The Tout

[LLeff]

While we're talking about supporting characters, I've just got to say that I've heard the race track tout played by both Benny Rubin and Sheldon Leonard, and although the part is exactly the same, it just doesn't really *sparkle* until Leonard takes it over. Once he's got it, he has the absolute perfect "gangster" voice to deliver the lines. Rubin is a great character actor, but I don't know, he just sounds like he's too forced in the role compared to Leonard.

Whenever I see the original Star Trek episode "A Piece of the Action", I always want so much to see Sheldon Leonard come out and tout Captain Kirk to do something or other. I know it will never happen, but some fantasy casting/scriptwriting there.

[shimp scrampi]

Sheldon Leonard is so funny, multitalented and so underrated - he's screamingly funny in a Burns and Allen TV role as a gangster Gracie is supposed to testify against in court:

"Talking to that dame is like trying to open a door...and having the knob come off in your hand."

I'm always impressed that Jack would shell out for top-notch actors in what essentially are bit/one-gag parts. It's probably one of the reasons why the show holds up so well, the right actor can bring life to the smallest part, and it really lifts up the show overall.

[Gerry O.]

Sheldon Leonard is so funny, multitalented and so underrated - he's screamingly funny in a Burns and Allen TV role as a gangster Gracie is supposed to testify against in court:

"Talking to that dame is like trying to open a door...and having the knob come off in your hand."

Leonard played a similar gangster character ("Silky Thompson") in another Burns & Allen TV episode, and he was hilarious in that one too...especially when he was dealing with Gracie:

"How do ya like THAT? I come here to blow the dame's brains out and find out that somebody's beat me to it!"

[Shemp]

Sheldon Leonard played the tout on an episode of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW... sorta....

The 2nd season DVDs include the episodes' Sanka/Post cast commercials. The commercial for "The Bookie Barber" has the tout outside Floyd's barbershop, promoting Sanka to Sheriff Taylor. (Sheldon was TAGS' executive producer.)

[TimL2005]

Sheldon Leonard played the tout on an episode of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW... sorta....

The 2nd season DVDs include the episodes' Sanka/Post cast commercials. The commercial for "The Bookie Barber" has the tout outside Floyd's barbershop, promoting Sanka to Sheriff Taylor. (Sheldon was TAGS' executive producer.)

Straying off-topic a bit. I have the Petticoat Junction Ultimate Collection (21 of the first 22 B&W episodes)and the Beverly Hillbillies Ultimate Collection (26 first season episodes) Put out by the Estate of producer Paul Henning..(Both Excellent, BTW)..Among extras in both sets are cast in character commercials..PJ for Ivory soap, Dish Liquid, etc.and BH for Kelloggs Corn Flakes and Winston Cigarettes. I had not realized the extent of In character commercials..They were made episode-specific..There are probably close to 30 commercials featuring Granny, Jed and the gang in the Hillbillies set alone. Laura: If any Official Benny DVD's come out in the near future, it would be beneficial to look at these sets..very well done..great commentary and extras..

BTW also: The Original Petticoat Junction Christmas Episode is in a separate set with 2 Hillbillies'Christmas Episodes and "Love That Bob" (Bob Cummings) As an extra..All distributed by MPI Video..

[shimp scrampi]

Oh, this brings up a little sore spot - we've talked in numerous posts here about the third Paul Henning series - Green Acres - and how it has a lot of surreal/comedy/character aspects in common with Jack Benny and Burns & Allen. One thing we haven't discussed is the common sponsor - yes, folks, Oliver and Lisa Douglas did in-character commercials for JELL-O! What I wouldn't give to see those...

However, they're nowhere to be seen on MGM's otherwise adequate, no-frills DVDs (so far).

Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction have their rights split - Henning's estate owning the black and whites and others owning the color episodes, so like Jack Benny, the DVD situation is a little screwy.

As for excellent DVD presentations, my hope for a Benny production would go to Shout! Factory - they did amazing jobs on "Here's Lucy" and "You Bet Your Life" sets - great quality, packed with extras/commentaries/etc and very affordable.

OK, sorry there's nothing at all about Sheldon Leonard in this post!

[LLeff]

Laura: If any Official Benny DVD's come out in the near future, it would be beneficial to look at these sets..very well done..great commentary and extras...

Funny you should mention that, as I was just discussing with a company today about the decision of what to be included as commentary and extras. Do you know what company put out the sets you mention?

[Shemp]

Do you know what company put out the sets you mention?

THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES and PETTICOAT JUNCTION Ultimate Collection DVD sets are from MPI Home Video. Jim Pierson co-produced the sets with Linda Kaye Henning, and some assistance from Steve Cox. All the material was from the Henning estate's 16mm prints, provided to Paul Henning by CBS when they originally aired.

A 2nd MPI volume of HILLBILLIES, 26 episodes with cast commercials, is due out next month. A 2nd PETTICOAT is tentatively set for sometime this summer.

THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW season sets are from Paramount Home Video.