What's My Line Jack Benny

[ShermanWestlake]

Possibly the most enthusiastic audience reaction I've ever heard on 'What's My Line?'

[pnull]

Jack Benny is timeless!!!

[Iamderelict]

I believe he is wasted.

[chumshot1]

@Iamderelict LOL He never got drunk tho, except once or twice, and even those times it was by accident x3

[procommenter]

He's no Anissa Jones!

[hmaltravers]

What a hilarious bit! And Benny didn't have to say a word! Now THAT's comic genius.

[soulierinvestments]

I'd say Benny had more "glamour" in his little finger than most of the modern comedians have put together in their whole bodies.

[OldTelivisionRocks]

He could have got by his whole career without a joke. Burns repeated a line. While Jack would just look at what's going on and look at you. Oh the hilarities that the "pregnant pause" has, seldom do comedians now know how to use it.

[CenaTv2]

Watching this i now see how much an influence he was on Benny Hill.

[astronut49]

Saw him once in concert....hilarious...then he apologized how hard it was to perform because RFK had died that day...

[MrSaxman77]

I think what I love most about Jack, and its evident here, is his reaction to scenarios or jokes or gags. They were priceless. I think that's why I laugh so much at his work!



[cristoforoantonio]

i love him so much!!!

[parkerruss86]

what did he sign in as i cant read it

[skydome29]

@parkerruss86 Heifitz a famous violinist that in one of bennys skits tries to get a duet with him, hence the "screams with horror".

[ivaro3]

An American treasure and the audience reaction tells all!

[LEIMALOCCA]

He was SOOOOO sweet!!! omg when he died, his wife, Mary, received flowers on her birthday for the rest of her life, from Jack. this man was adorable!!!!!! sooo sweet and sooo cute!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE JACK BENNY!!!!

[JubalCalif]

@LEIMALOCCA

I second that emotion! Not only one of the greatest entertainers of all time but a humble, gentle, generous & sweet man who everyone loved...in & out of show business. This is one of the funniest WML episodes that I've seen here at youtube. THANKS for your heartwarming comment!!! :-)

[jenny1340]

1:58 I didn't see that coming! ^_^

[EmiLovey10]

I love him!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[lovemyjimmystewart]

Simply the funniest there ever was.

[Operafiend22]

Heifetz...love it!

[n6611]

I love Jack Benny !

[fm0410]

There will never be another Jack Benny. Thankfully!

[gladys8it]

I just love Jack Benny; he was truly unique.

[tracytcb111111111111]

i love this show so glad i come across them i could watch them all night and never get sick of watching wow is that steve allan he was so handsome

[wyomingmali]

Bennett Cerf was just too smart. He was usually the one to guess who the guest was.

[TheTeenSleuth]

Oh gosh! This was amazing! Jack Benny ROCKS!!!!!

[zamusicza]

@KennySherman One of Jack's running gags was thinking he was a virtuoso on the violin. On his show and in his act he was, to put it politely, mediocre. I believe in reality though he was quite an accomplished player.

[karlakor]

@zamusicza Jack once said in an interview that if God were to offer him the proposition of making him a great violinist, but in return Jack could never tell another joke as long as he lived, Jack said he would take Him up on it. He was an accomplished player, but never rose to the heights that he aspired to, and it is interesting to know that in spite of his legendary status in show business, he would have traded it all to be a concert violinist.

[zamusicza]

@KennySherman Jascha Heifetz a violin virtuoso.

[berezin99]

Looks like Jack had a thing for Jayne Meadows. Don't blame him.

[725Mama]

There was something so gay, so effete to his mannerisms. Same with Bob Hope. Anybody else ever notice that? The stares Benny had, the pose. The walk Hope had. In any event, Benny was just brilliant, perfect, and his timing is without compare, with any other comedian ever.

[GeminiNightOwl]

I LOVE Jack Benny...

[LazlosPlane]

It seems as if he were always just "himself," yet always drop dead funny. God do miss him.

[jba2323]

I MISS THE PEOPLE AND TIMES

[zamusicza]

OH that kiss was rather forward for the day. I don't think Arlene appreciated that very much until she saw who it was. I love Jack Benny.

[americanidol510]

@zamusicza That wasn't Arlene that was Steve Allen's wife, Jayne Meadows.

[zamusicza]

@americanidol510 my bad but i finally got the joke about who he signed in as.

[frank47hammer]

Jack was the only one who could hold his own with Groucho.

[dune3901]

I could watch this clip on repeat for ages.

[tomkes100]

I love this series. `1950-67 WHAT MY LINE the grandaddy of all game shows what a cast the host & panalists i knew Daly & Francism among 1000 of tv film performers im a tv film historian i have 400 episodes of this famed series on VHS. i love every episode.i lived thru those years. Too GSC took it off their programming. Thanks. TOMKES

[OldTelivisionRocks]

absolutely loved the OH shut up

[9TheMajor]

Loudest ovation of any guest ever !!!!

[zamusicza]

@9TheMajor I think Bette Davis may have beat him not sure.....hard to tell.

[John0Free]

I grew up listening to Jack and his show on the radio.....this is priceless to have these video's here.

[satin3charm]

Ms Meadows face was priceless there- - haha

[NellsStuff]

If only this were a Fred Allen episode... it would have been an all-time classic for Jack & Fred fans...

[SIMPFANN]

I never thought of that, but you're right! But of course, Fred had passed away by this time.

[waylonward]

What a great performer! He seldom told a joke, but he was funnier than them all!  He will never been replaced.

[Jantv81]

@waylonward  never was older than 39.

[MOGGS1942]

@waylonward Jack Benny didn't need to actually tell a joke to make me laugh. That was his genius.

[GeminiNightOwl]

Jack Benny - brilliant, classy and simply the best. Love the way smacked John Daily and said "oh shut up" to Bennett. Priceless...

[zaygezunt]

@GeminiNightOwl Classy is the word! Interesting that he said he would rather have a been a good violinist than a comedian. However, he has given us many years of terrific entertainment and he is unique - thanks Jack!

[WSenator1]

@GeminiNightOwl - amen to that! LOVE Jack Benny!

[68lincoln]

Great! Love that Jack Benny! He will always be "39" years old and hearing his slightly intentionally off key violin playing "Love In Bloom" and watching his silent, long stares always bring a smile to me...and remember his 1927 Maxwell, the car was practically a part of the cast of his show with sound effects by the great Mel Blanc! This What's My Line episode appears to be from about 1964 and Jack looked great!!

[thewomandirector]

1:20 A great comic IS glamorous!

[JubalCalif]

Wow....being the HUGE Jack Benny fan that I am...this clip was a DELIGHT to watch! Hilarious! Can't thank you enough for posting it for us to enjoy! Too bad Jack's nemsis Fred Allen wasn't on the panel that night! That would have provided even MORE laffs! :)

[wmlfan9]

If I absolutely HAD to name my all-time favorite comedian I would choose Jack Benny. You just have to like him. The way he looks, acts, talks - there's only one Jack Benny.

[TerryArtanis]

Benny's arsenal of physical expressions is were weapons of mass destruction

[zippysez]

wonderful wonderful man

[xxcharmed1xx]

love jack benny.. he was such a charmer.

[xxcharmed1xx]

Totally off subject but why wasnt bogie on there as a guest

[26mae1987]

i dont think he was well! didnt he pass in the late 50's ? maybe he didnt wnat to -but i was thinking that to i would have loved to see it (how would he have hidden his voice?!

[gmarx0]

Jack died 12/26/1974. He may have just been tired from the Sullivan Show on this appearance.

[DancingEwok]

Heifetz LMAO!!!!!!!!!

[Jumbos51]

Can you believe Bennet Cerf? More than any panel member, he always figured out the mystery guest. Amazing.

[soulierinvestments]

GSN broadcast this Fathers Day 1959 episode in February 2009. It featured

a buyer / seller of confederate currency -- who brought an $1000 example to show and gave the panel gifts of (copies??) confederate currency!

a 13-year-old girl who did stunts on airplane wings

Benny also made a short appearance on stage after the mystery guest spot -- [confederate??] money in hand. LOL

a designer of bread boxes.

Daly announced that Eammon Andrews will substitute for him while he is in Japan.

[harwetopa]

Ah, Benjamin Kubelski! It is interesting to note that he was related to the Marx Brothers by marriage: his wife Sadie Marks, aka Mary Livingston, was their cousin--her family Angliscized their surname.

[sandrahn]

Benny was a god of comedy!

[coyotedrunkoncognac]

the king

the absolute king of comedic timing

[erzbet07]

I haven't laughed so much in AGES. Long live Jack Benny! I grew up watching the Jack Benny Program with my family and also saw a few of his films. He's outstanding as Josef Tura, husband of Carole Lombard, in TO BE OR NOT TO BE. Jack Benny was THE BEST! Thanks for sharing.

[jajaeeyore93]

I love Jack Benny. (And yes, Waukegan is the greatest city in the world. Indeed.)

[zkzkzk]

Very funny. Thanks for posting.

[nexttimewelove51]

this was absolutely hillarious. Jack Benny was awesome.

[PatinPDXOR]

Oh, what a funny segment! One of the all time best.

[Freenbean]

This demonstrates the informal MG rule Bennett Cerf mentions in the oral history-they go once around the panel before Cerf delivers the giveaway question. The panel must have had a strong hunch Benny would be the MG, as he was in NYC on a promotion trip and was doing all the big shows.

[Freenbean]

this clip puts to rest the old canard that Jack Benny couldn't ad-lib

[tuxguys]

Adlibbing is two things: Primarily timing, secondarily content. Benny's timing was so deadly, it didn't matter what his content was (usually it was, at least, good).

[HowardOfOz]

in my humble opinion, the 2 great masters of timing were also the 2 great masters of comedy...Jack Benny and Groucho Marx

[26mae1987]

it was him that did a few movies with one of my fave eva actresses carole lombard? lovesssss her always a star and him xoxo

[martinimerlin]

Benny co-starred with Carole Lombard in "To Be Or Not To Be". It was Lombard's final film.

She died in a plane crash with her mother returning to her husband Clark Gable - from a WWII War Bond Drive.

[mowm88]

a great movie

[mkrobinson95]

Jack's slap at 2:17 is hilarious

[tangsoomonkey]

lol

[tangsoomonkey]

"Oh Shut Up!"

[Padiwan2]

This is a very hilarious episode. It's worth watching.

[aditawz]

aditawz

wml should come back as a game show for this summer(abc)

[kpyng]

"Do Mischa Elman and Jascha Heifetz scream with horror at mere mention of your name?" Priceless wit from Bennett Cerf.

[manidig]

"Oh shut up!"

Jack's timing and wit is flawless.

[sweetaliena]

I thought it was really funny but I don't quite understand the link between them. Was there a feud between them?

[crepehanger47]

Benny was a terrible violin player as part of his act.

[slipperynoodle20]

But actually a very capable player.

[ClassicFilmFan]

LOL at 01:58 - wat a great episode!! I like

Jack Benny very much since i've dwonloaded a few of his radio shows. They certainly don't make radio and television shows like they used to do back then.

[youseesantacruz]

No one better than Jack - Grape Nuts, Lucky Strike, whomever the sponsor - Jack Benny was such a remarkable - and humble - man. "Sunday Nights at Seven" (co-written by Joan Benny, his daughter, and Jack - excerpts from his autobiography) is a great book showcasing a great man. ...Well!

[BEMUM]

007 - We're not sure how good you are at hitting the mark, but, yes, Bennet Serf was good at it.

[sonjaxfactor]

did the producers give the panelists hints before going on?

[icebox766]

I doubt it. But it's the same panelists most every show, so they'd get good. Their questions are almost always the same at the start to peg the mystery guest down. Also, many guests are in NY for some reason, and these guys are socially active and so know movies, theater and what's going on in town. So that reduces the difficulty significantly.

[sonjaxfactor]

thank you.

[007InMiami]

Is it just me or is Bennett always on target guessing the mystery guests?

[TomBarrister]

This was aired June 21, 1959. Benny appeared on "What's my Line" three times as mystery guest in 1953, 1959, and 1965. Daly reciprocated by appearing once on Jack Benny's program in 1961.

The comment Jack makes to Jayne Meadows "That was as nice a kiss you've gotten in a long time.....Steve!" is a ribbing to the fact that Allen and Meadows were happily married (and they remained married until Allen's death).

[noliketoregister]

I was drawn to the Jack Benny clip like a moth to a flame. I truly laughed out loud. I posted a sketch Jack Benny does with Humphrey Bogart on a whim. I hope someone likes it, nobody has made any comments on it so I'm contemplating taking it down. Maybe it's not any good. THIS video made me laugh though. So glad I found it.

[sonjaxfactor]

I didn't know that. Don't take it down.

[noliketoregister]

Thanks for the support. My little clip is so poor though. I actually videoed the screen of my TV as I played my 12 year old VHS tape. The video quality of this clip with Jack on "What's My Line" is vastly superior.

[Arlenbr]

Jack Benny, Red Skelton ... names that defined the essence of comedy. Thanks God for film and recordings that have preserved them for generations to come. Show business will never get any greater.

[STU676]

who was better than benny ?.....no on I can think of

[Ulysses61]

Can anyone post the one with James Mason or Monty Clift as the Mystery Guests?

[Ulysses61]

Fabulous! I adore Jack Benny, they don't make 'em like him anymore. What a talent.

[sonjaxfactor]

lmao!!

[39rc6cf]

WHAT A FREAKING TREAT WAS THAT VIDEO. Thanks a million!

[KyoKusanagi15]

Why did Benny signed in as Heifetz??

[dsamuelson194]

Heifetz's a violinist... benny played violin but it was a joke about how bad he was,,

[soulierinvestments]

Heifetz was a violinist, and Benny played the violin badly as part of his comedy routine. However, Benny practiced the violin seriously and could play well . . . well, well enough when he wanted. If it is not already posted on YouTube, I wish someone would post a duet of "Getting to Know You" Benny did on live TV with Giselle McKenzie. That illustrates Benny's talent with the violin.

[russo76]

"How can this show afford me?"

[leslie04film]

I don't know who to ask but if anyone has the 'Mystrey Guest' segment with Myrna Loy they would make me extremely happy!!!!

[grandcosmo]

The crowd's reaction when he walked out said it all.

[Waterfallguy59]

I was lucky enough to see Jack on his TV show before it went off the air. My Grandma & I would watch his show each week. And they both passed away in 1974 - what a terrible year. But both are always with me in spirit - now & forever - I Love You Both !!

[MechaBlazeEagle]

They're watching over you from Heaven.

[dkublin]

God bless dear old Jack Benny!!one in a billion!!!the funniest comedian ever to walk on this earth!!!Oh mary Oh Mary!!!

[Lava1964]

Whenever I need a laugh or two (or six) I watch this clip. How come TV can't be this good anymore?

[CandyQ]

That was hilarious! I was looking at some Marilyn Monroe vids and then I came upon a video w/ Marilyn appearing on a Jack Benny show. I watched it and liked it very much. I heard of the name before but never bothered to check it out. I'm glad I did, because Mr. Benny is so funny and fun to watch. I can't get enough of him. U can call me a Jack Benny fan now ;)

[MechaBlazeEagle]

I'm also a fan now. Thanks for posting this! This shows clean comedy is the best!

[freefromfolsom]

hahahaha brilliant! i love it when he hits mr daly

[MollysFashionState]

"Heifetz". LMAO!!! I luv Benny. Can hardly wait to show this rare clip to fellow fans...SO many thanks!  :) :) :)

[TomBarrister]

Jayne Meadows was also a regular on "I've Got a Secret" and appeared on the other CBS game shows ("To Tell the Truth", "Password", etc.).

[davemock]

There's a series of Youtube clips of Ms. Meadows from an Archive of American Television (I believe that's the organization) interview a couple of years back. Even in her mid-80s, a sharp, elegant and well-read woman...what a mix of New England, New York and Hollywood. (And she was born in China.)

[Lava1964]

You're right; it is Jayne Meadows, the wife of Steve Allen. (Hey, I was born in 1964.)

[brichard2]

Easy mistake. Other than being a panelist on this show, Jayne was really only known for being Steve's wife and Audrey's sister.

[supremes1964]

I was born in 1964 what a great year! lol

[frankftw]

Never laughed so hard at a youtube clip...thank you, Mr. Benny.

[rmm413]

What a wonderful clip! Jack was hilarious and so spontaneous. Thank you so much for posting this. Please, please post more What's My Line and/or Jack Benny clips.

[Lava1964]

I always wanted to kiss Audrey Meadows too.

[brichard2]

That's Jayne Meadows, not Audrey Meadows.

[Lava1964]

Is it? She sure sounds like Audrey meadows.

[tuxguys]

If I'm not mistaken Jayne Meadows and Audrey Meadows were sisters.

[HowardOfOz]

they were

[Lava1964]

Fantastic clip!

[fromthesidelines]

This was during the late summer of 1959, just before Jack moved to 10pm(et) on Sundays, right before "WML?" in the '59-'60 season. John Daly himself would guest star on one of Jack's filmed episodes in January of 1961. You knew the game was pretty much over when Bennett made his keen observation and Jack HAD to say, "Oh, shut up!".

[SIMPFANN]

This is one of the funniest WML segments I've ever seen! Benny was immeasurably great. Thanks for posting!

[Lava1964]

This is one of the funniest game show segments, period! Great stuff.

[rjvonbokern]

Thanks for the viedo. From radio to television [1933 to

1965] there will never be another star with the staying

power of Jack Benny. Carson was close, but that is the

only other star in that neighborhood.

[Lava1964]

Interesting comparison. I'd say Benny had the more impressive career because of his widespread appeal for all ages. Carson (whom I greatly loved) had an audience mainly made up of night owls.

[atlantic965]

Amen, what a mediorce place Hollywood is today. I loved Benny's skits with Fred Allen.

[professor1966]

There was a "rivalry" between Benny and Allen during the radio days. Allen made a comment about Benny's violin playing, and when Benny fired back at Allen on his own show, people started to think there was a war betwee, the two of them, and they milked it for all it was worth. Away from the airwaves they were the closest of friends.

[storrs19]

That was with Fred Allen who is quite a bit different from Steve Allen. I never could laugh much at Fred Allen for some reason but Steve Allen is a riot and a great panelist. I love his dry sense of humor.