High-Quality Audio Files of Jack Benny

[mackdaddyg]

It is correct that, until the late 40s, radio shows were recorded onto transcription discs. These discs are the only reason that we have the shows nowadays. Transcription discs were still used in various ways after tape came along, but tape was the preferred standard once Crosby started using them.

Syndicated shows (that is, shows that were sold to individual stations to play whenever they wanted) were recorded and mailed out to the stations on a week-by-week basis (I think). Shows like Jack Benny, which were broadcast over an entire network, were at one point performed twice in a day...once for the east coast, and once later for the west coast. I think later on they might have recorded the show once and played the disc for the west coast broadcast, but that's something else I'm not sure about.

Sometimes these shows were recorded for various reasons. A sponsor might have wanted a copy of the show for their archives, or the performers themselves might have had them recorded for their own personal use. Sometimes stations would record the show to test equipment as well, and you also have the folks at home who had those little do-it-yourself machines where you could record sounds onto a phonograph record at home. Some people recorded parts of radio shows like this as well (although the quality usually wasn't very good).

The fact is, the reason any of these older radio shows still exist are because somebody along the way recorded it onto a transcription disc, and somehow it withstood the test of time. This leads back to the question I asked a few posts ago. I wonder what the source material is for the older Jack Benny shows. I read that Fred Allen had transcriptions of a lot of his own shows, and after he passed away, they were donated to a library (where, sadly, they still sit today, making it difficult for anyone to be able to hear them without going to the library itself).

Anyway, that's my two cents worth.

[Jack Benny]

I wonder what the source material is for the older Jack Benny shows. I read that Fred Allen had transcriptions of a lot of his own shows, and after he passed away, they were donated to a library (where, sadly, they still sit today, making it difficult for anyone to be able to hear them without going to the library itself).

I have heard the same thing about Fred Allen, but what Library is it? I also have heard the same thing about Jack's shows, but our own Laura Leff may have seen to the conversion of that library to tape and then to digital, but I'm not sure about that.

BTW - here is a link to some High Quality Jack Shows - http://www.archive.org/details/JackBenny_HQ

[mackdaddyg]

I have heard the same thing about Fred Allen, but what Library is it? I also have heard the same thing about Jack's shows, but our own Laura Leff may have seen to the conversion of that library to tape and then to digital, but I'm not sure about that.

BTW - here is a link to some High Quality Jack Shows - http://www.archive.org/details/JackBenny_HQ

Thanks for the link. I use archive.org a lot for radio shows, but I don't think I've listened to any of these yet. What REALLY drives me batty are the shows that are recorded too fast, where even Rochester sounds like a chipmunk! It's hard to enjoy the show in those situations.

As for the library where Fred Allen's material is stored, the Boston Public Library has a collection of his papers, scripts, and letters. I thought initially that they also had transcription discs of his shows, but in looking through the Fred Allen books I have, I may be wrong about that.

It seems like I asked somewhere about whether or not a transcription existed of the radio show that actually started the famous feud between Allen and Benny (it may have even been at this forum). One reply stated that it did exist but it was part of a library collection, so I probably just assumed it was the Boston library.

Anyway, it would be nice if whomever has these shows would allow them to be widely accessed via archive.org or some similar outlet.

[Jack Benny]

Anyway, it would be nice if whomever has these shows would allow them to be widely accessed via archive.org or some similar outlet.

I agree, there is a great audience for listening to these shows and they should be allowed to access them. After all, libraries shouldn't be just amassing great collections of material, but they should be finding innovative ways to making that material available to as many people as possible.

Does the OTRR group, convert transcription discs to digital. I think someone like them should do this, for free, for any collections that have not been made available.

[mackdaddyg]

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Does the OTRR group, convert transcription discs to digital. I think someone like them should do this, for free, for any collections that have not been made available.

Apparently they have a library that you can download for free. You just have to register at their website. I tried this numerous times yesterday and kept getting an error message, so I gave up. I e-mailed the administrator but haven't heard anything back yet.

They have a lot of series listed, but I couldn't access to see what shows they had. I'm hoping to hear back from this guy soon. It's a drag not being able to listen to these in high quality.

[Greg]

Mackdaddyg (of all the names you could've chosen!), I registered for access and never got a reply. One day, I tried my username and password and... lo and behold... they've worked ever since. So, don't wait for a response, just keep trying to log in.

I've never had a problem logging in. Seems like a steady, reliable server that they're using. And yes, they have the motherlode of material for free download.

Keep trying,
Greg

[mackdaddyg]

Greg,

Thanks for the advice. My problem is I never got to the confirmation page stating that I had submitted my information. Just now, I tried again and got the same error saying the "thank you" page does not exist.

Still haven't heard anything from the administrator. I'll give it a few more days and then try again. I'm really intrigued as to all they have to offer, so it is a bit frustrating, but it'll be worth the trouble, I'm sure.

[Jack Benny]

Greg,

Thanks for the advice. My problem is I never got to the confirmation page stating that I had submitted my information. Just now, I tried again and got the same error saying the "thank you" page does not exist.

Still haven't heard anything from the administrator. I'll give it a few more days and then try again. I'm really intrigued as to all they have to offer, so it is a bit frustrating, but it'll be worth the trouble, I'm sure.

I've been experiencing the same problem!

[mackdaddyg]

Just a follow up....I heard back from the administrator at otrr, and I'm set up and ready to go. Just from glancing at what they have, all I can say is...wow!!!!

[Jack Benny]

Just a follow up....I heard back from the administrator at otrr, and I'm set up and ready to go. Just from glancing at what they have, all I can say is...wow!!!!

Me too, just needed to be patient - not my strong suit! Wow! They do have a lot of stuff, but the main problem is that none of it shows the file size or bit rate, so it is difficult to easily judge the quality of a particular episode.