Buck Benny Rides Again

Audiences today are subjected to types of humor quite different from that of the mid-20th century. So, younger movie buffs may not enjoy this film that much. But, for anyone who heard or watched the Jack Benny show on radio/TV, "Buck Benny Rides Again" will bring back fond memories.

This isn't a great comedy, but it is a good one. Mostly it's a showcase for Benny and many of the characters who peopled his radio and TV shows. And that makes it nostalgic and special in an historical sense. The story is so-so, and the scripting and plot tend to bounce around. But the characters are mostly here with their oft hilarious interplay.

An extra bonus is a very well choreographed musical dance with performers dressed in Indian costumes. There are a few songs as well. Some humor of course, is ageless. Such a line that I enjoyed here is uttered by Benny as himself. "Rochester, there's an old Chinese proverb that says, 'When butler butt in on boss, better have other job up sleeve.' Jack walks away and then says, "Catch on?"

This film was made during the pre-TV era. Hollywood B films filled the theaters every few days with quickly-made comedies and action films that took the place of the eventual sitcoms and action shows that would begin in the 1950s on television. This film is an example. Benny would eventually have his own successful TV show (after several successful years on radio). This is merely an extended skit set in the West. But it is still more entertaining than most modern comedies. The cast of the Jack Benny Show joins him in his adventures.

I really wanted to like "Buck Benny Rides Again" but found that it was a seriously flawed film. After all, fans of Jack Benny listened to his radio show and saw him on TV and movies because they liked him and his humor....and the film, instead, is filled with singing and production numbers...too many. It seems that the studio didn't trust Benny and saddled him with singing and dancing. Now I do understand on his radio show there was some singing (with Phil Harris and Dennis Day doing the duties)....but not this much. And, of course, there was no dancing!!

When the story begins, Jack is a big of a jerk...and he ends up getting on the wrong side of a pretty lady named Joan. After hearing her and her sisters sing, he's smitten and wants to have them on his radio show...and go smooching with Joan. But she'll have none of it. So, after learning that she is impressed by he-men, he decides to take them out west and prove to them he is a rootin' tootin' cowboy! But, of course, he knows NOTHING about this and is about as macho as a Hostess Twinkie! What's next? See the film....or not.

As I mentioned above, there was a LOT of singing and dancing in the film. Some of the production numbers were just silly and oddly, they had Rochester sing one number and dance another...and not all that well. He really was wonderful with comedy....period. Overall, a film that sacrifices a lot of comedy for dancing...yes, dancing! What a waste.

By the way, early in the film Rochester says "we have a non-aggression pact". This is an odd reference to a peace pact between Germany and the USSR that had recently been signed...and was promptly ignored in 1941 when the non-aggressive Germans invaded the Soviet Union!

Also, if you are looking for a really good Jack Benny film, try "The Meanest Man in the World" or "To Be or Not to Be".

This is one of the best of the Jack Benny vehicles, based on his very popular radio character Buck Benny, itself a fond satire of the Lone Ranger. No pretensions here, no classy "schtick," just good escapist box office gold. The pace seems slow by modern standards, and I missed Cactus Face too. (OTR fans will know who Cactus Face is!). Enjoy.

Buck Benny Rides Again is a treat from the main title and credits announced by an on-screen Don Wilson to the great banter between Benny, Rochester, Andy Devine and of course, Phil Harris. Given ample showcase are the many talents of Eddie "Rochester" Anderson as not only a top notch comedian, but a talented dancer.

The supporting females are all lovely, and of course, despite his many faults, Jack Benny winds up with Ellen Drew in the end!

It is said that Jack appeared with Rochester in a theatre in Harlem when Buck Benny Rides Again premiered...Jack stood by Rochester for years and ignored the color barrier of the 30s, 40s and 50s in show business.

Made the same year is "Love Thy Neighbor" which featured Jack's feud with Fred Allen...they were actually released fairly close together--capitalizing on the height of Jack's popularity just before the war.