Fans of Jack Benny are still prevalent, his popularity as abundant now as it was during the heyday of Hus radio and TV shows. Contrary to his jokes about himself, he did have a fairly successful movie career, although his later roles were mostly cameos and his film roles in leads saw himself playing himself. These movies had the regular crew of his pals and sidekicks, most notably Eddie "Rochester" Anderson who was often the smartest man in the room when they were alone together. A faked feud with radio comic Fred Allen added instant publicity and more laughs, as did the very fictional tight wad persona he used for on the air laughs.
Sooner or later, a comic is either going to spoof the old west, attempt to make it in the military or try to solve a murder in an old dark house. Benny takes on the first, desperate to show that he's not some tenderfoot, and ends up in more trouble than he bargained for, creating a ton of laughs along the way.
Of his regulars, Rochester was always the most amusing, singing and dancing with the gorgeous Theresa Harris, showing off her charm with a striking smile and prominent dimples. It is the musical highlight of the film, although some huge production numbers are truly spectacle. Don Wilson, Dennis Day, Andy Devine and Phil Harris round out real life celebrities playing themselves, with Ellen Drew playing a publicity agent for some reason out to get him. Without his spectacles, Charles Lane looks less sinister as normal, playing the press agent of Fred Allen who provides radio commentary to bring down his old "rival". Hollywood is very funny when it takes pokes at itself, here showing that many of its biggest stars were good sports when spoofing their image.
Sooner or later, a comic is either going to spoof the old west, attempt to make it in the military or try to solve a murder in an old dark house. Benny takes on the first, desperate to show that he's not some tenderfoot, and ends up in more trouble than he bargained for, creating a ton of laughs along the way.
Of his regulars, Rochester was always the most amusing, singing and dancing with the gorgeous Theresa Harris, showing off her charm with a striking smile and prominent dimples. It is the musical highlight of the film, although some huge production numbers are truly spectacle. Don Wilson, Dennis Day, Andy Devine and Phil Harris round out real life celebrities playing themselves, with Ellen Drew playing a publicity agent for some reason out to get him. Without his spectacles, Charles Lane looks less sinister as normal, playing the press agent of Fred Allen who provides radio commentary to bring down his old "rival". Hollywood is very funny when it takes pokes at itself, here showing that many of its biggest stars were good sports when spoofing their image.