Manhatten Radio Club – Jack Benny Panel, with Joan Benny. 910203

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Audio is a little funky, but OK. Joan Benny talks about circles of friends. and the closeness, or distance of some of the cast members to her, Mary, and Jack. Mel Blanc was probably the one who was closest, and shared family trips together. Joan remembers outings, and trying to get Mel to talk in funny voices. She shares from the point of a family member of a starm, being left out of the spotlight and sometimes ignored by the public.

A few secrets of family life in the Benny home are shared. Mary being the disciplinarian, a demanding woman, and a big spender. Both she and Jack adored each other, and in Jack’s eyes, she could do no wrong. Both were generous, but Mary could be a little selfish, not going out of her way for others.

Memories of the history between George Burns and Jack Benny are shared. One joke is related where George would drive up to Jack, roll down his window as if to ask a question, then drive away. Also the origins of why George always ended a phonecall to Jack by hanging up on him. George could always get Jack to laugh with his practical jokes.

Mary is remembered as insecure, and jealous of other women when it came to Jack. Joan atttributes it to Mary’s lack of long running entertainment background. She felt pressure to keep up with stars who came from familys of the theater, or who were on the stage from an early age. Mary also felt inadequate to compete with the formal dinner parties of Hollywood, and went out of her way to keep up with the sophisticated lifestyle.

What about Fred Allen? Joan tells about their real friendship. Jack considered him a wit, and the best comedy writer in the business.

Touching on religion and politics, Joan shares some of the traditions in the home, and Jack’s personal politics. Joan talks about how she began writing her book, cast members, typical radio life behind the scenes, keeping up with family, friends, and cast through the years. She shares memories of the passing of Gracie Allen, and other friends.

Coming full circle, Joan remembers a few of her childhood friends, and what has become of them. She also clarifies a rumor that she left part of Jack’s memoires out of the book, and how the mistaken rumor came about. Joan begins to talk about Jack’s real life tallent on the violin, but the audio cuts off in mid story. It’s a memory of Jack practicing in the bathroom on one side of her room, and neighbor, Desi Arnez, practicing drums from his house on the other side of her room. Neither in tune with each other, and neither playing the same song.