SoundComedians.com

GeorgeJA · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 34

Hi,

First time poster...

I'm a Jack Benny fan, having had the chance to listen to his radio show and watch his TV show from time to time, but I haven't seen very many of his films. Not counting cameo appearances, I have seen two:

To Be Or Not To Be - which I think deserves it's classic status.

The Horn Blows At Midnight - which I enjoyed and do not think deserves its shabby reputation.

So, I was just wondering if anyone could recommend any other Benny films.

Thanks,
George

nifwiggl · Site Admin Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 302

George,

Great to have you aboard.

Looking over the IMDB fo Benny's film, I'm hard pressed to find many films that deserve consideration. I think the only film of note would be "Charley's Aunt", from 1941.

I think Benny's best work was on radio and tv.

gary j · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 16

Nonsense Nifwiggl, there's plenty of Benny to be found.
After playing comedy relief for Eleanor Powell in MGM's "Broadway Melody of 1936" Benny moved to Paramount and for the next 4 years appeared in a series of musical-comedies that are in that studio's vein of goofy, off-the-wall, anything goes sketch shows. Sometimes he would be paired with Burns & Allen and Martha Raye and othertimes Judy Canova and Ben Blue. As the 30's progressed and his radio show got more popular performers like Eddie Rochester and Phil Harris began joining the casts of these films. By the time we get to "Buck Benny Rides Again" (1940) the entire cast is made up of his radio show (except for Mary -- she was camera shy) and his character is now his radio personae. The following film, "Love Thy Neighbor", paired him against Fred Allen and played off their famous radio feud.

If you love his radio show you have to love these films.

Gary J.

BeAStooge · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 88

Salty Dog · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 10

George Washington Slept Here is very funny, with a great supporting cast: Ann Sheridan, Charles Coburn, Percy Kilbride, Hattie McDaniel...

nifwiggl · Site Admin Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 302

gary j · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 16

And I'm saying that these films of the late 30's are merely extensions of his radio show -- except that they run an hour longer and have swing musical interludes. Give them a chance.

Gary J.

GeorgeJA · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 34

I will certainly give them a chance.

And thanks to you all for your recommendations! I look forward to seeing these films.

George

josemas · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 35

It's really a Fred Allen movie (Jack appears in it though) but I've always liked IT'S IN THE BAG (1945) which is based on the same source material as Mel Brook's later film THE TWELVE CHAIRS.
In addition to Fred and Jack there's also quite a number of other familar faces in the cast (some in mere cameos) including Victor Moore, William Bendix, Robert Benchley, Binnie Barnes, Sidney Toler, Don Ameche, Jerry Collonna, Rudy Vallee, John Carradine and more.

Joe Moore

booklover · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 400

funguy · Joined: 31 Aug 2007 Posts: 8

jplibby · Joined: 02 Sep 2008 Posts: 40

I'll second "Charley's Aunt"! Very enjoyable movie, even though it takes quite a few liberties with the play on which it's based. And of course "To Be Or Not To Be" is not only wonderfully funny, it's the film that made you take Jack seriously as an actor.

Joe Libby