My Jack Benny Research Team never sleeps!
Not much, anyway.
Remember the post I did back in 2012 about hearing the mention of Benny’s name in the movie Roadhouse Nights, based — and I use the word based very, very loosely — on the Hammett novel Red Harvest?
If not, go back and check out that post for the background.
Now, here’s the news: the website Tralfaz presents evidence that puts Benny on radio by 1929, which would make the reference in Roadhouse Nights more explicable.
I still stick — on a gut level — with the idea that the possible Chi-town connection between Ben Hecht and Benny may best account for the reference/in-joke.
More info as it surfaces, if ever. . . .