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

Christmas Department Store (Shirley Temple doll)

December 12, 1937 - The first Christmas shopping episode! Jack Benny says he is a gambler, then goes Christmas shopping at a department store with Mary. References include punchboards, the rado show "Lum and Abner", Popeye, and Shirley Temple dolls.

Dec 13, 202332 min

The Man Who Came to Dinner (Christmas)

December 25, 1949 - Jack Benny is the guest star in this radio adaptation of the movie "The Man Who Came to Dinner". Merry Christmas and enjoy the show!

Dec 06, 202354 min

Tickets to the Game (USC-UCLA)

November 26, 1950 - Jack tries to buy tickets to the USC-UCLA game. Phil Harris plays a part in an episode of the Lux Radio Theater. References include J Edgar Hoover, Albert Einstein, Ronald Colman, Skitch Henderson, Faye Emerson (and her wardrobe malfunction), the movie "King Solomon's Mines", and the Whiffenpoof song (We are poor little lambs who have lost our way).

Nov 29, 202338 min

Ed Wynn

November 20, 1949 - Jack goes to rehearsal and runs into TV comedian Ed Wynn and Dennis Day's replacement Larry Stevens. References include General Bradley, the coal strike, the song "Mule Train", the Crosley millions contest, the musical "South Pacific", Al Jolson, Buster Keaton, Margret O'Brien and Keenan Wynn.

Nov 22, 202335 min

Flubs and Mistakes (Richard Whorf)

November 13, 1949 - Last week's mistakes. Jack visits Ronald Coleman on a movie set. The movie was "Champagne for Caesar", directed by Richard Whorf. References include the song "Mule Train", the Notre Dame college football team, comedian Red Skelton, and orchestra conductor Arturo Toscanini.

Nov 15, 202333 min

Yacht Ride (Amos & Andy)

November 6, 1949 - Jack rides in a yacht and Rochester guest stars on the Amos & Andy program in the episode "Friendly Loan Company". References include the high price of coffee, True Confessions magazine, princess Margret, the song "Mule Train", Popeye cartoons, comedians Milton Berle and Fred Allen, movie stars Gary Cooper, Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn and Joan Crawford, the movies "Mutiny on the Bounty" and "Wabash Avenue",

Nov 08, 202341 min

Halloween (Basil Rathbone)

November 2, 1941 - Halloween celebration with guest star Basil Rathbone as himself. Jack and the gang are making mischief on Halloween. References include the animal trapper Frank Buck, and movie stars Claudette Colbert, Charles Laughton, Ronald Colman, and Charles Boyer.

Nov 02, 202332 min

Wife, Doctor and Nurse (The Maxwell)

October 24, 1937 - Jack Buys the Maxwell and they do thier version of the movie "Wife, Doctor and Nurse" starring Loretta Young, Waren Baxter, and Virginia Bruce. References include the steam-powered vehicle called The Stanley Steamer.

Oct 25, 202332 min

Jack Fixes Breakfast (Potatoes Are Cheaper)

October 12, 1947 - Jack's Sponsor Buys Insurance On Him. This is a very funny episode! So funny that the script was reused May 24, 1953. References include the movie "Mother Wore Tights", the burlesque dance Gypsy Rose Lee, and the first televised presidential address in wich Truman asks the American people to conserve food to help feed starving people in Europe.

Oct 18, 202331 min

Jack What's-His-Name

October 10, 1937 - Jack Benny and the gang discuss the reviews of last week's opening broadcast. References include Lily Pons, Eddie Cantor, Fred Astaire, movies "Artists and Models", "This Way Please" and "High, Wide and Handsome". Plus Abe Lyman returns.

Oct 11, 202334 min

Bandleader Abe Lyman

October 3, 1937 - Beginning Of 4th Season for Jello and we compair the east coast and west coast broadcasts. References include ocean liners, Dracula, actresses Loretta Young and Marline Deitrich, and boxer Jack Dempsey.

Oct 04, 202333 min

Jack Benny's Father (Waukegan Mayor)

March 21, 1937 - From New York Jack Benny plays his own father in the story of his life. References include Kenny Baker and Phil Harris' upcoming movie "Turn off the Moon", Minsky's Burlesque nightclub, and old songs "(My) Pony Boy" and "In the Good Old Summertime".

Sep 27, 202333 min

Terry Phillips (1983 Mel Blanc)

Terry Phillips is a former CBS reporter who, in 1983 had a chance to interview the great Mel Blanc. Terry is also the producer of a audio drama podcast called Imagine Air Theater, and his new play "Ronald Reagan Saves the World" premiered last week at the Center Stage Theater in Santa Barbara, California. Mel Blanc Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fsWZVbLllQ Imagine Air Theater here: https://www.imagine-air-theater.com Ronald Reagan Saves the World https://www.reaganplay.com...

Sep 13, 202337 min

Sports Newsreel Show

December 28, 1945 - Jack Benny is the guest on Bill Stern's Sports Newsreel. June 7, 1946 - Eddie "Rochester" Anderson is the guest on Bill Stern's Sports Newsreel. Bonus - Paul Harvey's Rest of the Story segment.

Aug 30, 202333 min

First TV Episode (TV Bonus)

October 28, 1950 – Premiere Show The audio version of the very first episode of the Jack Benny Television Program with special guest Dinah Shore! With Mel Blac, Don Wilson, and comedian Ken Murray. References include Olsen & Johnson, and Bob Hope.

Aug 23, 202348 min

So This is Harris

Phil Harris stars in the short comedy film "So This is Harris" from 1933.

Aug 16, 202331 min

Audiobook - Conclusion

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley Read by Stephanie Henderson Conclusion Download the full book at www.thisdaybenny.com/audiobook

Aug 12, 202321 min

Audiobook - Chapter 9

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley Read by Stephanie Henderson Chapter 9: Jack Bennys Turn Towards Television

Aug 07, 20231 hr 10 min

Phil Harris Show guest Jack Benny

March 9, 1947 - Jack Benny is the guest star on "The Fitch Bandwagon" starring Phil Harris and Alice Faye. In this episode they mention foxtails on old car radiator caps and more!

Aug 03, 202329 min

Audiobook - Chapter 8

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley Read by Stephanie Henderson Chapter 8: Benny At War With The Radio Critics

Jul 31, 20231 hr 17 min

Golden Memories of Radio - Disk 6

Side 1 - Great Moments of Humor and Pathos. Radio programs did not always follow script: Lowell Thomas program. Julian Anthony news broadcast. Radio "trivia": the first radio variety series. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig on their radio show. Babe Ruth's final message. Lou Gehrig says "Goodbye." Amos 'n Andy Christmas program. Side 2 - Special Production. Arch Oboler presents "CAT WIFE" --a full length terror drama, freshly produced, just as it was heard on Golden Radio. Cast: Virginia Gregg, Vic Perr...

Jul 26, 202337 min

Audiobook - Chapter 7

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley Read by Stephanie Henderson Chapter 7: Jack Benny's Intermedia Juggling of Radio and Film

Jul 24, 20231 hr 9 min

Golden Memories of Radio - Disk 5

Side 1 - Radio Reports World War II. Pearl Harbor bulletin. Manila bombing. FDR "Day of Infamy." Last broadcast from Corregidor. Interview with radio operator. Side 2 - Radio Reports World War II. "D" Day to Final Victory. Dwight D. Eisenhower announces "D" Day. FDR on "D" Day. "Live" report from landing ship. Iwo Jima invaded. FDR's death. Arthur Godfrey at funeral. President Truman's tribute. Winston Churchill on VE Day. President Truman announces Hiroshima "A" bomb attack. VJ Day. General Mac...

Jul 19, 202333 min

Audiobook - Chapter 6

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley Read by Stephanie Henderson Chapter 6: The Commercial Imperative: Jack Benny, Advertising, and Radio Sponsors

Jul 17, 20231 hr 23 min

Golden Memories of Radio - Disk 4

Side 1 - The March Toward World War II. The King George V Funeral. Edward VIII abdicates. King George VI coronation. Prime Minister Chamberlain reports to the world. The U.S.S. Squalus Disaster. Hitler declares war on Poland. Chamberlain announces war. FDR: "America Hates War." and Winston Churchill: "Give us the tools." Side 2 - On-The-Spot Coverage of Sports! The Dempsey-Tunney fight. Schmeling defeats Joe Louis. Max Baer, Gene Tunney, Jack Dempsey comment as Louis defeats Schmeling. Jesse Owe...

Jul 12, 202334 min

Audiobook - Chapter 5

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley Read by Stephanie Henderson Chapter 5: Rochester and the Revenge of Uncle Tom in the 1940s and 1950s

Jul 10, 20231 hr 26 min

Golden Memories of Radio - Disk 3

Side 1 - Radio Adventure and Drama. Jack Armstrong. The Lone Ranger. Sgt. Preston and Yukon King. Terry and The Pirates. Famous Jury Trials. Dangerous Assignment. Mr. Keene, Tracer of Lost Persons. Gang Busters. Suspense. The Shadow. Side 2 - The Classic Radio News Broadcasts. KDKA Election Returns. Pres. Coolidge presents Charles Lindberg to Congress. Amos 'n Andy on Hoover-Smith campaign. Eddie Cantor on 1929 Crash. Billy Sunday on prohibition. FDR is inaugurated. Edwin C. Hill. Bruno Hauptman...

Jul 05, 202336 min

Audiobook - Chapter 4

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley Read by Stephanie Henderson Chapter 4: Eddie Anderson, Rochester, and Race in 1930s Radio and Film

Jul 03, 20231 hr 24 min

Golden Memories of Radio - Disk 2

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 - The Great Radio Comedians. "Allen's Alley" with Fred Allen, Senator Claghorn, Titus Moody and Mrs. Nusbaum. The Easy Aces with Jane and Goodman Ace. Baron Munchausen, featuring Jack Pearl. Fibber McGee and Molly, with Mr. and Mrs. Jim Jordan. Side 2 - More of The Great Radio Comedians. Lum 'N Abner. Fanny Brice as Baby Snooks. Jac...

Jun 28, 202334 min