A very sad day indeed in my heart he was like family, a fantastic talent and a good human being. I still miss him, he i'm sure is now making the Heavens roar with laughter eternally Tommy G
One comment that made a deep impression on me, was when someone recalled their grandparents sobbing & crying the day that Jack Benny died. They weren't of a generation who were much into public emotion, but what it *meant to them*
I appreciated that Jack wasn't greedy with allowing others to get the laugh or the joke , He never had to be crude or profane and entertained for all those years . some of today's comics should take notes , Just a thought . .
Yes, but today's comics are no where near Jack's caliber and that's why they are here today gone tomorrow and no one misses them much less love them as Jack Benny was loved.
When your comedy comes from the characters and situations, you want the punchline to be said by whichever character will make it the funniest, whether that's you or not. I absorbed this concept without realizing it, by listening to records of old radio shows, and watching "The Carol Burnett Show" when I was a kid. Once, when I was rehearsing in an original show, I came up with a great bit, and gave the best line to the other person in the scene. He couldn't believe it, and said, "Are you SURE you want to give me that line? It's the best one." I said, "Of course. It's funnier that way." (Until that moment, it hadn't occurred to me that it was unusual *not* to keep the best line for myself.)
What is with the constant parroting of "X was never profane or resorted to filthy language..." in comments on every damn classic performance clip on youtube? Many (not all) of those guys would've *loved* to get lewd and crude or drop an F-bomb on the unsuccessful public. The difference then was that a CENSOR had control or what they could or couldn't say and they weren't ALLOWED to determine for themselves what boundaries their audiences would like to see them cross! Nevertheless, at least such comments are innocent ones, born of forgetfulness or simple self-delusion. The same cannot be said of the inevitable follow-up, in which some self-important clod puffs out his liver-spotted chest and spouts a bunch of uninformed blather about how today's no-talen't slobs are "here today gone tomorrow and no one misses them". Yeah, thanks a heap, Gene Shalit Jr. Good to know you're out there with your finger on the pulse of the world's letest cutting edge entertainers! The all-time greats need your offhand dismissal of the entire current talent roster like they need a harp instructor at this point! Do you also look at old fruit salad recipes in fading Family Circle magazines and feel a deep need to pontificate on how today's bananas are nothing but tasteless, obscenely-shaped hacks that are utterly unworthy of making a Chaplin or Keaton slip and fall on his ass? (Schmuck!)
I grew up in the early 1950s listening and watching Jack Benny on a small black and white TV when I lived in teh Camp Kilmer area whee broadcasts came out of New York City. Watching this brough some tears of joy ans remembrance of those days. Those days are gone, but memories live on forever in my heart!
These shows are priceless. Toooo bad more people are not watching. It could change their way of thinking. Jack was a person. Without anger and quick to laugh.
Met Jack Benny after one of his fundraiser concerts in Des Moines, IA. He was tired, but still stopped to give a kid an autograph. A true gentleman and a consummate entertainer. God bless him.
I am both thrilled for you and ENVIOUS at the same time. I was just a toddler when he died, never would have met him. Glad you could meet the finest comedian ever!!
I used to listen to replays of his radio program on AFRTS radio in Greece in in 70s as a youngster. It aired in the late a.m. hours and i would wake up hours before i had to get up for school. I later did stand up comedy in life...and attribute it to him...he made me appreciate comedy and making people laugh.
Oh my stars that last duet was hilarious. As Spike Jones taught us if you are going to make comedy with music you have to be very good. Top notch documentary.
He was a genius and his TV and radio work is a masterclass in the art of comedy. It's a privilege to have these documents to enjoy and study. That last bit with the violins is hilarious and so smart. I'm so glad his work is saved for us to enjoy now. Thanks.
Watching this makes me appreciate having been around long enough to see such giants as Jack, Groucho, and Jack Paar..we shall never be as lucky to see people like this ever again..
I was only eight or nine years old but I remember sitting around in the living room in the evening watching Jack Benny with both my parents and brothers what precious times were those and we didn’t even know it.
I have been laughing at Jack Benny for YEARS. But I don't think I have ever laughed so hard as when Merv Griffin asked him about his first laugh at 9:55. Most comics would have had a stroke trying to blurt out the first 'clever' thing. Not Jack. He Owned timing... it was his to do with as he wished.
nobodyaskedbut : I feel that way about the Carnac the Magnificent skit involving Ed McMahon...........and revere all the MIGHTY CARSON~ARTS PLAYERS AND SKITS! FMI: did Doc or Ed ever guest host ?
He was my alll-time favorite, so much so that I remember exactly where I was in my house when it was announced on radio that he had passed away. He was one of a kind and I still enjoy his televised Jack Benny sitcoms, nor will I ever get tired of viewing them. RIP JACK BENNY; YOU ARE SORELY MISSED.
J.R. Taylor Fortunately, there are many recordings of their programs, and the internet makes them more available. One great sketch (which lasted weeks) was Jack Benny’s “feud” with Fred Allen, which they both did on both their programs. It was so well done that many people thought the feud was real.
djmcnerney I’m not sure Jack Benny would agree. While many remember Gracie Allen as the comic to George Burns’ straight man, who would snap off one-liners in between, it was George Burns who was writing the material for both of them. In comedy, it’s often more difficult to do the straight part, as the timing has to be perfect. If you’ve ever watched Bob Newhart’s television programs, you’ll get a sense of what I mean. Or look at Abbot and Costello. Their most famous bit was “Who’s on First?” They didn’t create it; it had been around for a long time. But they were the best at performing it, largely because they had perfect timing. In most of those comedy duos, the straight man was usually paid more - because it was more difficult to perform that role. Jack Benny and George Burns were very close friends. Burns was so upset at Jack’s funeral that he couldn’t finish the eulogy. Bob Hope stepped up and finished. But George was known as “the comedian’s comedian”, because he could make Jack Benny laugh uncontrollably. Jack was supposed to do one of the leads in the movie version of “The Sunshine Boys”, but had been told by his doctors that he would be unable to because he had cancer (which took his life). The producers weren’t sure what to do; how do you replace Jack Benny? Well, it was Jack Benny who suggested George Burns. Burns had been struggling since the death of his wife, he was known as part of a team, “Burns and Allen”. Anyway, Burns was cast in the role, and only went on to win an Oscar, and revive his career as a solo act. And that struggle was not just a professional one. Burns really had a tough time coping with grief with the loss of his wife.
I saw Mr. Benny on stage in the 70's. He was hilarious he called for someone to bring his " Stradivarius and the man came running down the isle with it and tripped and through it into the air and smashed on the stage and the whole audience just gasped. And then he went into the famou scrossed arms and deadpan stare and a prolonged "welllll" looking all around the theatre. And the house Just erupted and that was the end of the show. Brilliant.
I'm envious we do not have good clean entertainers with personality in the mainstream like this today. I am blessed to be of the final generation that will remember people like Jack Benny, Bob Hope, George Burns, etc while they were still alive and performing.
Ditto! I'm 59 and remember fondly as a guest on other stars "variety shows" in the late 60's and 70's. Thank God for the old vinyl albums and VHS tapes available at the local public library. We still get to enjoy ALL of his work. (Yes, even the, achem, MOVIES too!).
Remember watching Jack Benny shows when I was a kid in the fifties. He always stuck in my mind even to this day. Enjoyed reminiscing along with this wonderful biopic. Thanks for the upload.
john chapman Well, If he didn’t, his writers did. Jack took very good care of his writers. Many worked with him for decades, which was unusual even back then. Jack’s fictional stinginess was completely fictional. In reality, he was an extremely generous man. Even in his final illness, he was helping one of his best friends, George Burns. Jack was supposed to do the film version of “The Sunshine Boys”, but his cancer, which was terminal, prevented him from doing it. The producers were dismayed, and were unsure whether to even go ahead. Jack suggested giving the role to George Burns. Burns was having a very difficult time, mourning the loss of his wife, Gracie Allen. The two also were a team for decades, and George was having trouble maintaining his career without her. But George got the part in the film, and I think he won an Oscar for it. But it revived his career in the 1970’s, as a solo act. It probably wouldn’t have happened without Jack Benny’s generosity in recommending him. One thing Jack Benny didn’t have (in real life), was an overinflated ego, which is an occupational hazard in show business.
My father's favorite comedian and rightfully so! I remember as a child watching that wonderful "Getting To Know You" duet. Gisele MacKenzie was an amazing talent but the two of them together was something very special. Thank you, David Levecke, for posting this documentary. As for Jack Benny, what can be said that hasn't already been said? He was all the superlatives that have described him over the years.
I'm with you! Gisele MacKenzie had it all: good singer; fine pianist; impressive violinist; actress; comedienne; dancer; warm personality. I can't think of another person in show business with such breadth and depth of talent. I miss Jack and Gisele both and I'm so glad I own a 4-DVD set of Jack's TV show that features Gisele, too. I play them many times over,.
@@fredericmartin7148 We both have excellent taste! It's sad that with all of Gisele's talents, to me, it seems that she never got the notoriety that she so much deserved. I've watched the "Getting To Know You" duet many times on youtube. It's such a shining example of perfect entertainment! To quote Frank Sinatra in "That's Entertainment", "you can sit around and hope but I'll tell you, you'll never see the likes of that again."
Thank you so very much David for sharing this gem treasure of a video of Jack Benny. God had a very special plan when He created the 80+ years life of Benjamin Kubelsky aka Jack Benny on this earth to share with other humans.
He always looks at the audience after the gag. I love the early Danny Thomas part at 2:07. “What’s so funny about you?” It was frustrating for Danny because Jack had to do nothing to get laughs. 8:39 Carol Burnett’s, “the greatest reactor” is so true. The “contained look”. He got a second laugh and he played it out perfectly.
Without any hesitation, I would give Jack Benny first prize as the greatest comedian of all time. What other comic could get an audience to break up in Gales of laughter just by staring at them! He was such an original. He wasn't afraid to surround himself with funny people and give them all the jokes. He could always top them simply by his silent reaction and by saying nothing. I never Tire of watching his TV episodes on RU-vid. And don't get me started on the unique and hilarious Frank Nelson... "Yeeeeeesssssss..." Oh, they were great! The greatest!
It is now September 2019. I just watched the part (around 27:00) of Benny, Mel Blanc and the "Sy, Sue, Si" routine. Which I just watched for somewhere arournd the 2,417th time. I am dying. I remember the routine from black and white television in the 1950s...
Thank you so much for posting this important remembrance of a true comedian icon. I’m 56 and recently discovered his radio show which has enabled me to survive my work’s stress. My youngest daughter who is 18 is a fan of the 30s and 40s (she believes she was born in the wrong era) but I am sharing this man’s brilliance. Thank you again. I encourage you to share of other talents we all should be reminded of. Thank you so much!
Yes, he was the best voice actor/impersonator of the 20th century. The Looney tunes, Mel gave life to many if not all the beloved characters. Is sad that someone with such talent was so underrated.
He perfected the art of being funny by being the straight man. Amazing talent in doing this. It was his reaction to others that was funny, of being made the brunt of scorn and ridicule. No one before or since can do this.
Loved this. It took me back "home" watching Jack Benny on our very first 10 or 12-inch black and white TV. And of course with my family and/or friends. 🤗💕 Good memories...What a different time it was!
That’s very true John. His frozen, silent stare was hilarious. It’s odd that Jack, being such a great visual comedian, liked radio much more than television.
DoubleMrE Well, silence can work over the radio as well. In some ways, television can be limiting. One of Jack’s sketches was designed for radio, and would have been difficult to do on television. That would be his trips to his vault, which were creative over radio, as the sound effects were vital. That would be impossible over television, especially with the primitive visual effects used during the early days of television.
A few months before Jack Benny died I was lucky enough to see him in concert. He played a hot swing number on his violin. He was damn good! He played in the orchestra for the Marx Brothers Broadway shows. You couldn't do that if you were bad.
"I've been in show business... probably... sixty years." Which is pretty good for a guy who's only 39. Loved the dueling violins in the closing credits. =)
So, I am old and my childhood was entertained by Jack Benny and so many comedy RADIO shows before TV made it to our city. I enjoyed those shows as much, probably more, that the televised ones. Using your imagination made it more fun. Really, you young whippersnappers, it was great. Fibber McGee and Molly, Amos and Andy where the Kingfisher became a bigger character than the leads, Baby Snooks, I would love to relive those shows.
Me too! At almost 74, I grew up with some of the best: Jack Benney, Jackie Gleason, Sid Ceaser, Carol Burnett, etc. Listening to these Golden Oldies, after so many years, is wonderful! 😍💖
There’s nothing like a good comedy! You might be interested in this NEW one, “A Trip to the Moon” starring Joyce Randolph of The Honeymooners AND two ghost stories listed at my channel “Claude Chabot Presents” right here on YT. Just follow the link here and enjoy! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Hex2ltykNTM.html--Claud.
This came on following an episode of The Jack Benny Show, and I was delighted to watch it. Jack Benny was such a wonderful, genuine man who loved to make people happy and laugh. All those on his show were wonderful folks as well, and made eachother shine brighter. Especially now, the world needs more Jack Bennys.
A fantastic job. This show kindled my interest in Benny. When I first saw it, in the 1990s, I literally fell off my couch laughing, and I have been a big fan ever since.
I saw him in person perform when I was a kid. It was amazing. I believe that this (the caveman sketch) was his last CBS show. Sad. But by then, all the regulars had gone.
In the opening scene, the first violinist was with Jack for 23 years and actually taught to be a better violinist. Believe it or not. He was a guest on the show To Tell The Truth about that.
I would sit and as my mother would say, 'with my ear glued to the radio' and listen to Jack, Rochester, Denis, and Mary every week. Loved the man and the show.
I was a little boy when the Benny show aired, and I never understood why everyone thought he was so funny. Only 40-years later do I fully realized his comic genius. Better late, than never.
Thank you for posting! I’ve been listening to Jack Benny programs on Old Time Radio app. I can’t stop laughing. Today comedians use sex and cussing to get laughs which is rather boring.
There’s nothing like a good comedy! You might be interested in this NEW one, “A Trip to the Moon” starring Joyce Randolph of The Honeymooners AND two ghost stories listed at my channel “Claude Chabot Presents” right here on YT. Just follow the link here and enjoy! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Hex2ltykNTM.html--Claud.
Mel Blanc was with Jack for many years. The man was jam packed with tallents, he played MANY characters. He even played the voice of his parrot! He was absolutely fantastic. BTW, he played Jack's violin teacher on here
I recall listening to the Jack Benny Show on radio every Sunday evening from 7:30 P.M. to 8 P.M. on WTAG, Worcester, MA which I believe was a CBS affiliate. The simplicity and innocence of his humor made me laugh as a very young child in the early 1950s and this carried over to his television programs. His cast of regulars such as his butler Rochester, his wife Mary, and his announcer Don added to this gem of comedy which is no longer in existence. We are so fortunate to view this history with such ease and convenience. Thank you for sharing.
In Vietnam we paid honor to Jack Benny by using the phrase when changing to a different FM radio frequency by saying "from Jack Benny add or subtract such and such" as we all remembered Jack Benny always said he was only '39'.
I'm 56 also and discovered his genius on satellite radio -Radio Classics channel. He is even funnier when you can see his facial expressions on TV. I also believe I was born in the wrong era. I love old radio and TV shows. I always remember an old looney tunes cartoon where he and Rochester were mice. Didntceven know who he was and still thought he was great!
Mr. Jack Benny was a national treasure. Never did anything to insult anyone or to hurt anyone. I wish more "entertainers" would emulate his style and his manners.
April 15, 2019 ~ Thank God for RU-vid. I relive mine and the history of the past through youtube's recorded history of events, screen movies, The Jack Benny Show and him on Johnny Carson. People like jack are gone in life but their spirit lives on and on. What a great tribulation speech from his friend that lived on to be a 100 "Bob Hope" Jack's up there playing the Violin at the Pearly Gates at age 39. Thanks for the laughs Jack // P.S. Yesterday, Sunday April 14, 2019 Tiger Woods won his 5th Green Jacket at the Masters in Augusta Georgia. We all have a comeback if we have a mind to.
