Mr. Kitzel's first name

[helloagain]

I read an old posting saying that no one had ever heard a reference to Mr. Kitzel's first name. I seem to recall a show where the Benny cast members were playing themselves as children, and he was introduced as 'Sammy' Kitzel. I know I listened to it recently but I didn't make a note of it. When I find the show I will post the broadcast date.

[helloagain]

Does anyone else remember that program? Also, did Artie Auerbach ever appear out of character on any show? I would like to know how he really talked, without the Kitzel accent.

[JohnM]

"Sammy" Kitzel does sound familiar, but I have no idea where or if I actually heard it.

IMDB says Auerbach appeared on the Ed Sullivan such as "himself" twice in 1952 - maybe you could track that down, if the shows still exist.

[Moose Hatrack]

Scanning 39 Forever I noticed an episode where Artie A. played a character checking into a hotel, and he did so using his own voice. Maybe it was a Palm Springs episode? This transpired more than eleven seconds ago, so ago so I can't remember any details. Checking Artie A. appearances in 39 Forever might get it.

[helloagain]

Thank you for your input. I'll check it out.

[TheSportsmenQuartet]

Wasn't he called "Sammy" in the "Margie" skit in January 1947?

[Moose Hatrack]

39F says that Artie used his own voice in the 1-27-46 program. That was the show where Fred Allen named the winner of the Why I Can't Stand Jack Benny contest. Artie's credited with the $10K dream voice and the voice of Caesar. And LL notes that Artie sounds like Mel Blanc when Mel used his own voice.
(I still think there's an episode where Artie checks into a hotel ahead of Jack. I'll keep looking)
Ah 39 Forever- so rectangular, so paginated, so fully detailed. You bet yessir!

Leaping Goose.

[helloagain]

Thank you Sportsmen! The 'Margie' sketch is the one I was trying to recall. So, I guess that makes it official. Mr. Kitzel's first name was Sammy. I don't think it was ever mentioned again, though. I also listened to the 1/27/46 program. If that's Artie Auerbach, he sounds exactly like Mel Blanc! My initial reaction was that Mel was doing both voices, but they overlap. Since this show would have been done live, there's no way they could have over-dubbed it. Caesar does sound like Kitzel when he is laughing, though. It's amazing how his voice is so close to Mel Blanc's. Thanks, everybody.

[LLeff]

Has anyone checked the Mr. Kitzel program pilot? (Yes, I know it's hard to listen to...I don't think I've gotten all the way through it myself.)

[Maxwell]

Has anyone checked the Mr. Kitzel program pilot? (Yes, I know it's hard to listen to...I don't think I've gotten all the way through it myself.)

I managed to get through it, but I don't remember if they gave his first name in it...and I don't have the stomach to listen to it again.

[helloagain]

I haven't been able to get through the entire show, either, as much as I love Mr. Kitzel. He's like a shot of Tabasco...very good in small quantities, but I guess his character wasn't strong enough to sustain a half hour show. Hoo-hoo-hoooo!

[Moose Hatrack]

According to 39F, Artie A. plays Mr. Farnsworth at the beginning of the program on October 5, 1947. By 0:42 he's out.

[helloagain]

I just listened to that, and by golly, I think that's him. He was so closely associated with the Kitzel voice that I guess I assumed that his natural voice was similar, but it wasn't. When he and Mel Blanc talk in their normal voices, I can't tell them apart.

[Nitrate]

No, i cannot remember that program. But i am curious about Mr. Kitzel's first name. I did not heard about his first name. Is he used funny first names or serious or general first names? I don't know. Any one know about his first name? If know, please share the name here.

[helloagain]

As I stated, in the 'Margie' sketch from January, 1947, the castmembers were playing children, and he was referred to as 'Sammy' Kitzel. I don't recall a reference to his first name in any other show. Initially, of course, he was just called the hot dog man, then Jack started calling him Mr. Kitzel.