This Day in Jack Benny - podcast cover

This Day in Jack Benny

John Hendersonthisdaybenny.com
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

Dennis Leaves for the Navy (Vancouver)

April 23, 1944 - Broadcasting from Vancouver BC, Canada. Jack talks to the mayor and Mary talks about growing up there. Dennis Day says goodbye. This is his last episode before leaving for the Navy for two years. References include W.C Fields.

Apr 21, 202132 min

Bob Hope's Brother

April 16, 1944 - The Bob Hope Show Parody. Jack benny and the gang are broadcasting from Stockton Airfield in San Joaquin county. They mention Jack's movie "Charlie's Aunt", bandleader Tommy Dorsey, Mel Blanc character Private Sad Sack, gas coupons, and an in depth look at the Bob Hope radio show including cast members Fransis Langford, Professor Colona, Vera Vague and the Pepsodent ad featuring 'poor Miriam'....

Apr 14, 202134 min

Louella Parsons

April 2, 1944 - Louella Parsons about Jack's movie. Gossip columnist Louella Parsons is expected to visit for an interview with Jack benny (and promote her book "The Gay Illiterate". They mention Jack Benny's USO tour in Africa, Jimmy Star's book "The Corpse Came C.O.D.", movie stars Gary Cooper, Hedy Lamarr, Lionel Barrymore, Spencer Tracy, W.C. Fields, Claudette Colbert and the fictional villain Fu Manchu....

Apr 07, 202133 min

BONUS: The Easter Story

BONUS EPISODE The Easter Story Son of Man: A Passion Play CBS Radio Theater Introducing: Bible Broadcasts A podcast featuring vintage stories, hymns, and gospel songs from the golden age of radio (1930 – 1950). Featuring Old Time Radio Shows that dramatize the stories of the Bible. Listen to Bible Broadcasts on Apple podcasts or your favorite podcast app. RSS Feed iTunes Twitter Subscribe now!...

Apr 03, 202133 min

How Jack Found Phil (Nebraska Admiral)

April 1, 1945 - Jack Benny has received the honorary title of "Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska" and it's going to his head. Then he tells the story of how he found Phil Harris in 1935. We also find out how his met he girlfriend who sings "My Melancholy Baby".

Mar 31, 202132 min

Barbara Stanwyck (Mairzy Doats)

March 19, 1944 - Dennis dreams he has his own show. Barbara Stanwyck is the guest star. References include the Merry Mac's hit song "Mairzy Doats", Queen Elizabeth, Winston Churchill, Henry Morgenthau, Paul Lukas, Dorothy Lamour, Nelson Eddie and Jeanette MacDonald, Gypsy Rose Lee and more.

Mar 24, 202134 min

Twenty Questions

March 14, 1954 - A recycled script from November 5, 1950. On the train to Los Angeles Jack benny and the gang are playing 20 questions. They mention actors Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stuart, Gary Cooper and Walter Pigeon. They reference the commercial jingles "How are you fixed for blades" and Pepsi cola. They mention Jack's January TV episode with Liberace, and more!

Mar 17, 202134 min

Jack Benny vs Fred Allen

March 14, 1937 - From the Hotel Peirre in New York Jack benny Faces off against Fred Allen in the Fight of the Century! Plus Mary Livingstone Sings. References include the songs "There's an Old Spinning Wheel in the Parlor" and "A Fine Romance", Ben Bernie, Guy Lombardo, Bing Crosby, Laurence Tibbitt, Noel Coward, Clark Gable, Robert Tayor, Lionel Barrymore, Andy Devine, Boris Karloff, Ripley's, and the Anheuser Bush Brewery....

Mar 10, 202133 min

Stuart Canin (Child Violinist)

March 7, 1937 - Broadcasting from New York City at the height of the Benny / Allen feud, the boy who started it all, 10-year-old violinist Stuart Canin is a guest.

Mar 03, 202135 min

The Ink Spots (Allen's Alley Reunion)

February 12, 1950 - Jack Benny and the gang are in New York so the Ink Spots fill in for the Sportsmen quartet. Fred Allen has been off the air for a year and Jack gets the original cast to come and reprise their roles from Allen's Alley.

Feb 24, 202133 min

Time Change (Sound Effects Man)

February 8, 1942 - Jack is upset because Fred Allen has moved to Sundays. Clip from the song "I'm In Love With The Sound Effects Man" by the Kingsmen from and episode of Fibber McGee and Molly (later recorded by Spike Jones). They mention Gene Autry, Edger Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, Abbott and Costello, Phil Baker, and The Great Gildersleeve.

Feb 17, 202133 min

Jack Benny's Birthday (Ben Bernie)

February 14, 1937 - Jack Benny celebrates his birthday. Radio bandleader Ben Bernie shows up and offers to lend Jack his violin so that he can play "The Bee" and settle the feud with Fred Allen. They mention The Townsend Plan, the movie "Wake up and live", Prudence Penny cooking school, Little Orphan Annie, the songs "Thanks a Million" and "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Aint Got That Swing)"....

Feb 10, 202136 min

Ready to Play The Bee (Julius Caesar)

February 2, 1937 - After hearing 10-year-old Stuart Canin play Schubert's "The Bee" on The Fred Allen Program, Jack Benny is Ready to play "The Bee" himself. Leading to The Stolen Violin. They mention the movie The Good Earth , Jack's movie College Holiday in which he plays "Love in Bloom", and Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

Feb 03, 202136 min

Lucy Belle (Flood Disaster)

January 31, 1937 - Phil Harris's sister Lucy Belle visits the studio. Nightmares of Fred Allen. Jack Benny will play 'The Bee' next Sunday. References include the Red Cross disaster work in great Ohio river flood. Actors Fred MacMurray, Fred Stone, George Burns, Fred Astair, child actor Jackie Cooper and Robert Taylor who was starring in the movie "Camille".

Jan 27, 202133 min

Dinner at Phil's (Practicing The Bee)

January 24, 1937 - Jack Practices The Bee. The feud between Jack Benny and Fred Allen is ramping up. Then the gang heads over to Phil Harris' house to meet Phil's southern mother and sister.

Jan 20, 202135 min

How Jack Benny Met Fred Allen

January 15, 1950 - Fred Allen is the guest star on The Jack Benny Program, but he is late. This was during the time when The Fred Program was not on the air. They reference Phil Harris' show on NBC and Don Wilson's "Dreer Poosen" flub. They also mention Groucho Marx, Milton Berle, Mory Amsterdam, and Danny Kaye who was starring in "The Inspector General". Plus, Los Angeles Golf Open with Ben Hogan and Sam Sneed, the New York water shortage, Beeman's Pepsin chewing gum, the Miss America pageant a...

Jan 13, 202134 min

First Broadcast on CBS

January 2, 1949 -Jack has the jitters for his first broadcast on CBS after moving from NBC. Jack runs into Amos and Andy looking for CBS president William S pailey. They spoof the song "Slow Boat to China" (written by Frank Lesseer), and reference the song "Buttons and Bows". With Jack moving to CBS he does guest appearances on programs like Suspense and Gene Autry's Melody Ranch. They promote a number of other CBS shows: Lux, Sam Spade, Spike Jones, "My Friend Irma", "Life with Luigi, and Your ...

Jan 06, 202135 min

Comedian of the Year (Last NBC Show)

December 26, 1948 - The last show for NBC. Jack Benny will be switching to CBS next week. He was doing quite a bit of promotion including appearances on other radio shows like "Lux Radio Theater". In this episode they mention Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Guy Lombardo and the song "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth". They reference the ad agency Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborn. They also mention the movie "Portrait of Jennie", the swimming movie star Esther Williams, and boxers Ma...

Dec 30, 202034 min

Christmas Shopping (Wallet)

December 19, 1948 - The classic Christmas shopping episode where Jack Benny goes to a department store to buy a wallet for Don Wilson. References include the movie "Elephant Boy" starring Sabu, actor Ronald Colman, actress Heddy Lamarr, poets Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Nick Kenny, Bendix washer, and the novelty Christmas song "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"....

Dec 23, 202036 min

BONUS: Christmas Command Performance

December 25, 1948 - Command Performance featuring Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Dinah Shore, Herbert Marshall, Jimmy Durante and more!

Dec 16, 202036 min

Driver's License Test

December 5, 1943 - Jack Benny has a new car after getting rid of the Maxwell and has to go in for a driver's test. They mention radio stars Dinah Shore, Red Skelton and Fred Allen. Plus, Esquire magazine and a FHA loan.

Dec 09, 202033 min

Sportsmen Quartet Contract

November 3, 1946 - Jack Benny tries to break his contract with the Sportsmen quartet. They mention the movies "The Killer", "Margie" and "Breakfast in Hollywood" starring Tom Breneman. They also sing the song "Shine on Harvest Moon". Plus the Lord Calvert Whiskey ads featuring The Men of Distinction .

Dec 02, 202032 min

Dinner with the Colmans

October 24, 1948 - Jack Benny invites Ronald and Benita Colman over for dinner and they try to think of an excuse to get out of it. They mention the residence of the English Prime Minister at number 10 Downing Street, Toni home perm, the song "It's Magic" and the movies "My Son, My Son", "Oliver Twist", and Lassie in "Hills of Home".

Nov 25, 202032 min

Travel Diary (World Series)

October 11, 1948 - Rochester reads Jack Benn's diary where he talks about his recent trip to Europe. He still hears the Swiss Alps echo. Then they listen to the 1948 World Series. References include Dr. Scholl's foot eazers, Toni home permanent, Emily Post, Gary Cooper, William Powell, Artie Shaw, Spike Jones, Bob Hope, pitcher Satchel Paige.

Nov 18, 202034 min

Swiss Alps Echo (Elks Tooth)

October 3, 1948 - Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris and Alice Faye are back from their summer trip to Europe. They mention Edger Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, Danny Kaye, Barbra Stanwyck in "Sorry Wrong Number", and presidential candidates Harry S Truman and Thomas E Dewey. Also listen for a gag about the Elks Lodge elk's tooth.

Nov 11, 202033 min

Vitamin Shot (Grandma Moses)

November 9, 1952 - In this episode Jack Benny goes to the doctor (Frank Nelson) to get a vitamin shot and runs into Bugs Bunny. In the episode they mention 92-year-old "Grandma Moses".

Nov 04, 202032 min

Anthony Adverse Part 2

October 18, 1936 - Jack Benny has a new movie out called "The Big Broadcast of 1937". Then they continue with a comedy version of the drama "Anthony Adverse". In the episode they mention animal trapper Frank Buck, movie stars Robert Taylor, Clark Gable and Gretta Garbo, bandleader Paul Whiteman, and songs "Jingle Bells" and "Madamoiselle from Armentiers (Hinky Dinky Parlez Vous)"....

Oct 28, 202033 min

Young Johnny Carson (TV Bonus)

November 20, 1955 - Johnny Carson guest stars on the Jack Benny Television Program. Plus Don Wilson, Rochester and Dennis Day. Intro featuring John Henderson, Buck Benny, Kathy Fuller-Seeley, and Terry Phillips. Watch here: https://youtu.be/l9xAAa9fL4g

Oct 26, 202038 min

Anthony Adverse Part 1

October 11, 1936 - Jack Benny and the gang spoof the major motion picture "Anthony Adverse". At least the first half of the movie. In the episode they mention The NY Giants World Series loss, radio programs Little Orphan Annie, Manhattan Merry Go Round, Phil Baker, Eddie Cantor, Amos 'n Andy, plus movie stars Carole Lombard, Robert Taylor, Joan Bennett, and Claudette Colbert....

Oct 21, 202033 min

Charlie McCarthy (Service Pin)

October 13, 1946 - Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone walk to the studio and run into Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. References include post-war meat and soap shortages, the honorable discharge lapel button (AKA Raptured Duck), news commentator Gabriel Heatter, Game 6 in the World Series, Hedy Lamar's baby, Bing Crosby, and Fred Allen.

Oct 14, 202033 min
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