Jack Joins The Acrobats (Biannual post)

[mikekiwi]

I come back here every two years or so in the hope that someone might advise if the above episode is now available on DVD or the inet. It was from season 15 episode 20 and was broadcast on 2/19/65. A dear friend was a cast member, and I would love to present it to her before we both shuffle of this etc etc. Many thanks
Mike in New Zealand

[Jack Benny]

I see your post every couple of years and think about it. I have never seen the episode. In a couple of months a new DVD set is coming out with like 24ish "lost" episodes maybe it will be on there? Good luck.



If you get Laura's book on the Television episodes it will tell you what collection the episode is in, and you may be able to contact the collection owner and ask to see the episode.

http://www.jackbenny.org/store/39_forever_second_edition_vol3.htm

[mikekiwi]

Thank you sincerely for the updated information and for keeping an eye out for me. I will most certainly check the new DVD and will post a note if successful. It is of course Murphy's law that the one episode I wish has not been made public but I live in hope.
Cheers Buck
Mike

[Jack Benny]

Here is the lineup of the new DVDs:

The Jack Benny Program - Shout's Official Press Release with All the Extras for 'The Lost Episodes'
3-DVD set is available from the studio website June 18th, and in stores a month later

3-DVD Box Set Features Genuine Rarities
Unseen for More Than 50 Years

The Jack Benny Program:
The Lost Episodes

Exclusive Edition with Bonus DVD
Available June 18, 2013
only from ShoutFactory.com

Available Nationwide
July 23rd, 2013 from Shout! Factory



From its beginnings as an immensely popular radio program to its heyday as the premiere situation comedy on television, The Jack Benny Program and its eponymous star are counted among the most gifted influences in the history of American comedy. One of the leading entertainers of the 20th century, the trials and tribulations of Jack Benny's "Everyman" character kept millions of fans laughing for over 30 years.

On July 23rd, 2013, Shout! Factory and NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products will release The Jack Benny Program: The Lost Episodes, a three-DVD collection that celebrates the enduring heart, soul and wit of this American icon. Lovingly restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive, this first of its kind set features 18 episodes of the beloved program - unseen since their original broadcast - plus all-new bonus features including excerpts from the Jack Benny color television specials, an new interview with Harry Shearer, director Norman Abbott and Benny's secretary Dorothy Ohman; newsreels featuring rare footage from the 1930s and '40s, a 16-page booklet and much more.

Starting June 18th, 2013, fans and collectors who order their copy directly from ShoutFactory.com will receive a bonus DVD of "Omnibus: The Horn Blows at Midnight." Unseen since its broadcast 60 years ago, "Omnibus: The Horn Blows At Midnight" stars Benny as Athanael the trumpeting angel, a role which he originated in the 1945 feature film The Horn Blows At Midnight. This genuinely rare live production of the celebrated TV series Omnibus was adapted from The Ford Theater's 1949 radio broadcast of The Horn Blows At Midnight. Fans can pre-order their copies at ShoutFactory.com.

In addition to the recurring character lineup of Jack, Don, Mary and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson; The Jack Benny Program: The Lost Episodes also features a superb lineup of guest stars including Natalie Wood, Red Skelton, Gary Cooper, George Burns, John Wayne, Dick Van Dyke, Billy Graham, Milton Berle, Tony Curtis and President Harry Truman.

Jack Benny Program: The Lost Episodes 3-DVD Box Set
DISC 1
10/7/1956; Guests: George Burns, Spike Jones - Jack is extremely nervous about his debut at Carnegie Hall. George Burns appears as the devil and makes a Faustian pact with Jack to make him the greatest concert artist.
10/21/1956; Guests: George Gobel, Red Skelton - Jack and George Gobel vie to be elected President of the Beverly Hills Beavers, a Boy Scout-type organization of neighborhood youths.
11/4/1956 "Jack Invited to the Colmans"; Guests: Ronald and Benita Colman - Jack mistakenly receives an invitation to a dinner at the home of Ronald and Benita Colman. Arriving in his tuxedo, he tries in vain to pretentiously fit in with the upper-crust British crowd.
9/21/1958; Guest: Gary Cooper - Gary Cooper discusses his latest movie, Man of the West, and Jack tries to get himself cast in Coop's next picture. The part is for Cooper's twin brother, and Jack attempts to man up and measure up.
10/4/1959 "Jack Switches Sponsors" - Jack is found sleeping because his show has moved from 7:30 P.M. to 10:00 P.M., and contemplates how his show will be 30 years from now.
10/18/1959; Guest: President Harry S. Truman - Jack recalls visiting the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri. The former President gives Jack a personal tour of the facility, and they share their mutual love of music.
Bonus Feature
Conversation With Actor And Satirist Harry Shearer, Director Norman Abbott And Dorothy Ohman - As a child actor, Harry Shearer built his acting chops as a periodic performer on Jack's radio and television programs, including appearances on Jack's last weekly radio show. Norman Abbott served as Jack's television director for two programs in 1961, then took up the mantle consistently starting on December 31, 1963, through the end of Jack's weekly television series on April 16, 1965. Dorothy Ohman served as Jack's personal secretary and assistant from 1957 through the remainder of his life.

DISC 2
11/29/1959; Guest: Jack Paar - Jack Paar asks if Jack would replace him as a host on The Tonight Show while Paar is on vacation.
3/6/1960; Guests: Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood - Jack tells CBS executives that he wants to "broaden out" and direct a Playhouse 90 TV episode. He rehearses a dramatic scene with Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood, and chaos ensues.
4/17/1960 "The Easter Show" - Jack and his girlfriend, Mildred Meyerhauser, dress up to walk in the Easter Parade on Wilshire Boulevard. They encounter many of the usual gang of eccentrics, including Jack's long-suffering violin teacher, Professor LeBlanc.
5/1/1960 - Jack discusses his trip to the Far East, including "Japan's #1 announcer" doing the middle commercial. The sponsors have a plan for cutting costs on the program, which leaves Jack extremely wired.
10/16/1960; Guests: George Burns, Tony Curtis, Robert Wagner, Mike Wallace - Everyone is talking about Jack's show going weekly, and wondering if he is up to the challenge.
10/30/1960; Guest: Milton Berle - Milton Berle coaches Jack on what it takes to do a weekly comedy show.
Bonus Features
Jack Benny's New Look; December 3, 1969 - Featuring guest star George Burns
Jack Benny's 20th Anniversary Special; February 17, 1969 - Featuring guest stars Dinah Shore and Frank Sinatra
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Jack Benny But Were Afraid to Ask; March 10, 1971 - Featuring guest stars Lucille Ball and John Wayne.
Jack Benny's Second Farewell Special; January 24, 1974 - Featuring guest stars Dinah Shore, Don Rickles and George Burns.

DISC 3
11/20/1960; Guests: Jaye P. Morgan, John Wayne - Jack introduces celebrities in the audience, including John Wayne. When guest singer Jaye P. Morgan appears, Wayne whispers to Jack that he wants a date with her - and gets it.
12/24/1961 "Christmas Show" - CBS is throwing a Christmas party, and Jack and Rochester give gifts to all the cast members. Mel Blanc makes his first TV appearance since his near-fatal auto accident eleven months earlier on January 24, 1961 (his wheelchair elicits no comment).
2/18/1962; Guests: Hugh Downs, Rock Hudson - Jack debates the psychology of sex appeal with Rock Hudson. Jack wants to do a show like Jack Paar's The Tonight Show, and illustrates the concept with the help of Hudson and Hugh Downs.
1/29/1963 "The Murder of Clayton Worthington"; Guest: Dick Van Dyke - Dick Van Dyke says that he has been warned that Jack "works his guests to death." In the skit, Jack plays an inspector investigating a murder who questions everyone in the house - all played by Van Dyke.
9/24/1963 "Reverend Billy Graham"; Guest: Billy Graham - Jack, Don and Dennis imitate Peter, Paul, and Mary in response to the folk-singing craze. Billy Graham asks Jack why comedians insult each other to get laughs, and the gang demonstrates what would happen if they didn't.
12/25/1964; Guest: Gisele MacKenzie - Jack states that he let the members of his cast have the night off, so he goes into the audience to chat with the folks. There he finds Gisele MacKenzie, and they perform their classic violin duet.
Bonus Features
Hearst Newsreel, unedited footage May 1935 - Jack delivers a ridiculous and difficult monologue about Daylight Saving Time.
Hearst Newsreel, unedited footage May 1941 - In rehearsals for Jack's May 9th celebration of his 10th anniversary in radio, Rochester delivers a joke for the dinner.
Hearst News Of The Day, Volume 12, Number 279; June 16, 1941 - Child star Carolyn Lee tells Jack about a program to save defense stamps to redeem for defense bonds.
Hearst Newsreel, unedited footage December 1945 - Jack and a staff of secretaries review a deluge of entries for the "I Can't Stand Jack Benny Because..." contest.

[mikekiwi]

Thanks for the update with the forthcoming DVD of "missing episodes" I regret that "Jack Joins The Acrobats" Season 15 Episode 20 is not included! I live in hope.

Again, many thanks,
Mike