Jack Benny Cameo in Casablanca?

[River Phoenix]

About a year ago in the old forums there was a post about the (alleged) Jack Benny Cameo in Casablanca.
(http://www.jackbenny.org/wwwboard/messages/2056.html)

Does anyone have further information on this? Here's a clip of the particular section of Casablanca that people were discussing. It doesn't to be Jack, to me. But does he turn up somewhere else? It's an interesting question.

Possible Cameo (1.8 MB)

[LLeff]

Does anyone have further information on this? Here's a clip of the particular section of Casablanca that people were discussing. It doesn't to be Jack, to me. But does he turn up somewhere else? It's an interesting question.

I can't view your clip, but here's a link to my detailed description of where he is: http://www.jackbenny.org/wwwboard/messages/2100.html.

BTW...I sat one over from River Phoenix at the Television Academy Hall of Fame induction of Jack Benny. Do you remember me?

[LLeff]

Just looked at the clip in IE instead of Netscape. You've got it.

[River Phoenix]

You were probably having trouble at first because its a DivX. I'm sorry to say that I don't remember you because I lost my memory when I died. It's cool that you were there, though.

[Jack Benny]

Laura,

Is there some sort of record that points to Jack being in this film? I have seen a lot of footage of Jack over the years, and this just doesn't look right to me. His face looks a little wrong, and the acting and movements are slightly off. I don't think that is him, unless he or Mary said that he was in it. I could see how the rumor could start with this close likeness though.

[LLeff]

Is there some sort of record that points to Jack being in this film? I have seen a lot of footage of Jack over the years, and this just doesn't look right to me. His face looks a little wrong, and the acting and movements are slightly off. I don't think that is him, unless he or Mary said that he was in it. I could see how the rumor could start with this close likeness though.

Yes, the press book for Casablanca. I don't have a copy of the exact promotional clipping, but it mentions that Jack was on the set that day and decided to be in one of the shots. I and several other members have searched the entire movie, and I haven't had anyone come up with a more compelling answer than that being the shot. Remember also, this was the early 40s and Jack didn't move quite like he did in later years on his television show.

[Roman]

This was also right around the time that Humphrey Bogart first appeared as a guest on the Benny Show. Makes sense that Jack might have returned the favor with a cameo in Casablanca. Given the strongly patriotic theme of Casablanca and Jack's own ardent support of the war effort, I wouldn't be surprised at all that Jack might have accepted Bogart's invitation to sit in on a scene of the movie. And, of course, Jack would never have thought of doing comedy shtick which would have distracted from the seriousness of the movie.

[helloagain]

I just took a look at this scene from Casablanca. By golly, it could be Jack. This fellow at the table resembles how Mr. Benny looked in George Washington Slept Here, but he's out of focus so I can't be sure. If it is him, they probably did that on purpose. If audiences positively recognized Jack Benny in the crowd, I think it would have been too big a distraction from the film. After 4 years, no one has confirmed it, so I guess it will remain a subject for debate.

[ethanmuse]

I just rented the DVD and looked at the scene. I agree that when the man is out of focus it looks a lot like Jack, but when he is in focus it clearly is not him. The resemblance is uncanny, though.

[Clyde]

Here's a rather interesting contest that was held right here in St. Petersburg!!!

http://pics.livejournal.com/scottedelman/pic/000dtxx8/

[helloagain]

This certainly looks like an original ad. Was it officially publicized at the time or were the theater owners merely speculating as we are doing now? Did Jack ever mention it on his radio show? I don't recall hearing it. This may always remain a mystery.

[Kevin Segura]

I always assumed they were referring to the person that you can see right over Sam's head in this promo photo:

http://www.indyweekblogs.com/sports/wp- ... blanca.jpg

That person is in makeup, but I think that looks more like Jack than any other candidates that I've seen...

-Kevin

[Clyde]

http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2010 ... tml#018331

All of this talk has gotten me in the mood to dig out his radio version of "Casablanca"; the lovely and talented Minerva Pious was just a gem in it!

[helloagain]

Sounds charming. Did she play the Ingrid Bergman part?

[helloagain]

I always assumed they were referring to the person that you can see right over Sam's head in this promo photo:

http://www.indyweekblogs.com/sports/wp- ... blanca.jpg

That person is in makeup, but I think that looks more like Jack than any other candidates that I've seen...

-Kevin

The guy wearing the fez doesn't look like Jack to me. Looks more like Benny Rubin or Rolfe Sedan.