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In the summer of 1913, Pathe Freres released THE ARTIST'S DREAM by John Randolph Bray. It combined live action and animation, with J. R. Bray playing the artist. His wife Margaret (Till) is also in the film. In time, it also became known as THE DACHSHUND AND THE SAUSAGE. https://a.ltrbxd.com/resized...

Why did I like Jack Gilford doing George Jessel better than the original?

well maybe for one short: TWO FRESH EGS (1930)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv8zZ68rXQM

here's a photo of "Charles Alpin". I suspect it is Charles Aplin; from the J.Willis Sayre Collection of Theatrival Photographs, University of Washington.
https://digitalcollections.lib.washingt ... 318/rec/99

A mix of live action and animation by John Randolph Bray with Charles Arling and I believe Leo White and Gwendolyn Pates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avflcZn7A5o

According to an interview in 1919, Walter Hiers said his first appearance was as a bell-hop in SAVED FROM HIMSELF (Biograph 1911 directed by you-know-who) with Mabel Normand. It is not listed in his filmography, nor in the credits of "DW Griffith and the Biograph Company". I just watched i...

...and of course Milburn Morante.

Jack comes on around the 18 minute mark and Mel joins him around the 40 minute mark for about 10 minutes. Funny and heart-warming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw7rIQrO5II&t=4107s

And Charles Dorety channeling Buster Keaton in Third Class Male (Century Comedies 1921 directed by William Watson)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRm_vC9mu-c

Here's an endearing 1992 bio "Jack Benny Comedy in Bloom", narrated by Tom Smothers. The talking heads all worked with him and the affection they felt for him feels very genuine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b51SKLTZNY