Jack Benny, Fred Allen, &... Eddie Cantor :) 1953

[@CarlDuke]

Seeing Cantor with Benny makes me think how sad it was that Jolson died just as TV was coming into its own.

[@Fibonaccisghost]

These guys radiate talent and entertainment

[@pgh45rpms]

Such classic comedy here, watching Jack, Fred & Eddie onstage together. The Benny/Allen "fued" on radio was just a ruse; they were actually best friends. Loved all the adlibbing after the sketch -- Eddie, "You're covering me, you're covering me."

[@OrganCat]

Jack Benny's secret was to always make himself the victim of circumstances and the butt of all jokes. Ha always gave the best lines to the other cast members.

[@CarlDuke]

I love it when Eddie says you're covering me. A true show business pro.

[@MySpace662]

Jack was greaaaaaaaaat, this was a nice clip.

[@manofmanyinterests]

This episode aired on Sunday, April 19, 1953 at 7:30 p.m., E.S.T. Interestingly enough, Fred Allen appeared on the April 26, 1953 Jack Benny's radio program.

[@fromthesidelines]

This was also a special episode for another reason- this was Eddie Cantor's first TV appearance since his near-fatal heart attack the previous September; he decided to make his "comeback" on Jack's program, before resuming his "COLGATE COMEDY HOUR" appearances on NBC the following September. Jack's radio and TV sponsor, American Tobacco, also sponsored "YOUR HIT PARADE", "PRIVATE SECRETARY" starring Ann Sothern, and "ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS" at the time. They sponsored Jack until 1959...

[@LStrachey]

thanks

[@joshscobey]

Albert Brook's father was a part of Eddie Cantor's show, and he always talked about Jack Benny being the genesis of his comedy. I wonder if his father ever worked with Jack Benny?

[@METALITHrevetments]

Parkyakarkus

[@chumshot1]

omg Fred Allen is a total spax XD!!

[@MerleOberon]

The cigarette coughs in the audience

[@NellsStuff]

Now THAT is a threesome! And the ad-libbing ran them overtime. But it was worth it. I love seeing Jack and Fred together...

[@cresentltd]

Actually, Fred and Jack were very good friends and respected each others comedy timing.

[@LStrachey]

Are you able to tell me the year this was made, please?

[@marshallbowen8693]

LStrachey 1953

[@SpazzyMcGee1337]

I don't have the context of these jokes. :\

[@coolshemp]

SpazzyMcGee1337 really? Not that hard...

[@fromthesidelines]

"No loose ends", at 1:32, was a reference to Lucky Strike's advertising claim at the time that the tobacco in their cigarettes was more tightly packed- and if you tore the seam on the cigarette paper and lifted out the tobacco "cylinder", you could see it "held together without crumbling- without loose ends to get in your mouth and spoil the taste" (as a magazine ad described it). On 'YOU BET YOUR LIFE", Groucho Marx had a stuffed duck that would drop from above him and his contestants should one of them say the "secret word"- which entitled both contestants to split an extra $100.

[@frankiebowie6174]

I can understand that. Many of the jokes are topical, and depended on the public to know the names and circumstances of the subject. I was born in 1956, so I know who they’re talking about and get most of the broader jokes, but some of the minutia escapes me. It’s like any comedy show. If you have your kids watch Saturday night live from 1972, they won’t get half the jokes.

[@fromthesidelines]

You mean 1975. 😉

[@frankiebowie6174]

@@fromthesidelines Was it that long ago?