This Day in Jack Benny

April 17, 1949 - A Walk Through The Easter Parade Jack and Mary meet their friends and neighbors from Mr. Kitzel to Frank Nelson. References include Fred Astaire and Judy Garland in the musical "Easter Parade" and the Lunar Eclipse.

March 25, 1945 - Murder Mystery with guest star Alan Ladd. Mary Livingstone was named best dressed woman in radio. References include Humphrey Bogart and Fred Allen.

March 11, 1945 - Jack and the gand practice archery, then a reporter comes and asks about Rochester, featuring guests Amos 'n Andy. References include the songs "Hot Time in the Town of Berlin" and "In My Merry Oldsmobile", the movie "The Last of the Mohicans", the Mr. Anthony advise program, and Hedda Hopper.

March 11 & 18, 1934 - Jack sleeps in a haunted house and the cast does an Arizona western play.

March 1, 1942 - Jack Benny is upset that his movie "Charlie's Aunt" didn't win him an Academy Award, he falls asleep and dreams of what might have happened. References include Oscar winner Gary Cooper and Joan Fontaine, Fred Allen, Frank Buck, and the old French motto "Honi soit qui mal y pense" or "Evil to him who evil thinks".

February 26, 1950 - Jack Benny talks about his trip to Washington DC, then they do a parody of the mystery radio show "The Whistler". They did this same parody on the episode from October 20, 1946. References include President Truman, the Gallup Poll, breakfast cereals, and the songs "Dear Hearts and Gentle People" by Bring Crosby and "Scarlet Ribbons" by Dinah Shore.

February 22, 1948 - Jack Benny and the gang are in Palm Springs and they visit the site where his new house is being built. There is also a cameo by Frank Sinatra. References include "The Lady of 29 Palms" by the Andrews Sisters, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Jerry Colonna, AFRA (American Federation of Radio Artists) and Winthrop Rockefeller's wedding.

February 15, 1948 - Jack Turns 39 and for his birthday everyone plans to throw him a surprise party. References include Bob Hope, Al Jolson, Jasha Hiefetz, the Academy Awards, the Oranges of Riverside Californiaand Townsend clubs.

May 11, 1941 - NBC Tribute 10th Anniversary. Jack and the gang talk about the testimonial dinner that took place this weekend in Jack Benny's honor. Then the episode is taken over by the NBC players' telling the life story of Jack in song. References include Jack Oakie, Fred Allen, the Marx brothers and Eva Tanguay.

May 9, 1941 - NBC 10th Anniversary Testimonial Dinner. Rudy Valli hosts a formal dinner in Jack Benny's honor with speeches by Edgar Bergan and Charlie McCarthy, Fibber McGee and Molly, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Bob Hope, George Jessel, Paramount Sudios head Y. Frank Freeman, NBC president Niles Tramell, and more! References include the song "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano".

May 4 & May 9, 1941 - Behind the Mike with Don Wilson interviewing Jack Benny and the NBC Special 10th Anniversary Salute to Jack Benny. Plus it's the 10th anniversary of This Day In Jack Benny!

January 9, 1955 - The Elephant's Graveyard Mystery. Jack Benny walks around the neighborhood in the morning, then decides to read an adventure book. References include Burns and Allen, Robert Montgomery, William Bendix, Jane Russell, sanforization of clothes and the book "Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle".

January 8, 1948 - Jack Benny is the guest in Maxwell House Coffee Time with George Burns and Gracie Allen. Jack Benny wants to be appreciated for his violin playing and George Burns wants to be appreciated for his singing voice. Gracie recommends they disguise themselves as Gypsies.

December 31, 1950 - The old time 1950 gives advice to baby 1951 in this New Year's Eve Fantasy skit. References include the Korean War, radio show "Life Can Be Beautiful", the movie "Harriet Craig", TV host Faye Emerson, singers Frank Sinatra and Al Jolson, bandleaders Wayne King, Kay Kyser and Guy Lombardo, writing on the head of a pin, and Flying Saucers.

December 24, 1944 - Jack Benny has some trouble while trying to decorate his Christmas tree in this Christmas Eve episode. Plus Jack gives a heartfelt Christmas speech to those fighting in the war. References include the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas", the author Mark Twain, inventors Thomas Edison and Robert Fulton, and the movie "Hollywood Canteen".

December 18, 1944 - Jack Benny is the guest on Frank Sinatra's radio show "Frank Sinatra in Person". References include Fibber McGee, Bing Crosby and Fred Allen, plus war bonds and Vigero plant food.

December 17, 1944 - Jack meets Frank Sinatra in a drug store. Mary drives Jack to go Christmas shopping. References include Bing Crosby, Eddie Cantor, Fred Allen, women drivers, rationing, and the Gruen watch time signal.

December 2, 1951 - Jack goes shopping for cufflinks for Don. The racetrack tout plays the department store Santa Claus. References include advertising of the major cigarette brands, Ronson lighters, Napoleon Brandy, oil millionaire Glenn MacCarthy, actors Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn, Jimmy Stewart and Gary Cooper.

November 30, 1947 - Jack Benny has a turkey dream after Thanksgiving. References include Fred Allen, Betty Grable, Stokowski, Toskinini, Rochefort Beer and Coronet Magazine quizzes.

November 23, 1947 - Movie Of Jack's Life, Thanksgiving Show. References include the royal wedding, cars with motors in the rear, Phil Spitalney, John Wilks Booth, boxers Jack Dempsy and Slapsie Maxie, and actors Roddy McDowell, Mickey Rooney, Cornel Wilde, Errol Flynn, and Clark Gable.

November 13, 1938 - Jack steals a girl from Phil Harris. Jack and Mary go see a fortune teller. References include Screeno.

November 8, 1953 - Jack Benny plays the role originated by a young Tony Curtis from his football movie "All American". References include newsman Edward R Murrow, the "quiz show with a heart" Strike it Rich, the soap opera John's Other Wife, and the WWII greese collection program Save Your Fat Week.

October 30, 1949 - Don Wilson is celebrating the anniversary of 25 years in radio. Frank Sinatra makes a guest appearance. References include the soap opera "Life Can Be Beautiful" and the advice show of John J. Anthony.

October 26, 1947 - Seventh Hole at Hillcrest Country Club. Jack Benny and Rochester look for the golf ball that Jack hit into the woods last week. Jack and Mary talk about their picture in the new issue of Radio Mirror magazine. The Sportsmen Quartet sings The Ghost Dance. References include the Royal Wedding, President Truman's Investigation, Donald Duck, Deanna Derbin, Fibber McGee and Molly, Bob Hope and Jerry Colonna, "The Bride and Groom Program", and Charles Dana Gibson's illustrations.

October 11, 1953 - Jack tries to sell his house for $100,000. References include Jack's old singer Kenny Baker, Milton Berl, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, Nation Wine Week, Cinerama, and the song "I want a Girl (Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad)".

October 5, 1947 - Jack is Back from His Summer Vacation. Refrences include the radio shows, "The Jack Paar Show", "The Fred Allen Show", "Duffy's Tavern", and "Take It or Leave It". The Miss America Beauty Pageant, the movies "Mother Wore Tights" and "Black Narrisis", The Yankee / Dodgers World Series game, and the Freedom Train.