Mr. Mooney his social security number is 1. Benny says his father's name is Mortimer and his mother's maiden name is J.P. (Judith Priscilla) Morgan. In real life Benny's birth name was Benjamin Kubelsky and he was the son of Meyer Kubelsky and Emma Sachs.
Benny says he has a tattoo that says “J-E-L-L-O” because “in those days sponsors were hard to get.” In 1934, General Foods, the makers of Jell-O and Grape-Nuts, became the sponsor strongly identified with Benny for 10 years. The Jell-O jingle spelled out the name of the gelatin desert product.
The Westland Bank's new Benny vault is 300 feet down. Lucy notes that due to its subterranean location, the vault is “smog free.” This the third mention on the series of the Los Angeles smog problem. It was previously joked about in “Lucy and Tennessee Ernie Ford” (S5;E21) and “Lucy Meets Sheldon Leonard” (S5;E22).
The vault is equipped with land mines, a guillotine...
knife-throwing wild Indians (who demand overtime)...
a pool filled with piranha...
“Piranha fish? What a picnic they'd have with Jackie Gleason. You know, by the time he could say, 'Away we go,' he'd already be gone.” Lucy has done Jackie Gleason's famous “away we go” exit move several times on the series. Gleason himself will make a cameo appearance on the 1968 “Here's Lucy” episode that features Jack Benny.
snapping turtles...
Irving the gorilla (who is managed by Benny)...
and a pit of quicksand. Milt Josefsberg, writing in his book, The Jack Benny Show, talks about the episode's quicksand effect:
“For the quicksand routine, we had to build a small special elevator in this hole. The floor around it was raised about a foot via a small sloping wall, and the entire area was then filled with lukewarm water. Then this small lake was covered with a dark sawdust-like material, a couple of inches thick, which floated on the surface, giving it the appearance of solid ground. As Lucy and Jack walked into this pit, the slightly sloping walls made them seem to sink. When they reached the ‘elevator hole,’ they stood still, the machinery was turned on, the elevator went down, and they slowly began to sink from view. Because the machinery powering the elevator sat beneath it, the floor could only descend four or five feet. When Lucy and Jack felt the elevator stop as it reached bottom, they were almost shoulder high in the gooey mixture, but now they slowly bent their knees, giving further illusion that they were going to disappear into a bottomless pit.”
The effect almost doesn't happen. Benny was apprehensive about being able to stay on his feet, and Ball had an attack of claustrophobia. However, both got through the scene like professionals.
The quicksand effect cost Desilu $25,000, the most expensive television episode at the time. Lucille Ball later commented, “I don’t mind how expensive a gag is, as long as it gets a good laugh!”
Callbacks!
Piranha ate Lucy's purse in “Lucy Gets the Bird” (S3;E2).
Blooper Alerts!
When Benny bars the door to show Lucy the secret entrance to his vault, the doors make a metallic clinking sound as they are secured. When Benny goes through the secret passage, the sound happens again, causing Lucille Ball to look around wondering what the noise was.
“Lucy Gets Jack Benny’s Account” rates 4 Paper Hearts out of 5
#The Lucy Show#Lucy Gets Jack Benny's Account#Jack Benny#Lucille Ball#Gale Gordon#Roy Roberts#vault#The Jack Benny Show#quicksand#Bob Hope#Eddie Rochester Anderson#Dennis Day#Mary Livingstone#Milt Josefsberg#jascha heifetz#Carmichael#Mel Blanc#Phil Harris#piranha#gorilla#Jell-O#Indians#1967#CBS#TV
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126 years ago, on 14th February 1894, funny man Jack Benny (Benjamin Kubelsky) was born. On the radio from 1932 - 1958 he was probably the best loved entertainer during the golden age of radio. Listen to a huge selection of shows starring Jack Benny on RUSC at https://link.rusc.com/a98562f0
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February 14: On This Day in Music
February 14: On This Day in Music
Happy Valentine’s Day
. 1602 ~ Pier Francesco Cavalli, Italian opera composer
. 1813 ~ Alexander Dargomyzhsky, Russian composer
. 1882 ~ Ignace Friedman, Polish pianist and composer
. 1894 ~ Jack Benny (Benjamin Kubelsky), The stingy, violin-playing, perennial-39- year-old comedian of radio, television and vaudeville
. 1923 ~
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#arranger#composer#conductor#dancer#Elton John#Frederick Loewe#George Shearing#Gregory Hines#Ignace Friedman#Kennedy Center Honors#musical director#opera#pianist#Today in Music History#Valentine&039;s Day#video#violin
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