special issue of Variety devoted to Benny (what's the date?)

[Kathy FS]

Another one of my researchers (gosh it is great to have grad students around) can help me find the special issue that Variety published on Jack (we have the capability here to put the microfilm through a computer and make pdf files, digital images of all the pages). Does anybody happen to know the date of that issue of Variety? If I can get it, of course I will be willing to share copies with IJBFC members. Thanks for any help you all can give us! you can always respond here or to kfuller@gsu.edu
Kathy

[LLeff]

Another one of my researchers (gosh it is great to have grad students around) can help me find the special issue that Variety published on Jack (we have the capability here to put the microfilm through a computer and make pdf files, digital images of all the pages). Does anybody happen to know the date of that issue of Variety? If I can get it, of course I will be willing to share copies with IJBFC members. Thanks for any help you all can give us! you can always respond here or to kfuller@gsu.edu
Kathy

My first guess would be that it was after Jack's death in December 1974. Are the articles talking about Jack's death, or was it another milestone (e.g., 10th anniversary in radio, etc.)?

[Kathy FS]

I think its actually sometime in the Spring of 1941, around the time that NBC threw the huge dinner for Jack to celebrate what they called the 10th anniversary of Jack's radio career. And they "gave" him the Sunday at 7 pm time slot in perpetuity? This thing I am hunting for is supposedly an entire issue of Variety, filled with tribute ads and statements from film and radio executives and other stars. Doesn't 1941 seem a little bit jumping the gun? (since Jack started broadcasting in like the spring of 1932?) But since he was #1 in the ratings, I guess they wanted to make him very happy and appreciative. Guess NBC should have done it again in 1949, rather than sending in that nasty old lawyer to try to convince him to stay with the peacock network! I'll give an update when I locate it.....

[LLeff]

Doesn't 1941 seem a little bit jumping the gun? (since Jack started broadcasting in like the spring of 1932?)

Sure was. I think I discussed this either here or in the intro to 39 Forever, but it seems that somewhere around 1939 or 40 (I'd have to look it up in 39F to be certain) someone got the math wrong. Earlier May shows would note Jack's anniversary on radio and quote the right year (e.g., May 1936 = 4 years on radio). But then someone seems to have gotten amnesia or lazy, and they suddenly start adding a year. Don't know why. So thus Jack got his 10th anniversary on radio in May 1941 rather than May 1942. I guess it's in keeping with the whole 39-lying-about-the-age routine.

[Kathy FS]

Well folks, I did find that issue of Variety this afternoon, there is a 20+ page "tribute" to JB in the April 30, 1941 issue of Variety. Heck, there is a 20 page tribute to Kate Smith in the next issue, I guess Variety and NBC were big on the publicity and spending of advertising budgets at the end of their popular artists' "seasons." I made an attempt to scan and email the pages to myself, and techno-imbicile that I am, I ended up with the right half of one page glued to the left half of the next, both parts missing the bottom third of the page. So my grad students will scan the microfilm pages correctly this next week. Then this great little collection will also be available to send via email to anyone who would like to see it. I saw great "thank you" ads from Mary, Phil, the Quiz Kids and Dennis, and a big photo of Rochester; greetings from Ida and Eddie Cantor and Bob Hope, NBC and several radio stations; and a very funny full page ad from Fred Allen that looks like a restaurant placemat from a local dive, featuring little "fake" ads all around the border from Broadway pawn shops and the like. Some historical articles, and a list of prominent guest appearances JB had made on other shows (up through early 41). I look forward to getting it in good enough shape to share! Kathy