Well! Reflections on the Life & Career of Jack Benny

by Michael Leannah (Editor)

Well! Reflections on the Life and Career of Jack Benny is a collection of rare and delightful essays and personal reminiscences on perhaps the greatest comedian who has ever lived. Jack Benny's impact on the world of entertainment was profound, and the ripples of his influence are still expanding today.
Jack gave the world a tremendous amount of laughter and pleasure. His work demands--and deserves--continued scrutiny and analysis, which the writers of this volume are honored to provide.

"Jack Benny had style...He stood straight and walked kind of sideways as if he were being gently shoved by a touch of genius."
-- William Saroyan

Michael Leannah is a teacher and a writer. One of his special interests is Old-Time Radio. His radio scripts have won national awards and have been used in performances across the country.

Genres: Biography

161 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 2007

Reviews

[MH · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of very short pieces written by about twenty Jack Benny superfans (who they are, exactly, I'm not sure - there are no bios given for any of the authors), as well as an interview with one of his writers, a piece written by one of his co-stars, and a couple articles for 1930s fan magazines written by Benny himself (or, more likely, his ghostwriters). There are some enjoyable entries, especially a good, smart piece on Mary Livingstone from Katherine Fuller-Seeley, and a fun introduction to a Benny-specific indie comic book from Steve Thompson, but most of the essays feel kind of simplistic (Jack Benny wasn't a cheapskate in real life, but actually very generous! Benny and Fred Allen didn't really hate each other, it was all a bit!). Anyone reading this book likes Benny to begin with, but the lionizing of him gets a bit over the top, particularly when one writer muses "perhaps World War II could have been won without the talents of Jack Benny, Bob Hope, George Burns and Fred Allen. Perhaps not" (42). Saying he was a comic genius is one thing, but giving him credit for winning WWII? Now cut that out!

[Sylvie Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I read in 2019, and it helped pass the time while I was sick with the flu. As an avid Jack Benny fan who is old enough to remember seeing Jack on numerous TV specials and talk shows in the 1960s and 70s, has listened to almost all of his original radio programs, watched many episodes of his TV show, and already read a couple of his biographies, I enjoyed the different perspectives on Jack Benny's life and career (and the lives and careers of some of his cast members) that were presented here. The short essay format also made the book easy to read in bits and pieces when my eyes and head hurt too much to read for long periods of time. I also appreciate the "Recommended Reading" list at the back of the book, and I hope to have a chance to read some of the titles on that list this year.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have enjoyed this more if I hadn’t already read so much on Jack Benny. This does offer some great essays and articles written by Benny himself, so a good collection of items not previously gathered.

[Rodney Haydon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of essays that any Jack Benny fan will enjoy.