. . . and Kirk Douglas on banjo . . .

"All star band performing with Jack Benny on violin, Tony Martin on clarinet, Fred McMurray playing saxaphone, Kirk Douglas on banjo and Dick Powell playing trumpet during an appearance on "The Jack Benny Show"." From the LIFE archives.

Jack Benny Donates

Just a brief reminder that the WFMU Marathon continues through Sunday, 3/13. Rumor is that even Jack Benny kicked in a little folding money this year.

Dig In!

Knickerbocker Hotel, 1741 Ivar Avenue, Hollywood.

"The Hollywood Knickerbocker Hotel broke ground yesterday (6/8/55) for its new Sun and Cabana Club to be constructed adjoining the hotel. Participating in the rites were: (left to right) Herman B. Sarno, hotel president; Film starlets Heidi Heidemann, Beverly Anderson, and Kathy Marlowe; Comedian Jack Carson; Film Actress Connie Towers; and Singing star Byron Palmer."

Via.

16 Tons - - - Go Go Version

Tennesse Ernie Ford boldly reinvents Merle Travis' 16 Tons for the Hollywood Palace tv show, which aired May 22, 1965.

Welcome To Los Angeles

Nineteen-year-old Austrian actress Romy Schneider arrives at Los Angeles International Airport, January 26, 1958.

Unlike most Los Angeles visitors, she was greeted by Iron Eyes Cody, who crowned her with an elaborate Indian headdress. Los Angeles Examiner, via the USC Digital Library.

Tennessee Ernie Ford, 1955

Tennessee Ernie Ford visits Los Angeles.

Race With The Devil

Steve McQueen: Doin' The Watusi With The President's Daughter

Luci Baines Johnson dances the Watusi with actor Steve McQueen at celebrity-studded barbecue in Beverly Hills sponsored by Young Citizens for Johnson. Los Angeles Times, Aug. 9, 1964.

Warren Oates in Barquero

Via the Cinema Is Dope website, comes this outstanding portrait of Warren Oates, taken while he was filming Barquero (1970).

If you're on the fence about buying the recently-published Oates biography (Warren Oates: A Wild Life by Susan Compo), go ahead and spring for it. It's a damn good read.

Senta Berger

Austrian actress Senta Berger on the set of Sam Peckinpah's 1965 film Major Dundee. Photo from the LIFE archives.

Frank Sutton Smokes Stogie!

Just so you know.....Frank Sutton will be gettin' some appreciation here. This is just Chapter One.