The Robert Benchley Society: Who and What?

The Robert Benchley Society is a forum for appreciation and discussion of the work and life of twentieth-century American humorist Robert Benchley. The Society, and this website, are the private work of fans of Benchley and are not endorsed by nor affiliated with Mr. Benchley's heirs, estate, or copyright holders.

Our officers and directors are all volunteers serving at no compensation.

We formed in the spring of 2003 in Boston, Massachusetts. Our membership is international and includes persons with scholarly interests in Robert Benchley as well as persons who just like to get together over drinks for the mutual enjoyment of Robert Benchley writings and motion pictures.

JOIN THE ROBERT BENCHLEY SOCIETY. The annual membership fee of US$ 11.00 may be paid through PayPal using the button below. Our membership year runs from April 1 through March 31. If you are joining part-way through the year, please note that you will be charged the full US$ 11.00 as, we do not pro-rate the fee for a partial year. Also note, one US$ fee is good for up to two persons at the same mailing address. If you are joining as a couple just send one payment; later you will have an opportunity to add the second name to the membership.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP. As a member you will to able to attend and vote at the RBS Annual Gathering, which is open to members only. You will also receive a certificate of membership and you will be enrolled as a member of a local chapter (if there is one in your area). You will also be given permission to post to our blog and Facebook group page. Non-members have read-only access to the blog and Facebook group.

We are in the process of putting Minutes of the Meetings of the RBS on this website.

WHERE CAN IT FIND ROBERT BENCHLEY BOOKS AND MOVIES?

Most of the works of Robert Benchley are not in the public domain and this Society will not knowingly reproduce copyrighted materials. For works that are known to be in the public domain in the United States, try looking at our Sweet Old Bob page on this website.

Many of Mr. Benchley's writings are available in bookshops, through online booksellers, and in libraries. Our shopping page,"Bayeux Christmas Presents Early" features Benchley books and movies which can be purchased through Amazon.com who gives the RBS a small percentage of the sales. Benchley's motion pictures are available at video sales and rental shops and on broadcast and cable television. There is a website http://www.tv-now.com/ which has a search capability to find Benchley movies on television in the coming month.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE SOCIETY

Visit our blog at benchley.blogspot.com and sign up for our news feed.

HOW CAN I FIND BENCHLEY FANS IN MY AREA

Our membership is international with members in North America, Australia, and Europe. We encourage members in the same area to form a local chapter. Currently we have six chapters in the United States. Of course we also have many at-large members in areas where no local chapter has been started.