Shows That Gave Me Goosebumps

[Roman]

As much as I love listening to Jack's radio shows, they rarely reached me emotionally or gave me goosebumps. And, of course, that's not a surprise since it was a comedy program after all.

But, occasionally, the show did touch an emotional chord. Three shows in particular gave me a shiver as I listened.

The first is the year end show in 1939. This show began Jack's tradition of melancholy New Year's Eve programs but it wasn't the Father Time/Columbia format that Jack used in later years. In this show, Jack got stood up by his date for New Year's Eve and decided to call it a night. He meets Rochester at home and they begin talking about how sad things were in the world at year's end, alluding to the start of Second World War which had begun a few months earlier. Then Jack and Rochester lament about the people in this world who revel in hatred and destruction, a reference, of course, to Hitler and the Nazis. They end the dialogue hoping that somehow things will be better in 1940. As this was the first of these wistful New Year's Eve shows and this part came in the last five minutes after the usual comedy bits, it caught me by surprise and touched me. And, with all that's going on in our world today with terrorism and the rest, their words seemed surprisingly current and relevant.

The second show was the one from December 7, 1941. Although, Jack and his writers made no mention of the attack that day at Pearl Harbor (giving the show an oddly disconnected tone to be sure), the program began and was interrupted with several news bulletins. Listening to this, the Pearl Harbor attack was brought home to me in a real vivid and immediate way that no history book could match. I could sense the feeling of shock that must have run through the cast and audience and it reminded me of the way we all felt on September 11, 2001.

The last show was one of Jack's wartime entertainment programs from early 1944 broadcast from Vancouver. The show had the usual quota of laughs and silliness and, in fact, an extra spark of improvised fun since they were broadcasting from Mary's hometown (the real one, not Plainfield, NJ). There was a bit I especially loved between Jack and Mary where Jack is reminiscing about his vaudeville days in Vancouver and Mary coquetishally asks him if he remembers a little girl in blonde pigtails who used to sit in the front row of his performances. When Jack asks was that little Mary, she answers, no that was her mother (I loved the way Mary's tone turned on a dime from sweetness to vinegar). Near the end of the program, Jack announced that it was Dennis's last show as he was about to enter the Navy. Jack and the gang wished Dennis good luck and Dennis gave a very gracious and heartfelt thanks to Jack for giving him the opportunity to work on the show. It was the only time I remembered Dennis calling him "Jack" and I assume it was an unscripted speech that reflected the true relationship between Dennis and Jack. Knowing that Dennis experienced some demanding times during his service (I believe that he saw combat in the Pacific) gave this episode an extra emotional kick for me.

Of course, these were very atypical episodes but they add to the richness of listening to Jack Benny's wonderful radio program.

[shimp scrampi]

Agreed, these are really notable shows. I'd also add the other post-war New Years program where Jack makes a pitch for racial and religious tolerance at the end of the show.

Many of the moments where Jack and the gang "break character" are revealing, although they are usually humorous (line fluffs and the like). I think it's partly because the characters are so "real" to the audience that it is particularly shocking - in a good way.

Good to see the forum up and running again!

[LLeff]

But, occasionally, the show did touch an emotional chord. Three shows in particular gave me a shiver as I listened.

Yes, I have some of those myself. The show where the Colmans come over to Jack's house, and Colman makes a toast to the world is one of them. I also really like the ending to the show where (again) Colman reads the winner of the "I Can't Stand Jack Benny Because" contest. Well, not quite the ending where Jack finds the yo-yo. But that scene with Ronnie and Benita.

[Spoiler alert]


But here's one that I bet not a lot of people have either heard or take note of. There's a show from 4-3-1955 where Jack lets Ed up from the vault. Ed is understandably shaken to the point of near-delirium by all the "new" things, and thinks that a bus is a big dragon eating people. The commentary is almost Tolkienesque. At the end, well, here's the script:

=======================

Jack: Now Ed, believe me, it wasn't a dragon. I've told you five times it was a bus that takes on people...it's a mode of transportation.

Ed: Transportation? I didn't see any horses.

Jack: Ed, they don't need horses, they have motors. Now look Ed, calm down. I'm going to take you down town and we'll go to a picture show. You'll enjoy that.

Ed: I'd...I'd rather not, Mr. Benny.

Jack: What?

Ed: I've seen enough. Would you please take me back down to the vault?

Jack: Ed...you want to go back to the vault so soon? Why?

Ed: Well...it's so peaceful and quiet down there...Everybody up here is in such a hurry...rushing around...all excited...There's noise and confusion. Nobody seems to be really happy.

Jack: Look, Ed...

Ed: I like it down there in the vault, Mr. Benny. There's nothing to disturb me or frighten me...I'd...I'd like to go back.

Jack: Well, all right, Ed...Then in case you ever want to come up again, just let me know, huh?

Ed: Thank you, but I don't think I will.

Jack: All right Ed...Rochester, I'm going to take Ed back down to the vault.

Roch: Okay Boss...So long Ed.

Ed: Goodbye, Man.

(SOUND: Footsteps...door opens)

Jack: Here we are, Ed...let's go down.

(SOUND: Footsteps descending and getting hollow)

(CLOSING MUSIC)
==================
Just retyping the script almost brings tears to my eyes because it was so poignant. It almost feels like the death of Ed, because you know he'll never come back, but at least it's his choice and he'll be at peace.

[Jack Benny]

It always get's me when at the end of the show Jack talks out of character about the "boy's" coming home from WWII and the support they will need, and sacrifices we will have to make as Americans.

[haverpopper]

This isn't quite as poignant as some of the ones listed, but early on when I started listening to the show there was a rather touching Halloween episode, where at the end Jack is reminiscing about some loving words his mother used to tell him when he was a kid. Very touching in a kind of happy, nostalgiac kind of way. Anyone know what episode I'm talking about?

* I think it was a Halloween episode, but I could be wrong.

[Brad from Georgia]

I heard a show from 1944 just yesterday while out walking (BTW, I've dropped fifteen pounds! since February) that made me feel a little misty. Jack is urging people to dig deep and buy a $100 war bond and says, "Remember, folks, it's your husbands, sons, and brothers who are over there fighting. For your boys, and for the boys who won't come back, please try your best."

[bboswell]

You mentioned the "Father Time" New Year's episodes, and that reminded me of the "Hello 51, goodbye 50" episode. (I think that's the one) Most of the new year episodes get me a little misty--or at least introspective.

This one in particular was touching when Father Time was describing some of the people that were lost in the past year, and mentioned Al Jolson. I think back to the episodes where Mel Blanc did some good-natured ribbing of Jolson, and thought that those jokes wouldn't be the same after this.

Also the way he describes the live performances of Jolson just make me think: Wow, those days are gone for good. Just imagine the performances where there were no lip-synced singers, no synchronized light shows, and no amplification systems. Just raw talent.

[Jhammes]

September 11 2001 would forever change our lives, the way December 7 1941 would forever change our parents and grandparents. Jack's closing messages, at the end of the WWII programs, carry just as much strength and clarity today: given the world situation, I sense Jack is still talking to us!!

[Jack Benny]

You just gave me Goosebumps! What an appropriate 200th post from me!