Holden West
05-23-2007, 07:33 PM
Sixty-three years ago, in April 1944, famous radio comedian Jack Benny, his partner Mary and the rest of his radio entourage visited Vancouver and Victoria on a War Bonds tour.
Benny did a broacast of his program from the Vancouver Forum:
http://city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/archives/photos/cva1184/sub1/A10898.jpg
http://city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/archives/photos/cva1184/sub1/A10906.jpg
CVA 1184-535 [Jack Benny playing his violin during his broadcast from the Forum]
http://city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/archives/photos/cva1184/sub1/A10895.jpg
CVA 1184-524 [Jack Benny and his troupe watching customs officers check their baggage], Apr 1944
Listen to the live broadcast here (RealAudio, 27 min.): http://www.otr.net/r/jbny/285.ram
Highlights:
From Vancouver, British Columbia. Jack talks about the luxuriousness of his hotel and the politeness of the people in Canada with Don.
A man appointed by the mayor stops by to give Jack a welcome on bagpipes.
Mary tells of her return to Vancouver, her girlhood home.
Jack explains that one must be in the city five days before being allowed to buy alcohol.
Ruby, an old friend of Mary's, comes by to catch up.
The Mayor of Vancouver, J. W. Cornett, puts in an appearance and does some gags with Jack.
After singing, the cast members say good-bye to Dennis, who is leaving to join the navy.
After some kidding from the cast, Jack decides to give his old navy uniform to Dennis instead of selling it to him.
Rochester calls, and Jack explains the rate of exchange to him.
Dennis thanks the cast and audience.Benny complains to the Mayor about the toll on the Lions Gate Bridge and gets a big cheer from the audience! :D
http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/cgi-bin/www2i/.visual/img_med/dir_103/b_01466.gif
From left to right, bandleader Phil Harris, announcer Don Wilson, Lieutenant Governor William Culham Woodward, actress Mary Livingston, Mrs. Woodward and comedian Jack Benny; in Victoria on a bond drive.
http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/cgi-bin/www2i/.visual/img_med/dir_103/b_01467.gif
Don Wilson and Jack Benny in performance on a War Bond tour in Victoria.
Benny did a broacast of his program from the Vancouver Forum:
http://city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/archives/photos/cva1184/sub1/A10898.jpg
http://city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/archives/photos/cva1184/sub1/A10906.jpg
CVA 1184-535 [Jack Benny playing his violin during his broadcast from the Forum]
http://city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/archives/photos/cva1184/sub1/A10895.jpg
CVA 1184-524 [Jack Benny and his troupe watching customs officers check their baggage], Apr 1944
Listen to the live broadcast here (RealAudio, 27 min.): http://www.otr.net/r/jbny/285.ram
Highlights:
From Vancouver, British Columbia. Jack talks about the luxuriousness of his hotel and the politeness of the people in Canada with Don.
A man appointed by the mayor stops by to give Jack a welcome on bagpipes.
Mary tells of her return to Vancouver, her girlhood home.
Jack explains that one must be in the city five days before being allowed to buy alcohol.
Ruby, an old friend of Mary's, comes by to catch up.
The Mayor of Vancouver, J. W. Cornett, puts in an appearance and does some gags with Jack.
After singing, the cast members say good-bye to Dennis, who is leaving to join the navy.
After some kidding from the cast, Jack decides to give his old navy uniform to Dennis instead of selling it to him.
Rochester calls, and Jack explains the rate of exchange to him.
Dennis thanks the cast and audience.Benny complains to the Mayor about the toll on the Lions Gate Bridge and gets a big cheer from the audience! :D
http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/cgi-bin/www2i/.visual/img_med/dir_103/b_01466.gif
From left to right, bandleader Phil Harris, announcer Don Wilson, Lieutenant Governor William Culham Woodward, actress Mary Livingston, Mrs. Woodward and comedian Jack Benny; in Victoria on a bond drive.
http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/cgi-bin/www2i/.visual/img_med/dir_103/b_01467.gif
Don Wilson and Jack Benny in performance on a War Bond tour in Victoria.
