Barber Shop (Dinah Shore)
January 13, 1952 - In this episode of the Jack Benny program Jack is trying to get someone to make a record of the song that he wrote. He calls Dinah Shore and her husband George Montgomery.
Jan 09, 2019•33 min
This Day in Jack Benny
The Jack Benny Show AKA The Jello Program AKA The Lucky Strike Program aired from the 1930's right through to the 1950's. Each week your host, John Henderson, brings an episode from that week 60-80 years ago. It's old, yet still as funny as ever.
"The Jack Benny program, starring Jack Benny with Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris, Rochester, Dennis Day, and yours truly Don Wilson"
Episodes
Bogie and Bacall (Rose Bowl)
January 5, 1947 - It's the Sunday after New Years Day and Jack Benny talks with Don Wilson about the Rose Bowl. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall are the guests in a recreation of the movie "To Have and Have Not" where she says the often quoted line "You know how to whistle don't you...You just put your lips together and blow.".
Jan 02, 2019•33 min
End of the "Can't Stand Benny" Contest
December 30, 1945 - It's the end of the "Why I Can't Stand Jack Benny" contest and the letters have been pouring in. Plus Don wilson sings his version of the song "It's Been a Long, Long Time" only about Lucky Strike Cigarettes.
Dec 28, 2018•31 min
Christmas Shopping for Sister (Goose Girl)
December 18, 1949 - An unusual Christmas shopping episode. They mention the songs Mule Train and Dear Hearts and Gentle People. They also mention "Mr. Television" Milton Berle, Dancer Arthur Murray and the Hollywood Park Goose Girl.
Dec 19, 2018•33 min
Pearl Harbor (Jekyll & Hyde 2)
December 7, 1941 - The day of the Pearl Harbor attack that would lead to the United States' entry into WWII. This is a continuation of the previous episode in which Jack Benny plays Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. They also mention socialite friends Brenda Frazier and Cobina Wright Jr.
Dec 13, 2018•34 min
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
November 30, 1941 - Jack Benny plays both Jekyll and Hyde in this episode's spoof of the Spencer Tracy movie. They mention the song "Why don't we do this more often?". They also mention the movie Jack is filming the movie "To Be or Not to Be".
Dec 05, 2018•32 min
Dennis' Girl Dorothy Lamour
November 15, 1942 - From the Naval Air Station at Terminal Island Jack Benny and the gang perform for the men stationed there. Dennis Day brings his new girlfriend...movie star Dottie Lamour! Plus Popeye the sailor, WWI flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker, Phil Harris' song "I'm a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas", Veronica Lake, Hedda Hopper's hats and more.
Nov 28, 2018•33 min
Twink Family (Sidewalk Inspector)
November 8, 1942 - This episode has a bit of sound issues at the end. The beginning is pretty funny, so its worth a listen. Jack Benny is the newly elected sidewalk inspector for Beverly Hills. They mention "Kalamazoo" by Glenn Miller, "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby, campaign manager Jim Farley, and the fuller brush girl at the door. Plus Jack Benny was on Take it Or Leave It and a guest from Lum and Abner....
Nov 21, 2018•33 min
Gaslight (Ingrid Bergman)
October 14, 1945 - After returning from a USO tour entertaining the groups with Ingrid Berman, Jack Benny invites her on his show to reprise her Oscar-winning role in "Gaslight". It was recorded for a live audience of newly liberated WWII prisoners of War.
Nov 14, 2018•32 min
The Mentalist
November 5, 1944 - This episode of the Jack Benny Show features guests Amos and Andy, Mrs.Nussbaum, and Mentalist Jack Dunninger. This is the first episode with Larry Stevens. Plus references to Charles Boyer in Gaslight, Peter Lorre, Van Johnson and mens sock garters.
Nov 07, 2018•34 min
Halloween Farm Party
October 31, 1937 - Jack Benny and the gang go to the Andy Devine Farm for a Halloween party. They mention Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy and they talk about the speech Jack Benny gave at the testimonial dinner for Eddie Cantor's 25th anniversary in show business.
Oct 31, 2018•32 min
Diver Bomber
October 26, 1941 - Jack Benny wants to play the most dramatic role in "Dive Bomber", the movie starring Errol Flynn, Fred MacMurray and Ralph Bellamy. Plus they mention "Arsenic and Old Lace" a dark comedy on the broadway stage.
Oct 24, 2018•33 min
Farewell to Old Studio
October 16, 1938 - The JELL-O Program starring Jack Benny is moving to the new NBC studio. This is the last episode in the old studio. In it they mention the old age pension plan that they hoped would get the US out of the depression called the Townsend Plan.
Oct 17, 2018•33 min
Frank Sinatra Offered Dennis' Job
October 8, 1944 - Frank Sinatra is a guest on this episode. His hit at the time was "Sunday, Monday or Always". They mention the teenage girls who were fans of music like Sinatra known as Bobby Soxers. We also talk about spanking, and war time rationing with stamps and tokens. Plus "Sympathy spelled backwards is Yhtapmys. Yip, Yip, Yatapamiss!" a parody of Serutan.
Oct 10, 2018•33 min
Jack Fights to Keep Sponsor
October 1, 1944 - In this wartime episode Jack Benny compares himself to General Patton. Jack is just back from a USO tour. Dennis Day has joined the Navy and Phil Harris was the replacement host for "Kay Kaiser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge". Plus Dick Tracy characters Flattop, Gravel Gerdy, The Brow and the Summer Sisters. Plus references to Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Boris Karloff and surprise guest Fred Allen!...
Oct 03, 2018•33 min
High Noon (Chlorophyll Toothpaste)
September 28, 1952 - In this episode Jack Benny plays Gary Cooper's character in their version of the western "High Noon". Dennis Day started using Chlorophyll Toothpaste. and Jack Benny had his picture in the Radio Guide.
Sep 26, 2018•32 min
Is the Show on the Air? (A&P Gypsies)
September 26, 1954 - A really fun episode from 1954. They mention radio shows from the 1920s - A&P Gypsies conducted by Harry Horlik and Sam 'n' Henry (later known as Amos 'n' Andy). They mention "The September Song", Rheingold the dry beer, and Bing Crosby's stock in the Pittsburg Pirates. "The Jack Benny program, starring Jack Benny with Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris, Rochester, Dennis Day, and yours truly Don Wilson"...
Sep 19, 2018•33 min
Best of Fall 1934 (First JELL-O)
September 14, 1934 - School Days September 21, 1934 - Boxing Match October 14, 1934 - First Episode fro JELL-O October 21, 1934 - Grocery Store
Sep 12, 2018•34 min
Return to Paradise
September 20, 1953 - Jack and the gang do their version of Gary Cooper's new movie "Return to Paradise". They mention Ralph Edwards' This is Your Life , miners union president John L Lewis, president Eisenhower, Tallulah Bankhead, Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardener. Plus, Mary Livingstone on the cover of Women's Home Companion magazine....
Sep 05, 2018•33 min
Jack Benny's Grandson Mike Interview
John Henderson, host of the This Day in Jack Benny podcast talks with Jack Benny's oldest grandson Mike Rudolph. He talked about how his granddad would play the violin for him as a baby. As a kid Jack would take him baseball games and met the players. He took him on tour to places like Las Vegas where he would sit backstage and hang out. His grandmother (Mary Livingstone) would sleep in late and Mike had to be quiet. George Burns confused him. The stories are too numerous to fit here. Enjoy! If ...
Aug 29, 2018•33 min
All Hands on Deck (Shrimp Boats)
April 20, 1952 - This episode was broadcast from the Naval Air Station in San Diego, California. They mention Navy related things like the F9F fighter jet and WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). Plus, the Poodle HairstyleGuy Lombardo and the song "Shrimp Boats".
Aug 22, 2018•33 min
My Naval Career
March 30, 1952 - Broadcasting from the Naval Training Centre in San Diego It's the Jack Benny Program. In this episode Jack recreates his time in the Navy. They mention the Navy's theme song "Anchors Aweigh" and the Essex aircraft carrier. Plus Hopalong Cassidy and the drug APC (Aspirin Phenacetin Caffeine) for headaches and colds.
Aug 15, 2018•32 min
The Life of Philbert Harris (Mr. DA)
May 25, 1941 - Phil Harris is back from his honeymoon with Alice Faye, so Don Wilson does a play called "The Life of Philbert Harris" loosely based on his life. Plus Regular Fellers, Lindy's restaurant, Abe Lyman, Meredith Wilson Kenny Baker and Hair Tonic. Thomas E Dewey comes for a promotional segment raising money for the USO.
Aug 08, 2018•33 min
Jack Turns 40
Listen to my interview with Jack Benny's Grandson Mike right Now! As a thank you to those who support this podcast on Patreon I an releasing my interview early. Become a Patron February 14, 1954 - Happy Birthday Jack Benny! In this EPISODE Jack turns 40…or does he?
Aug 01, 2018•31 min
Murder at the Movies (Again)
April 27, 1941 - Listen for the mention of the greatest bandleader of all time Glenn Miller. In the skit they go to the movie theater and "The Road to Zanzibar" is on the Marquee. This episode uses parts of an old script. The sound quality is also quite poor. You might want to listen to December 4, 1938 or May 2, 1948 instead.
Jul 25, 2018•32 min
Jack Works in His Garden
March 30, 1941 - Jack benny works in his garden and has trouble with his writers. This episode mentions Frank Buck the animal collector, Luther Burbank the botanist, a "Mickey", Bromo-Seltzer and Don Wilson's western movie The Round Up .
Jul 18, 2018•33 min
Salute to Greece Part 1
February 8, 1941 - This is an episode of a fundraising broadcast called America Calling in support of Greek forces fighting the invading Axis forces. Bob Hope and Jack Benny host many celebrities including Shirley Temple and Mickey Rooney.
Jul 11, 2018•49 min
No Script
Summer Fun in '41 January 12, 1941 - In this episode Jack is late with no script. His writers are not worried. This is a very funny episode on a whole different level. References include Popeye cartoons, Jazzbo ties, Presidential candidate Wendell Wilkie, and the New York Rangers hockey team. Plus, listen for an interesting look at the phrase "Long time, no see". And a robot!...
Jul 04, 2018•32 min
Why make a Jack Benny Podcast?
Podcast host John Henderson's wife Stephanie takes over the show to interview John about Jack Benny and making This Day in Jack Benny. BRAND NEW JACK BENNY WEBSITE! ThisDayBenny.com has been updated and re-designed to make it easier to find your favorite Jack Benny episode. You can help keep This Day in Jack Benny going by joining us on Patreon . If you enjoy listening, ask yourself: “Is it worth 25¢ an episode?” Donating $1 / month is like tossing a quarter per show. Plus you get bonus episodes...
Jun 27, 2018•23 min
Tom Sawyer Part 3 (Ouija Board)
June 5, 1938 - Its just after Decoration Day (Memorial Day). Jack Benny is making a movie for Paramount Pictures, but he's not happy with their plan to make him do his own stunt. They mention the movie "Her Jungle Love", Christmas Night (Nuit De Noel) perfume, The Camp Fire Girls, and the Ouija board. But most of the episode is spent finishing their play of Tom Sawyer.
Jun 13, 2018•32 min
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