Jack Benny Program, The: "Hal March Show"
About This Show
Jack Benny was pained to part with his money. So ingrained was this part of the Jack Benny persona that on his radio program, among his biggest laughs came when a robber held him up demanding "Your money or your life?" prompting a long pause from Benny... who finally said "I'm thinking it over!"
In the 1950s, when Benny's popular radio show made the transition to TV (where it had a fifteen year run), audiences were well aware of Benny's penchant for stinginess. So his appearance on quiz show The $64,000 Question was especially popular.
But equally funny was the follow-up to Benny's quiz show stint, when $64,000 Question host Hal March returned the favor by guest-starring on The Jack Benny Program. The twist? March would participate in Benny's version of The $64,000 Question... with Benny putting up his own money! The result was a very funny, very memorable show (March is quite a sport).
The Jack Benny Program: "Hal March Show" aired during the series' eighth season, on October 20, 1957.
Directed by: Seymour Berns
Produced by: Hilliard Marks
Written by: Sam Perrin, George Balzer, Hal Goldman, and Al Gordon
Featured Content
Video: The Jack Benny Program: "Hal March Show" (airdate: 10/20/57) ($64,000 Question take-off starts at 10:15) (additionally: don't miss Benny's "hair raising" interaction with his fan club president at 4:08!) from the Internet Archive
Manager/Producer Irving Fein on Jack Benny's guest appearance on The $64,000 Question (that led to a subsequent appearance of $64,000 Question host Hal March on The Jack Benny Program) (01m 45s)
Be the first to comment!
Post new comment