IJBFC Chat - November 15, 2015
(Name of message originator next to or above the timestamp)
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·4:48
PM
well howdy, Linda!
Linda Cree·4:49 PM
Hi Kathy!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·4:50
PM
how are you all doing? Glad
that its finally feeling like Fall here in Austin : )
I loved the vacation pix
Graeme posted, looks like you all had fun!
Linda Cree·4:50 PM
Graeme is here
too! We're both doing fine Thanks!
Thanks! We had
a great trip.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·4:51
PM
I'm still on pins and
needles, waiting to hear from the Oxford editor about the book mss (and what I
might have to do in revision). I should hear any day now : )
Linda Cree·4:52 PM
Great!
Graeme doesn't have a login
to get here, but he's reading along.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·4:52
PM
what are you all going to
do for Thanksgiving? Kenny and I are flying east to Richmond VA to see the
inlaws and kids
Linda Cree·4:53 PM
Staying home and having a
quiet Thanksgiving here.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·4:54
PM
sounds nice! Let's get
together in December for sure. My classes end Dec 4, hooray!
Hello Tony!
Linda Cree·4:54 PM
Love to Kathy!
Graeme says hi.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·4:57
PM
Hello Graeme! Say, we'll
talk about this more offline, but Oxford editor wants me to do some website
things, and I have some research funds through school, maybe I can make G an
official consultant to help me get stuff together in spring-summer 2016...
Linda Cree·4:58 PM
G: Sure, let's
talk about it when we get together. I should also have .mp3's of
all the Sportsmen songs done in a day or two.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·4:58
PM
so, do you all have any
Jack Benny christmas ornaments? I just thought about this, I have made a number
of Beatles ones for me, and Star Wars ones for the kids, maybe we can play with
this idea on the facebook group, what would Benny ornaments look like...
Carmichael with a bottle of
Coke, haha
Linda Cree·4:59 PM
A turkey nestled in a
chandelier.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·4:59
PM
hahaha!
electric lights shocking
Jack, "pull it out! pull it out!"
Linda Cree·5:00 PM
Good one!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:00
PM
Hello Phil, I was just
wondering about Benny holiday ornaments
Phil Wala·5:00 PM
Hello. Enjoying
a 63° day here in Minnesota
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:00
PM
wow, that's almost warmer
than here in Austin TX!
R. Hookie·5:02 PM
Hello, strangers!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:02
PM
Jell-O again....
Laura Leff·5:02 PM
Hey folks!
R. Hookie·5:02 PM
Hi Laura!
Linda Cree·5:03 PM
Hi Laura!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:03
PM
Howdy Laura, we were
thinking of Benny holiday ornaments. A Jell-O menorah would be bad, but would
also need a seventh flavor?
Linda Cree·5:03 PM
I'm a first timer here.
Laura Leff·5:03 PM
Welcome in, Linda!
R. Hookie·5:03 PM
Welcome Linda
Laura Leff·5:03 PM
Kathy - Don Wilson can be
the shamash
Linda Cree·5:04 PM
Thank you!
Laura Leff·5:04 PM
Hey Steve!
Hi Phil, Hookie!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:04
PM
hahaha and
since there's always room for Jell-O, its six delicious flavors will never run
out
Steve Archer·5:04 PM
Hi Laura and everyone!
R. Hookie·5:04 PM
A menorah made of JELL-O or
one that holds it?
Laura Leff·5:06 PM
So how's everyone doing
tonight?
R. Hookie·5:06 PM
(crickets)
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:06
PM
that would be one wiggly
menorah.... need to make it of really stiff Jell-O shots?
Linda Cree·5:06 PM
LSMFT chalk
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:07
PM
Everybody on facebook seems
to be grateful for something..... I am grateful that there are 19 days of class
left, and that tonight is a chat night
Steve Archer·5:07 PM
Doing well here
Linda Cree·5:08 PM
All is well here.
Phil Wala·5:08 PM
I’ve been listening to
the radio shows in order. Up to early 1952, and every show is about
Jack’s song. Can’t get “When You Say I Beg Your Pardon” out
of my brain!
Steve Archer·5:09 PM
Gee what is with people,
being grateful BEFORE Thanksgiving...!
Laura Leff·5:09 PM
My apologies for having to
cancel last month...needed to have someone come out to fix my internet
connection
Steve Archer·5:09 PM
unless you're Canadian, of
course.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:09
PM
so.... what do you like
about the 2.4.40 show, Laura? It occurs to me that the Yosemite stretch is one
of the longest narrative arcs the show had, outside of missing Oscar
Phil, have you ever found
subsequent verses to that song? Something we should drum up.....
Laura Leff·5:10 PM
I think that this, to me,
represents the official tip of the characters to their forties personas.
Linda Cree·5:10 PM
A bowl of wax fruit that
lights up
Steve Archer·5:10 PM
I agree Laura, it's like
the best of the Jell-O and Lucky Strike years together.
This will be fun to follow
for the next few chats assuming we'll continue with Yosemite
Laura Leff·5:11 PM
This is where Mary's acid
edge really starts.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:11
PM
I think its interesting how
they skirt the issue of where is Rochester going to sleep? By NOT mentioning it,
one group of listeners could think "oh, he can stay with them" and the
Southern white group could say "of course he'll sleep somewhere
else...."
R. Hookie·5:12 PM
<---- stepping away for
a moment, be right back.....
Linda Cree·5:12 PM
Graeme has put Yosemite
into his Top 50 Episodes list, but is counting it as 1 episode, rather than 4
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:12
PM
GREAT on the change in
Mary, super idea!
Tony Morgan joined the room
Laura Leff·5:12 PM
Hi Tony!
Steve Archer·5:12 PM
Hi Tony
Laura Leff·5:13 PM
Kathy - That's a great
observation. I never thought of it, because I hadn't experienced
Jim Crow myself.
Tony Morgan·5:13 PM
Hi!
Laura Leff·5:13 PM
Dennis also just joined in
the fall of '39, and this really starts cementing his character
Tony Morgan·5:13 PM
I think it would be
understood Rochester would have slept in the car.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:14
PM
The show has racially
progressive moments frequently, after the first year. I am glad Jack and the
writers opened up their use of Rochester
Laura Leff·5:14 PM
Yes, cutting back on the
shooting dice and Central Avenue and knife fights jokes
Linda Cree·5:14 PM
G: Rochester
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:14
PM
and more talking reason to
"the Boss"
Tony Morgan·5:14 PM
Kathy, the first year with
Rochester, or the first year of the Program?
Linda Cree·5:15 PM
G:
Rochester's sleeping arrangements on Yosemite were the same as
everyone else. He was even wearing Jack's clothes the year before.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:15
PM
sorry for the confusion,
Tony, I think I meant changes in the program after the first 6-9 months of
having Roch on the program, so late 1938, into 1939
R. Hookie·5:16 PM
OK, I'm back.... what did I
miss?
Laura Leff·5:16 PM
The first time he appears
as Rochester (later in 1937), it's quite stunning that the banter between Jack
and him is very similar to later years.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:16
PM
haha Graeme makes great
jokes!
Tony Morgan·5:16 PM
What was the deal with
"Where's Dennis? ... Oh." (audience laughter)
Laura Leff·5:16 PM
In the bathroom
i.e., Dennis is in the
bathroom
Linda Cree·5:17 PM
I'm glad Jack refused to
stay at any hotel that wouldn't allow Rochester.
Laura Leff·5:17 PM
Someone finally found the
clipping about that
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:17
PM
yet ANOTHER reason why
radio is better than early TV ! you can make so many hidden jokes that the
audience gets to imagine the punch line
Laura Leff·5:17 PM
It happened right here in
San Francisco
Tony Morgan·5:17 PM
... Okay. How
was "the bathroom" communicated to the studio
audience? (How would anyone know?)
Laura Leff·5:17 PM
It's kind of like the
Archie Bunker toilet flushing.
I'll have to cede that one
to someone who heard the show more recently than I did. I know
there was a telegraph on that.
That being Dennis going to
the bathroom.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:18
PM
great question, Tony! It
all comes from the situation......
Tony Morgan·5:19 PM
I've listened to the
Yosemite episodes more times than I can count, and I *never* got
that.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:19
PM
it can be in vocal
inflection... oh, he's in THERE....
Steve Archer·5:19 PM
Well, Dennis is pretty much
the only one who can't head to the bathroom during his song, so...
Laura Leff·5:19 PM
Ha!
That's what my mother used
to say...Dennis' song was when you went to the bathroom.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:20
PM
again, the genius of radio,
layers of meaning that you need lots of knowledge to "get" -- I find
something similar in Warner Bros Bugs Bunny cartoons. safe for the kids, but
then WOW you catch a cultural reference
Steve Archer·5:20 PM
Graeme Cree joined the room
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:20
PM
WOW, Laura, so you come
from a long line of Benny fans?
Laura Leff·5:20 PM
Hey Graeme
Graeme Cree·5:21 PM
I did have a login after
all, it just wasn't activated.
R. Hookie·5:21 PM
So, with all of this recent
talk, you folks must know where I stepped away to....
Laura Leff·5:21 PM
Kathy - Well, only so far
back one can go for that! My mother loved him. My
father did not.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:21
PM
that's frightening, haha
Graeme...how much CAN hipchat do?
Laura Leff·5:21 PM
My mother loved to tell a
story about trying to get me interested in Jack at a very young age, and not
being successful.
Graeme Cree·5:21 PM
There are several bathroom
jokes in the show. Most aren't that great and are the kind of thing
you can easily miss. Everybody knows the bit where Jack couldn't
tell Don to "sit down", don't they?
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:22
PM
My father thinks I am
writing a book about Fred Allen, so there is no real accounting for parents
: )
Graeme Cree·5:22 PM
Because Jack was in the tub
and the censor figured the only place Don could possibly sit was on the terlet.
Linda Cree·5:22 PM
My grandmother was a huge
Jack Benny fan.
Laura Leff·5:22 PM
Kathy - At least he doesn't
think you're writing a book about Benny Hill.
Graeme Cree·5:22 PM
Jack argued that he could
have meant "sit on the edge of the tub", but the censor wasn't buying
it.
Laura Leff·5:23 PM
This is why they sometimes
wrote in outrageous jokes that they knew the censor would excise, just to be
able to get other stuff by.
Graeme Cree·5:23 PM
He should have used the
argument that worked, about the dirty limerick.
Steve Archer·5:23 PM
Graeme Cree·5:23 PM
Remember, there was a
nonsense limerick, where a girl asked Jack what it meant and he said "I
can't tell you, it's naughty!"
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:23
PM
haha have you
all seen the recent facebook post that says scientists say that a sudden urge to
watch Benny Hill indicates coming dementia?
Graeme Cree·5:23 PM
And the censor wanted to
delete it even though the words were actually total gibberish.
Just the idea that it was
SUPPOSED to be dirty was enough. But they got that on the air.
Laura Leff·5:24 PM
Kathy - Hey, I disagree
with that...
Remember the thing about
Veola Vonn and the pins that the censor ended up making dirtier?
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:25
PM
well sure, if its measured
on pie throwing and pratfalls, I should have been committed to a dementia unit
40 years ago : )
Graeme Cree·5:25 PM
I hate that
one. How do you wear pins without a sweater? Is the
idea that she was supposed to have them stuck in her skin? Ick.
Linda Cree·5:25 PM
Was there any dust up over
Bing using the HE double hockey stick word?
Laura Leff·5:25 PM
Well, they certainly
weren't going to ban Bing from radio like they did to Mae West after the Bergen
McCarthy show
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:26
PM
Graeme, well the pins
without a sweater makes a great visual imagination joke, where words and images
collide?
Graeme Cree·5:26 PM
Yeah, but the first thing I
imagined was that she'd acupunctured herself with a hundred pins. I
didn't laugh, I winced.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:26
PM
Bing was Golden, he could
have said ANYTHING and have gotten away with it, haha
Linda Cree·5:26 PM
Yep
Laura Leff·5:26 PM
Yeah, this is one of the
times we have to remember that people heard the joke back then and it was
gone. They didn't have time to think about it like we do!
Steve Archer·5:27 PM
Well, if Bing had mentioned
Camel cigarettes....
Graeme Cree·5:27 PM
Sorry, 164
pins. Let's get it right.
Laura Leff·5:27 PM
Trivia question (this is
easy): Who claimed to have played Jack's camel?
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:27
PM
or to hear it again! This
is something I tell my students repeatedly, to make them understand liveness vs
reruns. .....
Laura Leff·5:27 PM
The camel he brought back
from Egypt.
Graeme Cree·5:27 PM
Probably Mel.
Steve Archer·5:27 PM
Carmichael?
Laura Leff·5:28 PM
Nope
Steve Archer·5:28 PM
Joe Camel
Laura Leff·5:28 PM
Maybe less easy than I
thought!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:28
PM
the fellow who did the
Maxwell before Mel Blanc? Johnny somebody
Steve Archer·5:28 PM
Meryl Streep
Laura Leff·5:28 PM
Steve - Ha. A
friend of mine was the head of that ad campaign.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:28
PM
Larry Adler, although
harmonicas and camels don't mix
Laura Leff·5:28 PM
Nope...haven't seen the
right answer yet.
Steve Archer·5:29 PM
Camella Parker-Bowles
Laura Leff·5:29 PM
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:29
PM
Tom Harrington or Pat
Weaver, sending them straight to hell...
Graeme Cree·5:29 PM
Harry Conn!!
Laura Leff·5:29 PM
Sounds like a hint is in
order?
Steve Archer·5:29 PM
Orson Welles
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:29
PM
hint hint!
Steve Archer·5:29 PM
Orson Bean
Orson Buggy
Graeme Cree·5:30 PM
Orson Around
Laura Leff·5:30 PM
So it's no one that ever
appeared on another Benny program
R. Hookie·5:30 PM
Pat Carroll?
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:30
PM
Steve's on the right track,
I hope!
Laura Leff·5:30 PM
So Mel or guest stars are
out
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:30
PM
Humphrey Bogart, he's got a
humpf
Laura Leff·5:30 PM
He was known later for
recorded comedy and commercials
Tony Morgan·5:30 PM
Desi Arnaz
Graeme Cree·5:31 PM
Stan Freberg? Peter
Lind Hayes?
Laura Leff·5:31 PM
I haven't been able to
authenticate it past the person's claim that he did it.
Phil Wala·5:31 PM
Stan Freberg?
Laura Leff·5:31 PM
Graeme - Stan Freberg!
Steve Archer·5:31 PM
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:31
PM
woo hoo!
R. Hookie·5:31 PM
Oh, I see
Laura Leff·5:31 PM
And the only time you hear
the camel is just kind of a "woof" as he's running away
I have a really, really
hard time thinking they'd bring in someone to do just that momentary thing.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:32
PM
as opposed to Trudy the
ostrich
Laura Leff·5:32 PM
I think even Trudy got more
airtime.
Besides, they had Blanche
Stewart in those days. She could play anything.
Graeme Cree·5:32 PM
This should be an easy
one. Who's the first Jewish guy to play a hot dog vendor at a
sporting event?
Phil Wala·5:32 PM
Just Googled a 1944 article
saying it was Pinto Colvig who voiced the Maxwell and Jack's camel.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:32
PM
hey, but so many people
were hanging about the studio, Hollywood and Vine was a nexus of surplus
entertainment, ESP if you were Benny?
Graeme Cree·5:32 PM
The way I asked it should
make it easy.
Laura Leff·5:33 PM
Phil - Colvig was the
Maxwell IIRC
Kathy - That's a good
point!
Graeme - I'm laying out of
the guessing.
Linda Cree·5:33 PM
Did Jack really have a
walk-on in Casablanca?
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:34
PM
Phil Greenberg? Moe Berg?
Laura Leff·5:34 PM
Linda - Har har har...
Graeme Cree·5:34 PM
Okay, it's Shleperman. People
would assume Mr. Kitzle, but why would I have asked if it were that
easy? So, the next logical guy is...
Laura Leff·5:34 PM
Good question.
Graeme - I was thinking Sam
Hearn, but OK.
Graeme Cree·5:34 PM
They even had the same kind
of jokes. "How can you afford to give all you can eat for 10
cents?" "Vhen you taste 'em, you're tasting the
answer."
Laura Leff·5:34 PM
Linda - Well, Marty and I
went through the files on Casablanca at the Warner Brothers archive trying to
authenticate that.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:34
PM
Harry Conn himself
Laura Leff·5:35 PM
Linda - It's in the press
book that he's in the movie.
But there's no evidence on
any of the production notes about it.
Linda Cree·5:35 PM
Neat!
Laura Leff·5:36 PM
And I believe I found a
letter someone wrote to the studio asking about it, and was told that Jack
wasn't in the movie
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:36
PM
and very plausible, given
that he was making Warner Bros movies then?
Laura Leff·5:36 PM
I'd have to pull the
newsletter where I published all of that to brush up on the details.
Steve Archer·5:36 PM
Well, press books in those
days were full of all kinds of phony made up stories, too.
Laura Leff·5:36 PM
Kathy - It's still possible
that it happened.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:37
PM
you betcha about fabricated
publicity, Steve!
Graeme Cree·5:37 PM
It just seems kind of odd
that they'd put him in and not call attention to it. The only
reason they might is if Jack really wanted it, but nobody knew it would be a
classic then. Wasn't it kind of a surprise hit?
Laura Leff·5:37 PM
Steve - And there ya
go. I really have to wonder if it falls under that category!
Tony Morgan·5:37 PM
And wouldn't Jack have
trumpeted his involvement at *some* point?
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:37
PM
a good reason AGAINST it,
Tony!
Steve Archer·5:37 PM
I heard Shirley Herman was
in Casablanca
Laura Leff·5:38 PM
Well, also there's a thing
of "run a contest at your theatre to award anyone who can find Jack in the
movie"
But the press book doesn't
tell you where he is.
Graeme Cree·5:38 PM
I can't imagine him not
mentioning it when Bogie was on the show.
Tony Morgan·5:38 PM
That's why I think Jack
CAN'T be in Casablanca. We would have heard about it -- from him!
Steve Archer·5:38 PM
Very Jack apropos - you
never have to pay for the prize!
Laura Leff·5:38 PM
So wouldn't they need to
know the answer in order to know if someone's guess was right?
Linda Cree·5:38 PM
I thought it must be true
because of the contest.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:39
PM
I agree, given that they
did a parody of Casablanca on the radio show, and he did a USO tour with Ingrid
Bergman
Laura Leff·5:39 PM
I wonder if anyone got a
prize by saying he's *not* in the movie!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:39
PM
oh well, maybe he hung out
on the set
Linda Cree·5:39 PM
Yhat seems dishonest.
That
Laura Leff·5:39 PM
And someone once pointed me
toward Jack's line in the radio parody of, "Was I
in...CASABLANCA? Was I in...CASABLANCA?!?!"
Claiming that was Jack
telegraphing that he was in Casablanca
But it could just as much
be a reaction to him getting questions of whether he was in the movie.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:41
PM
haha I am wishing that this
chat was like Facebook, so that I could LIKE so many of these clever comments :
)
Graeme Cree·5:41 PM
Who played the Sportsmen's
Wives Quartet?
Laura Leff·5:41 PM
What's the date on the
show?
Graeme Cree·5:41 PM
Hmmm, I'll have to check...
02-18-51, but I think there
are others.
9-13-53 is another
Laura Leff·5:42 PM
I'll pull 39 Forever and
see if the script had that info...
No credit on 1951
Or on
1953. Sorry, can't help.
Graeme Cree·5:44 PM
Dorothy Collins may have
been one.
Laura Leff·5:44 PM
So what else about the
Yosemite show?
Graeme - That's a good
guess. you're likely right.
Graeme Cree·5:44 PM
Not sure who else had the
ability. I don't remember Bea singing.
Laura Leff·5:45 PM
Might see who else American
Tobacco had working on their other shows like Your Hit Parade
Linda Cree·5:45 PM
I found a photo of Jack
dressed as Charley's Aunt with Betty Grable. The caption read he
was an extra in A Yank In The R.A.F.
Laura Leff·5:45 PM
Indeed! That's
a new one on me!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:45
PM
wow, that is a great find,
Linda
Graeme Cree·5:45 PM
Kathy, do you happen to
have a script for 11-14-37?
Laura Leff·5:46 PM
Anyone seen that movie?
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:46
PM
I love that Jack felt so
comfortable on the film side of Hollywood in those days. Academic books
completely separate radio and film in those days!!
R. Hookie·5:46 PM
Charley's Aunt? Good movie.
Laura Leff·5:46 PM
I think it would have been
very hard to do a weekly show and shoot films too
Graeme Cree·5:46 PM
Saw it
once. Didn't follow it as closely as I should
have. Need to watch it again.
Laura Leff·5:47 PM
It's good, but I don't
think it's Jack's best (of course that's "To Be or Not to Be") or even
number 2
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:47
PM
Graeme, I don't have it,
but am DETERMINED to get them all in January! Will circulate....
Graeme Cree·5:47 PM
I think I was a bit put off
that it was too much like... Oh, which was the Abbott & Costello movie where
Lou plays on a girl's basketball team?
Steve Archer·5:47 PM
It's funny that radio and
films seemed to have a happy coexistence, but when television came along the
film industry had such a freakout.
Graeme Cree·5:47 PM
Darn it, I should remember
this.
Laura Leff·5:47 PM
Kathy - Yay!
R. Hookie·5:47 PM
I'll be back... the dog is
summoning me...
Laura Leff·5:48 PM
Hi Penny
(Penny is Hookie's dog0
Linda Cree·5:48 PM
I'll post the photo after
the chat.
Graeme Cree·5:48 PM
Here Come the Co-Eds. (What
else would it be?)
Mike Januszewski joined
the room
Laura Leff·5:48 PM
Steve - Well, I think 1946
was the top grossing year for films IIRC
Hi Mike!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:48
PM
I agree that Charley's Aunt
is not Benny's best.... he was being USED by Warners and Fox, putting him in
adaptations of recent Broadway successes. Jose Ferrer got his first big New York
start with Charley's Aunt, they should have used Ferrer!
Laura Leff·5:49 PM
I'd sooner buy that Jose
Ferrer is from Brazil where the NUTS come from...
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:49
PM
Same with GW Slept Here
Laura Leff·5:49 PM
So what do folks consider
Jack's #2 movie?
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:49
PM
hahaha! Laura! AND he was
still in his 20s
Laura Leff·5:50 PM
(Side note: I
can hear Vera in the room below me playing the euphonium. It may
not be midnight, but the horn is blowing.)
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:50
PM
For me, Buck Benny
Graeme Cree·5:50 PM
I liked that one, but was
also a little underwhelmed. It just seems that there are so many
movies about people going to run down houses in the country and fixing them
up. At this point, Green Acres is the definitive telling of that
story.
Steve Archer·5:50 PM
You know, there's a bunch
of them I still haven't seen
Graeme Cree·5:50 PM
Buck Benny Rides Again is
probably #2.
Linda Cree·5:50 PM
Yes
Laura Leff·5:50 PM
I tend to go with that too,
although I really love "Man About Town."
And it has two fabulous
Rochester dance numbers in it.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:51
PM
Buck Benny, for the joy of
seeing them so consciously make a radio show into a movie
Graeme Cree·5:51 PM
Love Thy Neighbor is a bit
rough in places, but basically good.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:51
PM
Laura, Man About Town is
forgotten GEM!!! Eddie Anderson's role was a huge BREAKOUT
Laura Leff·5:51 PM
I can't stand the ending of
Love Thy Neighbor...
Graeme Cree·5:51 PM
I don't like the ending of
either movie.
Laura Leff·5:52 PM
Kathy - Amen and
amen. I really wish it got more exposure.
R. Hookie·5:52 PM
Meanest Man Alive... any
thoughts?
Graeme Cree·5:52 PM
Having Jack be single is
one thing, but having him marry a leading lady who isn't his wife is a bit
creepy.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:52
PM
I like Broadway Melody, but
only for the dancing, haha
Laura Leff·5:52 PM
Hookie - *snicker*
Who's seen "This Way
Please"?
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:52
PM
the blackface scene in
Meanest is just scary...
R. Hookie·5:53 PM
I'll have to rewatch it
Graeme Cree·5:53 PM
It's just Hollywood,
thinking that a love story is obligatory, even if it makes no
sense. Since when do Jack and Fred need a girl to fight over?
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:53
PM
I should root for Jack in
the MGM film of 1929 is it Broadway Revue of 1929 or whatever its called, his
first is good!
Laura Leff·5:53 PM
Oh my...it's been so long
since I saw it I don't remember that.
Hollywood Revue of 1929
I think Chasing Rainbows
was earlier...
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:54
PM
YES, Jack hiding a tiny
Bessie Love in his pocket is fun
Graeme Cree·5:54 PM
So, what's the deal with
the Big Broadcast movies? I know there are four, and Bing is in the
first two only. Jack is only in #3. But how much continuity do they
have with each other?
Laura Leff·5:54 PM
Great question, and I can't
answer it!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:55
PM
Graeme, it was all about
Paramount making $$$, they didn't care a bit for plot, its more like a reality
TV show or revue of today....
Mike Januszewski ·5:55 PM
Hello! The Big
Broadcast movies only, in my pinion, appeared to be showcases of celebrities,
with no real continuum among them.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:55
PM
but they are better than a
Charlie McCarthy and Edgar Bergen movie I saw from Universal, where they did
long-shots of some child playing Charlie in a top hat! awful!
R. Hookie·5:55 PM
Seems about right
Laura Leff·5:55 PM
They're pretty fun,
though. As long as you don't need a story.
Kathy - Makes me think of
the Benny TV shows where Charlie and Mortimer are walking around.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:56
PM
yes, I think those films
were for the great American radio audience, to SEE their favorites! As you might
imagine, these films TANKED at the foreign box office
Steve Archer·5:56 PM
Those are terrifically
creepy Laura.
Jack Benny vs. Chucky
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:57
PM
add some chimps and you
have a horror movie deluxe
Laura Leff·5:57 PM
I can top them for creepy
on the Benny TV series though...
and I bet someone can guess
which show is coming to mind for me!
R. Hookie·5:57 PM
The Benny-bot?
Laura Leff·5:57 PM
Hookie - Well, kind of that
too. Which one?
Graeme Cree·5:58 PM
On radio, Jack gunning down
all four Sportsmen was pretty creepy.
R. Hookie·5:58 PM
w/ Johnny
Laura Leff·5:58 PM
Hookie - Yep, that's the
one!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:58
PM
what, is this the one when
they keep falling on the ground, crying?
Laura Leff·5:58 PM
Just watching them leave
Jack's head on the table and it starts talking...yow.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·5:59
PM
gosh I have never seen this
one.... must find!
Laura Leff·5:59 PM
Kathy - It's the later one
with Johnny Carson as guest.
R. Hookie·5:59 PM
And Johnny was creeped out
too
Linda Cree·5:59 PM
I think the radio show
where Jack is a turkey is creepy.
Laura Leff·5:59 PM
Which of us wouldn't have
been?
Linda - A lot of people
agree with you!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:00
PM
gobble gobble!
Graeme Cree·6:00 PM
I don't think that's the
worst they ever did, but it's pretty poor.
Steve Archer·6:00 PM
It would also be fun to see
if that "sleeping Jack" dummy from where he constantly falls asleep in
the clothing store with Frank Nelson is still around. Throw that on
your porch for next Halloween
Graeme Cree·6:00 PM
Milt thought it was their
worst.
Laura Leff·6:01 PM
I actually get that
question with some regularity..."where's the Benny-bot?"
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:01
PM
Steve! if I think I
remember the one you are talking about, where Jack falls asleep in the men's
clothing store and they keep setting him up as a dummy, GREAT Halloween episode
Graeme Cree·6:01 PM
The worst episodes were the
ones with a lot of running down and shouting that wasn't as funny as it was
supposed to be.
Sometimes it
works. Like when Iris is screaming at the Sportsmen as they sing in
the drugstore, that worked fine.
Laura Leff·6:01 PM
I know my vote for the
worst radio show...
Graeme Cree·6:02 PM
But things like the
Drive-in movie episode in the last year, when it's all moving the car around and
parking right, and complaining that it's going wrong. There's
hardly a laugh in that.
Laura Leff·6:02 PM
the "lazy lazy"
Brazil sketch.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:02
PM
this came up on the IJBFC
website, you think its one from 1943
Laura Leff·6:02 PM
Kathy -
Yeah. I know I've said it before.
Graeme Cree·6:02 PM
That's not
good. And I found the Red Riding Hood episode really bad too.
And of course, all the New
Years Fantasies.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:03
PM
but I get to amend my
comment from 2005 when I knew NOTHING and said I did not much appreciate the
pre-1938 shows : )
Laura Leff·6:03 PM
Graeme - They just didn't
have a lot of time to focus on the radio series in the last
year. Hal and Al were doing most of the writing for it because the
other four were focused on TV.
Tony Morgan·6:03 PM
I like the New Years
Fantasies.
Graeme Cree·6:03 PM
I just listened to part of
Brazil the other day. I'm making mp3's of all the Sportsmen songs,
and they had a number in the Brazil episode.
Laura Leff·6:03 PM
Kathy - You have seen the
light!
Tony - I do
too. Being a history buff, it's like a little time capsule.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:03
PM
I can't wait to show our
club folks the "I am a fugitive from a lovely chain gang" episode
Steve Archer·6:03 PM
I'm with Graeme on the new
years shows (ducks)
Oh, by the way, sad news
that kid actor Charles Herbert just died. He played the new tenant
on TV.
Laura Leff·6:04 PM
It seems like the majority
of people don't groove on the New Year's Fantasies, and I get that
Steve Archer·6:04 PM
and is also in the episode
where Jack takes one of the beavers to the dentist.
Graeme Cree·6:04 PM
Are they even supposed to
be funny? Or just cute?
Laura Leff·6:04 PM
I think they're supposed to
be poignant.
Graeme Cree·6:04 PM
They're not that either.
Laura Leff·6:05 PM
I think they might be if
you had been living in that time.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:05
PM
the New Years fantasies
fascinate me for what they DO and DO NOT say about the world political situation
of the day
Tony Morgan·6:05 PM
I must say the pre '38 or
pre '39 episodes I've never gotten into. It might be because the
quality (of audio) is generally bad, but I find myself gravitating to the WW II
and postwar episodes generally.
Graeme Cree·6:05 PM
To be poignant, they would
have had to have been pointed in a way the censors probably wouldn't allow.
Laura Leff·6:05 PM
Kathy - Well said.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:05
PM
Hi Tony! My goal of this
next year or two is to change your mind! fun project
Graeme Cree·6:05 PM
You remember Rod Serling
talking about doing a scene in Congress in the 50's, and the whole thing was
people shouting about nonsense because the network wouldn't let him say anything
that meant anything.
Tony Morgan·6:05 PM
There was one New Years
where Jack and Rochester share a drink, if I remember correctly. It
might have been after a fantasy, or they didn't do it that year.
Laura Leff·6:05 PM
Tony - Definitely the
golden age of the show is from about the end of 1945 through 1950.
R. Hookie·6:06 PM
I'm more obsessed with the
vault... I wish there were more TV shows taking us down!
Laura Leff·6:06 PM
Hookie - Those shows where
they did that just weren't received well.
Graeme Cree·6:06 PM
If you supported the
Tariff, you'd be seen as supporting the Republicans. Other issues
would have been seen as supporting Democrats. They didn't want
anything to be said that might be perceived as siding with either party, so the
whole scene was doubletalk.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:06
PM
R Hookie, it would be so
much fun to collect our ideas from our Imaginations of what happened in the
vault episodes!
Laura Leff·6:06 PM
I think it was Dennis Day
who told me he was getting stopped on the street the day after and people said
that they did the vault "all wrong" and it wasn't what they'd been
seeing in their heads all these years.
R. Hookie·6:07 PM
I can see that, but I like
the vault
Graeme Cree·6:07 PM
I think the real Golden Age
started with the day Dennis returned, and ended with the day Phil left.
Tony Morgan·6:07 PM
Laura - I'm open to having
my mind changed! Any pre '38 episodes you suggest?
Graeme Cree·6:07 PM
But there was another
near-Golden Age when both Phil and Kenny were on the show.
Laura Leff·6:07 PM
Tony - Many of
them! What are shows you particularly like?
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:07
PM
Graeme, you are so right!
We don't know all of the censorship that happened with the sponsor, the network
and beforehand, when Jack and the writers assumed all these topics they could
not address...
R. Hookie·6:08 PM
Lucy's vault for Jack was
ridiculous, but I still enjoy it!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:08
PM
R Hookie, Jack was totally
with you, and that was a reason he was fearful of moving to TV, to let all of us
down who imagined the vault in so many ways
Graeme Cree·6:08 PM
The NYF might have been
poignant if they could have said anything, but instead they were reduced to
doing jokes about shooting stars falling into the Big Dipper, and Boy's Life
style jokes like that.
Laura Leff·6:08 PM
Graeme - I tend to think of
that as the silver age of the show, because the shows aren't tuned and honed
like a race car as they were in the late 40s. They're more of an
acquired taste because they're a little looser, but that's why I like them more.
Tony Morgan·6:09 PM
Speaking of when Dennis
returned, was the order that Don introduced the cast changed for any particular
reason? My memory is that Dennis was introduced before Rochester
before Dennis left, and after he returned Rochester was introduced before
Dennis.
Linda Cree·6:09 PM
I loved the Lucy episode
with the vault.
R. Hookie·6:09 PM
Yeah, the cost of living to
the imagination.... $$$$
Steve Archer·6:09 PM
"Hi Irving!"
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:10
PM
so folks, my goal is to
photograph all the unrecorded scripts this January, and get them available as
soon as possible, there are wonderful things from 1932-1937 we need to learn
about
Graeme Cree·6:10 PM
I thought the late 30's
episodes were (in some ways) better than the later stuff, because they were more
imaginative.
Tony Morgan·6:10 PM
Laura -- I'm
open. I'm not particularly fond of the "film adaptations"
and I liked the "arcs" (IRS or Yosemite come to
mind). Now that I think about it, I do like the train
episodes. Any good early train episodes?
Linda Cree·6:10 PM
Great, Kathy!
Graeme Cree·6:11 PM
They came up with wild
scenario after wild scenario, while the later ones tended to rely a bit too much
on stock routines.
They were GOOD stock
routines. I never met a Tout Sketch I didn't like. But
still, there was a bit more variety earlier.
Laura Leff·6:11 PM
Kathy - Hallelujah!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:11
PM
the train episode of
Christmas spent on the train going west, 1938? And Jack and Mary
playing cards on the train, that is 1950
Laura Leff·6:11 PM
Tony - Well, you should
hear Rochester's first appearance.
Linda Cree·6:12 PM
I'm squeamish, so I can't
listen to the part of the episode where Jack's jaw goes out of place.
Laura Leff·6:12 PM
March of 1937...would have
to look up the exact date.
Graeme Cree·6:12 PM
1942-3 was definitely an
off year, with Jack out for a month, and Phil out for 3 months.
Laura Leff·6:12 PM
You might enjoy the
"Buck Benny Rides Again" skits, especially the first one in 1937 when
he answers Fred Allen and starts the feud.
The Yosemite series,
definitely.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:13
PM
I agree, Graeme, and TODAY,
the show would have been cancelled!!!! Thank goodness for sponsors wanting to
back a proven commodity
Graeme Cree·6:13 PM
Hang on, I've been starting
a list of what might be Top 50 episodes of all time.
R. Hookie·6:13 PM
A think someone should go
one The Voice and sing "When You Say I Beg Your Pardon"
Graeme Cree·6:13 PM
I'm not very far along, but
let me see what I've got for those early years.
when I'm done, I'll have
more than 50 and have to cut the list down. So these might not make
the final cut...
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:14
PM
I am so looking forward to
seeing your list!
Graeme Cree·6:14 PM
And I tried to be ruthless
and not include everything I wanted to.
Laura Leff·6:14 PM
I've got my vote for
#1. But it's your list and needs to be your choices!
Graeme Cree·6:14 PM
Well, the Train Porter
episode is one.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:14
PM
Bum gets 25 cents?
Laura Leff·6:14 PM
What, Rochester's first
appearance?
Graeme Cree·6:14 PM
Not just because it's the
first Eddie episode, but because the Albuquerque joke works so well.
Laura Leff·6:14 PM
Kathy - Yep.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:15
PM
Turkey murder trial?
Laura Leff·6:15 PM
Kathy - 50 cents
Tony Morgan·6:15 PM
i have a few on from 1938
-- it looks as if the first Rochester was 3-28-37.
Laura Leff·6:15 PM
Tony - Yes, that sounds
right.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:15
PM
a 50% raise! Jack would be
proud
Graeme Cree·6:15 PM
4-25-37, where Jack manages
to accidentally offend everyone on the show, then goes to visit Andy and offends
him too. If you want to talk poignant, there's one.
Tony Morgan·6:15 PM
Is the 1-10-37 Buck Benny
the one with Fred Allen (I also love the Allen/Benny episodes).
Laura Leff·6:16 PM
Oh if you want poignant,
get the show where Ed comes up from the vault.
Graeme Cree·6:16 PM
Submarine D-1, Part
1. That's one of my favorite plays, just because with Mary and
Rochester on the sub, it comes off like a bunch of kids playing submarine.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:16
PM
or the Rochester knocks
Jack's bridge out, in 1938 I think, a good episode and one of the most notorious
with Southern audiences
Laura Leff·6:16 PM
Tony - Yes, anything from
January to March 1937 up through the "fight of the century"
episode. That was the initial peak of the feud.
Graeme - Interesting...of
course I've heard it, but it didn't make that much of an impression on me.
Graeme Cree·6:16 PM
3-28-37, where Harry Von
Zell subs. Robert Ripley's sketch isn't that great, but everything
else in that episode clicks.
Laura Leff·6:17 PM
Kathy - Yeah, good call.
Linda Cree·6:17 PM
I like Jack's spoofs of
Fred's show and Bob Hope's show.
Graeme Cree·6:17 PM
And hearing Von Zell
stumble over the Jell-O Commercial is fantastic.
Tony Morgan·6:17 PM
I have several, but I
haven't listened to most. I'll give a few a try.
Graeme Cree·6:17 PM
And the next episode where
Georgie Jessel subs for Jack and Jack is listening on the train, burning up at
everything being said about him.
Laura Leff·6:17 PM
How about Snow White and
the Seven Gangsters?
Graeme Cree·6:18 PM
And the one after that, A
Yank at Oxford. I marked that as a Top 50.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:18
PM
one that I don't think is
totally recorded, but the Jack Benny story in 4/19/36 is the most sentimental
and lovely thing he and Mary ever did
Graeme Cree·6:18 PM
I was a bit disappointed at
Snow White. I think I scored it 8 out of 10, which is still very
good.
Laura Leff·6:18 PM
Kathy - That we still
have. Would love to have a recording of the show of them spooning
in a taxi in 1932.
Graeme Cree·6:19 PM
The two Gunga-Din episodes
were great. With Mary reading the poem and building a story around
it.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:19
PM
oh yes!!!! But we have the
script : )
HipChat·6:19 PM
Hi @EricBrolund! Welcome to
Hipchat. You can @-mention me by typing @HipChat and I'll tell you what HipChat
can do!
Eric Brolund joined the
room
Graeme Cree·6:19 PM
And the Alexander Graham
Bell play where they ended up riffing on Cohen on the Telephone.
Eric Brolund·6:19 PM
Hello All
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:19
PM
Hi Eric
Graeme Cree·6:19 PM
"Am I coming
over? Am I coming over??" "Don't come over
this veek, ve've got relatives!"
Laura Leff·6:19 PM
It's
Eric! Welcome in, fella!
Graeme Cree·6:20 PM
The Killer Hogan
episode. The Yosemite story.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:20
PM
haha Graeme you have such a
great memory for good lines
Graeme Cree·6:20 PM
Well, some episodes I've
heard several times.
Linda Cree·6:21 PM
I like the bird on a stick
bit.
Graeme Cree·6:21 PM
The Herbert Marshall
episode is great. That might be the best episode that Jack isn't
in.
Laura Leff·6:21 PM
I actually like the Snow
White episodes. They're very different and I think use various
characters to good effect.
Brrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!! (bird
on a stick)
Graeme - Better that Welles?
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:21
PM
Walt Disney was thrilled to
get the radio exposure, from what I can tell!
Graeme Cree·6:22 PM
I liked Snow
White. Who was better? Prince Andy or Prince Schlep?
Laura Leff·6:22 PM
I was contemplating
that...they're just different.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:22
PM
and Herbert Marshall is a
great actor, GREAT use of Benny melding film and radio
Laura Leff·6:23 PM
There's something about
putting the "classy" British accent on Jack' show, very much like the
Colmans.
Graeme Cree·6:23 PM
The whole joke in that was
the culture shoke of Hubert having to deal with Phil and the others.
And then Jack not getting
it next week!
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:23
PM
exactly right, Graeme, and
that's the key to the Colmans too
worked with Orson Welles as
well
Graeme Cree·6:23 PM
Like when Rochester says
something like "I laughed so much when he looked at Mr. Harris and said
'Weird fellow, ain't he'?" And Jack asks "WHY IS THAT
FUNNY??"
Eric Brolund·6:24 PM
I loved that the Colmans
always called Rochester "Manchester"
Graeme Cree·6:24 PM
It WAS funny, but you had
to be there.
But that's the
joke. If you heard last week, you know it was funny, and think it's
also funny that Jack doesn't get it.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:25
PM
and to remember that all of
this was LIVE, no way to hear it in reruns, it amazes me what radio fans of the
day were able to process and remember
Linda Cree·6:25 PM
I think the episode where
Bob drops in, ad-libs like crazy and then leaves in his spaceship is a great
episode.
"It's funny when you
stick to the script too!"
Graeme Cree·6:29 PM
My only problem with
Yosemite is that it seems like the beginning of the time where she started to
become annoying.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley·6:29
PM
hey folks, I have to sign
off. GREAT chat! Thanks for the insights and jokes and collegiality!
Eric Brolund·6:29 PM
Some of my favorite
episodes are the various Christmas Shopping ones. Mel Blanc always goes crazy as
Jack changes his mind after the gift he bought was wrapped up.
Kathy Fuller-Seeley left
the room (user disconnected)
Graeme Cree·6:29 PM
She was really funny in the
late 30's, but at Yosemite all she did was whine and complain about all they
were going through.
But listen to a show like
New Year's 1955, where Mary is playing hooky, and Bea takes her place.
The one where the Maxwell
gets hooked to the bumper of one of the Rose Bowl floats.
Laura Leff·6:30 PM
Graeme - And that's why I
say it's a tipping point for her character.
Graeme Cree·6:31 PM
Mary would have been
kvetching non-stop, but Bea seems to get into the absurdity of the situation and
starts blowing kisses to the crowd. It was great.
Laura Leff·6:31 PM
She does some man-chasing
during the military days, but a lot of the silliness is left in the 30s.
A line like, "Why
don't you kill yourself?" fits in her mouth more post-Yosemite.
Eric Brolund·6:31 PM
As well as the Chiss Sweeze!
Laura Leff·6:32 PM
(Speaking of which...those
lines always make me wince.)
Graeme Cree·6:32 PM
The best thing abut that
New Years 55 episode is that in the end even Jack gives in to the absurdity and
starts playing it up. They couldn't have done that with Mary
around.
Laura Leff·6:33 PM
So I tried to track which
shows had her lines dubbed on them in those late years and could only find a
very small handful of them.
Graeme Cree·6:33 PM
By 1940, Mary knew what a
trip in the Maxwell was like. Why go along at all if you're just
going to gripe?
Eric Brolund·6:34 PM
Mary's character went from
devoted fan, to silly girl, to smart alec
Laura Leff·6:34 PM
Every other show you can
hear laughs going over her line and an acoustic consistency.
Eric - Exactly.
Graeme Cree·6:35 PM
I never got to hear her as
fangirl. But in the middle she was a little silly and a little
sarcastic. She had the right mix then.
Laura Leff·6:35 PM
I've mentioned this before,
but ads for Jack's theatre appearances in the mid-30s describe her as his
"pest girl."
Eric Brolund·6:35 PM
I've always loved her
letters from Mom, and commentary on her sister Babe
Graeme Cree·6:35 PM
I like the poems.
Laura Leff·6:35 PM
Graeme - Fan girl was
pretty early, like 1932-34.
Hey Eric..."Oh
Waukegan, oh Waukegan..."
Eric Brolund·6:35 PM
I just read that poem again
yesterday!
Graeme Cree·6:36 PM
By the end, it's very rare
that you can tell she likes Jack at all.
Laura Leff·6:36 PM
(Eric played Phil Harris in
our radio show recreation at the Waukegan statue unveiling.)
Graeme Cree·6:36 PM
They turned her into Bud
Abbott, always on Lou's case about something, and putting him down just for the
fun of it.
Eric Brolund·6:36 PM
I rehearsed and rehearsed,
Dad I did it all day!
Graeme Cree·6:36 PM
But she's not
Abbott. It didn't work for her.
Laura Leff·6:36 PM
Graeme - Yeah, and I don't
really enjoy that. At times you just want to slap her.
On the flip side, I'm sure
we've all heard Jack claim her "Oh shut up" as being one of the
longest laughs, which it is.
But I think that's more
about timing and buildup.
Graeme Cree·6:37 PM
Yeah, but it's a copy of an
earlier joke, which was funnier.
Linda Cree·6:38 PM
He got laughs when he
threatened to send her back to the May Co. too.
Laura Leff·6:38 PM
Linda - Very good point!
Graeme Cree·6:39 PM
In the original joke, Jack
and Mary are walking along the sidewalk. They meet the
Beavers. Jack tells them a whole string of tall tales about his
imaginary accomplishments. The Beavers are impressed and believe
everything he says. Mary doesn't say a word. THEN,
after they leave the Beavers behind, Jack finally talks to
her. "You know, Mary..." and she says "Oh, SHUT
up!" It was much funnier than the Kirsten version of the joke.
Laura Leff·6:39 PM
Do any of the other
characters ever get annoying?
Graeme Cree·6:39 PM
Mr. Kitzle is sometimes
annoying.
Eric Brolund·6:39 PM
Don't forget that by the
40s, the culture had changed. Women had worked in the factories during the war
and they were now much more assertive than in the 30s.
Graeme Cree·6:39 PM
The Rube is sometimes
annoying.
Laura Leff·6:39 PM
Graeme -
Agreed. But I don't think it gets as much of a laugh.
Two
words: Steve Bradley.
Graeme Cree·6:40 PM
Mary isn't annoying because
she's assertive. She's annoying because she gripes too much and
it's supposed to be funny, but isn't. She was a strong presence in
the 30's episode, but she had the right balance of quirkiness and sarcasm then.
R. Hookie·6:40 PM
Is that where Jack pulls
his toupee over his face and cuts eyeholes into it?
Tony Morgan·6:40 PM
Is the Rube that
goofy-sounding guy from the late 40s and/or early 50s? I never got
him, and Jack and the audience seemed to think he was so funny.
Graeme Cree·6:40 PM
In fact, in the late 30's,
I'd call her the second most important character.
Eric Brolund·6:40 PM
John L.C. Silvoney
Tony Morgan·6:41 PM
Silvoney -- that's
him. Good Lord, what did anybody see in him?
(I hope nobody here is
offended
Laura Leff·6:41 PM
Tony - Yes, it's Sam Hearn,
who played Schlepperman in the 1930s. But since they already had
Kitzel by that time, they didn't need two Yiddishkeit characters.
Eric Brolund·6:41 PM
Silvoney was the bum who
got 50 cents from Jack
Graeme Cree·6:42 PM
But she slides
down. Rochester eventually becomes the clear #2, and Phil and
Dennis become more important than Mary too.
Laura Leff·6:42 PM
Tony - I confess I like
Silvoney, but it's also because he reminds me of a dear friend who had cerebral
palsy. They had a very similar sound.
Graeme Cree·6:42 PM
Silvoney sounds a LOT like
Jack Warner.
And Warner was using his
real voice!
Linda Cree·6:42 PM
I wasn't doin' anyting.
Phil Wala·6:43 PM
He said, "Hey
you!"
Tony Morgan·6:43 PM
Laura -- okay. I know that
somebody out there must like him.
Laura Leff·6:43 PM
I think the good thing
about Silvoney needs to be seen in the television shows, that it is probably
harder for Jack to not crack up at him than anyone else (including Mel).
Graeme Cree·6:43 PM
Who, Silvoney? I
like him in moderation.
Eric Brolund·6:43 PM
Oh - The Taxi driver
Crowley whose brother was a Corporal in Africa. He got on my nerves.
Graeme Cree·6:43 PM
Considering he only has one
speech, you can't use him too much.
Linda Cree·6:43 PM
The Rube is my least
favorite.
Graeme Cree·6:44 PM
But even Silvoney has more
substance than the IDunno Guy.
Tony Morgan·6:44 PM
On the other hand, I can't
get enough of the Tout.
Linda Cree·6:44 PM
Love the tout.
Laura Leff·6:44 PM
Yeah, I like Schlepperman
better than Kitzel, but the Rube was just a ruse to get Hearn back on the show.
Graeme Cree·6:44 PM
Loved Steve Bradley too.
Laura Leff·6:44 PM
Oh indeed! Say
more about that.
Graeme Cree·6:44 PM
He was like a Speedy Riggs
that you could understand
Laura Leff·6:45 PM
Most people I know have
said they don't like Steve Bradley.
Just too aggressive, in
your face.
Graeme Cree·6:45 PM
Steve was such a smooth
talker, and could put together these huge strings of words without having to
pause or think what he was saying.
Tony Morgan·6:45 PM
I like Bradley's fast-talkin',
angle-findin' ways.
Eric Brolund·6:45 PM
BTW: If we are still
talking favorites, I still think some of the Feud episodes have to rank up there
as well
Linda Cree·6:45 PM
Loved the switchboard
ladies. I wish they were featured more.
Graeme Cree·6:46 PM
Everything sounded like
he'd planned it out in advance. Steve could talk for long periods,
but it wasn't just nonsense blather to fill the time, it was all part of
something he had cooked up.
Actually, Steve is a bit
like Claghorn.
Laura Leff·6:46 PM
Yes, in the true spirit of
a Hollywood agent.
Graeme Cree·6:47 PM
And all the insane
schemes. Benny, next week I'm having you go over Niagara Fals in a
barrel of cement.
"When we arrive in
town, I want you to walk from Dallas to Fort Worth, playing your violin, and
lead a thousand cows into the slaughterhouse!"
And he could say things
like that all in the same tone of voice, without ever cracking a smile.
Laura Leff·6:48 PM
I don't think one can smile
and get all those words out!
Graeme Cree·6:49 PM
Some of the regular actors
could deadpan too.
Laura Leff·6:49 PM
Mel certainly could.
Graeme Cree·6:49 PM
Jack and Don and Mary
cracked up a lot, but I don't think I ever heard Dennis or Rochester break
character and laugh at the wrong time.
Laura Leff·6:49 PM
Would you all consider
Frank Nelson's flat lines to be deadpan?
Graeme Cree·6:49 PM
No, they're oily.
Laura Leff·6:49 PM
Actually, I've seen Dennis
break character once.
Eric Brolund·6:49 PM
Noooooooooo
Graeme Cree·6:49 PM
Smarmy and oily, but in a
good way.
Laura Leff·6:50 PM
And Rochester tried to help
Jack get back on script without breaking character once.
Steve Archer·6:50 PM
Frank has a definite glee
in tormenting Jack that I wouldn't consider deadpan.
Graeme Cree·6:50 PM
Phil usually doesn't laugh
in the middle of a line, but you can hear him laughing during Jack's lines
often.
But not during his own
lines.
Laura Leff·6:50 PM
And Remley
R. Hookie·6:50 PM
one of the lunch counter
episodes?
Graeme Cree·6:51 PM
I don't remember Dennis
losing it, but it could have happened.
Laura Leff·6:51 PM
Graeme - It's on a TV
episode where Jack forgets his place
Graeme Cree·6:51 PM
Oh, then I probably haven't
seen it.
Laura Leff·6:51 PM
I think it's in the May
1959 episode on the lost episodes DVD set.
Graeme Cree·6:52 PM
Bob doesn't mis-laugh
often, but he did once or twice.
Like that joke about using
Sammy's head to keep score on. He almost broke a laugh during that,
but managed to hold it back.
Laura Leff·6:53 PM
Manishevivivitz
Linda Cree·6:54 PM
Jack really loses it in the
jungle sketch with Bob Hope and whacks Hope in the arm.
Eric Brolund·6:55 PM
Laura - I'll raise you:
Cimarron Rolls
Graeme Cree·6:55 PM
Nobody on Jack's show lost
it as badly as they routinely did on Carol Burnet.
Laura Leff·6:55 PM
5/1/60 - Sorry, thought it
was 1959
R. Hookie·6:55 PM
Red Sketon cracks Jack up
good in a special, I mean hour show.
Eric Brolund·6:56 PM
None of the cast could keep
it together when Mel talks about the Cimarron Rolls
Tony Morgan·6:56 PM
So long, folks!
Laura Leff·6:56 PM
How about Jack and Gisele
breaking up when she accidentally spits on him?
Tony Morgan left the room
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Phil Wala·6:56 PM
Yes! Was just
about to mention Jack and Gisele!
Tony Morgan joined the room
R. Hookie·6:57 PM
Ji again Tony
Hi
Linda Cree·6:57 PM
The Jelly episode was a
good laugh.
Graeme Cree·6:57 PM
That was the best laugh
they ever had.
They had other long laughs,
but that was the only time they brought the house down.
Laura Leff·6:57 PM
Oh my yes...with one
possible exception that must have had something visual going on to prolong the
laugh.
Not quite...talk amongst
yourselves and I'll get the date for you of the other one.
Graeme Cree·6:58 PM
If it hadn't been the end
of the show, I don't know if they could have continued.
Laura Leff·6:58 PM
9/16/51
Graeme Cree·6:58 PM
The one with the
suspenders?
Tony Morgan left the room
(user disconnected)
Laura Leff·6:58 PM
Yep
I timed it as 35 seconds,
but I bet the Jelly series would have been longer if they hadn't been at the end
of the show.
Graeme Cree·6:59 PM
That was long, but it was
mainly just tittering. Jell-Y series sounded like everyone in the
studio was falling out of their seats.
Laura Leff·7:00 PM
True...I basically time it
from the start of the laugh to the start of the next line. That's
partially why I think that Jack was breaking up or something that was keeping
the laughter going.
Graeme Cree·7:01 PM
It's just as well they
pretended the Dorothy Kirsten laugh was the longest. At least you
can understand it without being there.
Laura Leff·7:01 PM
So we're at the two-hour
mark, and I don't need to ask for recommendations on the show for
December. I'm happy to keep going, but wanted to check in on how
people are feeling.
Graeme - Or Frank Nelson's
story about the Dreer Pooson laugh.
Graeme Cree·7:01 PM
Live shows are
weird. How long people laugh depends on how warmed up they are from
other jokes. There is absolutely no logical reason that the Bird
Raspberry should have gotten as big a laugh as it did.
If you tried to tell
someone that was one of the biggest laughs, they wouldn't understand it.
Laura Leff·7:02 PM
Yes, unless it was
something visual that the soundman did to make the sound, or it was just so
unexpected.
It comes off sounding like
an early fart joke.
Eric Brolund·7:02 PM
Did the radio show ever
have an audience warm up act before air time?
Graeme Cree·7:02 PM
The Jell-Y series laugh
wouldn't have been as big as it was if it had been a bad show up to that point.
Laura Leff·7:02 PM
Which, I guess one could
consider it.
Graeme Cree·7:02 PM
But it was a really good
show, so the audience was hot.
Laura Leff·7:02 PM
Eric -
Yes. Phil used to warm up the audience for a while.
Eric Brolund·7:03 PM
Until he was doing two
shows I suppose
Linda Cree·7:03 PM
We were wondering who
warmed up the audience.
Laura Leff·7:03 PM
Someone recently E-mailed
me about a big laugh on TV that I hadn't captured. So I explained
that the show had been shot in studio, so the laughs weren't a live
audience. Hard to tell what's a real laugh vs. sweetened sometimes.
Eric - Potentially, but it
was Barbara who told me that.
Graeme Cree·7:04 PM
I assume that in King For a
Day, Jack REALLY lost his pants. There's no way the audience would
have reacted that way if he hadn't.
Eric Brolund·7:04 PM
Seems to me that Phil had
barely 10 minutes to make it over the Benny studio following the PHAF broadcast
Laura Leff·7:04 PM
Phil was also doing the
warmup for his own show, so I think he may have been doing both.
Graeme - There's a photo
somewhere of him with "LS/MFT" embroidered on his shorts
Eric - It was the other way
around. They wrote Phil out of the second half so he could get over
to his show.
Eric Brolund·7:05 PM
Ahh
Laura Leff·7:05 PM
Graeme - I just can't
remember if I have actually seen it, or just heard about it so much that I've
created a solid mental image of what I think the photo is!
Linda Cree·7:06 PM
I posted a photo this week
of Phil and Rochester on the drums pre-show. I was wondering if the
audience was present.
Graeme Cree·7:06 PM
I can see Don doing warmup. He
hosted the Summer Show one year.
Laura Leff·7:06 PM
Linda - Saw that...it looks
to me like it was them playing around during rehearsal or something.
Linda Cree·7:07 PM
Oh, okay!
Laura Leff·7:07 PM
Or it might have even been
a staged publicity photo.
Eric Brolund·7:07 PM
Laura - I'm glad I was able
to make it today for the last half of the chat. It's been a while
Laura Leff·7:07 PM
Me too! Miss
you, Eric!
Anything else, or shall we
call it good for November?
Graeme Cree·7:08 PM
Whose idea was it to put
Phil's show on Sundays?
Linda Cree·7:08 PM
I'm glad Graeme and I
finally made it here.
Laura Leff·7:08 PM
Linda/Graeme - Same
here. Good to have both of you!
Graeme - Probably
NBC's. I'd have to look up what timeslots they occupied.
It makes sense to think
that people would tune from Jack's show to Phil's.
Linda Cree·7:09 PM
Thanks, Laura!
Laura Leff·7:09 PM
Take advantage of some
carryover audience.
OK, sounds like it's a
wrap! Many thanks to all of you for attending! Hope to
see you next month!
Eric Brolund·7:10 PM
Take care all!
R. Hookie·7:10 PM
Good night folks!
Laura Leff·7:10 PM
I'm going to have to push
the chat a little later into December as I'm going to be in Cuba the first
couple Sundays. Vaya con dios!
Linda Cree·7:10 PM
Night all!
Phil Wala·7:10 PM
So long,
folks. We're a little late.
Laura Leff·7:10 PM
Si
Linda Cree·7:10 PM
Hee hee
R. Hookie left the room
(user disconnected)
Graeme Cree·7:10 PM
Good night, Joanie.