Did any Benny programs originate from KFI studios??

[radiohistory]

Hello!

I forgot if I ever asked this question before, but I would like to find out if any of the Jack Benny radio programs while he was with the NBC network, originate from the KFI studios at 141 North Vermont Avenue, instead of the NBC studios? I read recently in a local downtown Los Angeles newspaper, in a story about KFI owner Earle C. Anthony, that some Jack Benny progams in the 1940s were done from KFI. If so, how many Benny shows were broadcast from the KFI studios and what were the circumstances, or why did they broadcast there, instead of using the NBC studios at Sunset and Vine?

Any information you have on this would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

Jim Hilliker

[Mike]

Intersting question. As a kid I used to deliver newspapers ("Hollywood Citizen News") to the Vermont studio on a bicycle. Try this yahoo group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KFI_AM_640_LISTENERS
Mike in L.A.

[_bill]

I'm sure I don't understand them all, but you can actually SEE some contracts NBC had with KFI at the tobaccodocuments.org site. You may want to do a generic search for kfi (291 hits) or narrow it to kfi and contracts or agreements or something else, or these links to get you started...
Agreement Between the American Tobacco Company and National Broadcasting Company, Inc
Link: http://tobaccodocuments.org/atc/71009195.html
11-apr 1944

and this Date: 07 May 1945 terminating a contract/agreement http://tobaccodocuments.org/atc/60198702.html

[StudioB]

When Jack was in Los Angeles and was not travelling, his programmes prior to 1938 came from the NBC Melrose studios, Studio B. After the "new" NBC complex was constructed at Sunset and Vine, he always used Studio B. After his move to CBS in 1949, he also used Studio B at Columbia Square.

It would seem possible that either he or a member of his staff saw value in using a studio designation as "B" for Benny.

No one I spoke to who worked in radio during the 40s and 50s could recall The Jack Benny Show emanating out of the KFI audience studio on Vermont. That studio had a rather small stage and a very small audience capacity.

[Mike]

There was an interesting article in the L.A. Times about 2-3 weeks ago about the last remaining radio stations in Hollywood proper moving to other location/s. The last one was the KNX news radio studio in Columbia Square.

[StudioB]

Yes, KNX left Columbia Square. And within a year, all CBS/KCBS-TV/KCAL-TV operations will leave Columbia Square for Studio City. The grand old complex which was the site of so much radio history will be razed and from what I've been told, a lovely new parking lot will take it's place.

$$$ 1 Heritage 0

[Mike]

On page 120 of the auto club may/june Westways mag there is an early photo and article about the Vermont Ave studio. Mike