BONUS- “You Can’t Film Jack: The Cinema of Jack Benny” with Kathryn Fuller-Seeley & Leonard Maltin

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03/22/21 • 79 min

On this special bonus episode, author and historian Kathryn Fuller-Seeley and film historian and film critic Leonard Maltin join Zach to discuss the cinematic legacy of Jack Benny. Listen in as they run through several of Jack's films and discuss the stories to be told behind the story of a film career that never went to the top. A special presentation from The Virtual Jack Benny Convention on 2/13/2021. Special Thanks To: Laura Leibowitz John Matthews Walden Hughes Richard Williams Ryan Frost Marshall Rosales and everyone who supported this endeavor. Check out Kathy's monumental books on Jack: Jack Benny and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy (https://www.amazon.com/Benny-Golden-American-Radio-Comedy/dp/0520295056/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&qid=1613164276&refinements=p_27%3AKathryn+Fuller-Seeley&s=books&sr=1-4&text=Kathryn+Fuller-Seeley) Jack Benny's Lost Radio Broadcasts Vol. 1 (https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Bennys-Lost-Radio-Broadcasts/dp/1629335789/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=jack+benny&qid=1616390807&s=books&sr=1-4) Explore more of Leonard Maltins legendary musings on current film and film of the past on his website Leonard Maltin's Movie Crazy (https://leonardmaltin.com/) He also has a podcast, MALTIN ON MOVIES (https://maltinonmovies.libsyn.com/) filled with many interviews with filmmakers, actors, and figures of the past to dive into. and seek out his latest book HOOKED ON HOLLYWOOD here: https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-Hollywood-Discoveries-Lifetime-Fandom/dp/0998376396/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=Leonard+Maltin&qid=1616391297&s=books&sr=1-7

Previous Episode

Ep. 15: ‘To Be Or Not To Be (1942)’ or ‘The Legend of Joseph Tura… Whom You’ve Probably Heard Of…

On a very special episode, Zach welcomes back Ryan Frost to examine satire amidst wartime in Ernst Lubitsch’s 1942 masterpiece, TO BE OR NOT TO BE. Brace yourselves for an uproarious and thought provoking chat as the boys discuss the importance of the Lubitsch touch, the concerns surrounding the script, marvel at the way the script tows the line of comedy and suspense, revel the bountiful brilliance of the films supporting players, dig into the controversies that surrounded the preview screenings and promotion of the picture, dissect Carole Lombard’s role as the “straight man” in the film, and find out just how Mr. Lubitsch got the best film performance out of Jack Benny. Things do get serious as the boys talk about how challenging art and satire is received then and today, the fine line dark comedy possesses, and about the tragic death of Carole Lombard. But like the film itself, there is silly to pair with sincerity as the guys gab a bit about Cary Grants early years, help Robert Stack solve the mystery of Robert Stack’s legacy, and get a brief visit from Mr. Hitchcock. Be sure to check out Ryan each week on Reel Nerds Podcast: https://reelnerdspodcast.com/ and look out for his article series deeper dive into the world of Cary Grant! For the origal piece, go here: https://reelnerdspodcast.com/2019/12/03/classic-cool-the-films-of-cary-grant/

Next Episode

Ep. 16: Freaks (1932) or Brother Browning’s Traveling Sideshow

Zach is joined by podcaster Smokey (Rated H, All The Best Lines) to take a look at cinema's most legendary sideshow as they dive into Tod Browning's 1932 horror classic, 'Freaks'. See the show and stay behind to hear the boys unveil the origins of such a bizarre and controversial film, learn more about the legacy of Todd Browning and his eventual decline, discuss the various lives and legacies of the sideshow performers in the film, and come to terms with how to receive the film as a modern viewer. But with education must come some fun as you hear Bela Lugosi deny responsibility for the death of Lon Chaney Sr., listen to Tommy Lee Jone's circus dream, and hear the laments of Zombie Tod Browning. Plus: Hitchcock judges puns. For more of Smokey, listen to his podcasts: Rated H: https://soundcloud.com/ratedhpdcast https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rated-h/id1186930490 All The Best Lines: https://soundcloud.com/user-161614151 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/all-the-best-lines/id1533468069 And be sure to check out the mentioned clip of Smokey's Rated H Co-Host Ben talking up Crisp Sandwiches on Chicago TV: https://t.co/Z4BAuZ4XbB TO ASSIST VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF THE RECENT EVENTS IN BOULDER, COLORADO, PLEASE VISIT: https://www.coloradogives.org/index.php?section=content&action=dynamic&cmsID=215