"Time Out for Ginger" (1955) is the first of two attempts to launch this sit-com based on a 1950s play. However, the networks never picked it up and they attempted in the early 1960s to re-launch the series but once again the series was not picked up by the networks. This first attempt is interesting due to its impressive cast which starred Jack Benny, Ruth Hussey, Edward Everett Horton and many other familiar faces. Both the 1955 and 1962 pilot episodes are available to watch on YouTube. The 1962 version, by the way, is simply awful...is the 1955 one the same?
In the 1962 version, the focus clearly is on Ginger...constantly in fact. And, her character was extremely loud and very obnoxious. Here, in contrast, the star clearly is the father, Howard (Jack Benny). It begins with Howard making a speech at school about equality and the repercussions. A lot of people become angry (such as the principal and Howard's boss) but Ginger loves it and decides to go out for the football team! The plot is an extremely modern thing...especially since Howard is thrilled his daughter wants to be on the high school's football team as well as how physical the relationship was between the parents on the show!
When you compare the two versions of this show, the 1955 version is superior in every way...plus it afforded Jack Benny a rare chance to stretch his acting range. In fact, the show might have worked had the networks picked it up...whereas the 1962 version was so hellishly bad I can't see how any sane network executive could have okayed the program for production! Well worth seeing.
In the 1962 version, the focus clearly is on Ginger...constantly in fact. And, her character was extremely loud and very obnoxious. Here, in contrast, the star clearly is the father, Howard (Jack Benny). It begins with Howard making a speech at school about equality and the repercussions. A lot of people become angry (such as the principal and Howard's boss) but Ginger loves it and decides to go out for the football team! The plot is an extremely modern thing...especially since Howard is thrilled his daughter wants to be on the high school's football team as well as how physical the relationship was between the parents on the show!
When you compare the two versions of this show, the 1955 version is superior in every way...plus it afforded Jack Benny a rare chance to stretch his acting range. In fact, the show might have worked had the networks picked it up...whereas the 1962 version was so hellishly bad I can't see how any sane network executive could have okayed the program for production! Well worth seeing.