Irving Fein
Manager/Producer
About This Interview
Irving Fein (1911-2012) was interviewed for three-and-a-half hours in West Hollywood, CA. He speaks at length about his 28 years managing and producing for Jack Benny, as well as his years managing George Burns. Fein discusses his transition from motion picture publicity to producing for Benny in 1947 -- a path that led him from New York to California, back to New York, and finally back to California once more. He details the many years he spent publicizing both the radio and television versions of The Jack Benny Program, and shares tales of producing Benny's various specials for television. Fein describes Benny's real-life and television persona, his lasting legacy, and his grace as a comedian. Fein also recounts managing George Burns during the last years of the comedian's life -- securing for Burns several stand-up appearances, his Oscar-winning role in The Sunshine Boys, and an impressive gathering for his 100th birthday party. Sunny Parich conducted the interview on August 13, 1998.
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Highlights
Manager Irving Fein on the contest done on Truth or Consequences to identify the "walking man," which became a national obsession (the "walking man" turned out to be Jack Benny)
Clip begins at: 02:07, Duration: 02m 16s
On how George Burns gave Gracie Allen "top billing" for eternity
Clip begins at: 00:20, Duration: 01m 24s
On the unsuccessful special that turned Jack Benny 40 years old, and the decision to age him back to 39
Clip begins at: 01:52, Duration: 01m 41s
On Jack Benny's radio/TV persona and real life personality
Clip begins at: 25:17, Duration: 02m 38s- On George Burns' death
Clip begins at: 26:53, Duration: 01m 13s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his childhood in Brooklyn and his early influences; on coaching drama at summer camp and his early writing efforts
Clip begins at: 0:39 - On radio programs and movies he enjoyed as a youngster
Clip begins at: 08:12 - On his first job out of college in the Publicity and Advertising Department at Warner Brothers; on going to law school at night
Clip begins at: 10:40 - On moving to Hollywood to be a publicist at Warner Brothers; on the Great Depression; on publicity for movies in the 1930s and 1940s
Clip begins at: 18:58 - On planting stories for publicity; on television's debut at the 1939 World's Fair
Clip begins at: 25:25 - On becoming assistant to Samuel Goldwyn
Clip begins at: 28:06 - Part 2
- On leaving Warner Brothers for Samuel Goldwyn; on World War II and his role as Publicity Director for Samuel Goldwyn; on publicity stunts
Clip begins at: 0:26 - On the star system; On working for Columbia Pictures, getting drafted and going to work for a defense plant rather than going overseas
Clip begins at: 09:53 - On returning to Warner Brothers, then to Columbia again, and then leaving to become part of Jack Benny's new company, Amusement Enterprises
Clip begins at: 15:13 - Part 3
- On making Jack Benny #1 in radio; on doing publicity for several CBS radio programs including Lux Radio Theater, The Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show, and Amos 'n' Andy
Clip begins at: 0:19 - On the rise of television and Jack Benny's transition from radio to television
Clip begins at: 12:42 - On the writers of Jack Benny's radio and television programs and how they worked with Jack Benny
Clip begins at: 20:14 - Part 4
- On the staff of The Jack Benny Program; on moving to New York to take a job at CBS and leaving to return West and form a production company with Jack Benny - J&M Productions
Clip begins at: 0:28 - On returning to The Jack Benny Program; on series regulars Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Don Wilson, Dennis Day, Frank Nelson and Mel Blanc
Clip begins at: 08:18 - On live television and some of the program's regular and special guests; on playing up publicity for Jack Benny
Clip begins at: 21:36 - Part 5
- On President Harry Truman doing a special episode of The Jack Benny Program; on Billy Graham guest starring on the show
Clip begins at: 0:25 - On Jack Benny's sense of humor; on Benny's comedy contemporaries and how they would guest star on each other's shows
Clip begins at: 04:25 - On The Marge and Gower Champion Show for J&M Productions; on The Gisele MacKenzie Show
Clip begins at: 10:09 - On The Jack Benny Program becoming a weekly show; on moving to the Desilu lot and famous guests
Clip begins at: 17:32 - Part 6
- On his Emmy win for producing The Jack Benny Program; on the unsuccessful special that turned Jack Benny 40 years old, and the decision to age him back to 39
Clip begins at: 0:28 - On The Jack Benny Program moving to NBC and going off the air; on forming JB Productions and becoming Jack Benny's manager and producer
Clip begins at: 08:07 - On becoming manager for George Burns and Burns winning an Oscar for The Sunshine Boys; on George Burns' movie career later in life; on Burns' death
Clip begins at: 14:19 - Part 7
- On George Burns' burial; on the legacy of Jack Benny and George Burns
Clip begins at: 0:20 - On advice to aspiring managers; on how publicity and television changed over the years
Clip begins at: 03:44 - On how he'd liked to be remembered; on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked; on his wife
Clip begins at: 08:22
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What a tremendous set of interviews, bringing "to life" some of the world's best comedians, which much of the younger-set know nothing about. Thank you.
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