Appearance by Jack Benny

Cafe Society
1

Sometime in the late sixties to early seventies, I remember an appearance by Jack Benny on some show. He was on a typical raised stage, alone with a curtain behind him. He was starting to tell a story when suddenly a penquin walked out from the side curtain on stage-left. Benny stopped his monoloque and watched as the penquin slowly walked across the stage to the other side, then back again and off the stage.

It seems this took a few minutes to complete, and once the penquin walked out onto the stage, Benny never spoke a word. He just watched the penquin and looked out at the audience.

It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I was laughing so hard at Bennys expressions and mannerisms that I literally could not breathe. The audience was in hysterics. Sure, the situation was absurd, but it was Bennys facial expressions and posture that made it so funny. The man never had to say a word.

Does anyone remember this event or what show it took place on? The stage was like the one used on the Jackie Gleason Show, but I don’t think that was where it was. Red Skelton, perhaps? Hollywood Palace?

2

I’m a big fan of Jack Benny from his radio days, but I don’t know as much about his TV appearances (they don’t air much nowadays, even on Nick at Nite). However, if no one else here knows, try asking at www.jackbenny.org, and I’m almost positive you’ll find an answer.

Jack Benny’s a great comedian – I urge everyone to check out his stuff.

3

Benny was the master of the slow take, and nobody has ever equaled it. The slow eye roll with a bemused half-smile on his face would send audiences into hysterics. But I can’t help you with the show you saw. I seem to recall it, though.

4

JackBenny.com sounds like a great idea. My dad has some of his shows from the 40s on vinyl and we used to listen to them a lot in the 70s–aside from a few brand names and phrases, it’s amazing how well they’ve held up.

5

Jack Benny’s own show featured a stage where he did a monologue/afterword. If you didn’t see it the first time around, CBS reran a bunch of episodes in the summer of 1977.