Jack Benny was, first and foremost, a showman. I've listened to all his radio shows, twenty-five years, and he missed only one: when Carole Lombard died in the plane crash. He performed ill and tired--no one could ever tell. For all those years, his audience could count on him for a good show. And for this one, he brought Gary Cooper to the small screen.
Gary Cooper had won his Oscar for High Noon. He was big: the biggest He appeared awkward on this live show, but that was part of his charm and Benny played it up. The skit was a cowboy scene (and pretty dumb, to be honest), but it's great television history. Lost for years, newly released--classic.
Gary Cooper had won his Oscar for High Noon. He was big: the biggest He appeared awkward on this live show, but that was part of his charm and Benny played it up. The skit was a cowboy scene (and pretty dumb, to be honest), but it's great television history. Lost for years, newly released--classic.
