As part of my last day here at the Baldpate Inn, I will be presenting my Summer Enchanted Evening. My topic is all about the Seven Keys to Baldpate novel written by Earl Derr Biggers and its many adaptations. One of the adaptations I will be talking about today is the Lux Radio Show adaptation starring Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone. As I try to stick with the theme of Seven Keys today, I thought I would mention a special key donation we have here from Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone, the key to Jack Benny's dressing room.
Jack Benny began his performing career after being expelled from high school. He began playing violin in vaudeville shows. He got his big break when he was signed to MGM and shortly appeared on Ed Sullivan's radio show. He was a hit and soon after received his own comedy radio show. Benny became a household name. Benny is credited with creating the modern situational comedy. His show evolved over the years from sketches to the sitcom structure we are familiar with today. After Success in radio, television, and film. Benny died in 1974 at the age of 80 from pancreatic cancer.
Jack
Benny’s partner both on screen and behind the scenes was a comedian named Mary
Livingstone. They married in 1927 when Mary’s name was still Sadie Marks. It
wasn’t until she took the stage that her name changed. It was an accident
really. One of the women in one of Benny’s acts fell ill and was unable to
perform. Mary, who had seen the show hundreds of times, was asked to fill in.
It turns
out she had a natural talent and began to collaborate with Benny on most of his
productions. She retired due to horrible stage fright that she still suffered
from after two decades of performing. She died at the age of 78 in 1983.
Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone a key here to the Baldpate Inn after recording the Lux Radio show. It is located near the entrance of the key room on the left.
I would like to thank each of you for reading our blog this summer. I have had a wonderful time here and have greatly enjoyed meeting you and hearing from you during these past few months. Again, thank you for a lovely summer.
Your Key Room Museum Curator,
Natalie
