Letters written by Jack Benny to his friends

[jbennyfan39]

I'm reading Irving Fein's biography of Jack, and in his book he includes some of the letters that Jack wrote to his friends. I found the letters to be enjoyable and hilarious. Does anyone know if they have been saved anywhere, or if the letters could be preserved somehow? I know it is wishful thinking, but Jack's letters are priceless.

[LLeff]

I'm reading Irving Fein's biography of Jack, and in his book he includes some of the letters that Jack wrote to his friends. I found the letters to be enjoyable and hilarious. Does anyone know if they have been saved anywhere, or if the letters could be preserved somehow? I know it is wishful thinking, but Jack's letters are priceless.

Jack's letters are in a variety of locations, and I'm pleased to say I have copies of many of them. But Jack was a pretty prolific letter-writer, and it would be nearly impossible to have all of them. I was lucky enough to get copies of all the Ripley-related letters that Jack wrote to Fred deCordova (which are most of the ones Irving excerpted), plus organized the "original" Ripley letters to Frank Remley which are now in the Boston Public Library. At the BPL, you can also see a lot of letters from Jack (and associates) to long-time friend Julius Sinykin--I coordinated the sale of the Sinykin collection to them a number of years ago.

[jbennyfan39]

Thanks, Laura. Aren't those Ripley-related letters great? I couldn't help laughing out loud on the train right to work reading the book. Do you have any that are not in Mr. Fein's book? I would love to read those. I will see whether the Boston Public Library has available to the public. I really got a kick out of the ones I've seen so far. I think other Jack Benny admirers would too.

[mackdaddyg]

It would be nice if a collection of his letters was available. There's a Fred Allen letter collection that was released in the mid 60s (I believe), and I think Groucho has a similar collection in book form.

I guess in both cases these were released 40 years ago or so, when there might have been more of a demand for them. If somebody had prepared such a book for Jack, I bet it would have sold as well, and it would mean one more book I need to add to my library.

Nowadays the demand might not be there, but it would be a cool book project.

[LLeff]

Do you have any that are not in Mr. Fein's book? I would love to read those. I will see whether the Boston Public Library has available to the public.

Oh, I've got lots. I think I have either copies or transcribed the text of every known "Ripley letter" (as I call them). I asked Joan some years ago if I could publish them, and she said no. There are a lot that have language and subject matter in them which just isn't family-friendly, and she's not comfortable having it in broad circulation.

You've got to have some research credentials to get to BPL Special Collections, but the letters are there. And the people there are wonderful...we've helped each other out a lot over the years.

[Jack Benny]

Do you have any that are not in Mr. Fein's book? I would love to read those. I will see whether the Boston Public Library has available to the public.

Oh, I've got lots. I think I have either copies or transcribed the text of every known "Ripley letter" (as I call them). I asked Joan some years ago if I could publish them, and she said no. There are a lot that have language and subject matter in them which just isn't family-friendly, and she's not comfortable having it in broad circulation.

You've got to have some research credentials to get to BPL Special Collections, but the letters are there. And the people there are wonderful...we've helped each other out a lot over the years.

Isn't that the library that also has quite a collection of uncirculated Fred Allen Shows? Over the years I have become a huge fan of the Fred Allen Show, and I'm just disappointed that more shows aren't available. I would love to see a complete run of at least the half hour shows. I hear that there is a good chance they exist somewhere.

[jbennyfan39]

I can understand Joan's reluctance to have the letters published, but I wonder if she might reconsider. Nowadays, it wouldn't really shock anyone. Irving Fein's book has a sampling of the letters, so it's not like it's a deep dark secret that he might have used some colorful language in his letters. I love reading about Jack's real life, and the contrast between his stage persona and the real Benny Kubelsky is amazing and intriguing. The more I read about him, the more I love him. I would think that if anything it would be another way to honor his memory to have the letters made public. They are so funny!!!

[mackdaddyg]

Isn't that the library that also has quite a collection of uncirculated Fred Allen Shows? Over the years I have become a huge fan of the Fred Allen Show, and I'm just disappointed that more shows aren't available. I would love to see a complete run of at least the half hour shows. I hear that there is a good chance they exist somewhere.

I believe this is true. My understanding is they have a copy of the infamous "Bee" show that started the classic feud, but I can't confirm that. To be honest, while I don't understand how the politics of that sort of thing work, I don't understand why the shows haven't been made publicly available.

I think everything they have (including various letters and papers of Fred's) was donated by Fred's estate after he passed away. While I'm eternally grateful they are preserved, it would be nice to see them available in a more accessible manner. I won't be able to make it to Boston any time soon, and even if I could, I don't know if they'd let me see anything or not.

[Yhtapmys]

I can understand Joan's reluctance to have the letters published, but I wonder if she might reconsider. Nowadays, it wouldn't really shock anyone.

Then why don't you use some here?

Who wants to read foul language? It's no different whether it comes from Chris Rock or Jack Benny. I'm not interested in seeing it in print.

Yhtapmys

[LLeff]

Isn't that the library that also has quite a collection of uncirculated Fred Allen Shows? Over the years I have become a huge fan of the Fred Allen Show, and I'm just disappointed that more shows aren't available. I would love to see a complete run of at least the half hour shows. I hear that there is a good chance they exist somewhere.

I believe this is true. My understanding is they have a copy of the infamous "Bee" show that started the classic feud, but I can't confirm that. To be honest, while I don't understand how the politics of that sort of thing work, I don't understand why the shows haven't been made publicly available.

Yup, all correct. And that's where I actually listened to "the Bee" show, but it's the East Coast version, and not the one Jack would have heard. I gave them a pile of information on radio show copyrights, etc., and that's the main thing that's tied up them releasing the shows. They've talked plenty about doing it, but then realize they'd have to have their own lawyers validate the copyright research, and then the project gets deprioritized. This is not to say anything bad about the BPL...I love the folks there, and would be happy to help negotiate future deals on their behalf. I've made arrangements that part of my own collection goes there. But this is how stuff gets delayed in a lot of organizations.

[mackdaddyg]

Isn't that the library that also has quite a collection of uncirculated Fred Allen Shows? Over the years I have become a huge fan of the Fred Allen Show, and I'm just disappointed that more shows aren't available. I would love to see a complete run of at least the half hour shows. I hear that there is a good chance they exist somewhere.

I believe this is true. My understanding is they have a copy of the infamous "Bee" show that started the classic feud, but I can't confirm that. To be honest, while I don't understand how the politics of that sort of thing work, I don't understand why the shows haven't been made publicly available.

Yup, all correct. And that's where I actually listened to "the Bee" show, but it's the East Coast version, and not the one Jack would have heard. I gave them a pile of information on radio show copyrights, etc., and that's the main thing that's tied up them releasing the shows. They've talked plenty about doing it, but then realize they'd have to have their own lawyers validate the copyright research, and then the project gets deprioritized. This is not to say anything bad about the BPL...I love the folks there, and would be happy to help negotiate future deals on their behalf. I've made arrangements that part of my own collection goes there. But this is how stuff gets delayed in a lot of organizations.

Ah! Well, thanks for offering some light on the subject. Man, if I had ANY kind of legal know-how, I'd be offering up my services pro bono just to get this stuff out.

Here's hoping they are able to release them someday soon.

[jbennyfan39]

It seems ironic that with the intent of trying to help get these programs opened up to the public, giving them a pile of papers on copyright laws actually discourages them from releasing them to the public. It is really a tragedy. Let's put our heads together to change this. Can we form some kind of committee to work on it? Get someone with legal knowledge to help? Let's do it.

[Jack Benny]

It seems ironic that with the intent of trying to help get these programs opened up to the public, giving them a pile of papers on copyright laws actually discourages them from releasing them to the public. It is really a tragedy. Let's put our heads together to change this. Can we form some kind of committee to work on it? Get someone with legal knowledge to help? Let's do it.

Great idea! Also, I was wondering if Fred has any children or grandchildren who could help with this endeavor. If my grandfather had a radio show I would want it to be heard. I think the hit and miss availability of the Fred Allen shows is one of the glaring omitions of OTR history.

[mackdaddyg]

Great idea! Also, I was wondering if Fred has any children or grandchildren who could help with this endeavor. If my grandfather had a radio show I would want it to be heard. I think the hit and miss availability of the Fred Allen shows is one of the glaring omitions of OTR history.

I don't believe Fred & Portland had any kids, although that brings up a good point. Who would his heirs be? Joan Benny has a say over Jack's stuff, and I believe the families of Abbott and Costello are involved in some of their stuff being available. Does Fred have anybody like that in his corner?

If not, let's just say he adopted me, and I hereby give the go-ahead to release it all!!!!

[LLeff]

I don't believe Fred & Portland had any kids, although that brings up a good point. Who would his heirs be? Joan Benny has a say over Jack's stuff, and I believe the families of Abbott and Costello are involved in some of their stuff being available. Does Fred have anybody like that in his corner?

As I understand it, the rights on Fred's image, etc. are now controlled by the library.

And on an earlier comment about offering legal services pro bono, I already connected them with a lawyer who had offered just that. They said, in essence, "We're thinking it over."