Acting
Fred Allen
Born May 31, 1894 · Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Died March 17, 1956 · aged 61
John Florence Sullivan (May 31, 1894 – March 17, 1956), known professionally as Fred Allen, was an American comedian whose absurdist, topically pointed radio show (1932–1949) made him one of the most popular and forward-looking humorists in the so-called classic era of American radio. His best-remembered gag was his long-running mock feud with friend and fellow comedian Jack Benny, but it was only…
Known For
O. Henry's Full House · 1952O. Henry's Full House
★ 6.81952
MovieComedyDrama
Five O. Henry stories, each separate. The primary one from the critics' acclaim was "The Cop and the Anthem". Soapy tells fellow bum Horace that he is going to get arrested so he can spend the winter in a nice jail cell. He fails. He can't even accost a woman; she turns out to be a streetwalker. The other stories are "The Clarion Call", "The Last Leaf", "The Ransom of Red Chief", and "The Gift of the Magi".
Sally, Irene and Mary · 1938Sally, Irene and Mary
★ 6.81938
MovieComedyRomance
Manicurists Sally, Irene and Mary hope to be Broadway entertainers. When Mary inherits an old ferry boat, they turn it into a successful supper club.
We're Not Married! · 1952We're Not Married!
★ 5.91952
MovieComedyRomance
A Justice of the Peace performed weddings a few days before his license was valid. A few years later five couples learn they have never been legally married.
It's in the Bag! · 1945It's in the Bag!
★ 6.31945
MovieComedy
The ringmaster of a flea circus inherits a fortune...if he can find which chair it's hidden in.
Thanks a Million · 1935Thanks a Million
★ 6.51935
MovieComedyMusic
A show troupe is engaged by Judge Culliman, who is running for Governor, to enhance his political campaign. When the inebriated Judge has to be replaced in doing his campaign speech by the troupe crooner, Eric Land, his political backers decide that they want him to run for Governor in the Judge's place. Romance, music, political corruption and the election results follow.
Love Thy Neighbor · 1940Love Thy Neighbor
★ 7.31940
MovieComedy
Capitalizing on the famous radio 'feud' between comedians Jack Benny and Fred Allen. The two stars play versions of themselves, constantly at each other's throats due to real and imagined slights.
Success · 1931Success
1931
MovieComedy
Elmer proposes to Molly, but she says he needs her fathers permission. He wants Elmer to become a ballplayer, but his eyesight keeps getting him into trouble. Elmer also needs a new pair of glasses.
Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio · 1991Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio
★ 7.61991
MovieDocumentaryHistory
For 50 years radio dominated the airwaves and the American consciousness as the first “mass medium.” In Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio, Ken Burns examines the lives of three extraordinary men who shared the primary responsibility for this invention and its early success, and whose genius, friendship, rivalry and enmity interacted in tragic ways. This is the story of Lee de Forest, a clergyman’s flamboyant son, who invented the audion tube; Edwin Howard Armstrong, a brilliant, withdrawn inventor who pioneered FM technology; and David Sarnoff, a hard-driving Russian immigrant who created the most powerful communications company on earth.
Movies
O. Henry's Full House · 1952O. Henry's Full House
★ 6.81952
MovieComedyDrama
Five O. Henry stories, each separate. The primary one from the critics' acclaim was "The Cop and the Anthem". Soapy tells fellow bum Horace that he is going to get arrested so he can spend the winter in a nice jail cell. He fails. He can't even accost a woman; she turns out to be a streetwalker. The other stories are "The Clarion Call", "The Last Leaf", "The Ransom of Red Chief", and "The Gift of the Magi".
Sally, Irene and Mary · 1938Sally, Irene and Mary
★ 6.81938
MovieComedyRomance
Manicurists Sally, Irene and Mary hope to be Broadway entertainers. When Mary inherits an old ferry boat, they turn it into a successful supper club.
We're Not Married! · 1952We're Not Married!
★ 5.91952
MovieComedyRomance
A Justice of the Peace performed weddings a few days before his license was valid. A few years later five couples learn they have never been legally married.
It's in the Bag! · 1945It's in the Bag!
★ 6.31945
MovieComedy
The ringmaster of a flea circus inherits a fortune...if he can find which chair it's hidden in.
Thanks a Million · 1935Thanks a Million
★ 6.51935
MovieComedyMusic
A show troupe is engaged by Judge Culliman, who is running for Governor, to enhance his political campaign. When the inebriated Judge has to be replaced in doing his campaign speech by the troupe crooner, Eric Land, his political backers decide that they want him to run for Governor in the Judge's place. Romance, music, political corruption and the election results follow.
Love Thy Neighbor · 1940Love Thy Neighbor
★ 7.31940
MovieComedy
Capitalizing on the famous radio 'feud' between comedians Jack Benny and Fred Allen. The two stars play versions of themselves, constantly at each other's throats due to real and imagined slights.
Success · 1931Success
1931
MovieComedy
Elmer proposes to Molly, but she says he needs her fathers permission. He wants Elmer to become a ballplayer, but his eyesight keeps getting him into trouble. Elmer also needs a new pair of glasses.
Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio · 1991Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio
★ 7.61991
MovieDocumentaryHistory
For 50 years radio dominated the airwaves and the American consciousness as the first “mass medium.” In Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio, Ken Burns examines the lives of three extraordinary men who shared the primary responsibility for this invention and its early success, and whose genius, friendship, rivalry and enmity interacted in tragic ways. This is the story of Lee de Forest, a clergyman’s flamboyant son, who invented the audion tube; Edwin Howard Armstrong, a brilliant, withdrawn inventor who pioneered FM technology; and David Sarnoff, a hard-driving Russian immigrant who created the most powerful communications company on earth.
Buck Benny Rides Again · 1940Buck Benny Rides Again
★ 5.01940
MovieComedyWestern
Radio star Jack Benny, intending to stay in New York for the summer, is forced by the needling of rival Fred Allen to prove his boasts about roughing it on his (fictitious) Nevada ranch. Meanwhile, singer Joan Cameron, whom Jack's fallen for and offended, is maneuvered by her sisters to the same Nevada town. Jack's losing battle to prove his manhood to Joan means broad slapstick burlesque of Western cliches.
Behind Your Radio Dial · 1949Behind Your Radio Dial
1949
MovieDocumentary
Familiar radio voice Ben Grauer leads the viewer on a behind the scenes tour of the National Broadcasting Company studios -- both radio and television -- in Rockefeller Center and Hollywood. The original 25-minute film previewed by network execs and affiliates in the fall of 1948 was cut down to 20 minutes before its first broadcast, reportedly to excise high-profile stars and programs such as Amos 'n' Andy, Jack Benny, and Edgar Bergen that had since left NBC for other networks.
TV Shows
What's My Line? · 1950What's My Line?
★ 7.01950
SeriesFamilyComedy
Four panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while blindfolded, their identity - by asking only "yes" or "no" questions.
The Colgate Comedy Hour · 1950The Colgate Comedy Hour
★ 6.91950
SeriesComedy
The Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC network from 1950 to 1955. The show starred many notable comedians and entertainers of the era, including Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Fred Allen, Donald O'Connor, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Ray Bolger, Gordon MacRae, Ben Blue, Robert Paige, Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster, Broadway dancer Wayne Lamb and Spike Jones and His City Slickers.
The Jack Benny Program · 1950The Jack Benny Program
★ 7.81950
SeriesComedy
Laugh along with funnyman Jack Benny as he brings his underplayed humor to TV along with regular performers from his radio show days.
Your Show of Shows · 1950Your Show of Shows
★ 7.31950
SeriesComedy
Your Show of Shows was a live 90-minute variety show that was broadcast weekly in the United States on NBC, from February 25, 1950, until June 5, 1954, featuring Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca.
Other featured performers were Carl Reiner, Howard Morris, Bill Hayes, Judy Johnson, The Hamilton Trio and the soprano Marguerite Piazza. José Ferrer made several guest appearances on the series. The series was telecast from the now-demolished International Theatre at 5 Columbus Circle and the Century Theater, now demolished, in New York.
During 2002, Your Show of Shows was ranked #30 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.