Audiobook Chapter 3
JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley Read by Stephanie Henderson Chapter 3: Masculine Gender Identity in Jack Benny's Humor
Jun 26, 2023•1 hr 16 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
Golden Memories of Radio - Disk 1
In 1969 Jack Benny hosted a a box-set of records looking back at old time radio. It was titles "Jack Benny Presents the Treasury of Golden Memories of Radio". Side 1 - Remember Golden Radio? The Philco Radio Show with Bing Crosby, Jack Benny and Mary Livingston. George Burns and Gracie Allen. Eddie Cantor. Amos 'n Andy. Side 2 - Day Time Radio and Commercials Lorenzo Jones. The Romance of Helen Trent. Just Plain Bill. Mary Noble, Back stage Wife. "Ma" Perkins' Last Broadcast. Mary Margaret McBri...
Jun 21, 2023•34 min
Audiobook Chapter 2
JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley Read by Stephanie Henderson Chapter Two: What Are You Laughing at, Mary?
Jun 19, 2023•1 hr 18 min
"Over Here" Guest Jack Benny
December 26, 1942 - In this war time episode of the radio show "Over Here" Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, Dennis Day and Don Wilson do a spoof of Cinderella. Plus the music of Benny Goodman, an interview with actress Janet Blair and a reading by Herbert Marshall.
Jun 14, 2023•31 min
Audiobook Chapter 1
JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley Read by Stephanie Henderson Chapter One: Becoming Benny
Jun 12, 2023•1 hr 19 min
Jack Benny Audiobook Introduction
This is the introduction of the new audiobook of "Jack Benny and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy" by Kathryn H Fuller-Seeley. Thank you for the support of our Patrons who supported this project. The audiobook is now free for all to enjoy! Buy a hard copy of the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Benny-Golden-American-Radio-Comedy/dp/0520295056
Jun 11, 2023•56 min
Hollywood Revue of 1929 (BONUS)
This episode is a look at Jack Benny before his radio career when he was a Master of Ceremonies on film. July 30, 1928 - Bright Moments (Short Film) January 6, 1929 - Song Writers Revue (clip of film short) November 23, 1929 - Hollywood Revue of 1929 (portions of film)
Jun 07, 2023•37 min
Maltin on Benny
Leonard Maltin talks about Jack Benny at the 2023 International Jack Benny Fan Club convention. The well known film critic and historian wrote a book about old time radio in 1997 called "The Great American Broadcast". This interview is hosted by Zach Eastman (Yesteryear Ballyhoo Revue podcast) and John Henderson (This Day in Jack Benny podcast). Watch the full video interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp6lcCN_xUA
May 31, 2023•21 min
Ready for London Trip
May 25, 1952 - Jack prepares for his trip to London, then Jack gets money from Ed in the vault, and a visit from Dennis' mother. They mention the ocean liner that Jack Benny will take to London, the RMS Queen Elizabeth. They also mention the old Bundles for Britain program, the presidential slogan "I Like Ike", singers Johnnie Ray and Ezio Pinza, and Verna Felton on The Dennis Day TV show.
May 24, 2023•32 min
Generous Jack (Eddie Cantor)
May 8, 1949 - Jack is upset with the cast for flubbing so many lines last week. Eddie Cantor stops by and discusses the article he wrote about Jack in Cosmopolitan magazine. References include the Hooper Ratings, the fire at The Hollywood Park Race Track, the lifting of the Berlin Blockade, the song "Laugh Clown, Laugh", Bromo Seltzer and Dr. Scholl's corn remover.
May 17, 2023•35 min
Al Jolson Show Guest Dennis Day (Bonus)
Here are Dennis Day's appearances on The Kraft Music Hall with Al Jolson. December 9, 1948 February 3, 1949 May 8, 1949
May 10, 2023•40 min
The Treasure of The Sierra Madre
May 1, 1949 - Jack Benny, Mel Blanc and the gang do their version of the Humphrey Bogart movie "The Treasure of The Sierra Madre". References include Arthur Murray Dance Studio, used car salesman Mad Man Muntz, the new Buick with side port holes, French bathing suits, Mermaids, Toni home permanents, ad agency BBDO, the May Company department store, radio characters Henry Aldrich and Titus Moody, quiz show "Take It or Leave It", TV wrestling, Popeye the Sailor, and the movies "Mutiny on the Bount...
May 03, 2023•35 min
In The Spring (Lion Tamer)
April 25, 1937 - In The Spring Tra-La. Phil Harris gets mad at Jack Benny for talking during the band number and the whole cast ends up walking off the set in anger. Then Jack visits Andy Devine at his parents house for supper. References include the phrase "too, too divine", the bandleader Abe Lyman, Ish Kabibble from Kay Kyser's band, actor Clark Gable and actress Jean Harlow, and the circus lion tamer Clyde Beatty....
Apr 26, 2023•32 min
English Drawing Room
April 18, 1937 - Lady Milicent's Husband is the name of the English drawing room drama that Jack Benny and the gang put on. References include Jeeves and Wooster, the actor Gary Cooper, casting for "Gone With The Wind", the movies "Lost Horizon", "Tarzan Escapes" and Jack Benny's movie "College Holiday.
Apr 19, 2023•32 min
Buck Benny, Burns and Allen
April 11, 1937 - Guests Burns and Allen join Jack Benny for Buck Benny Rides Again (part 10). References include the comedy trio The Ritz Brothers, the actor Adolphe Menjou, Ben Bernie's catchphrase "Yowsa". Plus a joke about shoe trees.
Apr 12, 2023•32 min
Turn Off The Moon
April 4, 1937 - Back From New York where Jack Benny made up with Fred Allen and ended the feud...for now. Andy Devine visits and Phil Harris and Kenny Baker talk about their new movie "Turn Off The Moon".
Apr 05, 2023•33 min
The Train Porter (Rochester)
March 28, 1937 - The Train Ride to Hollywood. This is the first episode with Eddie Anderson who would later become a regular on the show as Rochester. References include the singer Lily Pons and the movie San Fransisco with Clark Gable and Jeanette MacDonald.
Mar 29, 2023•34 min
Oscar Night (The Continental)
March 24, 1952 - Jack and Mary attend the Academy Awards and Jack tries to sing his song. References include the many celebrities at the Oscars - Host Danny Kaye, best actor nomonees Marlon Brando (A Streetcar Named Desire), Montgomery Clift (A Place in the Sun), Arthur Kennedy (Bright Victory), Fredric March (Death of a Salesman), and Humphrey Bogart (The African Queen) plus James Cagney, Lionel Barrymore, Edward G Robinson, Shelly Winters, Betty Davis, Irene Dunn, Joan Crawford, Gene Aurty, Ch...
Mar 22, 2023•34 min
Live at Air Base (Lt Robert Taylor)
March 12, 1944 - From Livermore, CA near San Fransisco. Jack in the Navy. References include Red Skelton, Abbot and Costello, Fred Allen, Maxie Rosenbloom, Shirley Temple and Lt Robert Taylor.
Mar 15, 2023•32 min
Now Cut That Out! (Hubba Hubba Hubba)
March 5, 1944 - From Lemoore Army Air Field, Don Wants to Get Paid. This is the first episode where Jack Benny says "Now Cut That Out!". References include George Burns' singing voice, Bob Hope, Fred Allen, Hedy Lamarr, Betty Grable and her husband Harry James, and the song from Oklahoma "A Surrey With The Fringe On Top".
Mar 08, 2023•33 min
Surprise Guests (Tamarisk Country Club)
March 2, 1952 - Guest Show in Palm Springs at the Tamarisk Country Club. The surprise guests will be Danny Kaye, George Burns, Frank Sinatra and Groucho Marx! References include Lord Calvert Whisky, conductor Dir Thomas Beecham, Eddie Cantor, Lana Turner and announcer Harry Von Zell.
Mar 01, 2023•33 min
Brewster's Millions starring Jack and Mary
February 15, 1937 - The Lux Radio Theater presents "Brewster's Millions" with Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone. There have been a few versions of the story including the 1945 movie (with Eddie "Rochester" Anderson in a supporting role) and the 1985 movie with Richard Pryor and John Candy. This pre-dates both.
Feb 22, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Jack Benny Fiddles With The Classics (Bonus)
1956 - It’s a children’s record! Jack Benny tells the story of becoming a great violinist and how it all went wrong. Featuring the vocal talents of Mary Livingstone and Mel Blanc. Originally titled “Jack Benny Plays the Bee Ably Assisted by Isaac Stern” in 1956, it was re-released as “Jack Benny Fiddles With The Classics” in 1978....
Feb 16, 2023•40 min
Dennis Day's Parents (Baa Baa Baa)
February 7, 1954 - Dennis is told to quit the show by his mother. Jack Benny is also visited by a ten-year-old Harry Shearer. Plus Mel Blanc's hillarious rendition on "The Whiffenpoof Song (Baa Baa Baa)". References include the actresses Ava Gardener, Lana Turner, Jane Russel and Marilyn Monroe, who was on her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio.
Feb 08, 2023•31 min
North-West Mounted (Winter Olympics)
February 9, 1936 - Jack Benny and the gang have returned home to New York after almost a year in California. They mention the Winter Olympics in Germany, and the actor Cary Grant. Mary Livingstone writes a play about The North-West Mounted Police.
Feb 01, 2023•32 min
The Shooting of Dan McGrew
January 24, 1954 - After a look at the home life of Bob Crosby, Jack Benny and the gang dramatize the Robert W Service poem "The Shooting of Dan McGrew". References include "Santa Baby" by Ertha Kitt, the end of the Chlorophyll fad, and the game of Scrabble. Plus a Lucky Strike commercial by the poet Ogden Nash.
Jan 25, 2023•34 min
Parking Ticket
January 17, 1954 - This episode begins with Jack Benny and the gang have lunch at the drug store and ends with Jack fighting a parking ticket in court, References incule Terry Moore's ermine bathing suit, golfers Fred Wanpler, Lloyd Mangrum, Sam Sneed and Ben Hogen, musicians Bing Crosby, Liberace, The Bell Sisters, The Ink Spots, The Fred Waring Choir, and Teresa Brewer with her song "Ricochet Romance". Plus the movie "The Eddie Cantor Story", detective Boston Blackie, and Mandrake the Magician...
Jan 18, 2023•33 min
All Music (Carole Lombard's Death)
January 18, 1942 - This episode was broadcast two days after the sudden death of Jack Benny's co-star Carole Lombard. The episode is all music. "In respect to Carole Lombard, his co-star in "To Be Or Not Be", an Alexander Korda-Ernest Lubitsch film, to be released through United Artists, Jack Benny cancelled his Jan. 18 broadcast of the NBC Jack Benny Show, sponsored by General Foods (Jell-O). Although no specific explanation was given, the show was replaced by a musical program, featuring Mahlo...
Jan 11, 2023•31 min
Pet Camel (Stan Freberg)
January 9, 1944 - Jack Benny picks up his new pet Camel. The camel is played by a young Stan Freberg in his only appearance on the Jack Benny show. This is also the last episode with Jack's pet polar bear. References include bodybuilder Charles Atlas, comedian Fred Allen, and the Draft categories 4-F (Not qualified for military service) and 4-H (Deferred for reason of age, 38-44)....
Jan 04, 2023•32 min
Dennis Has a Cold (Cut Jokes)
December 26, 1954 - The day after Christmas and Jack Benny visits Dennis Day who has a cold. Plus the unedited master recording for this episode survives and includes a couple of cut jokes and behind the scenes banter. References include "This is Your Life", "Robert Montgomery Presents", Louella Parsons, and John L Lewis.
Dec 28, 2022•33 min