Garden of Allah Hotel’s 1930 Neon Sign Hits the Market

Algonquin Round Table members Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley and others lived at the hotel off and on for years.

Read more at https://wehoville.com/2021/03/18/a-piece-of-hollywood-history-garden-of-allah-hotels-1930-neon-sign-hits-the-market/.

Or, visit the website of the owner, Martin Turnbull, at https://martinturnbull.com/2020/10/30/an-original-garden-of-allah-hotel-sign-rescued-and-awaiting-restoration-october-2020-2/.

Thurber Prize for American Humor 2020 Finalists

The Thurber Prize for American Humor is a recognition of humor writing in the United States. A panel of national judges selects three finalists to attend the awards ceremony in Columbus, Ohio, where the winner is announced, presented with the Thurber Prize for American Humor, and awarded $5,000.

See who the finalists are at https://www.thurberhouse.org/current-finalists

Robert Benchley in Color

In the first half of the 20th century, America transformed from a young country on the rise into a global superpower. It's a decisive period in our nation's history, and much of that history was caught, at the time, in black-and-white motion picture newsreels. The Smithsonian Channel, available on many cable TV providers, presents those historic moments, colorized in 17 episodes of America in Color

The movie industry was born in West Orange, New Jersey, in 1893 by Thomas Edison. Within thirty years, Hollywood grew into America's fourth largest, and by far most glamorous, industry. Revisit the Golden Age of Hollywood, when actors became global celebrities, moguls became millionaires, and the entire nation became movie crazy. Using digitally remastered news footage, rare studio archives, and home movie footage, look back on the dawn and meteoric rise of Tinseltown in color. Watch "America in Color: Hollywood's Golden Age" on your cable provider and keep on eye open for an uncredited Robert Benchley serving up a meal for our service men at the Hollywood Canteen.

R.I.P., Robert C. Benchley, September 15, 1889 - November 21, 1945

Arte Johnson, 1929-2019

The Robert Benchley Society is saddened by the death of friend and supporter, Arte Johnson. Johnson was an American comic actor who was a regular on television's Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. His best-remembered characters on the sketch show were a German soldier with the catchphrase "Verrrry interesting...", and an old man who habitually propositioned Ruth Buzzi's spinster character.

In 2012 he was the celebrity judge of the Robert Benchley Award for Humor and was the after dinner speaker at the Society's October 13, 2012, Annual Gathering, in Los Angeles.

Johnson with 2012 RBS First Place winner, Tim French.

Johnson with competition runner-up, Jesse Levy.

From the Mailbag

A query from one of Mr. Benchley's fans.

"Reading Meade's biography of Dorothy Parker, and on page 175 a mistress he would visit in Chicago is mentioned, who went on to have a 45 year career on the American and British stage. I assume she was still alive in 1987. Any idea who she was?"

If anyone can answer this inquiry please contact David Trumbull at david@robertbenchley.org

From the Mailbag

Hello David:

I was wondering if you had any leads as to which of Robert Benchley shorts are in the public domain?

I am researching film for a classic comedy film fest, but working on a shoestring budget, and would really like to include something of Mr. Benchley's. [But I only want to include something if it's public domain/legally appropriate to do so.]

Here are the titles of films I'm wondering are public domain:

"Home Movies" (1940)
"How to Sleep" (1935)
"Sex Life of a Polyp"(1928)
"How to be a Detective" (1936)
"A Night at the Movies" (1940)

I appreciate your time and information.

Peace and take care,
Deb Mortenson
Owner/Curator of the New London Roaming Cinema

If anyone can answer this inquiry please contact David Trumbull at david@robertbenchley.org