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"Anaheim, Azusa and Cucamonga" -
Announcement heard on episodes of the sitcom THE JACK
BENNY SHOW/CBS/1950-65.
First on radio and then on TV, Mel Blanc played a Union Station
train caller who announced via megaphone or loudspeaker system the
trains arriving and departing from the station. For example, "Train
leaving on Track 5 for Anaheim, Azusa and Cuuuu-ca-mon-gaaa!"
After repeated announcements, the train caller continued "Look we're
not asking much. Two of ya, or even one of ya...just somebody to
keep the engineer company."
And still later "Please, please! I'll get fired if I don't get
somebody on the train for Anaheim, Azusa and Cuuuu-ca-mon-gaaa!"
For comic tension, the show's writers often experimented with the
pause placing it between "Cuuu" and "Ca-mon-gaaa." Once, an entire
comedy skit was inserted in between the pause. When Jack Benny arrived
home, his phone rang and Mel's voice said "AMONGAAA! You thought I
forgot, didn't you?"
TRIVIA NOTE: In February 1993, the
California town of Rancho Cucamonga, made famous by Jack Benny's
long-running gag, erected a statue honoring the late comedian.
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