Laura Leibowitz (formerly Laura Leff) is the founder and president of the International Jack Benny Fan Club. In this interview we talk about meeting Phil Harris and interviewing Dennis Day, plus we talk about fans, and colorization.
Truth or Consequences was a quiz stunt radio show starring Ralph Edwards. In 1947 he had everyone asking "Who is the Walking Man?". Now, 70 years later, everyone knows the answer... Jack Benny.
We continue our conversation with Kathy Fuller-Seeley. Kathy is a professor of media history at UT Austen. She is writing a book called Jack Benny and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy and in the process has obtained and read nearly all of the scripts to the lost episodes. This is part 2 of 2....
It's De-Lovely - Orchestra You Do The Darndest Things Baby - Mary Livingstone Good Night My Beautiful - Dennis Day Clancy Lowered The Boom - Dennis Day Make With The Kisses - Phil Harris and Mary Livingstone Night and Day - Kenny Baker Button Up Your Overcoat (Lucky Strike) - The Sportsmen One-sy, Two-sy - Phil Harris & Daughter April Showers - Dennis Day Love Love Love - Phil Harris and Mary Livingstone You Belong To My Heart - Larry Stevens I Was Speaking of the Devil - Orchestra Love In Bloom...
Kathy Fuller-Seeley is a media history professor at University of Texas at Austin and a Jack Benny fan club member. She is currently writing book called Jack Benny and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy . This is Part 1 of 2.
July 20, 1934 - A real episode of the Jack Benny Program. A real early episode. Not the best sound quality. At least Mickey Mouse is mentioned in this episode. I can't wait for the new season in the fall.
I talk to my Grandmother about listening to Jack Benny on the radio at age 5 and watching him on TV as a teenager. Plus Inner Sanctum Mysteries, Lux Theater, the vault, Guildersleve, smoking Lucky Strike, Jennifer Aniston, Anaheim, Azusa and Cucamonga.
The Jack Benny / Fred Allen Feud started with an ad lib in 1936 and continued until Allen's death in 1956. These are some one the highlights!
Jim Bennie is the man behind the Tralfaz Blog . He is a very knowledgeable fan of Jack Benny along with many other old time media, especially the classic cartoons.
Love in Bloom - Al Bowlly How Could You - Orchestra Never in a Million Years - Kenny Baker That's What I Like About The South - Phil Harris Too Romantic - Dennis Day An Irishman Will Steal Your Heart Away - Dennis Day Pickle In The Middle - Larry Stevens Girlfriend of the Whirling Dervish - Orchestra I've Got A Pocket Full of Dreams - Phil Harris Let's Call the Whole Thing Off - Andy Devine & Mary Livingstone Love Walked In - Kenny Baker Won't You Marry Me Now - Mary Livingstone & Phil Harris Mi...
The Jack Benny Program took the summer off so here on the Podcast we will be doing special programs to fill the summer. This episode is a preview of what you can expect. Including the all music episodes, interviews with Blogger Jim Bannie, author Kathy Fuller-Seeley, and more!
Spring 1933 - This is an episode put together from April to June surviving episodes of 1933, plus a radio broadcast of Phil Harris from 1933. Enjoy!
June 27, 1948 - Jack Benny was the Guest on Fred Allen's program, packing for his trip to Europe. Meanwhile the Republican Nation Convention is underway, and Boxing was a big deal with Joe Lewis taking the title.
June 26, 1938 - They talk current events including the Spanish civil war and war between China and Japan, the lone Ranger, and gossip columnist Louella Parsons. Kenny Baker is out of the country so Phil sings a song and so does Mary (with Jack joining in).
June 19, 1938 - What is a chinstrap? Which cartoon short was playing at this time? This plus Kenny Baker, Phil Harris, Mary Livingstone and the whole gang join Jack Benny for another fine episode!
June 18, 1939 - Kenny Baker was starring in the film adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado". This is the last episode of the 1939 season. It's Father's Day and Jack gives a farewell to his listeners and the cast until the fall.
June 16, 1940 - A jam-packed episode with a theme song sitcom segment, Dennis Day's mother, and special guest star "Henry Aldrich".
June 12, 1938 - An early episode, not quite as funny, but extra interesting. Jack Benny visits the set of his upcoming movie "Artists and Models Abroad". Joan Bennett is the guest star.
June 9, 1940 - The songs "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" and "Playmate" are referenced. There are also plans for the movie "Love Thy Neighbor" with comedian Fred Allen. But, with this being the the 2nd last episode of the season, most of the show is Jack discussing his plans for vacation. Spring of 1940 was also toward the beginning of WWII.
June 2, 1940 - JELL-O has renewed the Jack Benny Program for another year, Rochester buys a racehorse on the installment plan, Mary dreams about movie star Robert Taylor, oh yes, and a hillbilly skit to promote JELL-O.
June 1, 1952 - It's the season finally! Jack Benny's movie "Charlie's Aunt", Marilyn Monroe's movie "Niagra", the soap opera "Stella Dallas", Wheel of Fortune, and a big fire at a Hollywood movie studio are all mentioned in this episode.
May 26, 1940 - Mr. Mortimer's Party, formal dinner for sponsor...with no JELL-O for dessert. Very Funny episode. Meanwhile on Burns and Allen, Gracie Allen's campaign for president was in full swing. Plus, they mention the Cisco Kid.
May 24, 1953 - Who was the Heavyweight Champion of the world in 1952? What is the Mystery of the House of Wax? Why does this episode of the Jack Benny show sound so similar for one from the '40s? Listen to this episode of Old Time Radio.
May 19, 1940 - Mary plays a trick on Jack by pretending Dennis is related to the sponsor. The skit is a spoof on a forgotten Technicolor movie "Northwest Passage" with Spencer Tracy.
May 18, 1952 - Imagine if any of the candidates in the current political race had a cartoon elephant leading the charge, and the candidate was described as "Hep". Listen to the campaign referenced in this episode of The Jack Benny program. Plus Ma and Pa Kettle.
May 15, 1938 and early episode with some fun banter at the beginning and a murder mystery skit at the end. Plus Horse racing and guest Bing Crosby.
May 5, 1940 - Jack Benny does his impression of Fred Allen with a clothes pin on his nose.
May 12, 1940 - Mother's Day was on May 4th. Jack Benny and the cast have been in New York and are now on their way back to LA. They take an airplane.
May 2, 1932 This is the very first episode of the Jack Benny Program and the only episode from 1932 that has survived!
April 28, 1940 In New York. The first episode since the opening of Jack's Movie Buck Benny Rides Again. Fred Allen had Rochester on as a guest on his show this week too.
