Jack Benny Puts Up His Own Money

Jack Benny was pained to part with his money. So ingrained was this part of the Jack Benny persona that on his radio program, among his biggest laughs came when a robber held him up demanding "Your money or your life?" prompting a long pause from Benny... who finally said "I'm thinking it over!"

In the 1950s, when Benny's popular radio show made the transition to TV (where it had a fifteen year run), audiences were well aware of Benny's penchant for stinginess. So his appearance on quiz show The $64,000 Question was especially popular.

But equally funny was the follow-up to Benny's quiz show stint, when $64,000 Question host Hal March returned the favor by guest-starring on The Jack Benny Program. The twist? March would participate in Benny's version of The $64,000 Question... with Benny putting up his own money! The result was a very funny, very memorable show (March is quite a sport, as you'll see). Watch Archive interviewee Irving Fein (Benny's longtime manager) talk about Benny's initial appearance on The $64,000 Question, plus an embed of the Jack Benny episode itself at the Archive's page for The Jack Benny Program: "Hal March Show."

Look also for Benny's visit from his "fan club" president and secretary who answer a burning question they have about Benny's hair.