Butterfly McQueen as Mary's maid in 1944?

[Kathy FS]

Hi everyone, I am a new member, and here is a question for you experts. I was listening to some JB shows from either 1944 or 1945, and Mary had a new maid (African-American) named "Butterfly." OK, this has to be Butterfly McQueen, doesn't it? She does the forgetful, addlepated business that her "Gone with the Wind" character did. In a couple shows she claims Rochester is her uncle. And she has a boyfriend (or fiancee) named Jerome, who I think is in the service.

Butterfly seems to disappear after a number of shows, and eventually another new maid (Anglo-American) shows up. Can anyone confirm Butterfly's appearances on the show, and does anyone know why her stay was short? Thanks very much, I look forward to learning a lot from you all! Kathy Fuller-Seeley

[shimp scrampi]

Yep, it's Butterly McQueen. As for why she was replaced by the character "Pauline", (played by a couple of different actresses) I'm not sure. The character was likely just not very popular and McQueen, being fairly well-known, might have been a greater expense for the show than the character merited. After all, Butterfly/Pauline seems to be a "Rochester" figure for Mary - who is already essentially a second-banana supporting player for Jack. So to me, having Mary get a stooge seemed really superfluous, considering how little we ever heard of Mary's character's home life. Heck, no one even really knows what her "job" was working for Jack!

Butterfly and Eddie Anderson also worked together elsewhere - I have an episode of "Jubilee" where Butterfly flirts with Rochester and her advances are rather unwelcome!

[Kathy FS]

Wow, thanks for a speedy reply! I found the earlier thread on Pauline the maid after I posted, which helped, too. Your explanation makes very good sense; the "Butterfly" character is none too funny anyway, with the bulk of her jokes centering on her own lack of intelligence. But I think she is the only other continuing "black" character I have found on the radio show so far. thanks!

[shimp scrampi]

Rochester's friend "Roy", who was played by actor Roy Glenn also turns up from time to time both on radio and TV as a recurring character. Glenn had a great voice, and in a weird Jack Benny trivia conflagration, was the original voice of Tony the Tiger, before Sportsmen Quarteter Thurl Ravenscroft (at least according to IMDB!).

[mrdj]

I enjoy listening to shows with Roy as opposed to Pauline or Butterfly. His character, although not on long or often, was more real to me. The writers were able to get more humor out of his character, for example jokes about Jack's wig, or laundry busines, ect. I was surprised to hear Don introduce him as ''Rochester's 'boy' friend Roy'' in one of his appearances. One of my favorite Roy jokes...Jack gives him some money for helping clean up after a party...Roy thanks Jack saying it's hard supporting two people on only getting unemployment...Jack says he didn't know Roy was married...Roy says he isn't married, but has to support Rochester. What a great deep but gentle voice.