Jack Benny life movie. Will it ever happen???

[ZEjackbennykid]

Jello folks,

For the past year I thought that Hollywood should make a movie on Jack's life story. No joke, I think they should. The idea was joked w/ on Benny's show but never happend. Now if it doesn't happen soon then I will make the film when I become a movie director. Here are some ideas for movie.

Studio/distributors: Warner Brothers Pictires, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, NBC, CBS.

Cast (as I am still thinking not all roles are filled)

Jack Benny: Jimmy Fallon or Mike Myers
Mary Livingstone: Scarlett Johanson
Phil Harris: Jude Law
Dennis Day: Clay Aiken(?)
Don Wilson: Richard Griffths ( Hagrid from Harry Potter)
Eddie "Rochester" Anderson: Jamie Foxx or Chris Rock (?)
Joan Benny: (divided up by growth through out movie to 3 people) ?
Kenny Baker:?
Mel Blanc: Darrell Hammond or J.K. Simmons
George Burns:?
Bob Hope:?
Gracie Allen:?
Bob Crosby:?
The Sportsman Quartet:?
The Ink Spots:?
Fred Allen: Tom Hanks (?)

Please give me any suggestions on the blank spots and comment on my choice of actors

[shimp scrampi]

Fun topic! I hope your movie gets made ZE!

Clay Aiken as Dennis is hilarious and would work.

Robbie Coltrane, who plays Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies would be a good Don (Richard Griffiths plays Uncle Vernon - not sure which you meant!).

George Clooney might do a really funny Phil (think "O Brother Where Art Thou").

Shawnee Smith (who played on the TV series "Becker") might be a passable Gracie Allen.

Jack is the hardest, I have trouble seeing ANYONE as Jack. Maybe Bob Newhart as Jack in his later years?

Damon Wayans might have a crazy twist on Rochester.

Fun to think about!

[mjacobs]

Some good casting ideas we have here.

I agree that Darrel Hammond would be an excellent choice to play Mel Blanc, if for no other reason than he recently did an imitation of Blanc's Porky Pig on Saturday Night Live.

When thinking of who to play Jack, the 1st guy who popped into my head was Rich Little (though he's probably too old now).

For Dennis Day, I'm picturing the actor who plays Niles on Fraser (forgot his name).

Eddie Murphy does a good array of "black voices" (especially in The Nutty Professor). I wonder how he'd do as Rochester?

[LLeff]

When thinking of who to play Jack, the 1st guy who popped into my head was Rich Little (though he's probably too old now).

What about Eddie Carroll? One of the producers who's been trying to make this happen has him in mind for the role. But as the producer has said to me several times, "I'm still trying to find the 'hook'."

[BT]

Eddie Murphy could pull off Rochester, I think, as few could.

But I have a related question: has there ever been a really good non-fiction feature about Benny's life and career?

[Jack Benny]

But I have a related question: has there ever been a really good non-fiction feature about Benny's life and career?

Unfortunately, no.

[ZEjackbennykid]

What about Eddie Carroll? "[/quote]

LLeff, normally I would side w/ you on this but I disagree. While Eddie would be a fabulous choice we need someone that will appeal to the young audience. The best place to find that is on SNL. Look at Ray, young people saw it because jamie foxx appeals to the younger set. Same goes w/ The Aviator.

[haverpopper]

Hmm, although I saw pictures of all the cast members a couple of years ago and have vague images of what they look like, I've avoided pictures ever since because I prefer thinking of them as I originally imagined them rather than how they actually look. (Seeing Dennis as he really looks was a particular surprise!) Jack's the only one who I really know how he looks.

That's all by way of saying that some of the suggested casting choices sound bizarre to me. Scarlet Johannson as Mary? Clay Aiken as Dennis?? Unfortunately, I seriously doubt any major black stars would agree to play Rochester, as it smacks too much of racist role nowadays.

A movie about Jack Benny's life would definitely be interesting to see. I don't know too much about Jack's real life; is there a dramatic arch the movie could follow? I can't picture Jack going off the deep end with heroin (ala "Ray") or standing naked and unshaven in a movie projection room mumbling to himself (ala "The Aviator").

[shimp scrampi]

I don't know too much about Jack's real life; is there a dramatic arch the movie could follow? I can't picture Jack going off the deep end with heroin (ala "Ray") or standing naked and unshaven in a movie projection room mumbling to himself (ala "The Aviator").

I think that is what Laura meant by the lack of a "hook" for the movie. Basically, the Benny cast and especially Jack himself led for the most part, long, happy lives without a lot of conflict or struggle. All the better for them, but doesn't make for much of a movie script!

As for black actors not being willing to play the character of Rochester, I quite agree - however as for playing Eddie Anderson, probably the best paid and well-known black American entertainer of his day, I think that's a totally different story.

[ZEjackbennykid]

Shrimp scampi. Many things in Jacks life were unfortunatly unhappy. and 4 books written on him including one by jack sold many copies. I don't see how a script could not sell. As a matter of fact I'am writing the script as we speak. Also my da thought Dana Carvey or Steve Martin could play Jack and Drew Carrey as Don Wilson.

[mrdj]

Any thoughts on Greag Kinnear as Jack?

[shimp scrampi]

Many things in Jacks life were unfortunatly unhappy. and 4 books written on him including one by jack sold many copies. I don't see how a script could not sell.

Sure, Jack had some unhappy aspects to his life, we all do - but a Benny movie isn't going to have a straightforward, "up from poverty" or "triumph over adversity" or "corrupted by power" kind of story. Even Jack called his own manuscript autiobiography "I always had shoes!" Joan Benny had to puzzle a long time over how to approach a book that was "just about a nice man!"

So it is up to an inventive, clever scriptwriter like yourself to find a novel approach to telling Jack's story on the screen. It actually forces better writing to tell a story like Jack's, which at first glance doesn't have too many obvious dramatic "arcs". We're all interested in seeing it, even though it's not typical biographical movie material. Good luck with your script!

Greg Kinnear is an interesting choice for Jack.

[Alan]

I previously thought mike Meyers as JB was the best suggestion; awesome impersonation skills,has an appreciation of comedic history, can (now) convincingly portray "middle aged" persons, sharp verbal and physical comedy skills-including double takes, and the stare to the audience...etc. Not to mention the practical consideration that his mere interest in any project would green light it.

While I can't break it down, i found the Greg Kinnear suggestion inspired; there is something about his overall presence that i think fits the spirit of JB.

[bboswell]

I think John Malkovich would be a great Jack Benny. Since Jack is from the USA John won't have to affect an over-the-top accent of some kind. (Like he did for Shadow of the Vampire and Johnny English.)
I will also offer my post-production facility for editing and sound design, for "The Jack Benny Story" (if you can't get Industrial Light and Magic or Skywalker Sound.)

[mrdj]

Call me crazy, but I can picture Jim Belushi as Phil Harris. I know he has alot working against him, but he has a certain devilish charm in some of his mannerisms and personality. I think he could get Phil's speech pattern down and even pull off 'That's What I Like About the South'.