39 Forever Second Edition

Volume 3: Television - Now taking orders!

After hundreds of hours of work, I am very excited to announce that the third volume of the revised Jack Benny media log is here! 

39 Forever was originally released in 1989, and included Jack's radio and television shows, appearances, and specials, movies, books, magazine articles, and discography.  Due to the level of detail involved in this revision, it will be released in multiple volumes over the coming years. 

Volume 3 covers all the details of Jack's regular television programs from his 1950 debut through the end of the series in 1965.  Please see below for a sample of the write-up for each show.  Full indexes of cast members, cities, musical artists, skits, and songs are also included.

This volume contains 826 pages (yes...826 pages!  Hernia truss not included) of detailed information, and is truly a priceless resource for any Benny fan, and anyone looking to understand more about how the program went from its debut to the top of the ratings. 

GREAT!  So how do I buy it?

Volume 3 is $60, and is available for immediate shipping via Media Mail (or surface mail for international orders).  Be the first on your block to have a copy!

Shipping is included in the price for US customers.  International customers, please contact me at president@jackbenny.org for a shipping estimate to your location.

Still need Volumes 1 and 2?  Get them all!  The regular cover prices for these books purchased separately is $140...you can purchase all three of them together for $130.  Makes an amazing (and HEAVY!) gift!

BUY NOW using Paypal: 

Volume 3 options:

39 Forever Volume 3 $60.00 USD 39 Forever Volumes 1-3 $130.00 USD

Make checks payable to IJBFC (pre-orders must be postmarked by November 1st), and send to:

IJBFC - 39 Forever Volume 3
P.O. Box 11288
Piedmont, CA 94611

Sample show entry:

Date:  3/9/1952                   Sponsor:  Lucky Strike                City:  Los Angeles, CA

Title:  Gracie Bit                                                                              Studio:  CBS

Prerecorded:  No               Production #:  N/A                      Recording date:  N/A

Copies:  UCLA                      Commercials included?  Yes

Title card:  Black and white violin      Copyright status:  Never registered

First line: 
(Usher) Hello…Wait just a minute, please.  Phone call for George Burns!

Summary:

Show opens backstage, Gracie isn't there and the show is going on in 10 minutes…George tells Don that he's convinced Jack to go on for her…Jack is getting dressed, broke the girdle (he's talking behind a dressing screen and is not seen)…makeup man arrives, banters with Jack about the challenges of making him up as Gracie…George reads Jack a telegram from his sponsor, will be backstage today to discuss contract…Rochester borrowed girdle from Don Wilson…Jack continues to fight with makeup man…Sportsmen crash Jack's dressing room to demo commercial, room is crowded with people milling about…Don introduces George Burns and Gracie Benny (Jack is finally seen)…George and Jack do a classic Burns and Allen family routine, including sand dance to "Tea for Two"…during curtain call, George and "Gracie" talk at the same time about whether or not they're prepared for an encore…scene shift back to Jack's dressing room, Jack yells "I hope you're satisfied!" and throws his shoe at George…Jack rushes to take off his makeup and costume, Gracie finally arrives…Gracie sees Jack in costume, thinks George is fooling around with "Tallulah", slaps all the men and leaves…sponsor explodes at Jack after being slapped, then collides with a hod carrier…Jack gets upset, then sees himself in the mirror and admires himself…Mary calls, liked the show…Don comes in and asks for his girdle back, can't get into his car…George and Gracie return, she now recognizes Jack…Gracie was late because she was off getting a Denver sandwich, but the bus broke down in San Bernardino…Jack returns before the curtain in his dressing gown, talks about how hard it was to wear that costume

Cast:

 Crew:

 Songs:

 Notes: