what if Jack Benny had played Al Lewis?
Don't get me wrong, Burns was fine as Al.
I just can't help wondering how Benny would have approached the role, had he not fallen ill and been replaced.
Any thoguts?
Yes. He probably would have won the same Oscar!
shareI'm sure Benny would have been hilarious, he always was. Maybe he would have surprised us with a great characterization, but with all due respect to the very great Jack Benny, I can't imagine him giving a performance equal to what Walter Matthau brought to the part.
shareWas Benny to have played MATTHAU's role? I thought it was BURNS' role.
share[deleted]
What *I* wish we could have seen is Jack Benny in *Walter Matthau*'s role, playing against George Burns. Matthau certainly gives a brilliant performance, but you still can't help but be aware that he's a younger man playing an older man, not a true vaudvillean. Benny and Burns would have been magnificient. Frankly I think Clark fits Benny better than Lewis anyway.
Agree, would have loved to see a Benny/Burns combo. Would have been spectacular.
And yes to other poster. Benny was to play the Al Lewis role.