Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

The Last First Comic

  • 20102010
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
10
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
The Last First Comic (2010)
  • Documentary
  • Biography
  • Comedy
Documentary feature exploring the history of American comedy with the last living Burlesque comic, 97 year old Irv Benson.Documentary feature exploring the history of American comedy with the last living Burlesque comic, 97 year old Irv Benson.Documentary feature exploring the history of American comedy with the last living Burlesque comic, 97 year old Irv Benson.
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
10
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • John C. Brown
    • Bart Williams
  • Writer
    • Bart Williams
  • Stars
    • Irving Benson
    • Lillian Benson
    • Suzanne Charny
Top credits
  • Directors
    • John C. Brown
    • Bart Williams
  • Writer
    • Bart Williams
  • Stars
    • Irving Benson
    • Lillian Benson
    • Suzanne Charny
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    John C. Brown in The Last First Comic (2010)
    Irving Benson at an event for The Last First Comic (2010)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Irving Benson
    • Selfas Self
    Lillian Benson
    • Selfas Self
    Suzanne Charny
    • Selfas Self
    Phyllis Coates
    Phyllis Coates
    • Selfas Self
    Chris Costello
    • Selfas Self
    Andrew Davis
    • Selfas Self
    Mickey Deems
    • Selfas Self
    Dixie Evans
    • Selfas Self
    Armond Fields
    • Selfas Self
    Dee Ann Johnston
    • Selfas Self
    Ed McMahon
    Ed McMahon
    • Selfas Self
    Don Potter
    • Selfas Self
    Betty Rowland
    Betty Rowland
    • Selfas Self
    Alan Young
    Alan Young
    • Selfas Self
    Bart Williams
    • Narratoras Narrator
    Sullivan Noble
    • Young Irvas Young Irv
    Michael Ludlum
    • Straight Manas Straight Man
    Ridgeley Schneider
    • Drowning Comicas Drowning Comic
    • Directors
      • John C. Brown
      • Bart Williams
    • Writer
      • Bart Williams
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    The Last First Comic tells the story of comedy itself as seen through the eyes of Irving Benson - the last living First Comic of Burlesque. Burlesque - up to the 1940's - was a variety show featuring different acts: magicians, singers, jugglers, comedians, and of course strippers. Many of the comedic acts who got their start in Burlesque include Jackie Gleason, Abbott and Costello, W.C. Fields and Danny Thomas. Having turned 102 at the end of January in 2016, Irving Benson is the last living First Comic. The film features interviews with strippers such as Dixie Evans and features clips of Benson heckling Milton Berle and Johnny Carson. Bart Williams, the narrator, takes Benson back to the Palace Theater in New York where he interviews him on stage while Benson teaches him the timing of a "bit" The film also features the last filmed interview with Ed McMahon. —Bert Simonis
    • comedian
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • How Burlesque Died and Irv Benson Lived to Tell It!
    • Genres
      • Documentary
      • Biography
      • Comedy
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    User reviews3

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Comedy Unlike Any Other
    This was an awesome film that tells the story of the origins of a craft still used today. The comedy is timeless. You will learn so much from the people who invented and live it. The cast has the best stories to tell. John C. Brown and Bart Williams do an excellent job preserving the history of comedy. This award winning film will go on to do great things. If you are in the field of comedy or acting this is a definitely must see. It is a way to learn from the people who lived the art. Learn the history of the straight man and the funny man from the best. Some mild nudity. Not recommended for small children. If you have the chance to see it don't miss out!
    helpful•1
    0
    • yayamunoz19
    • Oct 24, 2011

    Details

    Edit
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:14
    The Most Anticipated Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.