BONUS - Oh, Rochester (Jack Benny Program & Private Life of Rochester Van Jones)

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Eddie Anderson, the vaudeville star and comedian with a trademark gravelly voice, made his first appearance on <em>The Jack Benny Program</em> in 1937. He'd become an iconic part of the series and a member of Benny's cast on radio and television for nearly 30 years. Anderson was the first African American actor with a regular role on a national radio series, and his character of Rochester Van Jones was one of the most popular on the show. We'll hear him as Sam in the show's production of <em>Casablanca</em> (originally aired on NBC on October 17, 1943). Then, Anderson stars in the audition recordings of what would have been his own comedy series - <em>The Private Life of Rochester Van Jones</em> (recorded May 12, 1950).</span></p>