To be or not to be jack benny full movie

Im not at all sure that its a classic, but its so good in its own right. In the original play, city dweller bill fuller, fired up. I am so shocked that there were only two comments in your index about it. To be or not to be is a hollywood film of the boldest black humor, which went. The jack benny program jack benny self benny the louse district attorney zeke benny alexander hamilton alfalfa bruce fink buck charles manningham charleston t. Actor jack benny, born on feb 14, 1894 and died on dec 26, 1974 starred in to be or not to be, george washington slept here, charleys aunt 1941, beau james, broadway melody of 1936, a guide for the married man, college holiday, hollywood canteen, gypsy, the horn blows at midnight. He was known for his comic timing and the ability to cause laughter with a pregnant pause or a single expression, such as his signature. To be or not to be 1942 is berlin germanyborn director ernst lubitschs sophisticated screwball masterpiece, with satirical comedy, romance, and suspense.

Warsaw stage star maria tura carole lombard with dresser maude eburne, receives a note from a fan, hammy husband joseph jack benny beginning his soliloquy, handsome lieutenant stanislav robert stack paying his first visit, in ernst lubitschs to be or not to be, 1942. Jack benny is at his best in this comedy while carole lombard gets to play the femme fatale and the object of affection of a young admirer. However, benny s movies in the 1930s did not use him effectively. The plot which takes in the polish underground,the nazi invasion,a hitler impersonater,the gestapo and various deceptions is too convoluted to go into but the plot is secondary to its nonstop gags and. On the may 15, 1974 episode of the tonight show starring johnny carson, robert blake said it was an unhappy set due to jack benny being at odds with warner brothers studio not accommodating his request for a different leading lady than alexis smith. Benny wouldnt start getting well known until his own radio program in 1934. Jack benny, entertainer whose unusual comedic method and expert timing made him a legendary success in u. The son of a saloon keeper, jack benny born benny kubelsky began to study the violin at the age six, and his ineptness at it, would later become his trademark in reality, he was a very accomplished player.

With jack benny, peter lorre, joanie sommers, don wilson. To be or not to be is a 1942 american black comedy film directed by ernst lubitsch and starring carole lombard, jack benny, robert stack, felix bressart, lionel atwill, stanley ridges and sig ruman. Why jack is not going to appear on the show live radio jack benny, barbara. Benny s career lasted from the early 1900s until his death in 1974. The coffee cup dunking scene stood in my mind for years. Acting couple joseph jack benny and maria tura carole lombard are managing a theatrical troupe when the nazis invade poland. Brooks stars as the leader of a theatre troupe in warsaw at the time of the nazi invasion. Every now and then on the criticwire network an older film gets singled out. Her bestknown movies included twentieth century, my man godfrey, and nothing sacred. Join sign up keep track of your favorite shows and movies, across all your devices. Rare jack benny radio show rehearsal for bob hope and jack double date 1955. Mel brookss remake of ernst lubitschs 1942 classic, to be or not to be, is smashingly funny. To be or not to be is a hollywood film of the boldest black humor, which went into production right before the u. Ernst lubitschs to be or not to be is a black comedy about a polish theater companyled by joseph and maria tura jack benny and carole.

To be or not to be 1942 movie clip while hes still. To be or not to be mel brooks takes a side step from his usual burlesque to remake the classic that starred jack benny and carole lombard in her last gig. Jack benny fancies himself a great hamlet, which is where the movie gets its title which the wily director turns into a ribald joke. Now we can learn about jack benny, carole lombard, ernst lubitsch and all the components that came together. Barbara stanwyck guest stars on the jack benny program youtube. Born benjamin kubelsky in chicago, illinois, he was raised in waukegan, illinois, the jack benny middle schools football team is called the 39ers, in his honor.

As nervy as it is hilarious, this screwball masterpiece from ernst lubitsch stars jack benny and, in her final screen appearance, carole lombard as husbandandwife thespians in nazioccupied warsaw who become caught up in a dangerous spy plot. The anarchist film archive presents to be or not to be 1942 ernst. Ive been a big fan of the jack benny movie since i was 10 years old. Jack benny, as the leader of the troupe, displays an acting talent never again demanded of him. In fact, the radio show was generally not announced as the jack benny program. Jack benny full list of movies and tv shows in theaters, in production and upcoming films. When to be or not to be was originally made, by ernst lubitsch in 1942, the nazis were in poland, which gave a certain poignancy to every funny line. How did you get interested in jack benny at such a young age. February 14, 1894 december 26, 1974 was an american comedian, vaudevillian, radio, television and film actor, and violinist recognized as a leading 20thcentury american entertainer, benny often portrayed his character as a miser, who obliviously played his violin badly, and ridiculously claimed to be 39 years of age, regardless of his act. Carole lombard, american actress who was known for her ability to combine elegance and zaniness in some of the most successful and popular film comedies of the 1930s. Ernst lubitschs to be or not to be is a black comedy about a polish theater companyled by joseph and maria tura jack benny and carole lombardthat turns to espionage after being shut down by. Brooks and bancroft go in the opposite direction, cheerfully allowing farce, slapstick, pratfalls and puns. Kaufman broadway hit george washington slept here has herein been tailored to the unique talents of jack benny.

Ernst lubitsch carole lombard, jack benny, robert stack. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The film is now available in a first rate print with a first rate commentary. I have an idea for a show movie about jack benny, or want to use his image or recordings. Carole lombard, jack benny, robert stack, felix bressart. Benny even said he would refuse to promote the movie on. Feb 04, 2016 starring jack benny, martha raye, george burns, gracie allen. Suspiciously, both carole lombard and jack benny fired off almost identical cables describing the new title as suggestive and allowing that, as participants and investors in the film, they objected strongly to the change. He left germany in the early 1920s for hollywood, and found great success crafting a personal brand with a number of hit screwball comedies and musicals.

His most famous joke was as a man confronted by a robber who demands your money or your life. No filmmaker seems to take such glee at poking fun of the nazis as mel brooks. To be or not to be 1942 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. To be or not to be, costarring carole lombard and jack benny, under expert guidance of ernst lubitsch, is absorbing drama with farcical trimmings. To be or not to be 1942 is berlin germanyborn director ernst lubitschs. Learn more about benny s life and career in this article. Ernst lubitschs to be or not to be, starring jack benny and carole lombard, is a topnotch world war 2 satire taking place during the holocaust. During the nazi occupation of poland, an acting troupe becomes. Maltin writes that it is a scene for scene copy, but i am not reminded of any shots i saw in 1942. In to be or not to be, josef tura jack benny and his charming wife maria carole lombard are selfabsorbed actors, the toasts of preworld war ii warsaw, poland. The narrator then brought the film fullcircle back to the beginning. There are so many public domain packs of 50s tv i can see why anyone would be confused as to which to buy. Jack benny gives us his hamlet in to be or not to be. They rehearse a satire about fascists in neighboring germany, unaware that the 1939 nazi invasion of poland is days away.

Though born in a chicago hospital, entertainer jack benny was a waukegan boy through and through. With jack benny, ann sheridan, charles coburn, percy kilbride. The films comedic skewering of nazis was particularly controversial at a time when. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. He also said that jack benny accidentally sneezed on him. The interrogator from the carol burnett show full sketch duration. In 1942, benny starred in one of his greatest movies to be or not to be, which was directed by the great ernest lubitsch. Then, just earlier this year, i sought out the mel brooks version. Josef tura and his wife maria are leading players in a theater company in poland. Perhaps its because you both built this movie up so much, but i didnt find it quite so enjoyable as you did. I have seen the first two of the films in full lenght, and the last two only five. To be or not to be works as both comedy and thriller. If you do not like jack benny, this film is not for you. Yes some of the episodes are almost fifty years old and probably will never see the light of day again, but look at the dreck on tv right now.

To be or not to be, with mel brooks the new york times. To be or not to be 1942 ernst lubitsch watch online. The three stars pertain to the value of the purchase versus another product, not jack benny s humor. Benny is simply brilliant here whether he is in a barely contained panic attack or spouting out sarcastic wisecracks. Benny s sponsors included chevrolet from 1933 to 1934, general tire in 1934, and jello from 1934 to 1942. Benny s first sponsor was canada dry ginger ale from 1932 to 1933.

Instead, the primary name of the show tied to the sponsor. The 1940s saw benny making some excellent contributions to film. To be or not to be is a hollywood film of the boldest black humor, which went into. The screenplay was written by ronny graham and thomas meehan, based on the original story by melchior lengyel, ernst lubitsch and edwin justus mayer. In to be or not to be, a remake of a 1942 jack benny comedy, brooks and an allstar ensemble cast have a splendid time working as a makeshift polish underground in world war ii, using as their cover their theatrical company. Jack benny celebrity profile check out the latest jack benny photo gallery, biography, pics, pictures, interviews, news, forums and blogs at rotten tomatoes. The carol burnett show official recommended for you. To be or not to be skips lightly over all of the minefield of a subject like this and it is difficult or impossible to think of any other filmmaker who might have managed it if you look at mel brooks limp remake, you can see why. This is a list of movies featuring comedian jack benny. February 14, 1894 december 26, 1974 was an american entertainer, who transitioned from modest success playing violin on the vaudeville circuit to a highly popular comedic career in radio, television, and film. He also appeared in 19 films between 1927 and 1945. As nervy as it is hilarious, this screwball masterpiece from ernst lubitsch stars jack benny and, in her final screen appearance, carole lombard as hu.

Jack benny biography, movie highlights and photos allmovie. To be or not to be 1942 synopsis in world war ii poland, the elaborately egotistical theatrical couple joseph and maria tura jack benny and carole lombard head a company that is forced by their occupiers to switch from antinazi propaganda to shakespeare, allowing maria to dally backstage with the young pilot sobinski robert stack while joseph hams it up as hamlet hence the title. To be or not to be 1942 rotten tomatoes movie trailers. Top 20 quotes of jack benny famous quotes and sayings. Stanwyck and benny perform a very funny parody of the film gaslight, which they have named autolight. When was the international jack benny fan club started and by whom. Lubitschs stars were jack benny and carole lombard, both specialists in underplaying. Its amusing enough and i agree that jack benny is terrific, but for me it only worked as a comedy and not as a drama or as any kind of adventure film.

Feb 19, 2014 in this clip, barbara stanwyck guest stars on the jack benny program. When bill and connie fuller are forced to move out of their manhattan apartment because of their pet dog, connie persuades bill to buy a dilapidated old pennsylvania house that george washington allegedly slept in. To be or not to be is a 1942 american black comedy film directed by ernst lubitsch and starring carole lombard, jack benny, robert stack, felix bressart. The son of a polish immigrant haberdasher, benny studied the violin from an early age he really could play, though he was certainly no virtuoso, and managed to find work in local theatre orchestras. To be or not to be has been available for many years on dvd and it was always a film which called for a commentary. To be or not to be film by lubitsch 1942 britannica.

To be or not to be, a 1942 wartime comedy directed by the great ernst lubitsch and adapted from a story by melchior lengyel the synopsis. Jack benny and ernst lubitsch share a laugh on the set of to be or not to be lubitsch himself was born to a jewish family in berlin. Starring carole lombard and jack benny no intended the rights to this video remain with the original creator, this is purely for educational and promotional purposes. In jack benny s first film he starred along with conrad nagel as master of ceremonies in the hollywood revue of 1929, which was a big role for jack at the time. The premise of george washington slept here of an urban couple, jack benny and ann sheridan, purchasing a dilapidated rural colonial farmhouse isnt the most original but put benny in full apoplexy mode you get movie magic. With carole lombard, jack benny, robert stack, felix bressart. Goodheart jose zeco koko the lord high executioner lem skinner mr. The controversial antiwar comedy about espionage and politics from producer alexander korda marked by incisive black humor was a bold.

The jack benny program the peter lorrejoanie sommers show. Jack is thrilled to introduce his guest, actor peter lorre, who seems very modest and timid until jack congratulates him on his ability to personify evil, spurring lorre to pull a knife from his jacket pocket. Ernst lubitschs superb satire with jack benny in great form as the hammy theatre actor and carole lombard as his sexy wife in war torn poland. Jack has a nightmare involving lorre, in which jack visits a new doctor, because the doctor. The play stars josef tura jack benny, in an absolutely brilliant.