This Day in Jack Benny

November 29, 1936 - Phil Harris has been getting phone calls from movie stars like Carole Lombard and Jack is jealous. Then part three of the western drama Buck Benny Rides Again. References include Mae West, Gretta Garbo, George Arliss and the fictional character count Dracula.

November 22, 1936 - Jack Benny talks about his recent trip to Palm Springs and Don Wilson, Mary Livingstone and Kenny Baker talk about their plans for Thanksgiving. Then they do part two in the "Buck Benny Rides Again" saga. They mention actresses Carole Lombard and Ginger Rogers, adventurer Frank Buck, movie theater "bank nights", and the book "Gone With The Wind".

November 15, 1936 - In this early episode it's singer Kenny Baker's first anniversary as part of the J-E-L-L-O cast. We head out west for the first in the Buck Benny cowboy saga. In this episode they mention the comedy team Burns and Allen, the song "I'm an Old Cowhand", and Abraham Lincoln.

John Henderson's wife Stephanie joins him for a chat about Jack Benny and the future of the podcast. https://thisdaybenny.com/

June 27, 1937 - The last show of the season and the bandleader Johnny Green returns to the Jack Benny Program to visit. He is a noteworthy piano player and shows off as he plays a duet with Jack on the violin. References include Kenny Baker's movie "Mr. Dodd Takes the Air", Bing Crosby, Carol Lombard and Clark Gable, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Charlie McCarthy the dummy, The Queen Mary ocean liner.

June 6, 1954 - It's the last show of the season and Jack Benny is getting ready for a personal appearance in Dallas. They mention the Irwin Allen documentary "The Sea Around Us", the book and movie "The Cain Mutiny", silent film stars Lon Chaney and Charlie Chaplin, the game show "What's My Line?, and Bing Crosby singing "Come On-A My House".

June 4, 1944 - The last episode sponsored by Grape Nuts Flakes. Dennis Day is gone to Naval training and Phil Harris sings "G.I. Jive". Plus songs "A Slip of the Lip Can Sink a Ship", "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning", and Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye. They mention a number of radio comedies and the soap opera John's Other Wife. And the actor C. Aubrey Smith.

June 1, 1941 - Jack Benny is in his old WWI Navy uniform as he broadcasts from the San Diego Naval Training Center. They mention Jack's upcoming movie directed by Archie Mayo, actress Ann Sheridan, the Civil War battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack, and a Lavalier necklace.

May 26, 1946 - Ed Sullivan stops by the broadcast while Jack Benny is in New York to give him an award. They mention the women's clothing storew S. Klein, actress Joan Crawford, the railroad and coal strikes, newspaper comic Dick Tracy, communist Russia, comedian Fred Allen, and Dave Rose, the composter of a song dedicated to Jack Benny called The Waukegan Concerto.

May 19, 1946 - Jack Benny and his cast are in New York, the home of Fred Allen. In a flashback, Fred asks Jack onto his own program for next week. This week Fred's guest will be Phil Harris, In this episode they reference mayor O'Dwyer, President Truman, the coal and railroad strikes, singer John Charles Thomas, comedian Jerry Colona, and Danny Kaye's running joke "Oh really? No, O'Riley".

May 5, 1946 - Jack Benny is visiting Chicago on Mother's Day. It was the middle of a coal strike lead by John L Lewis. They mention Marshal Field's Department store, Charles Boyer, Georgie Jessel, the song "Keep the Home Fires Burning", and The Quiz Kids.

May 5, 1946 - All aboard the Super Chief train to Chicago! In this episode they mention Listerene toothpaste, Esquire magazine, Pablum. Fred Allen, the Queen for a Day radio show, the trolley strike and more.

April 28, 1946 - Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, Dennis Day and Phil Harris go to see Danny Kaye's new movie "The Kid From Brooklyn". References include the zany bandleader Spike Jones, violinists Fritz Kreisler and Jasha Heifitz, teen actors Freddie Bartholomew and Shirley Temple, gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, Crosby and Hope, Diamond Jim Brady more!

April 22, 1951 - Jack Benny and the gang go to the circus including the side show and the tunnel of love (after visit from the I.R.S. part 3). They mention Dennis Day's upcoming movie and the radio show My Friend Irma.

April 8, 1951 - The IRS agents that visited Jack Benny in last week's episode return, and then visit Ronald and Benita Colman. They mention penny loafers, The Aurthur Murray Dance Studio, and the vitamin enriched drink Hadacol.

April 8, 1951 - In this episode Jack Benny is worried because the I.R.S. called to say they are coming over to talk to him about his tax return. They mention Dennis Day's records (Mister and Mississippi was his next single), the game show 20 Questions, and handsome Hollywood actors of they day.

April 6, 1947 - It's Easter Day! Jack Benny and the gang talk about their Easter activities. Meanwhile, comedian Bob Hope was giving away cars with a contest on his radio show. Also on the radio you could hear Phil Harris' show, Dennis Day's show, and To Brennaman's Breakfast in Hollywood. From the movies; Van Johnson, Gary Cooper, Frederick March, Ray Maland, Shirley Temple, Carmen Miranda, and 10-year-old Margret O'Brien. They also mention silent film star Theda Bara. Songwriter Hoagy Carmichael and movie producer Samuel Goldwyn.

March 23, 1941 - In this episode Jack Benny and the gang spoof the hillbilly movie "Tobacco Road", but Don Wilson is upset because Jack forgot his radio anniversary. Plus the return of the Guadalajara Trio.

March 19, 1950 - Jack Benny plays the Kirk Douglas part in the movie "Champion". Plus they mention Popeye, Mickey Mouse and Oscar nominees Broadrick Crawford, Richard Todd, Gregory Peck, and John Wayne. And they reference the tennis player "Gorgeous" Gussie Moran.

March 16, 1941 - On this episode of The Jack Benny Program they have just returned from vacation and discuss Palm Springs' Prices. The Guadalajara Trio return to get paid. They mention Ripley's Belive it or Not, the song "There I Go", the half-dollar (with the Eagle and the latin phrase E Pluribus Unum, and Jack's new arm muscle is compared to the box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda.

March 9, 1941 - The Jack Benny Show is broadcasting from Palm Springs with special guests Peter Lorie, character actor Charles Butterworth, the silent film actor Charles Farrell and the Guadalajara Trio. They mention local spots like The Doll House restaurant, Rogers Stables and the Racquet Club resort. Plus references to the movies Western Union, Mr. Moto and Ktty Foyle, and the song "The Shiek of Araby".

February 23, 1941 - Broadcasting from Palm Springs Jack Benny talks about the place where he's staying, the T.P. Motel. They mention the western film series Hopalong Cassidy and the poet Henry W Longfellow. Plus The Knocking Man stops by, as portrayed by Harry Baldwin.

February 16, 1947 - Jack's Birthday party with Isaac Stern the violinist, actor Ronald Colman and his wife Benita. Actress Lorraine Day recently married baseball coach Leo Durocher after divorcing her previous husband. She had filed for divorce in the California, but the judge ruled that she couldn't re-marry for a year. So she went to Mexico instead. The California judge still insists that her divorce is not valid when she is in California.

February 9, 1947 - In this episode Jack Benny and his gang mention previous bandleaders on the show, Jack is once again visited by his guardian angel from "it's a Wonderful Life" and they spoof the news commentator H.V. Kaltenborn. Plus Headless Valley, Sally Rand's Baloon dance, The Best Years of Our Lives, Margret O'Brien and more!

Winter 1934 - This is a very early episode of Jack Benny with poor sound quality. They mention Eddie Cantor and the movie "Little Women" with Katharine Hepburn.

January 26, 1947 - Jack Benny is changing his name to something more dignified. Then they do a skit very loosely based on the movie "Margie". In this episode they mention the new 1947 Studebaker with large rear windows, the novelty song "Open the Door, Richard", Rudolf Valention in "The Shiek", Charles Boyer and Humphrey Bogart.

January 19, 1947 - Most of this episode is recycled from March 1946, only with horror movie actor Boris Karloff. In the episode they reference the bandleader Spike Jones and the novelty song "Open the Door Richard".

January 18, 1948 - Jack Benny is in Denver for a March of Dimes fundraising event. They meet the governor and mention the mayor. It happened to be the same week as the National Western Stock Show which was also hosted in Denver. In the episode they mention Slapsy Maxi Rosenbloom, Lady Esther cosmetics, Al Jolson, and Robert Taylor who was filling in on the Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show.

January 11, 1948 - Jack Benny is packing for his trip to Denver for a March of Dimes event. In the episode they mention radio comedian Judy Canova, Duz Soap, the movie "Ramona", the song "Near You", Shirley Temple who would soon have her first baby and Dinah Shore who just had her first baby. In a time before disposable diapers many people hired a diaper service to pick up old diapers and drop off clean ones.

January 5, 1941 - The ASCAP Boycott started in January and lasted until October of 1941. On the Jack Benny program they wrote original music for the opening of the show with funny titles. Plus the new electric razor.

December 22, 1940 - Christmas in New York and the premier of Jack Benny and Fred Allen's movie "Love Thy Neighbor" was earlier in the week. Kenny Baker is back for a guest appearance and a friendly rivalry with his replacement Dennis Day. In the episode they mention Lindy's Restaurant, the comedy team Olsen and Johnson, stars Heddy Lamar and Lana Turner, former presidential candidate Wilkie, and the Rosalind Ballroom where you can rent a dance partner for 10¢ a dance.

December 15, 1940 - Just ahead of the premier for "Love Thy Neighbor", Jack Benny gets a bodyguard to protect himself from Fred Allen's goons. In the episode they mention Carmen Miranda's hats, comedian Ed Wynn, stage plays, bandleaders the calendar of desserts.

December 11, 1938 - Jack Benny and the gang are in New York where Jack and Mary Livingstone go for Christmas shopping. In this episode they mention the upcoming World's Fair, comedian Fred Allen, announcer Graham McNamee, playwright Noel Coward, dancer Gypsy Rose Lee, opera singer Giovanni Martinelli, plus Betsy Ross and Abraham Lincoln.

December 1, 1946 - It has been a few years since Jack benny's appearance on the game show "Take It or Leave It" and he still thinks he should have won the money. The host Phil Baker visits Jack in this episode. Plus they mention "The Count of Monte Cristo", Lassie, John L Lewis and Phil Harris' show.

November 24, 1946 - Jack Benny welcomes gangster star Edward G Robinson for their version of the movie "The Killers". References include Hollywood's Santa Claus Lane Parade, Eversharp razors, the gangster movie Little Cesar, and the songs "Rumors are Flying", "The Missouri Waltz", and "Holiday for Strings".

November 21, 1937 - In this episode they spoof the 1937 Ronald Colman movie "Lost Horizon" directed by Frank Capra. Plus they mention the swing dance called The Suzie-Q, adventurer Frank Buck, Eddie Canton (and his 5 daughters), and the Elk's Lodge.

November 10, 1946 - Jack Benny gets a haircut from Rochester. When the Sportsmen quartet come to do the commercial Jack fires and re-hires them. They reference the singer Hildegarde, the song Stardust and the musicians union leader Petrillo. Movies "The Strange love of Martha Ivers", and the actress Merle Oberon. Radio shows Fibber MacGee and Molly, A Date With Judy, and The Phil Harris show. Plus Duz Soap, a fountain pen that can write underwater and Mary's Chizz Sweese flub.

October 27, 1946 - This old time radio episode of the Jack Benny Program is famous for the mistake that Mary Livingstone made when trying to say "Swiss Cheese". They mention dance instructor Arthur Murry, musician union president Patrillo, ballplayer Hank Greenberg, and the fictional character The Mad Russian. They also mention the department store Eastern Columbia, the Native American baby carrier a papoose, a Lincoln quote "You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.".

October 20, 1946 - Jack Benny does his version of that Murder Mystery radio program The Whistler. They also talk about the meat shortage and price controls, radio shows Truth or Consequences and The Fred Allen Show, the Eugene O'Neil play The Iceman Cometh, singers Al Jolson and Nelson Eddie and they do a whole bit on the breakfast cereal that makes noise, Rice Krispies. Listen to the full episode of The Whistler on the podcast Theater of Thrills

October 15, 1950 - In real life Jack Benny is married to Mary Livingstone, in this episode Jack Benny dreams he is married to Mary. the special guest is their real life daughter Joan Benny.

October 9, 1938 - Jack Benny and the gang spoof the movie "Yellow Jack" in which Lewis Stone, Robert Montgomery and Virginia Bruce play Americans in Cuba looking for the cure to yellow fever. In the episode they mention the song "I've Got a Pocket Full of Dreams", the columnist Jimmie Fidler, and an ice skating carnival called "The Ice Follies".

October 2, 1938 - Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone talk about appearing on the radio show Lux Radio Theatre in the play "Seven Keys to Baldpate". They mention newspaper popularity contests, dancer Bill Robinson, choreographer Busby Berkley, Scottish singer Harry Lauder, British prime minister Neville Chamberlain, and the movie "Yellow Jack".

December 8, 1940 - Jack Benny does his impression of Kit Carson. Plus they mention Kay Kyser's new movie "You'll Find Out" and Jack Bnny's upcoming movie with Fred Allen "Love Thy Neighbor". They also talk about new electric clothes iron vs the old gas iron.

December 1, 1940 - This is a great follow-up to the previous episode! Jack Benny had suggested to Don that he call his wife before inviting company over, so Don leaves jack in the bushes in front of his house. While waiting to be let in Jack gets rained on and mugged. In this episode they mention the Vapour Rub, a cigar humidor and a number of singing movie stars: Anne Sheridan, Dorothy Lamour, Maryt Martin and the singing cowboy Gene Autry.

November 24, 1940 - Don Wilson has just gotten married and invited the whole gang to meet his new wife Peggy. In the episode they mention the coal miners of Scranton PA, movie producer Darryl F Zanuck, movie star Hedy Lamar and the songs "Now I Lay Me Down To Dream (Of You)", "Dream Valley", "Two Dreams Met", and "I'll Never Smile Again".

November 3, 1935 - Before Dennis Day there was Kenny Baker. This is a fun early episode of the Jack Benny program where Jack goes to the barber, meets Kenny and spoofs a movie studio. In the episode they mention the Joe Louis vs Max Baer boxing match, college football, playwright George Bernard Shaw's beard, gowns by Adrian, and the song "50 Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong". Plus Ricardo Cortez, Loretta Young, Constance Bennette, Kay Francis, Kathryn Hepburn and Shirley Temple.

January 18, 1953 - Jack Benny goes with Mary to an auction and Dennis Day's brother, James McNulty, made plans to marry actress Ann Blyth. Plus references to Lady Godiva, the song Mademoiselle from Armentieres, Roy Rogers, and Bob Hope.

February 22, 1953 - Kids of the Beverly Hill Beavers do their version of The Jack Benny Show! This is a re-used script from April 23, 1950. In this episode they mention hula dancer Hilo Hattie.

January 11, 1953 - Jack Benny does a spoof of "Road to Bali", the new movie starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. The surprise guest star is Bob Hope. In the episode they also mention Jerry Colonna, and president elect Eisenhower just a couple of weeks before his inauguration.

November 17, 1940 - Jack Benny is co-starring in the movie "Love Thy Neighbor" with Fred Allen and Mary Martin. Jack goes to the studio to see the director and convince him to have the premiere in his home town of Waukegan, Ill.