I really liked Henny Youngman. Performing on TV, he was never dull. The material was sometimes dated and too familiar but he was always fast and funny. I got to meet Henny a few times, including a lunch at the Friar's Club in New York that I somehow forgot to mention in this article about our other encounters. Whatever he was, he was one of a kind…a kind that we don't have anymore.
You know, there ought to be a documentary about that man…a film about his amazing career. He started as a printer, you know. Well actually, he was born a comedian and sometimes a musician, but before he could make any money at that, he was a printer. He had a little stand with a press in a penny arcade in New York and if you needed business cards or stationery or invitations, you went to him and he'd take your business…and tell you some ghastly jokes while you waited. When he was able to book a performing job, he'd hang a CLOSED sign on the booth and go tell jokes and/or play his violin. The jokes were better than the violin-playing.
Yes, there should be a documentary about him…with interviews with his contemporaries, most of whom are sadly now gone, as well. And there could be rare footage and maybe home movies and personal photos maybe if the filmmaker could get the cooperation of Youngman's family.
Oh, wait! Someone is making such a documentary! And they do have the cooperation of Youngman's family because they are Youngman's family! I'm backing this Kickstarter and helping in any way I can. Here's the windup — and the pitch…