about the Beverly Hills Beavers

[mjacobs]

I've heard the Beavers on many of Jack's radio show episodes, and I don't recall ever learning of the actress (at least, I think it's a woman) who does the voices of the Beavers.

Does anybody out there know?

[shimp scrampi]

I think most often they were real kids! I know Harry Shearer (of Spinal Tap, The Simpsons) was one.

[mjacobs]

I think most often they were real kids! I know Harry Shearer (of Spinal Tap, The Simpsons) was one.

I thought they might have been played by child actors --- at first. Then I recall hearing a nameless actress (apparently using her regular voice) from time to time, on the radio episodes, a voice that sounded similar to the Beavers' voices. If you had ever listened to the final 1955 broadcast, you'll know what I mean. In this episode, the actress substitutued for Mary Livingstone as the voice of Mary.

[shimp scrampi]

Hmm, I'm confused, I remember the final 1955 episode as having the real Mary obviously edited in in that very jarring manner. It's very possible that the BH Beavers were at least sometimes played by adult women ("Bart Simpson Syndrome"), they do sound very professional which is rare for kid actors. I really do love the Beavers eps though, there is something just hilarious about Jack being a role model for kids, and all of the outrageous lies about his accomplishments he passes off. Funny stuff.

[mjacobs]

Hmm, I'm confused, I remember the final 1955 episode as having the real Mary obviously edited in in that very jarring manner. It's very possible that the BH Beavers were at least sometimes played by adult women ("Bart Simpson Syndrome"), they do sound very professional which is rare for kid actors. I really do love the Beavers eps though, there is something just hilarious about Jack being a role model for kids, and all of the outrageous lies about his accomplishments he passes off. Funny stuff.

Yes, the Beavers were indeed funny, especially in the episodes in which they imitated the cast of the show. About your theory regarding Harry Shearer: I went to the IMDB database, and discovered that Harry's birthdate was 1943, so he was definitely AROUND when the Beavers appeared on Jack's show; however, I don't see any mention in the databse about having done any voice work on Jack's show.

At any rate, thank you for helping me with my question!

[LLeff]

About your theory regarding Harry Shearer: I went to the IMDB database, and discovered that Harry's birthdate was 1943, so he was definitely AROUND when the Beavers appeared on Jack's show; however, I don't see any mention in the databse about having done any voice work on Jack's show.

Harry Shearer was one of the Beavers (see also selected television episodes, including Jack Takes the Beavers to the Fair). Beverly Washburn played Mary, and was a child actress at the time (now she's a full-grown actress...see the 39 Forever convention section for photos of her).

On the question of the 5-22-55 show, there are copies in circulation that have Mary dubbed in, and the pre-dub version featuring another actress. Fascinating to have heard both copies.

[Jack Benny]

Hmm, I'm confused, I remember the final 1955 episode as having the real Mary obviously edited in in that very jarring manner. It's very possible that the BH Beavers were at least sometimes played by adult women ("Bart Simpson Syndrome"), they do sound very professional which is rare for kid actors. I really do love the Beavers eps though, there is something just hilarious about Jack being a role model for kids, and all of the outrageous lies about his accomplishments he passes off. Funny stuff.

Laura has told me before that two versions of the last episode exist. All the versions that I have do not feature Mary. I would gladly e-mail someone a nice copy of the last episode without Mary, if they would in return e-mail me a copy of the last episode with Mary dubbed in.

[mjacobs]

About your theory regarding Harry Shearer: I went to the IMDB database, and discovered that Harry's birthdate was 1943, so he was definitely AROUND when the Beavers appeared on Jack's show; however, I don't see any mention in the databse about having done any voice work on Jack's show.

Harry Shearer was one of the Beavers (see also selected television episodes, including Jack Takes the Beavers to the Fair). Beverly Washburn played Mary, and was a child actress at the time (now she's a full-grown actress...see the 39 Forever convention section for photos of her).

On the question of the 5-22-55 show, there are copies in circulation that have Mary dubbed in, and the pre-dub version featuring another actress. Fascinating to have heard both copies.

Was Harry Shearer a Beaver ONLY on Jack's TV show or on both TV and radio? I find this to be an incredible discovery!!

[shimp scrampi]

I think Harry Shearer did both radio and TV. He has mentioned his relationship with Jack in several interviews, though unfortunately the interviewers don't follow up on the thread too much, despite him seeming eager to talk about it (I am kicking myself for not having any references to point you all to). Harry Shearer maintained contact with Jack well up to the end of Jack's life and the beginning phases of Shearer's adult career.

As to Beverly Washburn, she first won my heart with her kooky Addams Family-style performance in the hilarious cult classic 1960s Lon Chaney movie "Spider Baby" - though it's definitely not Jack Benny style humor! Funny for me to draw the connection later with her as a child actor on the JB show.

[shimp scrampi]

www.harryshearer.com has a pic of the young Mr. Shearer in front of an NBC microphone FYI, under the "Inside Harry" section.

[shimp scrampi]

Ah, Google! I stumbled across this one too, Beverly Washburn's autograph book, including Jack, Mary, Don, Dennis, Rochester and Mel Blanc. I love Mary's: "When you grow up, please take my place on our program!"

http://ricksaphire.com/bev/autographs/index.html

[Jack Benny]

On the question of the 5-22-55 show, there are copies in circulation that have Mary dubbed in, and the pre-dub version featuring another actress. Fascinating to have heard both copies.

Laura, I think it would be a fun idea for you to post both versions, and for those two shows to be the focus of one of the monthly "chat" sesions. We could talk about Mary and her fear of performing, as well as the rise of the TV program and fall of the Radio program.

[BT]

Somewhere (sorry, I don't recall the specifics) I heard Harry Shearer interviewed, and he talked admiringly about the guidance he recieved from Jack Benny and Mel Blanc. Have you ever emailed Harry, Laura? It might yield a quick remeberence of Jack and the show--he sure gave the impression of having fond memories of that experience. Harry Shearer would obviously be a good interview for a more serious examination of JB's role in the history of comedy, too, if he'd sit down for it.

[LLeff]

Somewhere (sorry, I don't recall the specifics) I heard Harry Shearer interviewed, and he talked admiringly about the guidance he recieved from Jack Benny and Mel Blanc. Have you ever emailed Harry, Laura? It might yield a quick remeberence of Jack and the show--he sure gave the impression of having fond memories of that experience. Harry Shearer would obviously be a good interview for a more serious examination of JB's role in the history of comedy, too, if he'd sit down for it.

Harry actually was supposed to be at the 39 Forever convention, but had to cancel at the last minute because of a changed recording schedule for The Simpsons. He's on my list of people to interview.

[Roman]

I may be a minority on this but I have a mixed reaction listening to the Beavers episodes. Their references to Jack's ridiculous boasts is very funny, along with the comments about what their parents say about Jack. And Jack as the Beavers' treasurer is always good for a laugh. But I have two problems with these episodes. First, while the kids who play the Beavers are pretty good as far as child actors go, the scripts gave them a very bad case of Jay North-itis ("golly, gee, jeepers, Mr. Benny"). Second, and much more significantly, given all we've read about Jeff Smith, that rabbi in Maryland featured on Dateline, and assorted priests and scout leaders, there's something a bit off-putting about bachelor Jack hanging out with a bunch of young boys. The fact that I think about this is a commentary on our times, not Jack's, but it's hard to listen to these episodes without giving some thought to those depressing news stories.