Jack Benny radio show 5/5/40 Clown Hall Tonight

[@johntabler349]

Interesting that Mary was later compelled to early retirement by stage fright she seemed so comfortable with her performance combined with Dennis, Phil, Rochester and Don Wilson this was easily the best regular cast in entertainment history when you add in the regular contributions of Frank Nelson and Mel Blanc it's not even close

[@Norvo82]

Agreed, there's not a hint of nerve or unease in her performances. But then, some performers go through hell in anticipation for a show and are fine once they're out there. Perhaps that began to take its toll on Mary after 20 or so years of doing the job.

[@johntabler349]

@@Norvo82 she was hoping to retire when they took the show off vaudeville but got pulled back when she did a fill in spot and her character was a hit I found some of the real early episodes for Chevrolet and General Tire and she played the ditsy character she was great in that role too

[@gingergeezer3685]

She really just wanted to be Mrs. Jack Benny. She only did one movie; walked away from a contract with Paramount. She was never a confident person IRL.

[@Phillyfan45]

The radio show allowed her to read off the script. No lines to memorize. When it went to TV, that was a different story altogether.

[@johntabler349]

@@Phillyfan45 good point but she began her struggle before TV from what I have read, TV may have exasperated the process

[@carissajb2955]

Thank you!!!!

[@lukaga8175]

16:39 Clown Hall Tonight

[@Arthur_McGowan]

There's some classical music mixed in from 2:11 to 2:34.

[@mmitchellhouston]

Yeah, it was weird. But it only lasted a few seconds, so you could still hear them talking.

[@mmitchellhouston]

Yup. Annoying, but it does go away.

[@fee9043]

Technical glitch

[@sr633]

It's a tuff business and she was swept into it. I guess she felt they could not miss her that much.

[@KrisW4040]

Oh, nice radio shew m43 :D

[@fee9043]

Now I want some Jello😁