Benny Rubin
Today is the birthday of Benny Rubin. When I wrote No Applause and wrote his bio (here) all I knew about him came from books (but that was quite a bit — he was quite a legendary character). Since then, I’ve been majorly schooled — seen his shorts on TCM and Youtube, and have been primed to look for him in his later bit roles. (“Look! That security guard in The Nightstalker”! It’s Benny Rubin! ….and…..”Geez, that studio executive in Jerry Lewis’s The Errand Boy…it looks like…can it-?…why yes, it’s Benny Rubin!” ) So, you see, Benny Rubin is kind like Wee Willie Winkie: “usptairs, downstairs, all around the town.” Look! Here he is again!:
To find out more about the history of vaudeville, consult No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous, available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and wherever nutty books are sold.
February 2, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Thank you so much for remembering my grandfather’s birthday! He used to marvel at the many inventions that came in his lifetime, especially the moon walk. Imagine if had he lived to see the internet, how amazed he would be to find tributes like yours.
February 2, 2012 at 1:46 pm
I forgot “A Hole in the Head”! I saw him not long ago with Frank Sinatra in “A Hole in the Head”. Anyway, it’s really nice to hear from you. And you’re right, this is an amazing age. Just a few years ago I wouldnt have been able to see a lot of your grandfather’s work — now I can’t swing a dead cat without hitting him! (Though I especially wish I could have seen him live in vaudeville). Anyway, thanks again for reaching out. I’ve already marked my calendar to remember him on his birthday next year.