NBC Tenth Anniversary tribute

[kovacsian]

I listened to this NBC tribute dinner recording last night (using an iphone OTR app). It was titled "Jacks 10th anniversary on radio" and I thought it'd be a regular episode of the show. As many of you know, it wasn't that at all but instead the audio of a great "roast"-style testimonial dinner put on by NBC, and never meant for broadcast. I absolutely loved it!

As I've said before I'm into the history and inside stories of Hollywood and the entertainment business, and while I couldn't get all the references, the context and the delivery made things guessable-plus, some names I'd heard or read before. But what a pleasure to hear Edgar Bergen really cutting loose a bit, hilarious routine about the "Crossley"(then Nielsens I take it) ratings of their show vs. Jack's, gibes about NBC from Vallee and others, the George Jessel stuff, acting as a kind of tummler, and perhaps best of all Burns and Allen with some really inside family gags. With its (very mild) swearing and in-jokes I figure it was recorded just so NBC could give it to Jack as a gift.

I looked it up here and saw that 41-05-09 is listed as 90 minutes; the version I heard stopped just after Jessel speaks and runs 58 minutes. Where can I hear a copy of the complete 90 minute dinner?

Also, couple of random things about this dinner: there's a filmed-especially-for-newsreel version of a few of the guests congratulating Jack on Youtube. Also, during the earliest jokes by Vallee and Bergen Mary's distinctive laugh can be clearly heard-one can see in the mind's eye the head table with Jack & Mary there. Also during Charlie McCarthy's business I can hear the laugh of what I'd swear is a very young girl, so I wonder if Joan Benny was present?

This is just priceless stuff, to be able to be "there" during an industry-only function for Jack. Hope the longer one is available.

[kovacsian]

I'll reply to my own post to rephrase and ask (because I really am terribly curious!): has anyone listened to the entire, 90 minute NBC dinner? I would have to believe that at least Ms. Leff has if no one else. Just would love to hear from you hardcore, better-versed Benny fans.