About
"They all liked Jack (Benny) and they respected him and trusted him -- that he wouldn't hurt them. Jack never worried about being the star of the show. He let everybody else get the laughs. He didn't care."
In his three-and-a-half-hour interview, Irving Fein (1911-2012) speaks at length about his 28 years managing and producing for Jack Benny, as well as his years managing George Burns. Fein discusses his transition from motion picture publicity to producing for Benny in 1947 -- a path that led him from New York to California, back to New York, and finally back to California once more. He details the many years he spent publicizing both the radio and television versions of The Jack Benny Program, and shares tales of producing Benny's various specials for television. Fein describes Benny's real-life and television persona, his lasting legacy, and his grace as a comedian. Fein also recounts managing George Burns during the last years of the comedian's life -- securing for Burns several stand-up appearances, his Oscar-winning role in The Sunshine Boys, and an impressive gathering for his 100th birthday party. Sunny Parich conducted the interview on August 13, 1998 in West Hollywood, CA.
Highlights
Irving Fein on the contest done on Truth or Consequences to identify the "walking man," which became a national obsession (the "walking man" turned out to be Jack Benny)
Irving Fein on how George Burns gave Gracie Allen "top billing" for eternity
Irving Fein on the unsuccessful special that turned Jack Benny 40 years old, and the decision to age him back to 39
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's radio/TV persona and real life personality
Irving Fein on George Burns' death
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood in Brooklyn and his early influences; on coaching drama at summer camp and his early writing efforts
On radio programs and movies he enjoyed as a youngster
On his first job out of college in the Publicity and Advertising Department at Warner Brothers; on going to law school at night
On moving to Hollywood to be a publicist at Warner Brothers; on the Great Depression; on publicity for movies in the 1930s and 1940s
On planting stories for publicity; on television's debut at the 1939 World's Fair
On becoming assistant to Samuel Goldwyn
Chapter 2
On leaving Warner Brothers for Samuel Goldwyn; on World War II and his role as Publicity Director for Samuel Goldwyn; on publicity stunts
On the star system; on working for Columbia Pictures, getting drafted and going to work for a defense plant rather than going overseas
On returning to Warner Brothers, then to Columbia again, and then leaving to become part of Jack Benny's new company, Amusement Enterprises
Chapter 3
On making Jack Benny #1 in radio; on doing publicity for several CBS radio programs including Lux Radio Theater, The Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show, and Amos 'n' Andy
On the rise of television and Jack Benny's transition from radio to television
On the writers of Jack Benny's radio and television programs and how they worked with Jack Benny
Chapter 4
On the staff of The Jack Benny Program; on moving to New York to take a job at CBS and leaving to return West and form a production company with Jack Benny - J&M Productions
On returning to The Jack Benny Program; on series regulars Eddie Anderson, Don Wilson, Dennis Day, Frank Nelson and Mel Blanc
On live television and some of the program's regular and special guests; on playing up publicity for Jack Benny
Chapter 5
On President Harry Truman doing a special episode of The Jack Benny Program; on Billy Graham guest starring on the show
On Jack Benny's sense of humor; on Benny's comedy contemporaries and how they would guest star on each other's shows
On The Marge and Gower Champion Show for J&M Productions; on The Gisele MacKenzie Show
On The Jack Benny Program becoming a weekly show; on moving to the Desilu lot and famous guests
Chapter 6
On his Emmy win for producing The Jack Benny Program; on the unsuccessful special that turned Jack Benny 40 years old, and the decision to age him back to 39
On The Jack Benny Program moving to NBC and going off the air; on forming JB Productions and becoming Jack Benny's manager and producer
On becoming manager for George Burns and Burns winning an Oscar for The Sunshine Boys; on George Burns' movie career later in life; on Burns' death
Chapter 7
On George Burns' burial; on the legacy of Jack Benny and George Burns
On advice to aspiring managers; on how publicity and television changed over the years
On how he'd liked to be remembered; on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked; on his wife
Shows
$64,000 Question
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's guest appearance on The $64,000 Question (that led to a subsequent appearance of $64,000 Question host Hal March on The Jack Benny Program)
Gisele MacKenzie Show, The
Irving Fein on The Gisele MacKenzie Show
Jack Benny Program, The
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's radio/TV persona and real life personality
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's wife, his radio-TV co-star Mary Livingstone
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's radio program
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's guest appearance on The $64,000 Question (that led to a subsequent appearance of $64,000 Question host Hal March on The Jack Benny Program)
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's first television specials and getting a weekly show
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program on radio and television
Irving Fein on returning to work for The Jack Benny Program
Irving Fein on President Harry Truman doing a special episode of The Jack Benny Program
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program becoming a weekly show and famous guests
Irving Fein on being surprised and unprepared for his Emmy win for producing The Jack Benny Program
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program going off the air after moving to NBC
Irving Fein on Sheldon Leonard's role on The Jack Benny Program
Jack Benny Program, The: "Hal March Show"
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's guest appearance on The $64,000 Question (that led to a subsequent appearance of $64,000 Question host Hal March on The Jack Benny Program)
Jack Benny Specials
Irving Fein on the unsuccessful special that turned Jack Benny 40 years old, and the decision to age him back to 39
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Specials after the weekly show went off the air
Marge and Gower Champion Show, The
Irving Fein on executive producing The Marge and Gower Champion Show for J&M Productions
Truth or Consequences
Irving Fein on the contest done on Truth or Consequences to identify the "walking man," which became a national obsession (the "walking man" turned out to be Jack Benny)
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's radio/TV persona and real life personality
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's guest appearance on The $64,000 Question (that led to a subsequent appearance of $64,000 Question host Hal March on The Jack Benny Program)
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's violin bit
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's classic comedy bits: Maxwell, the vault and the feud with Fred Allen
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program's Eddie Anderson
Emmy Awards
Irving Fein on being surprised and unprepared for his Emmy win for producing The Jack Benny Program
Harry S. Truman
Irving Fein on Jack Benny doing a concert for Harry Truman and getting the president on The Jack Benny Program
Irving Fein on President Harry Truman doing a special episode of The Jack Benny Program
Historic Events and Social Change
Irving Fein on trying to serve as a publicist for a General during World War II
Pop Culture
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's radio/TV persona and real life personality
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's guest appearance on The $64,000 Question (that led to a subsequent appearance of $64,000 Question host Hal March on The Jack Benny Program)
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's violin bit
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program's Eddie Anderson
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program's Eddie Anderson
Television and the Presidency
Irving Fein on Jack Benny doing a concert for Harry Truman and getting the president on The Jack Benny Program
Irving Fein on President Harry Truman doing a special episode of The Jack Benny Program
War
Irving Fein on trying to serve as a publicist for a General during World War II
World War II
Irving Fein on trying to serve as a publicist for a General during World War II
Professions
Producers
Irving Fein on being surprised and unprepared for his Emmy win for producing The Jack Benny Program
Publicist
Irving Fein on moving to Hollywood to be a publicist at Warner Brothers and on publicity for movies in the 1930s and 1940s
Irving Fein on how publicity today is more of a business than a creative process
Representatives
Irving Fein on moving to Hollywood to be a publicist at Warner Brothers and on publicity for movies in the 1930s and 1940s
Irving Fein on how publicity today is more of a business than a creative process
Genres
Comedy Series
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program on radio and television
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program
Irving Fein on the end of The Jack Benny Program on television and The Jack Benny Specials
People
Fred Allen
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's famous feud with Fred Allen
Gracie Allen
Irving Fein on Gracie Allen's retirement
Irving Fein on Gracie Allen
Eddie Anderson
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program's Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
James T. Aubrey
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program going off the air after switching to NBC
Hy Averback
Irving Fein on Hy Averback
Lucille Ball
Irving Fein on Lucille Ball
George Balzer
Irving Fein on George Blazer, writer for The Jack Benny Program
Jack Benny
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's radio/TV persona and real life personality
Irving Fein on an offer be Publicity and Advertising Director for Jack Benny's new company, Amusement Enterprises, and making Benny #1 on radio
Irving Fein on meeting Jack Benny for the first time
Irving Fein on the contest done on Truth or Consequences to identify the "walking man," which became a national obsession (the "walking man" turned out to be Jack Benny)
Irving Fein on William S. Paley purchasing Jack Benny's company
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's first television specials and getting a weekly show
Irving Fein on how Jack Benny worked with the writers
Irving Fein on Jack Benny wanting him back on his program when Fein left for CBS in New York
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's classic comedy bits and feud with Fred Allen
Irving Fein on President Harry Truman doing a special episode of The Jack Benny Program
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's sense of humor
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's relationship with George Burns
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program director Fred De Cordova and how he got along with Jack Benny
Irving Fein on how Jack Benny never needed to be the center of the attention
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's work on television specials and working up until his death
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's legacy
Seymour Berns
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program director Seymour Berns
Mel Blanc
Irving Fein on Mel Blanc's role on The Jack Benny Program
Humphrey Bogart
Irving Fein on Humphrey Bogart on The Jack Benny Program
George Burns
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's relationship with George Burns
Irving Fein on managing George Burns
Irving Fein on how George Burns gave Gracie Allen "top billing" for eternity
Irving Fein on George Burns' legacy
Johnny Carson
Irving Fein on Johnny Carson
Gower Champion
Irving Fein on executive producing The Marge and Gower Champion Show for J&M Productions
Marge Champion
Irving Fein on executive producing The Marge and Gower Champion Show for J&M Productions
Harry Cohn
Irving Fein on Harry Cohn of Columbia Pictures recruiting him to be a producer, and not keeping his word
Harry Conn
Irving Fein on Harry Conn, writer for The Jack Benny Program
Bette Davis
Irving Fein on promoting Bette Davis at Warner Brothers
Dennis Day
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program singer Dennis Day
Fred de Cordova
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program director Fred De Cordova
Irving Fein on being surprised and unprepared for his Emmy win for producing The Jack Benny Program
Ralph Edwards
Irving Fein on the contest done on Truth or Consequences to identify the "walking man," which became a national obsession (the "walking man" turned out to be Jack Benny)
Errol Flynn
Irving Fein on publicity stunts for Errol Flynn
Samuel Goldwyn
Irving Fein on becoming assistant to Samuel Goldwyn
Irving Fein on movie mogul Samuel Goldwyn
Irving Fein on movie mogul Samuel Goldwyn
Al Gordon
Irving Fein on Al Gordon, writer for The Jack Benny Program
Freeman Gosden
Irving Fein on giving Amos 'n' Andy creator Freeman Gosden publicity ideas
Billy Graham
Irving Fein on getting Reverend Billy Graham on The Jack Benny Program
Rita Hayworth
Irving Fein on publicity stunts for Rita Hayworth
Milt Josefsberg
Irving Fein on Milt Josefsberg, writer for The Jack Benny Program
Danny Kaye
Irving Fein on Danny Kaye's success at the Palladium in London
Sheldon Leonard
Irving Fein on Sheldon Leonard's role on The Jack Benny Program
Ralph Levy
Irving Fein on producer/director of The Jack Benny Program, Ralph Levy
Irving Fein on working with producer/director of The Jack Benny Program, Ralph Levy
Mary Livingstone
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's wife, his radio-TV co-star Mary Livingstone
Irving Fein on Mary Livingstone retiring from show business
Irving Fein on actress and Mrs. Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone
Gisele MacKenzie
Irving Fein on singer and violinist Gisele MacKenzie guest starring on The Jack Benny Program
Irving Fein on The Gisele MacKenzie Show
Hal March
Irving Fein on Jack Benny's guest appearance on The $64,000 Question (that led to a subsequent appearance of $64,000 Question host Hal March on The Jack Benny Program)
Zubin Mehta
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Special with Zubin Mehta conducting the symphony
Bill Morrow
Irving Fein on Bill Morrow, writer for The Jack Benny Program
Frank Nelson
Irving Fein on "nasty man" Frank Nelson on The Jack Benny Program
Jack Paar
Irving Fein on Jack Paar
William S. Paley
Irving Fein on CBS' William S. Paley wooing Jack Benny away from NBC
Irving Fein on William S. Paley purchasing Jack Benny's company
Irving Fein on William S. Paley's personality
Irving Fein on saying goodbye to Bill Paley on his final day at CBS
Sam Perrin
Irving Fein on Sam Perrin, writer for The Jack Benny Program
Irving Fein on Sam Perrin, writer for The Jack Benny Program
David Sarnoff
Irving Fein on David Sarnoff's relationship with Jack Benny
Irwin Shaw
Irving Fein on going to summer camp with future playwright/novelist Irwin Shaw and encouraging Shaw to write
Ann Sheridan
Irving Fein on doing publicity for Ann Sheridan
Red Skelton
Irving Fein on Red Skelton
Adlai Stevenson
Irving Fein on Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson's clever way of following comedian Fred Allen's funny speech at an early 1950s Friar's Club Roast of Jack Benny
Jimmy Stewart
Irving Fein on Jimmy Stewart on The Jack Benny Program
John Tackaberry
Irving Fein on John Tackaberry, writer for The Jack Benny Program
Harry S. Truman
Irving Fein on Jack Benny doing a concert for Harry Truman and getting the president on The Jack Benny Program
Irving Fein on President Harry Truman doing a special episode of The Jack Benny Program
Lew Wasserman
Irving Fein on MCA Executive Lew Wasserman
Don Wilson
Irving Fein on The Jack Benny Program's announcer, Don Wilson