In Waukegan...

[Yhtapmys]

It's remarkable to think despite Jack being gone all these years, there are still news stories about him.

Here's a link to one: http://www.lakecountyjournals.com/articles/2009/04/29/19574014/index.xml

In case the URL dies, I'll post it below. It even links to the IJBFC!

Waukegan continues to remember Jack Benny
By ARON WATSON - lcjedit@nwnewsgroup.com

[Photo: Ty Rohrer, supervisor of the Waukegan History Museum, adjusts memorabilia in the "Jack Benny: From Waukegan to Hollywood" exhibit at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts in Bowen Park in Waukegan. Rohrer is also curator for the exhibit. (Candace H. Johnson)]

WAUKEGAN – When one discusses Benjamin Kubelsky, a stage and screen icon of the early 1900s, what city name rises like a cartoon balloon?

OK, let’s try that again.

When you talk about Waukegan, which entertainer of that period comes to mind?

Most people know Kubelsky by his stage name, Jack Benny. Benny was born in Chicago and grew up in Waukegan.

The entertainer, who lived from 1894 to 1974, left quite a mark on Waukegan before he passed.

Today, schools, churches, theaters and parks in the city memorialize the comedy king. A nine-foot statue of the humorist also is located in downtown Waukegan. And an arts center is named in his honor.

One only has to visit the Jack Benny Center for the Arts to see the effect that Benny had on the city, said David Motley, director of public relations for Waukegan and a Benny fan.

The site of the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, 39 Jack Benny Drive, was originally home to the Bowen Country Club. In 1962, the country club was sold to its current owner, the Waukegan Park District. The Jack Benny Center was built on the site in 1982.

“The museum focuses primarily on youngsters, but a wide range of interest are touched,” said Ty Rohrer, supervisor of the museum. “There is a wonderful history of Waukegan and Jack Benny available at the museum, along with a number of planned events for which information can be accessed through the Web or by calling.”

Rohrer added that the facility sponsors plays and special activities, including acting and music forums.

"We attempt to give young and upcoming actors and actresses a chance to build their resumes," he said.

A pro-Benny attitude seems to be held by Rohrer and Claudia Freeman, superintendent of the cultural arts center.

Freeman thinks that people continue to remember Benny because of his positive attitude.

“I think that people remember his best lines, but I have memories which speak of his generosity," she said. "Most people never knew because of his stage persona. He was far from a miser. Benny was philanthropist, but he did it in a very quiet way. He visited Waukegan many times after stardom was thrust upon him, but no one even knew he was in town.”

To emphasize the giving spirit that Benny had, Freeman discussed the assistance that the entertainer gave his sidekick Eddie Anderson (Rochester) when Anderson was on hard financial times and at a loss for financing his daughter’s college education.

Benny stepped in and made that college education possible, Rohrer said.

“Benny was doing USO shows long before Bob Hope, but he never got the publicity," she said.

It was that spirit, perhaps, that provided Benny with some of his faithful fans.

The spirit and the “shtick" were evident in a broadcast that aired March 28, 1948.

In the telecast, Benny was on his way home when he was challenged by a mugger who demanded of him, “Your money or your life!”

Benny paused as the mugger repeated his demand.

Benny snapped back, ”I’m thinking it over!”

Want to learn more?

• To learn more about the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, call 847-360-4744 or e-mail cfreeman@waukeganparks.org.

• To learn more about the International Jack Benny Fan Club contact President Laura Leff at president@jackbenny.org

Yhtapmys

[JohnM]

It is definitely remarkable how he continues to be referenced in an offhand way too. I was reading a new book about baseball manager Lou Piniella and he was described by the author as doing a Jack Benny stare during a press conference. I can only imagine how confusing that would be to many readers.

I say that, because this article you posted which cited the classic "money or your life" line reminded me of something. I didn't get to know JB properly until a few years ago. I would have understood the Jack Benny stare reference before that because I remember it from seeing him (and impressions of him) on the Tonight Show when I was a kid, but that's really about all I knew.

I remember when I was in junior high or thereabouts, some kid quoting the famous "money or your life" line, and I didn't really get what was so funny about it. I understood it, but wasn't tickled. It's because of Jack's character-based comedy that it was so funny to his audience, and I didn't really know Jack's character when I heard the joke.

I'm afraid that this ongoing recognition will fade away soon because you need quite a bit of context to "get" Jack, and so references to the stare and the famous line may fail to resonate as much in the future. Of course the increased availability of the shows helps, but as the population of those who remember him first-hand dwindles, so probably will his profile in popular culture and media.