Jack Is A Broadway Romeo (1931) for Paramount
Jack Benny still feeling his way toward a lasting persona. Here he's the natty sort once called a "sharper," which was shorthand for not to be trusted. Jack had worked at relaxed style in capacity of emcee for vaudeville and performing there in nonchalant as possible mode. Others like Frank Fay had made careers of introducing with smart-alecking in between. Trouble was being sympathetic in that posture, let alone making watchers identify with you. Jack had tabbed himself the "Aristocrat Of Humor," doubtless realizing risk of being tooaristocratic. Smooth could come across as smug, guys like Benny on a high wire from which they might fall. It took radio from 1932 onward to reveal the Benny character's vulnerability, and an audience ready to embrace it. Benny as A Broadway Romeo comes on as man about town and mild lecher after girl passerby Estelle Brody. He plays a mean trick on a sympathetic dining customer that may have seemed clever to Depression-sufferers, but leaves ashes in mouths for many watching now. A Broadway Romeo was Astoria-made, so Jack didn't have to miss evening performances at least. It's a fascinating reel, and available on Kino DVD, Cavalcade Of Comedy.
