CBS permanently seals Jack Benny television masters

[mackdaddyg]

Just read this update here at the IJBFC.....ridiculous!!!

I have just sent an e-mail to CBS asking them to reconsider. Granted, I expect nothing to happen, but they might as well have to read what I have to say.

It really stinks that society has gotten so legal-happy that it makes projects like this nearly impossible. These are the times that I support bootleggers, only because they are making sure material is getting distributed somehow, unfortunately at the risk of poor quality and the wrong people making money off of it.

Anyway, please contact CBS as well. Jack did a lot to keep that network going over the years. They owe him big time!!!!!!

[Jhammes]

The Benny Program featured a treasure trove of mid 20th century celebrities, sealing these programs makes as much sense as sealing the Sullivan, Gleason, Burnette shows. At the very least, CBS would be making some serious $$ off of Jack Benny, something that CBS can kindly be reminded (thanks for the contact CBS Link, Laura: sometimes $$ is the only language that is understood).

Of course, what appear to be permanent legal arrangements strangely find ways to "un-arrange" - think NBC Late Night - also $$ related.
Enough contacts to CBS, and we can "un-arrange" something!
(By the way, did I mention the $$ thing?)

[TimL2005]

I also got the email from Laura..Sad situation..Sort of makes me wonder..Would the final NBC season (1964-65) be able to be released, or are those sealed too?

[LLeff]

I also got the email from Laura..Sad situation..Sort of makes me wonder..Would the final NBC season (1964-65) be able to be released, or are those sealed too?

Hi Tim,

No, CBS doesn't have any of those. I know NBC has at least some of them...I'll have to talk with my contacts there at some point and get official confirmation on what they have!

[TimL2005]

I also got the email from Laura..Sad situation..Sort of makes me wonder..Would the final NBC season (1964-65) be able to be released, or are those sealed too?

Hi Tim,

No, CBS doesn't have any of those. I know NBC has at least some of them...I'll have to talk with my contacts there at some point and get official confirmation on what they have!

Thanks Laura:
While it wouldnt be an ideal situation at all, At least you might have one full season to release, if nothing else. It also seems that NBC might be more willing to release something than CBS..

[Yhtapmys]

(thanks for the contact CBS Link, Laura: sometimes $$ is the only language that is understood).

Of course it is. This whole thing is all about $$. I suspect music rights have the CBS lawyers wary.

Does CBS own these? If so, how? I thought Benny's production company was responsible for them. Or was there some kind of deal they belong to the network after X number of showings?

Yhtapmys

[LLeff]

Does CBS own these? If so, how? I thought Benny's production company was responsible for them. Or was there some kind of deal they belong to the network after X number of showings?

The ones I requested were all public domain because their copyright had never been registered, and so they became PD 28 years from broadcast. CBS doesn't actually own any of the Benny shows now, because all the ones they would have owned were never registered or renewed. The ones that have been both registered and renewed are owned by NBC.

And incidentally...not every single episode in the last season (or probably *any* season, if I combed the list) was registered/renewed.

[Jack Benny]

Laura,

Thanks for all the work you have done in this situation, and all of the of the devotion you have shown over the years to Jack Benny and his estate. It's unfortunate that the rights on these shows are such a mess. In a perfect world, I would love NBC and CBS to pool their assets and release Jack Benny season sets starting from the beginning using both copyrighted and Public Domain episodes to complete the sets, but I don't see this ever happening. I wish they could both just see that they owe Jack Benny and his estate some good will. I personally would have no problem paying upwards of $500 per season for sets that are from the best sources possible! Laura how about if, you and Joan Benny made another trip out to visit CBS and told them that you would excise all commercials and music from the shows. Maybe we should have a fund raiser to see how much we could offer CBS to make this happen, I would donate $50 per episode if that would help.

[LLeff]

Laura how about if, you and Joan Benny made another trip out to visit CBS and told them that you would excise all commercials and music from the shows. Maybe we should have a fund raiser to see how much we could offer CBS to make this happen, I would donate $50 per episode if that would help.

I was recently watching several uncirculated episodes with the commercials, and the concept of excising the commercials takes a lot out of some shows. Clearly it's been done with the syndication package years ago, but you can see how it makes some of the editing very jarring. Also as Michael Biel pointed out to me, taking out the music would also take out the opening title cards and closing credits, and many of the internal scene transitions. Recently saw a show with the Stewarts where there are several scenes on the dance floor. You wouldn't want to be deprived of hearing Sara Berner sing "La Vie En Rose" on Jimmy Stewart's shoulder, would you?

The first step is to get people to be open to preservation, and I'm working that with multiple sources right now. Then we need to figure out the costs. When we get to the cost standpoint, chances are that I will be coming back to the membership and asking for help! So stay tuned...

[Sy]

Laura,

I’m very impressed with your efforts to bring public awareness to bear on this issue! Strong support from the membership is essential but what about attempting to interest someone with really deep pockets? People like Bill Cosby, Jay Leno, Ellen DeGeneres or Regis Philbin might well be huge Jack Benny fans who have the resources to cause CBS to reconsider if the right deal were put together where everyone stood to gain. A lot to hope for, I know, but just thought I’d mention it.

[LLeff]

what about attempting to interest someone with really deep pockets? People like Bill Cosby, Jay Leno, Ellen DeGeneres or Regis Philbin might well be huge Jack Benny fans who have the resources to cause CBS to reconsider if the right deal were put together where everyone stood to gain. A lot to hope for, I know, but just thought I’d mention it.

Hi Sy,

It's a good idea, and I know some of our members have connections to some big names in the industry (and a few of them *are* names in the industry). So I was hoping that a few strategic calls might be made to the right people as this the word gets out.

Jay Leno has said that he's a Benny fan, although it looks like he's got somewhat larger fish to fry at the moment. I've also tried in the past to get to a few different people who are Benny fans, and it's always very difficult to get past the publicists and other "layers of protection" around celebrities. So it's also an investment of time in trying to cut through that.

Harry Shearer does come to mind though...hmmm...I'm thinking it over.

[Chasitykins]

It would be wonderful if we could get some well-connected people on our side to support the preservation of these masters.

I know the facebook group is out there, and I have set up google alerts to e-mail me for every new article out there that mentions Jack Benny. The more attention this gets, the better for us, right? ...right?

[TheSportsmenQuartet]

Jack Benny, speak for yourself. I don't want the commercials cut out of any of the shows! They add too much to the entertainment portion of the program and a lot of them feature my favorite singing group

[Jack Benny]

Jack Benny, speak for yourself. I don't want the commercials cut out of any of the shows! They add too much to the entertainment portion of the program and a lot of them feature my favorite singing group

Sportsmen, shouldn't you be singing a song or something? I've rethought things, how about if we told CBS we will clear up any copywrite issues. We do the contacting of folks needed and send CBS copies of all the lettrers and permissions.

[mrdj]

For those on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tell-Les- ... =nf&v=wall