<Heidi> Hello
> Hi Heidi!
<Michael> Hi Heidi
<Alex Buck> Evening, Heidi
<Sarah> <Sarah> Hi Heidi
> Sarah - System automatically puts your name in front of your lines...you don't have to do it.
[Sun Jun 01 17:04:32 PDT 2003] Barbara has no profile.
> Hey there, Barbara!
<Sarah> Oh, okay, thank you, I didn't know that.
<Barbara> Hi everybody. A good crowd today.
> Sarah - No problem.
<Michael> Hi the barbara
[Sun Jun 01 17:05:10 PDT 2003] Karen Walker has no profile.
<Sarah> I wish I had started coming to these chats much sooner!
> So did everyone have a chance to listen to the shows for this evening?
<Alex Buck> Wow Laura, I can't say that I've listened to any Chevrolette programs before. I does give you an appreciation of the later ones.
> Hi Karen!
<Heidi> an Eddie G. double feature!
<Bob V.> second that motion...
<Michael> yes it does.... Hi Karen
<Sarah> I didn't. I didn't realize it would take two hours to download a half hour show.
<Barbara> I was surprised to hear Eddie Robinson on the 1933 show. Didn't know he went that far back.
> Alex - Yes, isn't it something? How much changed and how much stayed the same.
<Heidi> Little Ceasar was 1931
<Sarah> But next month I will be ready!
<Bob V.> Jack is still great, but I can't belive how much better Mary is later
<Michael> sure... He did Little Caesar back around 1930
> I figured it might be interesting to listen to two shows with him.
> Bob - Right. Mary was still playing the "dumb gal" in 1933.
<Barbara> I disagree with you Bob. I liked her better dumb than acerbic.
> Did anyone "get" any of the news story jokes at the beginning of the Chevrolet program?
<Heidi> Eddie G got the best laugh in the Chevrolet show, I thought. when he interrupted them in the middle of the play and said he didn't realize they were acting
<Sarah> I like her acerbic.
<Bob V.> really! Wow, I think she is a scream later...
<Bob V.> only a few really
<Barbara> I didn't get most of the news story jokes at the beginning.
<Michael> I got a few... but then that's because I'm a history buff
> Deforestation in G.B. Shaw's beard?!?!?!
<_bill> the 2nd show was redone with Dan Duryea 14 years later in the '60s on tv
<Sarah> I really like Mary when she reads a sarcastic poem.
<Barbara> Who was writing Jack's stuff?
<_bill> a lot of hair jokes
[Sun Jun 01 17:08:09 PDT 2003] Alex Buck: Fan from KC
<Heidi> I love Dan Duryea
<Michael> Was Harry Conn writing for Jack in 33?
<Barbara> Eddie Robinson sounded much the same both times. He was great.
<Sarah> This past week on another website there was a show with Jack and Bob Hope. They were pretty funny together
> Barbara - In 1933 or 1946?
<KM99> LL - I thought it was interesting to hear Jack do the topical news gags. That was a Fred Allen thing, wasn't it?
> Michael - Yes. It was Conn and Boasberg.
<Barbara> 1933.
<Alex Buck> The earlier show was hard to believe that Robinson's part wasn't rehearsed.
> KM - Yes, that was something that he was much more well-known for, even at that time
[Sun Jun 01 17:10:42 PDT 2003] Douglas Brock: London England here
> Alex - Oh, I think it must have been.
<Douglas Brock> Good morning from |London
<Barbara> Do n't you think it was rehearsed? Jack wasn't one for surprises.
<Bob V.> hello Douglas
> Welcome in, Douglas! Good to have you here.
[Sun Jun 01 17:11:13 PDT 2003] ron has no profile.
<Sarah> Good Morning Douglas
<Alex Buck> Hi Douglas
<Douglas Brock> Hi all.
<Heidi> hi douglas
<Barbara> Hi Doug. It's late over there isn't it?
<Douglas Brock> It is good to be with you- even for a short time this morning.
<Alex Buck> But Eddie interrupted the play in such a well timed place; it just seemed scripted
[Sun Jun 01 17:11:49 PDT 2003] dutch has no profile.
<Douglas Brock> It is 01.11hrs
[Sun Jun 01 17:12:09 PDT 2003] Lee Gobin: 31, male, singer/songwriter/musician, studying for the ministry; A very big fan of Jack Benny
> Hello Dutch, Lee!
<Barbara> Just for the record, the child Eddie was referring to caused a lot of grief. I believe he committed suicide.
> Welcome in everyone! So glad we have such a good crowd tonight.
<Bob V.> i didnt know that
> Barbara - Oh my!
<Douglas Brock> Thanks
<Barbara> He also wrote a book (the son), but I know he had problems.
> I liked the fact that in effect, the "waitaminnit" gag was on both shows.
> In 1933 with the orchestra's "overture", and in 1946 with the Sportsmen.
<Douglas Brock> May I say something to introduce myself?
> Douglas - By all means. Same goes for everyone in the room...we have a lot of new people here.
<Heidi> in the 1946 show, was that the same year of the "firing the sportsmen" running gag?
> Heidi - I believe so. Do you know the backstory on why that was done?
<Alex Buck> Douglas, I was kind of interested in what type of guy stays up until 01.11 hrs to be a part of chat
<Sarah> A serious Jack Benny fan!!
[Sun Jun 01 17:15:48 PDT 2003] kurt has no profile.
> Hello Kurt!
<Douglas Brock> I was one of the FEW kids whose folks had a tv set in Glasgow Scotland back in 1952. I watched a lot of Jack Benny when I was a kid in the 50s. In the late 70s I actually introduced a Jack special broadcast on the BBC ikn around 79 or 80. Some years on I had a nice letter from Joan. That's it!!
<kurt> Jell-O again, everyone
<kurt> Wow, a crowd in here tonight
<Heidi> not sure of the why, I just have a few of the episodes from that year and I know it was a running gag. some funny stuff came out of it.
<Heidi> hi Kurt
> Douglas - Was that a Jack Benny tribute on the BBC?
<Alex Buck> Laura - what was the background story of the firing?
<Sarah> Those are good credentials to be in here, Douglas
> The Sportsmen first started as regulars on 9-29-46.
<Douglas Brock> Yes, in 80 I think. I have a copy SOMEWHERE. I introduced it on air
<Douglas Brock> Thank you Sarah...nice of you
> But (forgive me for not being able to give you the exact names...would have to look them up...)
<Sarah> Your welcome, nice to meet you.
<Douglas Brock> Yes, it was on BBC
> At least one or two of the members had to leave for the war some years earlier.
<Sarah> Like Dennis Day
> When they came back, one of them wanted to rejoin the Sportsmen, but his replacement didn't want to give up the spot.
<Heidi> right, dennis was in the navy
<Heidi> really?
<Michael> didn't Phil go off to fight in the war too?
> So they were having a lot of argument as to who's in-who's out.
<Alex Buck> Phil was in the merchant marines, I believe
<KM99> There's some confusion here. Dennis and Phil weren't "in" the Sportsman Quartet
<Douglas Brock> Alex: I know! I have to work tomorrow- but I have missed two chats since I joined and did not want to miss any more.!
> So Jack said, "I'm going to write it into the script that I fire you, and you go off and figure out who's in."
<Barbara> He was in for a very short time for some reason.
> Alex - Correct.
> So they did.
> Douglas - If you find it, I'd love to have a copy.
<Michael> I thought so... thank you
<Douglas Brock> So would I! I had a massive burglary some time back but it may be safe. I shall look.
<Douglas Brock> It featured clips from many of the colour shows too.
<Heidi> that's a shame!
[Sun Jun 01 17:19:49 PDT 2003] rizwan has no profile.
<KM99> Speaking of Jack Benny Tributes - I found a gem the other day. A VHS copy of the 1989-01-23 Induction of Jack Benny into the Television Hall of Fame.
<rizwan> Hey!
<rizwan> I finally finally made it!
<Barbara> KM99, are you still as good looking as you were in February?
[Sun Jun 01 17:20:01 PDT 2003] rodchester has no profile.
<KM99> Hiya Rizwan
> Douglas - I appreciate that, and will keep my fingers crossed.
<Douglas Brock> Like when Reagan offered |Jack a Rolls Royce
<KM99> Barbara - Even Better ! Thanks Doll.
<Douglas Brock> ok Laura...I will look
<rizwan> Hi KM.
<rizwan> Laura!
> Hello Rizwan, Ro(d)chester!
> Rizwan!
> What a crowd tonight!
<rizwan> Hi! Hello everyone that remembers me from F39 .. medium high brown guy
<rizwan> hehe.
<rizwan> Anyone else here I should know by name?
<Sarah> Like the screen name, rodchester!
<Barbara> We miss Alice Faye.
<rizwan> her and I have been emailing back
[Sun Jun 01 17:21:29 PDT 2003] Mike McCune: Long time Fan
> Hi Mike!
<rizwan> I'll drop her a letter and skulk at her
[Sun Jun 01 17:21:47 PDT 2003] Bob has no profile.
> Bill - are you talking?
> Hello Bob!
> Rizwan - You know KM99.
> So what else did you think about the shows for discussion this evening?
<_bill> i'm looking things up
> Bill - OK, very good.
<Douglas Brock> I heard both
<Heidi> I liked how the sportsmen hummed when people fell on them
> Funny that the structure of the show had similarities
<Heidi> or sat on them
<kurt> Just Don, mostly
<rizwan> hmm, perhaps I should have listened instead of going on a blind date
<Douglas Brock> Pity sound quality could not be put through some sort of computer programme
> Conversation in the first half, unconnected skit in the second half.
<kurt> The commercials on the 1933 show were quite long and oppressive
> Kurt - And frequent.
> Kurt - But wouldn't you say the LSMFT commercials were long and oppressive too?
[Sun Jun 01 17:23:50 PDT 2003] Bob has no profile.
<Heidi> a chevrolet was only $500!!
<kurt> The Il Trovatore by the Sportsmen in 1946 was one of their funniest
> WB Bob.
<Barbara> Can you imagine buying a new Chevvy for $450?
<rizwan> Id like to buy a new anything for $450
<kurt> Chevies were very hard to sell in 1933
> Can you imagine giving, what, five of them away every week?
<KM99> I can imagine buying an old Chevy for that price....
[Sun Jun 01 17:24:21 PDT 2003] Mikewats: 39, Oklahoma USA, Brother Can You Spare Me A Dime?
<rizwan> Why were they hard to sell kurt.
<kurt> Jack went from selling Chevies to selling tires
<rizwan> ?
<KM99> Hiya MW
> I have a little brown disc that was used to advertise Chevvies at that time.
<kurt> Because it was 1933.
<rodchester> The depression
> Hey, Mikewats! Join the party!
<rizwan> Fair enough.
<rizwan> I should have known that
<Heidi> hard to sell anything at that time, I guess.
<rizwan> Being the reigning trivia champ
<Bob V.> are there any commercials that stack up, on the whole, with the Jello ones?
<kurt> Jell-O was much cheaper
<rizwan> Not movies. Movies sold very well during the GD.
<Barbara> And came in more colors.
<Sarah> The Grape-Nuts commercials were good, I thought.
<rizwan> remember when Dennis thought he had his own show?
<Bob V.> true Sarah
> If you listen to the first Canada Dry show, they're constantly mentioning the sponsor's product.
[Sun Jun 01 17:26:11 PDT 2003] Michael: With egg on face
<rizwan> Grapenuts show starring Dennis day, with AF and PH singing that nuts song.
<KM99> Dennis did have his own show - for a while...
[Sun Jun 01 17:26:15 PDT 2003] Mikewats: 39, Oklahoma USA, Brother Can You Spare Me A Dime
<rizwan> The Benny show where he thought he could replace Benny
<KM99> right
<Mikewats> Testing, one two three, testing...
[Sun Jun 01 17:26:45 PDT 2003] Jeff: IF shows up, Always late
> Mikewats - CQCQCQ...we're receiving
> Hey there Jeff!
[Sun Jun 01 17:26:51 PDT 2003] riz has no profile.
<Heidi> Jeff!
<riz> click the wrong damn button ;p
<Sarah> Dennis really liked to give Jack a hard time when he was on Jack's show and had his own.
[Sun Jun 01 17:27:11 PDT 2003] Hi and Thanks, how d has no profile.
<Heidi> there you are
<Mikewats> <pauses to listen to whether or not he's won a Chevrolet>
> Hi...um...Hi!
<Mikewats> Darn...I never win
<Jeff> Hi all
<riz> lol Mike.
<KM99> THIS IS A TEST OF THE EMERGENCY JELL-O BROADCAST SYSTEM. YOU SHOW HAVE STRAWBERRY, RASPBERRY, CHERRY, ORGANGE, LEMON & LIME ON YOUR SCREEN. THIS IS ONLY A TEST.
> KM - LOL
<riz> heh.
<riz> I'm still annoyed
> Riz - At me?
<riz> our trivia team tried to name all six flavors
<riz> and we FORGOT ONE
> Riz - Oh right!
<Sarah> LS, MFT, LS, MFT
> Organge?
[Sun Jun 01 17:28:19 PDT 2003] Alex Buck: Fan from Kansas City
<riz> Laura, since its in caps, spelling doesnt count.
> So who had the better commercials? Jell-O or Lucky Strike?
<Heidi> that's how Phil would have pronounced it
<Barbara> Did you know they tried out a cola flavor but it didn't sell.
<KM99> Too Many Fingers On Keyboard Error
<Bob V.> jello, IMHO
<riz> hmm depends.
> Barbara - Really? Coke or Pepsi?
<rodchester> lucky strikes
<riz> I'm not a smoker
<KM99> LL - Jell-) Of course
<riz> Laura, no Pepsi at the time
<Barbara> Jello was better than Lucky Strike.
<Mikewats> Luckies had better songs
<g>
> Riz - Well, I wasn't sure of the year.
<Heidi> I like the middle commercials for Lucky Strike, with the sportsmen.
<Douglas Brock> Can I ask you if Joan Benny ever comes into chat?
> Douglas - Joan never has. I've asked her but it's just not really her thing. We did have granddaughter Maria once.
<Heidi> I am constantly singing that "if you want better taste from your cigarette, Lucky Strike is the thing to get" jingle
<riz> I'm not a smoker so I cringe at hearing how you should smoke to relax and how smooooth they are. Jello was always fun.
<Douglas Brock> Yes I saw that
> Luckies taste better...cleaner-fresher-smoother...
<riz> Heidi, don't sing that around any impressionable types
<Bob V.> riz, i must agree
<Heidi> No, just my cats
> So why were Jell-O or Luckies better?
<riz> Bob, broadcaster?
<Lee Gobin> i agree
<riz> mmm cats.
<Bob V.> yes riz
<KM99> Crispy.com has a great selection of Sportsman Quartet commercials to download
<Douglas Brock> Well Laura, if you are in contact with Joan do give her my kind regards. She may well not remember me though.
<rodchester> the sportsmen's songs wre great
> Douglas - I will do that.
<riz> I'm not a real fan of the Sportsment
<Mikewats> I can't hear an auctioneer without thinking of Jack Benny
<Douglas Brock> Thanks
[Sun Jun 01 17:30:33 PDT 2003] Bob: hello again, how do I send an message here?
<kurt> Tobacco was all-encompassing in those days. Kate Smith's first sponsor was a cigar company
> Douglas - I owe her an E-mail
<Douglas Brock> OK
<kurt> Bing Crosby was sponsored by Cremo Cigars
> Bob - Hi. Type in the white window at the bottom of your screen and hit Enter.
<Douglas Brock> Tell her we exchanged letters when I was in Atlanta and had bought her book.
> Kurt - So was Arthur Godfrey at one time.
> Douglas - I will let her know.
<kurt> And remember. There's no spit in a Cremo cigar!
<Douglas Brock> WSe talked about old radio and tv programmes generally
<Bob> is this it? lol
<Douglas Brock> (We)
<Bob> thanks lol
<Sarah> Dragnet was sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes for a while
<Douglas Brock> Thank you Laura.
> Bob - You got it!
<kurt> Arthur Godfrey: Chesterfields
> Douglas - You're most welcome.
<riz> Lucy and Arnez
<kurt> Perry Como: Chesterfields
<Mikewats> Laura, I had never paid any attention to this 4-21-33 show before...I never noticed it was COMPLETE
> Kurt - I have a recording of Godfrey singing the Cremo song.
<kurt> Now thjat
> Mikewats - Isn't that something? Unusual for shows of that vintage.
<kurt> Now that's a rarity!
<Mikewats> That's a gem...in form, if not in content
<Barbara> Jack had been broadcasting less than a year in April 1933.
<riz> 1933 complete?
<kurt> Jack's format didn
> Riz - The first show for discussion tonight.
<riz> "This is jack benny. I will wait a minute while you all say "who cares" "
<Bob> I sure love to listen to these old Jack Benny shows from the old radio days
<kurt> Jack's format didn't take shape until the General Tire programs
> KM - Can you address why the audio's so bad on this? I mean...why it couldn't be electronically "cleaned up"?
<Mikewats> The change in comedy styles between 1933 and 1943 is pretty startling
<Sarah> oh I was going to pull that one, riz
<Alex Buck> I thought the opening news items was different
<riz> Sorry sarah.
> Kurt - But there's still some similarity, with the skit in the second half.
<Sarah> No, it's okay, you did a better job.
<riz> I'm trying to find a Hope show to listen to
<kurt> The news items format was nearly identical to Fred Allen's show
<Douglas Brock> That is what I say, Laura
<riz> beyond the cliche "Road to whatever" show
<riz> Zanzibar I think.
<Bob> it sure is mike, for the better too I think
<Sarah> They had a Hope show this week on a website with Jack on his show.
<kurt> All the Hope radio scripts are at the Library of Congress
<Mikewats> Every comedy or variety show I've never heard from the early 30s has this "Is that a banana in your ear?" kind of humor
<Douglas Brock> There are programmes which run on computers that do clean up old recordings
<KM99> The Audio problem with the show has to do with surface noise from the ET (Electronic Transcription). The surface noise (hiss & scratches) are very hard to separate from the program without some very expensive equipment.
<kurt> They're not THAT funny, unless you're really into Brenda and Cobina
> Mikewats - So how would you know? ;)
<riz> Douglas, It'd require notchfilters etc, quite doable, you'd need a good tech to do it though
<Mikewats> I said, Laura, you have a banana in your ear!
<riz> simple frequenecy modding wouldn't work
<Heidi> hee hee
<riz> wow, she does!
<riz> Laura!
> LOL
<Bob> rather listen to these radio shows than watch today's television
<riz> :: pulls it out and eats it ::
<KM99> The proper program to use is Cedar Creek on a Sadie workstation.
<riz> :: walks around and slips on it ::
<Bob V.> Bob I agree...
<riz> KM, like everyone happens to have a Sadie around.
<Alex Buck> OK, I'll bite - what
<Alex Buck> what's the banana gag?
> Bob - System puts your name in front of your lines...you don't have to.
<Douglas Brock> I am just getting into this sort of stuff and have had some success but I think you are correct - any such programmes or equipment would be mightily expensive, even for todays' computers.
> Mikewats - That's yours...you started it...
<Bob V.> there is some good writing, but this is GREAT writing and perfectly performed I think
<riz> :: gets a headache::
<Mikewats> "I can't hear you! I have a banana in my ear!"
<cymbal crash> <riz> ok im splitting before I explode.
<riz> /me waves bye
<KM99> Riz - A Decent Sadie setup only costs about $ 30K. The software will set you back $ 10K. The audio gear attached to it will only be another $ 40K.
> Douglas - And there are many people out there trying to do it without the right equipment, introducing digital artifacts into the shows. Then it sounds all distored and swirly.
<Mikewats> Night, riz
<Douglas Brock> I agree.
<riz> KM, good, lets donate $80k to Laura.
<Bob> I think so too, plus its just good clean fun too, something that this generation has lost out on
<Douglas Brock> Spoils it.
> Riz - I like how you think!
<riz> Bob, each to their own.
<riz> I'm of this generation
<Barbara> There was a poll in one of the L.A. papers last week about who was the funniest comedian ever. Bob Hope came in at 65%. Can anybody guess where Jack was?
<riz> I searched for this kind of humor
<riz> 20%
<KM99> Barbara - 80%
> Barbara - Where?
<Bob> yeah, to bad kids today have to grow up too fast
<riz> Bob, it isn't so terrible.
<Heidi> I'd be pleasantly surprised if he was on it at all.
<Barbara> I'm afraid not, Eric. Jack came in at 8%, below Seinfeld.
<Mikewats> 99-44/100%?
<Bob V.> my 13 year old and 7 year old LOVE Jack...we listen in the car all the time at their request
<KM99> YIPE!!
> Barbara - Sacrilege!
<Mikewats> Boo!
<riz> Since jack stopped doing USO before Hope, he's less remembered
<Heidi> Well!
<Sarah> That's a ripoff!! Only 8%!
<riz> Mike, wheres the 99 44/100 gag from?
> He should at LEAST have gotten 39%!
<riz> lol heidi
<Alex Buck> LOL
> Riz - Ivory soap
<Barbara> Of course, it was Bob's birthday. Maybe that had something to do with it.
<KM99> LUX???
<Bob V.> especially for the 13 year old that's pretty cool
<Bob> depends on what one thinks of decency is I suppose
> Riz - 99 44/100% pure.
<KM99> Whoops - wrong soap
<riz> hehe
<Mikewats> Not a gag, an ad...Ivory Soap
<riz> reference that is.
<Alex Buck> Why did Jack quite doing army bases and such? Was it just Hope's thing and he didn't want to duplicate?
<Sarah> Only 8%? hmm
<riz> heres the thing
<riz> who remembers benny
<riz> us
<kurt> Benny performed at bases all during WWII
<riz> and people much much older than us
<kurt> And overseas
> I was struck by the A&E Biography poll during the Hope bio asking people to name "Who's the next Bob Hope?"
<Mikewats> Well, he was around for much less of the television age than Hope too
<kurt> And in Korea
[Sun Jun 01 17:39:32 PDT 2003] schlepperman has no profile.
<riz> laura, who won?
<Sarah> LOTS of people remember Benny!
<KM99> LL - I saw that too...
<riz> who?
<kurt> But Korea nearly killed him, so he didn't do Vietnam
<riz> killed him?
> The options were Jay Leno, Seinfeld, Steve Martin, or Chris Rock. I don't know if they had a "none of the above" option.
<Barbara> I think Jack felt his comedy wasn't conducive to service bases, although he did do a lot of them.
<riz> Hope was a showman.
<kurt> He got very sick
<riz> Lenos the only showman of the lot
> Jack did as much camp work as Hope in WWII.
<Bob> takes more thought to be imaginitve than to just so in some trash for a responce
<riz> ad even then im not sure he's comparable.
> Hi Schlepperman!
> Riz - Who won what?
<KM99> Hey everyone. It's Schlepperman!!
<riz> you listed the options for who was the next hope
<Heidi> Steve Martin won it
<riz> bleh
<riz> then again im not a martin fan
<riz> nor martian fan
<Bob> lol
[Sun Jun 01 17:40:56 PDT 2003] karen has no profile.
> Listen to the camp shows on radio...it was during this time that Jack tanked in the ratings.
> Hello Karen!
<Heidi> none of them were very good choices
<KM99> Hiya Karen
<Heidi> riz, are you a martini fan?
<Sarah> Hiya Jackson!
<Barbara> He may have done as much, Laura, but I think Hope's type of comedy went over better. It was also more risque.
[Sun Jun 01 17:41:40 PDT 2003] Mikewats: 39, Oklahoma USA, Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
(lost due to screen refresh)
<riz> trying to figure it out
<Bob V.> Laura, forgive my "newbie" question, but are there good pix of what the show looked like? Pix of studios, etc.
<riz> Bob V, have you seen the videos?
<Mikewats> I love shows that start out with lots of Rochester
<Bob V.> no obviously
<Heidi> I'd like to see some stills from the radio studio, too
<riz> hmm
<Bob> good question Bob V
> Bob - There's one photo, but I don't have it up on the Web. Has almost the whole cast at the mikes.
<Bob V.> agree Mikewats,
<Sarah> Oh Rochester?
<riz> ive got the video
<riz> of him performing at Camp Hahn
> Phil is "conducting" the orchestra in the back.
<Bob V.> but no pictures of the studio, etc.
<schlepperman> I like the photo contest you started
> The Camp Hahn video is available on our site.
[Sun Jun 01 17:48:08 PDT 2003] Roger has no profile.
<riz> there see that Bob.
> Hello Roger!
<Bob V.> Laura thanks
<riz> Laura
<kurt> Quite a crowd here tonight
<riz> that pic is available on almost every other fan site
<riz> so dont worry :)
> Bob - Do a search (bottom of the home page) on Camp Hahn and you should find it.
<KM99> Kurt - You're starting to repeat yourself
> Riz - If you can E-mail me a copy, that would be great.
<Bob V.> I think I have seen that photo Riz
<Bob> lol
<kurt> I only repeat myself for the new folks
<riz> oh the pictures?
<riz> lemme find it
> I don't think we've ever had such a crowd here.
<Alex Buck> I was debating with my wife about the value of the Maxwell gag versus Charmichael the polar bear
<Bob> great! this is my first time here
<Barbara> It must be your animal magnetism, Laura.
> I loved Dennis' foil to EGRobinson in the 1946 show. Something about the high voice is so funny in comparison.
<Heidi> "where's the man?"
<kurt> Carmichael was much funnier
<Bob V.> me too
> Alex - I think the Maxwell was more versatile.
<Alex Buck> I'm a big Carmichael fan too
<Alex Buck> The Maxwell was definately longer lived
> Have you all seen Carmichael in Buck Benny Rides Again?
<riz> bbl
<kurt> Carmichael wasn't around very long, though
<Alex Buck> No, I'd like too
<Heidi> the carmichael bit didn't go stale because they didn't do it for years
<schlepperman> He got more mileage out of the maxwell
> Alex - That's why I say the Maxwell is more versatile.
> Schlepp - Har har har
<Mikewats> Aiieeeee! Is that Jane Morgan on the 1946 show?
<Alex Buck> Carmichael has an almost Charles Addams's appeal to him
<kurt> Carmichael departed with the arrival of new writers in 1943
<Alex Buck> I think Carmichael could have outlived the change in writers though
<Bob V.> "well fall down you big ham..." great!
<kurt> And suddenly the Maxwell re-appeared
> Mikewats - Where?
<Mikewats> One of the two little old ladies who pull up next to Jack...
<schlepperman> I thought polly was funny also
> I still like Mel Blanc's comment to Jack after playing Carmichael for some months.
<Mikewats> She is probably best known as Mrs. Davis in "Our Miss Brooks"
> Mikewats - Possible...don't know.
<Bob V.> LL which was?
<Barbara> I under stand Eddie Robinson was a very mild mannered man in person. He just got stuck in the gangster pictures.
<Heidi> I thought it was sweet that they all said good night to Mary at the end of the 1946 show
> Bob - "Mr. Benny...I can talk, too!"
<Heidi> There is a great episode of CBS "Suspense" called "The Man Who Wanted to Be Edward G. Robinson," starring Eddie G.
<Sarah> I liked him best as the violin teacher though.
> Heidi - Sounds like "Being John Malkovich"
<Sarah> I have heard that episode of Suspense Heidi.
> I noticed that the Maxwell sounds were all sound effects...not Mel Blanc.
[Sun Jun 01 17:53:45 PDT 2003] Roger has no profile.
<Bob V.> good night Herman! Off I go...this was very nice all!
<Alex Buck> I guess everyone can identify with a car not starting but there's something visually fascinating to me to imagine a polar bear in a bed with a cold and humans trying to give him medicine
> Take care, Bob!
<Mikewats> I loved that, Heidi
<kurt> Blanc didn't do the Maxwell for that long.
<Heidi> it's really inventive. EGR plays this little mild-mannered guy who wants to be the tough guy character that EGR plays in the movies. and he also plays himself.
<KM99> Seeya Bob
<Heidi> g'night Bob
> Alex - And reading Esquire!
<Bob> I can hear mel blanc sputtering along with the sound effects
<Mikewats> It's a bit like the double role Edward G. played in the 1935 film, "The Whole Town's Talking"
<Heidi> yes! great movie
<kurt> And writing a letter that says, "Dear Santa: Please send a fat boy to read the meter!"
> Kurt - LOL
<Heidi> kurt: hahahaha
<Mikewats> One of my favorite Jean Arthur roles
<Heidi> that was one of her first movies, I think
> Mikewats - Jean Arthur asked for a fat boy to read the meter?
<Heidi> ha!
<Sarah> Dennis Day did a really strange episode of Suspense.
<Mikewats> LOL, Laura
<Bob> funny how jack always refered to the fat jokes with don wilson
> Sarah - Really? Do tell.
<Heidi> I always feel sorry for Don, with all the fat jokes.
<Sarah> Yes, he did one called, "Like Man, Somebody Dig Me"
> I still enjoy Jack as a space alien in Plan X on Suspense.
<Bob> yeah, wasnt politicaly correct lol
<Alex Buck> I hadn't heard about that one LL
<Sarah> Yes, that was great Laura!
<Heidi> I haven't heard that one yet, Laura. I've heard the other three
> Alex - Jack did a few Suspense shows.
<Barbara> Do you remember "The Face is Familliar?
<Sarah> I especially like where he's talking to his mother in Plan X.
> Barbara - Yes, that's also good.
<Douglas Brock> It is almost 2 a.m. here and I must leave you. Thank you for your warm welcome and I hope to be joining you again in the future. Laura, be sure to give my kindest regards to Joan and - everyone - all good wishes and goodnight from across the Atlantic!
> Sarah - So what was this Dennis Day one?
> TAke care Douglas, thanks for staying up with us!
<Heidi> good night Douglas!
<KM99> Seeya Douglas
<Alex Buck> Night Douglas
<Mikewats> Night, Douglas
<Bob> thanks doug you too
<Barbara> I will be in London in Sept. Doug. Maybe we can talk.
<Douglas Brock> Good night.
<Sarah> Oh, yes. Well, it's from 1959 and I never thought of Dennis Day doing such a cynical character.
<Douglas Brock> Yes, my email is douglasjbrock@yahoo.co.uk> Sarah - What's the premise?
<Alex Buck> What was the guy's name who wrote Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?
<Heidi> the Suspense show was a really good way for actors to do a little stretching
<Mikewats> Sounds very intriguing
<Heidi> Alex - Douglas Adams
<KM99> Alex - Douglas Adams
<Sarah> He keeps saying he's cool, and it's like nothing bothers him, even the fact that there
<Sarah> s been a murder
<Bob> mmmmm
<Alex Buck> Right, right.
<Sarah> But then the evidence starts to appear as if it's pointing to him, and he's all of a sudden desperate for someone to believe his story
> Sarah - Do you happen to know the date on it? Was it about the time that the beats were starting to surface?
<KM99> Alex - Don't Panic
<Sarah> Yes, It was 1959, summer I think, August maybe
<Mikewats> <whips up some espresso flavored Jell-O> <Alex Buck> I'm sure its a common name over there
> OK, definitely ala Beats.
<Heidi> there used to be a website where you could download all the Suspsense shows, but it got taken down
<Bob> didnt deenis day use to advertise for the happy steak resturants?
> There was a Dennis Day teddy bear in the 1980s.
<Sarah> Yes, he does a little jazzy stuff on there, but no real singing. We never get to hear his singing voice on that Suspense episode.
<Alex Buck> LL - what did it look like?
<Mikewats> The strangest thing I've heard Dennis do is a Sophie Tucker imitation on his own show
<Barbara> His wife owned a gift shop in Santa Monica. Maybe still does.
<Bob> wow thats cool
> Alex - It was Irish, a little hat and a shamrock. It had a recording of Dennis telling a story about the bear and singing a song.
> Barbara - No, she moved to Hawaii.
<Heidi> here's info on the Suspense episode with Dennis: http://www.chem.dynu.com/suspsense/default.asp?ID=1527
<Barbara> Oh. It's funny you never hear about any of his 11 kids.
> Mikewats - In researching before the Jolson convention, I came across Dennis doing a pretty good Jolson impression.
<kurt> I tried to track them. To no avail
<Sarah> There was another Suspense episode with him a few years earlier, but not cynical
> Jack says, "I paid $5000 for Jolson, and I could have gotten Dennis to do it!"
<kurt> I even directed Laura to the manager of Dennis' sister-in-law, Ann Blyth
<Bob> lol
<Mikewats> It's funny he wasn't better known for that ability, Laura
<Heidi> ann blyth is Dennis's sister-in-law?
> Sarah - For a similar feeling, listen to "The Man Who Came to Dinner". It's the "mean" Jack.
> Kurt - Who was not a very nice person.
<kurt> Married to Dennis' brother, a Dr. McNulty
<Bob> wow what a trip
<kurt> Dr. McNulty probably is a nice person. Ann Blyth's manager is NOT a nice person
<Sarah> I have seen a little of a version of that show, but not with Jack
<Barbara> I thought I read that Jack didn't want to do that. He did anyway..
<Alex Buck> I thought he did a good job with it.
> Kurt - That's what I meant. I've got nothing against Dr. McNulty or Ann Blyth...I just can't get to them through the manager.
<Sarah> Anyway, I saw this other version of the Man Who Came To Dinner with my dad, and we both agreed the character is just like my dad.
<Alex Buck> "Shut your filthy little face" - I had to rewind and listen to that one!
> Alex - Yes, it's hard to handle that line coming from Jack!
<Heidi> where can I find a recording of The Man Who Came to Dinner?
> Sarah - It's a radio version of the show.
<Barbara> No wonder he didn't want to do it.
> Heidi - We have it in the IJBFC library.
<Sarah> Oh, okay,, thank you Laura
<Bob> I bet jack could have his moments at times
<kurt> For Laura, I even located Rochester's half-sister
> Kurt - Is she doing better now?
<Sarah> There was another Suspense episode with Jack, which involved a violin.
[Sun Jun 01 18:06:05 PDT 2003] Mike Amo: Packing for Nashville, yeehaw!
<kurt> No one seems to be able to find her
<Mike Amo> Hi kids!
<Alex Buck> We're you able to get any information from Rochester's half-sister?
<KM99> Hiya Mike Amo
> Hi Mike Amo!!!
<kurt> Half-sisters, particularly much younger ones, seldom know anything
<Bob> Hi mike
> Alex - I haven't spoken with her yet. Need to figure out where she is now.
<Alex Buck> What burning questions would you like to ask her?
> We've had more Mikes/Michaels on this chat tonight.
<Bob> lol
<Mikewats> Maybe we should number ourselves
> Alex - Well, for starters, what her recollections are of Anderson.
<Mike Amo> lol
[Sun Jun 01 18:08:22 PDT 2003] Dennis Campbell: Phil Harris Fan
> Alex - I don't know for sure if he was at home or not when she was growing up.
> Hi Dennis!
<Sarah> You know, over in South Central, Rochester Circle is named for him.
<KM99> Hiya Dennis
> Sarah - Right. I had photos of his house and that story in the last Times.
<Sarah> Oh, I'm sorry Laura. I should subscribe> Sarah - Not a problem. Just more of a heads-up if you're interested.
<Bob> I bet mr anderson was a really cool man
<Mikewats> Well, I'm glad something's named for him
> Eddie Anderson is pretty enigmatic.
<Alex Buck> Assuming the sister was an authority, what information about Rochester have you had trouble finding out?
<kurt> Anything that's accurate. And the half-sister is not an authority. She's just the half-sister
> Alex - I'll take just about anything on Eddie Anderson. It's doggoned hard to find out any details about him, what he was like off-mike, etc.
<Barbara> It's pretty hard to find anything much about him, isn't it?
<kurt> That was a pretty fractured family
<Sarah> I heard a little clip from Jack Benny's funeral, and Eddie Anderson said Jack was like a brother to him.> Well, yes and no, from what I can tell.
> Jack didn't really socialize with him off-mike, but I think that was incidental (not related to race).
<Mike Amo> There must be some stories...he had his own film career
> Jack came close to firing him on many occasions, as he'd show up late to rehearsals or trains.
<Bob> wow
> But Anderson loved race horses and yachts.
<Heidi> shoot, I'm really enjoying the chat tonight, but I have to take off. see you all next month
> And...I think it was George Balzer who told me a great story about a time that
> Goodnight Heidi!
<Mike Amo> Hi/Bye Heidi {:o)
<Mikewats> Night, Heidi
<KM99> Seeya Heidi
> that Roch missed a train and Jack was upset.
<Bob> goodnight hedi
<Sarah> I understand that Jack was a stickler about rehearsals?
<Barbara> Roch was late for rehearsals a number of times and nearly got written out.
> Sarah - Yes. He was a perfectionist regarding the show.
<Alex Buck> I can just imagine Rochester lounging with a cigar on the deck of a yacht
<Bob> say laura, do you think jack might of been somewhat of a taskmaster?
> Bob - Well, let's see...
> Jack demanded professionality from everyone. But he was also very generous.
> Sometimes he'd get into a huff about something, working with a director he didn't know, or whatever...
> Fred deCordova has some stories about that.
<Bob> thats what I heard
> But Jack would always apologize quickly.
<Barbara> You didn't ask me, Bob, but since I have to leave I would say he was a taskmaster as far as the show was concerned. Certainly not at home.
<Sarah> Jack in a huff? Well!
> professionality = professionalism
<Bob> lol
<Bob> yeah, that makes for a susscessful show
<Barbara> I do have to leave but thank you one and all. Come up and see me sometime, KM99.
<KM99> Are you leaving us, Barbara?
<kurt> We made up a new word tonight!
> Take care, Barbara!
<Mike Amo> Hi/Bye Barbara!
<Mikewats> Night, Barbara!
<KM99> Goodnight Barbara
<Barbara> Love you all.
<Bob> bye barbara
<KM99> Seeya Doll
> I guess it depends on your definition of "taskmaster".
<Alex Buck> So did the radio shows have a director of sorts or was it Jack calling all of the shots?
> Here's a story that you'll read when I publish the Gisele MacKenzie interview...
<Bob> yeah, for some reason i can see jack as kind of like lucille ball in a way
> Alex - The producer/director was often Hilliard Marks in the later years, but as he noted, the show sort of ran itself.
> Gisele said the one time she saw Jack mad was when he came to her after a performance,
> and said that on a particular line, she was a TENTH OF A SECOND too slow on her response.
<Alex Buck> A tenth of a second?
<Bob> wow
<schlepperman> What was the reason for the problem between jack and rochester that kept him off the show for a while
> In talking with her, it's clear that his anger made a real impression!
> Schlepperman - When was that?
[Sun Jun 01 18:17:45 PDT 2003] donwilson2: docpowjr@aol.com
> Gisele added that Jack was such a perfectionist and he knew his craft so well, that he could be that precise.
> Hi Don!
<donwilson2> hello folks
<Bob> hi don
<Sarah> Hello Don
<schlepperman> I read it in a book that something made jack angry and he suspended rochester for a while I think it was joan benny's book
<donwilson2> hello everything..
<donwilson2> everone
<Mike Amo> Hi Don
<donwilson2> everyone
<donwilson2> ill get it in a second
> Schlep - *Thinking* I can't remember the exact story, but I'd bet that it was Roch's tardiness. Does anyone else recall it?
> BRB...keep talking...
<Bob> well, when you think of it, its his name that is at stake since its his show, and I can understand the need to perfect it, but on the other hand I can also see it going too far in extremes too
<Mikewats> Not me - I remember the story of Roch bringing a couple of police officers to the studio with him once...
<Mikewats> ..to vouch for his story of why he was late (traffic problems)
<Sarah> Police officers, Yikes!
<Alex Buck> A tenth of a second though is more of a reflex than a conscious timing issue
<Bob> man!! sounds like the three's company story lol
<schlepperman> Gotta go I'll try to gey back
<Sarah> I can remember a show in which one of the boy scouts messed up a line about having "robin's egg blue" eyes and he was almost off the show!
<kurt> I think the real story of Jack's personality has yet to be told
<KM99> Seeya Schlepperman
> Take care, Schlepperman!
<Bob> bye shlepperman
> Sarah - Do you mean the Beavers?
<Alex Buck> see ya next time shlep
<Mikewats> Night, schlep
<Sarah> Oh, yes, I knew they were something like Boy Scouts but I couldn't remember what they were called.
> Sarah - The Beverly Hills Beavers.
<Bob> ;)
<Sarah> That's right. Thank you Laura
<Bob> beavers in beverly hills lol
<kurt> Alas, I must depart. This has been a most enjoyable 90 minutes!
> OK, thanks for stopping Kurt!
<Mikewats> Night, Kurt
<donwilson2> nite kurt
<KM99> Seeya Kurt
<Bob> funny how a man of 39 was the treasurer for a goup of kids lol
<donwilson2> hiya km.. didnt see ya there
<KM99> Hiya Bill
> Bob - They invented that gag about the time that television was coming on...so it could be one of these devices that they could use over and over.
> Jack's song was the same thing.
<Alex Buck> You got to keep in mind that the Beavers were a means of keeping up Jack's ego
<Bob> pretty cool idea lol
<Alex Buck> They believed what ever he told them
> Oh...I was listening to a 1950 show when doing the Jolson work, and
<Bob> they sure were innocent lol
> there's a great sequence in the second half where Phil is over at Jack's house
<KM99> Hey Folks - I didn't understand the laugh Jack go in 1946-11-24 when he said "It's quieter in here than a coal mine?" Anyone help?
> and the Beavers are trying to get Jack to come play football with them.
> KM - Yes, I wondered about that as well.
<Mikewats> How many minutes in, KM> <KM99> MW - About 18 min in
> Then the Beavers take off on commenting on how Jack won football games for UCLA (or something like that) and did all sorts of heroic things.
<Alex Buck> Would that have been about the time of the coal mine strikes?
[Sun Jun 01 18:28:14 PDT 2003] Joe Gruzleski: joegruzleski@shaw.ca
<Bob> yeah I remember that one too lol
> With the greatest timing, Phil later calls Jack aside, pauses a while, then says, "You DAWG!!!!!!!"
> Hi Joe!
<KM99> Alex- That could be it
<donwilson2> that would have been about right for the post war coal strikes
<donwilson2> and a big one was averted in about 48 as i recall
<Alex Buck> There was a pretty lengthy section about the coal mine and train strikes in the Truman biography by McCollough
<Mikewats> There was a coal strike in May, prompting the govt. to seize the mines...
> Is that why there were the comments about being a sad Democrat? Or had they lost a bunch of congress seats?
<donwilson2> then in 49 the anthracite industry collapsed.. and "goodbye Blue Coal" (shadows sponsor)
<Bob> brb, need to have my dinner
> Joe G - Type in the white window at the bottom of the screen and hit Enter to talk.
> Take care, Bob.
<Bob> him too? lol your not alone joe lol
<Mikewats> The 1946 election went very badly for the Democrats
<Joe Gruzleski> Right now I'm just listening, er, reading
> Bob - There's always someone. Not a problem.
<Alex Buck> The May show made reference to Jack playing the part of haberdasher from Missouri
<Mikewats> It was the most lopsided Republican victory in decades...the GOP won control fo both teh House and Sente
> Joe - OK, read away!
<Mikewats> ..of both the House and Senate, even
<donwilson2> and probably held it til the mccarthy hearings
<Alex Buck> Mikewats - but Truman showed them up in '48
> Alex - But just barely!
<Mikewats> I think the Democrats took the House back in 48, though
> Just ask H.V.Kaltenborn.
<donwilson2> wonder how easy it would be to elect an army general now
<Alex Buck> was HV the barber?
> Don - Ask Colin Powell.
<Mikewats> <doesn't think Truman has a chance> <Alex Buck> Mikewats - oh, a Wilkie fan
<Alex Buck> I mean Dewy
> Alex - HV was a radio announcer who did a great diatribe on how Dewey was the obvious winner. Truman then did a great Kaltenborn impersonation later.
<Mikewats> Better get used to saying President Dewey!
<donwilson2> i found alot of truman messages imbedded in some of my old time radio programming from 50 and 51
<Alex Buck> Laura - I remember seeing that now that you mention it
<donwilson2> wow what an inspiring orator
> As opposed to President Huey or Louie.
<KM99> lol
<Sarah> Lol Laura!
<Alex Buck> I thought you were referencing the gag of Jack coming back from DC and getting snubbed by everyone except some barber
> Alex - I don't think I remember that one.
<Mikewats> Quaaack!
> I just saw the TV show where Beverly Washburn plays Margaret Truman.
<Alex Buck> The gang is asking if he met Truman
> BRB
<Alex Buck> and he says no, just before I shook hands with him,
<Mikewats> <wonders whether or not the Junior Woodchucks is a communist front> <Alex Buck> vice president Barkly stepped up
<Alex Buck> "and that Barkley, what a guy..."
<Alex Buck> and the suspense builds as he misses out on meeting other people in the cabinet by some reason or another
<Mike Amo> "They loved him in St. Joe..."
<Alex Buck> I think the gag stopped at coming face to face with Dean Achison
> Mikewats - Of course...doesn't one of them wear red?
<Mikewats> isn't he the square that a nightengale sang in?
<Alex Buck> Then Phil or someone says "What did you say to Achison"
<Mikewats> Laura, I think we've got the basis for a subcommittee hearing
> Topeka and Santa Fe
<Alex Buck> and Jack says "Nothing, he gave me his coat and I hung it up"
> Mikewats - Can I bang my shoe on the table?
> Alex - LOL
<Alex Buck> Then he says he did meet someone important - I can't remember the name they used
<Mikewats> That brings back unnerving memories, Laura...my dad looked just like Krushchev
<Alex Buck> Mary asked who that person was and Jack says "well, if you don't know your current events enough to know - such and such - then I'm not going to tell you"
<Alex Buck> Later, in the show, they receive a telegram from the person
> Mikewats - Sorry, didn't mean to stir up your borscht.
<Mikewats> LOL
> Rodney Dangerfield?
<Alex Buck> and it said something to the effect of sorry I didn't get a chance to talk to you more - I had someone waiting in for the other barber chair
> LOL
> I definitely haven't heard that show...yet.
<Mikewats> Aha! Found it...George Orwell on Nov. 29, 1946 - "The American coal strike is continuing, and is likely to have disasterous effects on world grain supplies"
> Sometimes they used the name Rodney Dangerfield (well predating the comedian) as some actor that Jack would claim is very well known, but no one else had heard of him.
> Good going, Mikewats!
<Mike Amo> Sorry folks, must reboot, brb I hope
<also packing for road trip>
<Mike Amo> Really Laura? Cool!
<Sarah> Maybe that's where the comedian got the name?
> Sarah - I tried to find that out, but I can't get a response from him.
> I can't imagine that they BOTH just picked that name out of a hat.
<Mikewats> Night, Mike
[Sun Jun 01 18:39:59 PDT 2003] mister kitzel, hoo h has no profile.
<Sarah> No, I'm sure he must have had a reason for using it.
<Mike Amo> Thanks Mike, brb I hope
<glad that strike is over!>
> Schlepperman becomes Mister Kitzel! Who'da thunk it!
<Mikewats> Lots of references in Google to schools, churches shutting down for lack of coal at that time
> Gee, was it something I said?
[Sun Jun 01 18:40:54 PDT 2003] mister kitzel, hoo h has no profile.
> Why, Mister Kitzel!
<Sarah> whoo hoo hoo!
> MK - To talk, type in the white window at the bottom of the screen and hit Enter.
<mister kitzel, hoo h> I like to do different character names
> You aren't formerly the gasman, are yoiu?
> you?
<mister kitzel, hoo h> no
> OK, just curiosu.
> curious, even
(lost due to screen refresh)
<donwilson2> i noticed that the tobacco auctioneer was not the usual basil or fe boone
<KM99> Alex - Yes
> That's funny...I'm so used to semi-ignoring the Lucky Strike opening/closing commercials that I didn't listen that closely.
> There's nothing ever much funny or innovative about the open/close commercials, so I "tune them out".
> Blanche Stewart in the 1933 show was on the show for many years playing extra parts. But hardly anyone knows her.
<KM99> LL - It's just like watching a rental movie when the previews are on. That's when you're in the kitchen popping the popcorn.
<Alex Buck> what a rough voice
> KM - That's it exactly.
<mister kitzel, hoo h> I love william powell from the thin man was he ever a guest
> MK - Just a sec...I'll look it up...
> Yup 4-8-45.
<mister kitzel, hoo h> did he play himself or the thin man
> He plays Jack's butler!
<KM99> LL - I like E G Robinson repeating the chiss sweeze sandwich gag
> From Torney Hospital in Palm Springs - Jack dreams Powell is his butler.
<Alex Buck> Butler as in - My man Godfrey?
> KM - Agreed. That made me laugh out loud.
> Alex - Not sure...when was that movie released?
> QUICK! www.imdb.com...
<Alex Buck> Yikes - not sure. It was a pretty good screw ball comedy with Carole Lombard. I think it would have predated the Thin Man movies
<Alex Buck> i believe that there was an academy award connected to the movie in some respect
> Carole Lombard died in 1942, so it definitely predated.
<Mikewats> The Tennessee legislature once considered a bill requring tobacco auctioneers to speak distinctly
> Mikewats - Really?
<donwilson2> why, tennesseans dont have to
<mister kitzel, hoo h> What is it about these old movies that we like so much especially when I'm only in my twenties it's no my era peopl e don't get it
> Was there a problem specifically with tobacco auctioneers?
<Alex Buck> Good point - it seemed like she was younger than she appeared in To Be or Not to Be
> Don - Ooooooooooo
<Mikewats> Yeah, Laura, I a reference to it in Time magazine in March 1939
<Sarah> Well, It's been fun, but I need to get going , I will plan to be here for the next Jack Benny chat.
> MK - I know how you feel. I'm 34.
<Mikewats> I found a, even
> Thanks for stopping, Sarah!
<donwilson2> hey, i lived in nashville for five years so im qualified to say that
<KM99> Seeya Sarah
<Mikewats> Night, Sarha
<Mikewats> Sarah, even
<donwilson2> nite sara
<Sarah> Hiya KM99!!!
<Sarah> We're a little late folks, so goodnight!
> I made my own chocolate ice cream with Vahlrona (sp?) chocolate the other day. It's not Jell-O pudding, but it will have to do.
> So what else Benny-wise is on everyone's mind this evening?
<KM99> MK - The older movies had to have strong stories, well defined characters, a good script and great actors. Nowadays, people write movies to sell popcorn and covert advertising.
<donwilson2> ill be eaating jello cubes for a week here
<mister kitzel, hoo h> How many references on the show do you have to be american or from that era to get
> KM - Have you seen Minority Report? There was nothing covert about that advertising! They probably financed the movie with it.
<KM99> LL - I just saw the 1989 Induction of Jack Benny into the Television Hall of Fame
<KM99> LL - Yes I ave
<Alex Buck> Laura - imdb.com says My Man Godfrey came out in 1936. The just of it is William Powell going from bum -an unwanted man - to butler
> Alex - Aha...good work. I haven't heard that show either, so I can't say if it's a takeoff on it.
[Sun Jun 01 18:57:13 PDT 2003] Sy: Si...Mike Amo, metro DC, packing for Nashville, yeehaw!
> WB Mike Amo!
<Sy> Hi again kids!
[Sun Jun 01 18:57:24 PDT 2003] Art: Mid- Mo remembering Jack
<Sy> ty
<Mikewats> How long was that Jell-O freezing mix around? Did it sell?
> Hello Art!
<Art> Hey folks
<KM99> LL - Gregory Peck spoke at length about Jack; George Burns told a funny story and Joan accepted the award. You could see Bobby and Michael in the audience as well.
<Sy> Sorry, Laura, was having severe computer troubles tonight
> Mikewats - That's a good question. I've wondered about that as well.
<Sy> Hi Art
<Art> Hey Sy
> KM - When was that?
<Mikewats> I don't ever remember seeing it when I was little
<Sy> Si
> Hello Sy!
<KM99> LL - 1989-01-23
<KM99> I just happened to find it on VHS today
<Art> Listening to A Fred Allen/ Benny show right now, can never get enough of the fued
> KM - Wait...is that the Television Academy Hall of Fame?
<KM99> Yup
<Sy> Laura, need to say thanks for the old Chevrolet show...it was better than I'd expected
> Well, look close and you can see ME in the audience at Joan's table.
<Sy> Was that from his first year or second?
<KM99> I'll go look once more... brb
> Sy - Glad you enjoyed it. Sorry the sound wasn't better.
> Sy - Jack started in May 1932, so that was his first year.
<Sy> It was good enough considering the technology of the time
> KM - BTW, Bobby wasn't there that night. If you're seeing a young man at that table, it's River Phoenix.
> He was sitting two seats down from me.
<Sy> lol, helloooo Mr. Kitzel!
<Sy> Anne says hi y'all
> Hi Anne!
<mister kitzel, hoo h> hoo hoo
> Oh oh OHHHH...Sy = Mike Amo
<Sy> lol, si
<Mikewats> Si?
<Sy> si
> Oh say can you si
<Mikewats> So!
> No, that was Sue.
<Mikewats> Sue?
> Si
<mister kitzel, hoo h> so si as in kaiser
<Sy> brb, looking for Sue
<Mikewats> Say!
> Sy - Don't let Anne know.
<Sy> si
> Say what?
> So what else is up with everyone? Other thoughts on tonights shows, Benny questions, Bob Hope birthday comments, etc.?
<mister kitzel, hoo h> what did bob hope say I missed it
<Mikewats> Say "Si Si"!
> MK - That could take hours.
> MK - I gotta tellya
<KM99> LL - I looked again. I saw you and you're right, it wasn't Bobby after all.
[Sun Jun 01 19:04:24 PDT 2003] Fred Allen: L.S.M.F.T.
> Look out! It's Fred Allen!
<Mikewats> Why was there a notable absence of Bob Hope movies on TV this week?
<mister kitzel, hoo h> Jack would still be popular if he had lived to a 100
<Alex Buck> the good die young
> KM - Let's see if I can recall everyone at that table. Going clockwise...me, River Phoenix's date, River Phoenix, Joan's friend, Joan, Michael, Edie Adam's date, Edie Adams, and the woman who drove me there.
<Fred Allen> They soon forget, and Bob is being forgotten
> MK - Agreed. Jack always changed with the times.
<mister kitzel, hoo h> I wish jack would have made more movies especially the sunshine boys
> Imagine Jack donning MC Hammer pants, like the Nehru outfit he wore on "New Look".
<Alex Buck> that would have been something
<KM99> And almost all of the women had BIG 80s hairdos that night.
> KM - Nancy and I were counting toupees that night, too.
> KM - Do you have the collected back issues?
<Alex Buck> shoot, if jack had lived another year - with the sunshine boys under his belt - he could have gone out on top
<KM99> LL - Let me know if you need a copy. I've got pretty much the whole hour show.
<KM99> LL - Yes. I bought two copies
<Fred Allen> He went out on top, think if I'd have lived another twenty years!!!
> KM - I may take you up on it. I think I just have it on Beta.
[Sun Jun 01 19:07:27 PDT 2003] donwilson2: docpowjr@aol.com
> KM - Take a look at the Times issue around that date...I devoted most of an issue to that story.
<Alex Buck> The sunshine boys would have made a complete circle - from vaudeville to a movie about vaudevillians
<KM99> LL - Great idea.....Checking
<Fred Allen> Thats what Burns did
> I've got to research that screen test that Jack did...Irving Fein seemed to indicate that it might still exist.
<Alex Buck> LL - that would be something
<Fred Allen> I thought what happened, with his best friend filling in was a touching ending
[Sun Jun 01 19:08:36 PDT 2003] Gordon: Toronto
<Alex Buck> Generous Jack
> Hello Gordon!
<Alex Buck> It certainly resurrected George's career
<Gordon> Hi every one.
> Fred - Yeah, what Alex said.
<Fred Allen> hey Gordon
<Sy> Hi Gordon
<Fred Allen> Yes, then he did those God pics
> Look at what Burns then went on to do...
<Alex Buck> Fred - If you had lived another 20 years, think of the fun you could have had on Johnny Carson's couch
> Right, Fred, the God pictures...Going in Style...
<Fred Allen> Hey when you live an extra 20 years, you get more done and you get more chances
> Then "I Wish I Was Eighteen Again" and the country album...
<Alex Buck> I don't know if I can see Jack playing God as good as George did
> Alex - Gee, I don't know if Johnny would have agreed to that...
<Fred Allen> I think he would have been a good God, but not in the movies
<Fred Allen> His listening pauses would have been great
<Alex Buck> Jack playing a bank robber - now that would have been something to see> Alex - That's "The Face is Familiar" on Suspense!
<Mikewats> I heard that Burns & Allen show the other night...the one in which George unwittingly is volunteered to take an experimental serum that would let him live to be 100
<Fred Allen> lol
<Alex Buck> Mikewats - how did it end?
<Mikewats> Well...
<Mikewats> It ended with George singing "Ain't Misbehavin'", completely naked, before a group of doctors
<Alex Buck> LOL
<Sy> lol
> I would imagine he did that in real life at some point...
<Alex Buck> LOL
<Fred Allen> Always enjoyed Gracie more
<Fred Allen> His books were great reads though
> I saw a Simpson's episode that was a take-off on Citizen Kane, and when Montgomery Burns is taken from his parents, they say, "At least we still have his younger brother, George."
<Mikewats> I was watching an Ed Sullivan clips show on our local PBS station last night...and suddenly there was a George Burns stand up routine
<Fred Allen> yeah , have seen that
> Pan to a child at the door smoking a cigar and singing some old song.
<Mikewats> LOL, Laura
<Fred Allen> they were separated atbirth
<Fred Allen> not birth, in early childhood
<Fred Allen> oopds
> d'oh!
<Fred Allen> lol
<Fred Allen> Yeah the Young Burns says the songs no good now, but they will love this when I'm 90
<Sy> lol!
> That's right!
<Fred Allen> :>)
[Sun Jun 01 19:15:55 PDT 2003] stillme: docpowjr@aol.com
<Sy> brb
> WB Bill
<Alex Buck> Well folks - I best turn in for the night. Always a pleasure. Take care and see ya next month. Laura - yr doing a great job. Looking forward to seeing what you pick out for us to listen to next month.
> I'll be waiting for you Bill when you come back from San Juan Hill.
> Take care Alex, and thanks very much!
<stillme> my computer must be from tennessee too
[Sun Jun 01 19:16:22 PDT 2003] Portland: Mike Amo!
<Mikewats> Night, Alex
<Portland> Oh Mister Alllennnn!
<Portland> Night Alex
<Fred Allen> Yes Portland?
<Fred Allen> LOL
> What's next...Senator Claghorn?
<Portland> What's the topic tonight?
<Portland> Mr. Allen was always SO topical
<Fred Allen> Tidus moody!
<Portland> Si
<Fred Allen> Sy?
[Sun Jun 01 19:17:51 PDT 2003] Mik,e Amo: Fan Fair Bound! Yeehaw!
> *Shakes Portland* You're having an identity crisis!
<Mik,e Amo> Jello folks
<Mik,e Amo> I'm okay now {:oP
<Fred Allen> I was original, at without me Milton Berle wouldn't have had half the career he did
<Mik,e Amo> lol
> Milton Berle made a comment about how he could never steal jokes from Jack. "How can you steal 'Well!'?"
<Mik,e Amo> Well, I thought I was okay...just noticed a , in my name, must be a hiccup
<Fred Allen> Laura lol
> Actually, I just read an article on Al Boasberg, who wrote some early stuff for Milton Berle, including the joke-stealing.
> Boasberg wrote for darn near everyone.
<Fred Allen> Berle and Jolson were big time thiefs
> So was Boasberg...sometimes.
<KM99> LL - I'm just reading your review of the TV Academy Hall of Fame Dinner. Funny. It's interesting how similar our writing styles are.
<Fred Allen> lol
> KM - Why do you think I asked you to write up the review of 39 Forever? :)
<KM99> Thanks LL.
> If anyone is interested in the Boasberg article, go to our Links page and search on his name. Then follow the link. It's long but it's good.
> Has anyone read Ben Schwartz's article on Al Boasberg? It came out in a book a couple years ago, but I haven't gotten it yet.
> I should be ashamed of myself...I helped him get research material, but never read his result.
<Mik,e Amo> I have a lot of reading to catch up on someday...
> Please don't tell him.
> So what else is on your minds this evening?
<Mikewats> I need to buy more war bonds and stamps
<Mik,e Amo> After buying the book when it came out in hardcover, I have to date still read only parts of Joan's book (don't tell her)
<Mik,e Amo> I bought stamps last week {:o)
<KM99> Al Boasberg - The Man Who Invented Jack Benny. There was a great article about it at wga.org. I can't find it anymore tho
> Mik,e - You can never have too many war bonds.
<Mik,e Amo> And it was Anne's friend Angela's older sister who had Joan for a teacher in 8th grade in Sacramento
> KM - I don't know if I'd give him that much credit. But he was instrumental.
<KM99> LL - That's just the title of the artcile.
> KM - And I don't mean the violin.
<KM99> article, even
<Mik,e Amo> lol, ty, Laura,
<stillme> ok, i came in late but what ever became of Frank Black's Orchestra
<Gordon> This is my first time here. I see i need to do a bit od reading to get up to speed, here.
> Stillme - They changed with the sponsor, I think. Don Bestor, I believe, succeeded them.
> Gordon - That's quite alright. Feel free to contribute anything...you don't have to be a Benny jock to talk here.
<stillme> i knew that.. i just never heard of frank black again
> Stillme - Let me run downstairs and check that to be sure.
<Mik,e Amo> I thought it was massively cool that Chevrolet was giving away cars to so many folks even at the height of the Depression!
<stillme> wonder if he even had a career after that
> Stillme - They faded to black.
<Gordon> Not only chevrolet, but ford was as well.
<stillme> wouldnt you like to know how many cars were being sold those years
<KM99> <just a gag> Frank Black renamed the band as "Frank Black and His Intergalatic Rock Stars". They're somewhere out in space as we speak.
<Gordon> They were giving away Mercury on Fred allen's show.
<stillme> thanks km
<Mik,e Amo> When did Jack get the Maxwell?
[Sun Jun 01 19:28:28 PDT 2003] Mike Amo: Fan Fair Bound! Yeehaw!
<stillme> there were only about 40 million americans in 1930...
<Mike Amo> <hiccup>
> Yes, it was Don Bestor who succeeded him. Got your Frank Black answer as well...
<KM99> Mike - During the depression my grandparents were so poor, they had to get the horse team to tow the car into town.
> He and his orchestra had two popular recordings on Brunswick in 1927
<stillme> and half of those that were married were women
<Mikewats> Hard to imagine someone opting to buy a car in early 1933, of all times...
<stillme> thanks, laaura.... im a big band fan too
> Frank Black: Pianist-bandleader, later conductor and musical director for NBC Radio from 1932-48.
<Mike Amo> cool!
<stillme> so frank was a big shot after all
<Mike Amo> I guess Toscanini took over from him?
<KM99> Let's not forget about Johnny Green...
<Mike Amo> Probably different realsm {:oP
<Mike Amo> oops, realms
<Mike Amo> Or Mike Bullard!
<KM99> Open Mike !!!
<Mike Amo> lol
> KM - Hey, don't do that to Mike!
<stillme> There are some Command Performance shows featuring Jacks Violin.. and he actually does very well with it
<KM99> MA - When have you seen Bullard?
<Mike Amo> Only in Canada, KM
<mister kitzel, hoo h> in canada
<stillme> I remember him saying in one "you thought I was going to be lousy, didnt ya!"
> Stillme - Have you heard him to Bach's Double Violin Concerto with Isaac Stern?
<mister kitzel, hoo h> He tried the states but didn't do well so went back to canada
<KM99> The radio station in Calgary I listen to (QR77) plays a minute of Bullard's monologue every morning. That's about all I can take of him.
<stillme> i heard him play something with Isaac Stern
<Mike Amo> Every comedian is 0on TV here, so he should probably try again
> Stillme - Well, he's not perfect, but Jack holds his own.
<stillme> and one of the Command Performances he plays with that other big shot he emulated too
<Mike Amo> I think Jack would be disappointed with most of the current crop
> Stillme - Jascha Heifetz?
<stillme> yep
> MikeAmo - I haven't looked at CornCam lately...is it bad?
<mister kitzel, hoo h> mike is very good at ad libs and funny ribbing of people
<stillme> (im so good with names)
<Mike Amo> lol
<Mike Amo> CornCam!
<Mike Amo> I don't watch much either
<stillme> I am growing my own... thought i should plant something legal this year
<Mike Amo> And luckily, reality TV is doing so well for the networks, I have far less taping to do lately
<Mikewats> I've been taping off TCM like mad
> I saw an ad for a long distance company that said something like, "Calling friends and relatives...the ultimate reality TV show." How sad.
<stillme> Laura.. i do have a lingering LA question.. Why is it taking so long to renovate that house on Roxbury
> Stillme - Because they tore out almost everything inside.
<KM99> I have to say - Reality TV is even more boring that Realty TV !!!
> Stillme - They're also building onto the back. They even removed the pool with the octopus.
<Mike Amo> lol KM
<stillme> i wonder if the owners will be alive by the time they finish it
> Stillme - They're younger, so they probably will be.
<stillme> oops.. there is me and my big opinionated mouth again..lol
<KM99> I can't get Corn Cam. What gives?
> KM - Do you mean the Web page?
<KM99> Yeah. Iowafarmer is timing out - Bad Gateway
> Stillme - Dan was just filling me in on your Governor's standing on...crops.
<stillme> oops
<Mike Amo> Just checked...corn cam is "back in action"
> I've got it...it's your fault.
<KM99> Must be a routing issue
<Mike Amo> But Omaha radio I often listen to stopped working last night; had to fallback on Denver
<KM99> Yup - It's back
<Mikewats> I'm getting CornCam just fine
<Mikewats> Not much to see yet, thogh
<Mike Amo> Also had a "white" screen when I had to reboot earlier...that was creepy, hasn't happened in a year
<cues creepy music>
> Mike Amo - I recommend Theremin music
<Mikewats> <reads 'The World of Corn' page> <mister kitzel, hoo h> Who was considered the best all round performer from 1900-1950 jolson,canteretc?
> For the newbies in the crowd, I let the topic waver after about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. CornCam is an in-joke which I can explain if you're interested.
<KM99> LL - I've started a new project. I'm re-listening to all the Jack Benny shows in order.... I'm up to 1940-02-025 at the moment.
> MK - Billy Murray!
<Gordon> LL- Please explain.
> KM - Good for you. I need to do that to expand the log, but I need to find a job too.
> Gordon - Explain CornCam or Billy Murray?
<Mike Amo> lol Laura, is that the weird 1930s device?
<Mikewats> I have a habit lately - I listen to a Jack show while cleaning out my guinea pigs' cages on Sunday night
<Mike Amo> I used to be good on kazoo, not so good on clarinet
<Gordon> LL- CornCam
<stillme> ill bet that puts some perspective on them km.
> MA - Right, but it's still in use. Used a lot for sci-fi music.
<Mike Amo> Jolson would tell you Jolson'
<stillme> i listen to the m on my atwater kent
> Gordon - Well, one of our regulars (although she hasn't been here for three months) and I were talking one day about our passions for Jack Benny, Phil Harris, etc.
<mister kitzel, hoo h> what would jack tell me
<stillme> (slightly modified, of course)
<KM99> I queue up about four hours worth at a time. I stop the player from time to time when I have to leave for work or whatever.
> And laughing at ourselves, and she said, "Well, at least we're not looking at porn on the Internet."
> I thought she said, "Well, at least we're not looking at corn on the Internet."
<Mike Amo> lol
<Mike Amo> I just did @o@
<Gordon> LOL
> So I went searching for corn links and found CornCam (look at the bottom of our Links page).
<Mike Amo> Er, corn, that is 0{:o)
> So every time she used to come onto the chat room, we'd all yell "CORN CAM!!!!" and crack her up.
> And me, too, for that matter.
<Gordon> LL - thanks
> So that's the story on Corn Cam.
<mister kitzel, hoo h> This is too corny for me I'm out of here see you next month as a new character
<stillme> nite kitz
<Mike Amo> Okay, goodbye Mister Kitzel
> Take care, MK!
<Mikewats> <hungry for corn> <Mikewats> <glad he spelled 'corn' correctly>
<Mike Amo> I'll be taking Jack along to Fan Fair next week
<KM99> Seeya MK
<stillme> is that the nashville thing mike?
<Mike Amo> Yes
<Gordon> Ll- Where did you get all your Jack Benny Programs?
<stillme> ill be in nashville friday for aa meeting at the Loews Hotel out west end
<Mike Amo> Will have CDs along for those drives around the area
> Gordon - Well, from a great many members over the years. But a lot of them came from a couple particular donors.
<Mike Amo> lol, was trying to think of a country connection and a video popped into my head
<Mike Amo> Of Jack and Tennessee Ernie Ford on a split screen
<stillme> the hermitage hotel used to have some photos for their weekly NBC Radio contibutions to the network music feed
<Mike Amo> Ford was working in his barn I think
> There was Jack Bloom who sent a lot of shows. He was great.
> MA - That's right. Then they have problems with the connection.
<Mike Amo> lol, that's right, doesn't Jack end up in the barn and Ernie in the studio?
> Stillme - I didn't know you were in AA.
<KM99> GAD and _BILL are working on an updated version of the GJBP
<Gordon> I've managed to download a few hundred from the net. Got a listing of all his Radio 7 TV programs... trying to fill in the gaps.
> MA - That's it! And Jack's wearing Ford's overalls and the animals are coming in.
<Mike Amo> That was great!
<Mike Amo> I'd forgotten that
> KM - Do you know if the other site logins to phx-az are working yet? I haven't checked them.
> KM - Feel free to spread to "appropriate" people. No riff raff, you know.
<KM99> My original login seems to work. The temp login is disabled.
> Bummer. I'll have to ask the admin about that.
> What else? I've exhausted the discussion points I brought for tonight.
<Mike Amo> Not much more here...lots of packing to do one of these days, as I leve on Tuesday
<Mike Amo> leave
<Mikewats> Laura are there any other complete early 30s Jack programs, or is this the only one?
<_bill> any estimate when your media log update would be finished?
<Mikewats> Obviuosly I've never chcked through the ones I have
<Mike Amo> Anything new from Eddie Carroll?
> MW - Oh there are more, like 5-2-32. Take a look at our library listing and see which ones don't have an "A" in the comments field.
<Mikewats> Okay I will
> MA - Yes, they just got back from New York today.
<Mikewats> Oh, I forgot about 5-2-32
<Mike Amo> Laura, y'all just reminded me, I have kept track (somewhere) of what tapes/CDs I have from Jack's radio shows
<stillme> eddie is supposed to be here aug 21 louisville but i have not heard anything in past few weeks
<Mike Amo> Don't know if y'all are looking for any or how I'd get them to you, but there ya go {:oP
> I've put a lot of upcoming performance dates for him on his page. Go to Goodies - Eddie Carroll.
<Mike Amo> ok thanks!
> MA - If you wouldn't mind checking your list against our library listing, that would be most helpful.
<Mike Amo> I'll do that when I get back...PLEASE bug me about it!
> OK, I'll try to remember!
<Mike Amo> <Mr. Memory makes a note on things to do list as well>
<Mikewats> Well, I better go...severe thunderstorms are heading our way...
<Mike Amo> Good luck Mike!
> OK...stay dry and uncharred, Mike!
<KM99> Hey folks. I think I'm going to sign off as well. I'm getting a bit hungry.
<Mikewats> Thanks! G'night, y'all!
<KM99> Seeya Mike
<Mike Amo> I looked at the Nashville forecast finally a half-hour ago
<stillme> nite mike
> Tell you what, let's pack it in for this month.
> Night, KM!
<Mike Amo> And saw rain for Thursday through Saturday
<Gordon> Well folks, gotta go. This has been most intersting... I'll try to contribute more next time. Looking forward to the next chat. Good night everyone.
> Appreciate you all stopping by...was a great time tonight!
<KM99> I'd like to say seeya next month but I think I'll miss next chat
<Mike Amo> Three of the four days of outdoor shows {:oP
<stillme> nite gordon
<Mike Amo> Nite Gordon> If anyone wants to stay around and chat, feel free.
<Mike Amo> Take care Laura, and thanks for putting the transcripts up
> Take care, and we'll see you next month!
<stillme> nite everyone
> MA - My pleasure. It's been a heck of a job staying ahead of it tonight!
<Mike Amo> Nite y'all
> We're a little late folks...
<Mike Amo> LOL