Jack Benny Program – Goodbye 1938, Hello 1939

The gang talk about their New Years Eve. Mary reads her New Years poem. Jack and the gang perform “The New Tenant”, about Father Time giving way to Baby New Year, for the first time.

Jack Benny (29:30)

Born: February 14, 1894, in Chicago, Illinois, as Benjamin Kubelsky. Raised in a Jewish family with a father who was a haberdasher and a mother who played piano.

Benny began his career in vaudeville, where he initially played violin but soon found his niche in comedy. He adopted the stage name “Jack Benny” to avoid confusion with a violinist named Jan Kubelik. His act combined music with humor, emphasizing his supposed ineptitude with the violin, which became a comedic staple.

Radio:
The Jack Benny Program: This radio show, which aired from 1932 to 1955, was where Benny’s character truly came to life. His radio persona was that of a vain, penny-pinching, yet lovable character, always 39 years old. His cast included memorable characters like Mary Livingstone (his wife in real life), Rochester (played by Eddie Anderson), and Mel Blanc (providing various sound effects and voices).

Television:
The Jack Benny Program: Transitioning to television in 1950, the show ran until 1965. It continued much of the humor from the radio show, with visual gags added to the mix. Benny’s TV show was known for its high-quality writing and for breaking the fourth wall, directly engaging with the audience.