This Day in Jack Benny

November 10, 1940 - It's the week of the elections and in Beverly Hills jack benny had been elected dog catcher. Meanwhile, Jack and Fred Allen are making a movie and can't decide where to have the premier. The play this week is called "Murder at the Soda Fountain".

January 6, 1946 - At the Rose Bowl game Jack Benny made a bet with Phil Harris, but will he pay it? This is the end of the "I Can't Stand Jack Benny Because..." contest and the first episode with the hot dog man who we later come to know as Mr. Kitzel. Plus references to "Mutany on the Bounty", Abbott and Costello, Stokowski, Tarzan, Rinse-O and Coca-Cola.

October 27, 1940 - Mary is out sick, but Jack and the cast carry on with a football skit. They mention a number of historical facts, the self proclaimed wizard of credit Smiling Frankie Gordon, Mickey Mouse, Pinocchio's Blue Fairy and the Tom Collins cocktail.

October 13, 1940 - Phil Harris tries to collect on a World Series bet. Jack Benny, Don Wilson and Mary Livingstone read reviews of their first show including Ed Sullivan's review. And Rochester was elected honorary Mayor of Central Avenue. Plus references to conscription day, Helen Hayes, Oscar Levant, Gone With The Wind, Boomtown, The Grapes of Wrath, and Gulliver's Travels.

October 6, 1940 - Mary Kelley returns as The Blue Fairy (a spoof on Disney's Pinocchio). Plus they mention William Shakespeare's a "Midsummer Night's Dream" and the tap-dancing Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.

June 21, 1936 - Don Wilson talks about how he will be the host of the JELL-O Summer Show starring Tim and Irene. The episode is a little bit short because of the way it was recorded on transcription disc. So to fill the time listen for two recordings of Phil Harris from the same time.

June 7 & 14, 1936 - Worried about his place at Paramount, Jack Benny decides to start his own studio called Bennymount. The guest stars are Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin, the writers of Jack's signature song "Love in Bloom". These recordings have pretty low sound quality and are missing portions of the episodes. Plus unusual references like smoked glasses and an alligator pear.

June 3, 1951 - We all know Jack Benny with Mary Livingstone, Rochester, Phil Harris, Dennis Day and Don Wilson. But do you know the rest of the people behind the scenes? Artie Auerbach - Mr.Kitzel Bea Benaderet - Operator Gertrude Sara Berner - Operator Mabel Mel Blanc - Polly the parrot / Professor LeBlanc / Railroad Announcer / the Maxwell Joseph Kearns - IRS agent / Ed the vault guard Sheldon Leonard - Racetrack Tout Frank Nelson - Yeeeessss! Mahlon Merrick- Musical Arranger Gene Twombley and Cliff Norton - Sound men Sam Perrin, Milt Josefsberg, George Balzer, John Tackaberry, Al Gordon and Hal Goldman - Writers Plus a story from the news: Bing Crosby was turned away from a swanky hotel because the clerk didn't recognize him and said he "looked like a bum".

May 27, 1951 - Jack goes for a doctor's check and runs into that Lucky Strike auctioneer Speedy Riggs. Plus writer Milt Josefsberg's story of the joke that was cut from the episode.

May 20, 1951 - This episode is a re-used script from May 2, 1948 with a few updates. In this episode they mention the broadway musical Guys and Dolls, Guy Lombardo, Spike Jones, musician's union president James Petrol and gust star Bob Crosby.

February 13, 1938 - Just before his birthday Jack Benny was named as one of the top ten best dressed men in America along with movie star Clark Gable. Then actor Robert Taylor stops by and helps Jack with a love scene and ends up kissing Mary. Then they play a duet with Jack on violin and Robert on Cello.

May 8, 1938 - It's Mother's Day and Jack Benny considers himself the mother hen of the cast. This is a day after the Kentucky Derby. Manuel Talcott, the mayor of Jack Benny's home town of Waukegan, plays a character in the play. In the episode they mention the WPA (Works Progress Administration), The Jones Family series of movies, Clark Gable, Loretta Young, and a cartoon short featuring Jack Benny called "The Big Birdcast".

May 1, 1938 - This week Jack Benny's Maxwell was in a race for old cars, the Fresno State College Hack Race. He lost to Fred Allen's entry. In this episode they debate wether or not Jack Benny is considered a movie star. They mention Leo the MGM lion, movie producers Darrel F Zanuck and Adolf Zukor, the comedy team The Ritz Brothers, Screen gangster George Raft, Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies and Mickey, Donald and Pluto. Plus the 1927 boxing match known as "The Long Count". And the great silent film comedian Harold Lloyd.

April 24, 1938 - Walt Disney's first feature film has just come out and Jack Benny is going to do his version of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" mixing in a bit of Edward G Robinson and his gangster movies. Plus they mention the Lone Ranger's catchphrase "Hi Oh Silver!" and the opera singer Lawrence Tibbett.

April 23, 1950 - Jack Benny's troop of kids The Beverly Hills Beavers do the show. Plus they mention Phil Harris' movie Wabash Avenue, and the wedding of then vice president Alben W Barkley.

April 16, 1950 - It's spring so Jack Benny decides to get his house painted. Last week he gave 50 cents away to a fellow that was down on his luck. This week he runs into the fellow again and we learn his name is John L. C. Savoni. In this episode they mention the song "Rag Mop" by the Ames Brothers. They also mention Senitor Joseph McCarthy and his loyalty oath against communism. Plus Bob Hope, Lana Turner, Gregory Peck, Ray Maland, and Humphrey Bogart.

April 12, 1953 - Jack Benny gets out of the shower and realizes he's been washing with a peeled potato instead of soap. Later a man comes looking for a missing heir to $5,000! In the episode they mention the radio show Suspense, Gracie Allen, the opening song to the musical Oklahoma! "O What a Beautiful Morning" and the deodorant Stopette. Poof! There goes perspiration

April 1, 1934 - This is an early episode in which Easter Sunday landed on April fool's Day. The guest star is Eddie Cantor. March 29, 1942 - This episode is an unfortunate recycled script from the 1930s that was "updated" for the 1940s. The cast re-created a blackface minstrel show.

March 23, 1947 - After weeks without a proper quartet to sing the commercial Jack Benny is ready to swallow his pride and hire the Sportsmen Quartet back...if they can work out the contract details. In this episode they mention ladies sun suits, they typewriter, operatic singer John Charles Thomas, old time singer Al Jolson, violinist Jasha Heifetz, The Army Air Corps Song (Wild Blue Yonder), and they quote a line from the song Ol' Man River "Tote that barge, lift that bale". Plus Jack Benny wonders if he can use Vigoro Complete Plant Food to get his hair to grow.

March 16, 1947 - After hosting the 19th Academy Awards Jack Benny talks about his experience. Having fired the Sportsmen he still needs a new quartet. He has found a replacement quartet. Dennis Day, Dick Haymes, Andy Russell and Bing Crosby.

March 13, 1947 - This is not a regular episode of Jack Benny. This is the 19th Academy Awards Ceremony hosted by Jack Benny. I have cut down the very long night into a fun highlight show with all of Jack Benny's segments in tact. If you have a bunch of extra time and would like to hear the full three hour ceremony you can listen for free here. Patreon.com/ThisDayBenny

March 9, 1947 - The third episode in a story arc where Jack Benny fires the Sportsman Quartet. Now he has to try to find a replacement. In this episode they mention movie actors Lena Horne, Margery Main, Steppin Fetchit, Bob Hope and Gary Cooper. They mention wacky bandleader Spike Jones, singer John Charles Thomas, guitarist Tony Romano and radio personalities Harry Von Zell and Al Pearce. Plus the movies "Nora Prentiss" and "The Beast With Five Fingers"!

March 2, 1947 - Part of a fun story arc! Jack Benny has fired the Sportsman quartet, but the sponsor is not happy. In this episode they mention the story of George Washington and the cherry tree, The Jolson Story, The Hal Johnson choir, Bob Hope, the movie "Duel in the Sun", Mel Blanc and his many regular radio roles, and silent film star Francis X Bushman.

February 23, 1947 - Jack Benny mentions this episode specifically in this memoirs. He says the he was particularly proud of his timing in the phone call with the sponsor at the end of the episode. In this episode they mention Edger Bergan & Charlie McCarthy, DownBeat magazine, the Esquire girl, Bugs Bunny, Disney's The Song of the South, The Yearling, Lassie, and Nora Prentiss.

February 16, 1941 - Surprise! It's Jack Benny's Birthday and Herbert Marshall show up to celebrate. In the episode they mention gossip columnist Louella Parsons, and "Dish Night" where you got a free piece of china with your movie ticket.

February 2, 1947 - Frank Capra, the director of "It's a Wonderful Life" is the guest in this episode. Jack Benny thinks the movie's premise is silly until he meets his own angel that shows him where the Mary, Dennis, Don and Phil would be if Jack had never been born. Plus references to "The Bride and Groom Program" where real couples tell their love story, Fred Allen Program and two men who both claim to be the governor of Georgia.

January 30, 1938 - In this episode they mention the broadway play "Hurray For What!", the song "It's Delivery" and Benny Goodman. They also mention actors Robert Taylor and Fred MacMurray. But the main portion of the show is a parody of the movie "The Hurricane".

January 25, 1953 rerun January 23, 1955 - In this episode Jack Benny goes to his vault, past the alligator moat, to get money to bet on a horse at the track. At one point Mary quotes the Patti Page song "I Went To Your Wedding".

January 12, 1947 - Gracie wants to listen to Jack benny on the radio. George Burn and Gracie Allen come over. They mention singers Dick Haymes, Andy Russell, and Bing Crosby. Pianist Jose Iturpi, and opera singer Lilly Pons. Plus the books "Strange Fruit" and " The Razor's Edge". And finally, the radio soap opera Dr. Christian.

January 13, 1952 - In this episode of the Jack Benny program Jack is trying to get someone to make a record of the song that he wrote. He calls Dinah Shore and her husband George Montgomery.

January 5, 1947 - It's the Sunday after New Years Day and Jack Benny talks with Don Wilson about the Rose Bowl. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall are the guests in a recreation of the movie "To Have and Have Not" where she says the often quoted line "You know how to whistle don't you...You just put your lips together and blow.".

December 30, 1945 - It's the end of the "Why I Can't Stand Jack Benny" contest and the letters have been pouring in. Plus Don wilson sings his version of the song "It's Been a Long, Long Time" only about Lucky Strike Cigarettes.

December 18, 1949 - An unusual Christmas shopping episode. They mention the songs Mule Train and Dear Hearts and Gentle People. They also mention "Mr. Television" Milton Berle, Dancer Arthur Murray and the Hollywood Park Goose Girl.

December 7, 1941 - The day of the Pearl Harbor attack that would lead to the United States' entry into WWII. This is a continuation of the previous episode in which Jack Benny plays Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. They also mention socialite friends Brenda Frazier and Cobina Wright Jr.

November 30, 1941 - Jack Benny plays both Jekyll and Hyde in this episode's spoof of the Spencer Tracy movie. They mention the song "Why don't we do this more often?". They also mention the movie Jack is filming the movie "To Be or Not to Be".

November 15, 1942 - From the Naval Air Station at Terminal Island Jack Benny and the gang perform for the men stationed there. Dennis Day brings his new girlfriend...movie star Dottie Lamour! Plus Popeye the sailor, WWI flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker, Phil Harris' song "I'm a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas", Veronica Lake, Hedda Hopper's hats and more.

November 8, 1942 - This episode has a bit of sound issues at the end. The beginning is pretty funny, so its worth a listen. Jack Benny is the newly elected sidewalk inspector for Beverly Hills. They mention "Kalamazoo" by Glenn Miller, "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby, campaign manager Jim Farley, and the fuller brush girl at the door. Plus Jack Benny was on Take it Or Leave It and a guest from Lum and Abner.

October 14, 1945 - After returning from a USO tour entertaining the groups with Ingrid Berman, Jack Benny invites her on his show to reprise her Oscar-winning role in "Gaslight". It was recorded for a live audience of newly liberated WWII prisoners of War.

November 5, 1944 - This episode of the Jack Benny Show features guests Amos and Andy, Mrs.Nussbaum, and Mentalist Jack Dunninger. This is the first episode with Larry Stevens. Plus references to Charles Boyer in Gaslight, Peter Lorre, Van Johnson and mens sock garters.

October 31, 1937 - Jack Benny and the gang go to the Andy Devine Farm for a Halloween party. They mention Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy and they talk about the speech Jack Benny gave at the testimonial dinner for Eddie Cantor's 25th anniversary in show business.

October 26, 1941 - Jack Benny wants to play the most dramatic role in "Dive Bomber", the movie starring Errol Flynn, Fred MacMurray and Ralph Bellamy. Plus they mention "Arsenic and Old Lace" a dark comedy on the broadway stage.

October 16, 1938 - The JELL-O Program starring Jack Benny is moving to the new NBC studio. This is the last episode in the old studio. In it they mention the old age pension plan that they hoped would get the US out of the depression called the Townsend Plan.

October 8, 1944 - Frank Sinatra is a guest on this episode. His hit at the time was "Sunday, Monday or Always". They mention the teenage girls who were fans of music like Sinatra known as Bobby Soxers. We also talk about spanking, and war time rationing with stamps and tokens. Plus "Sympathy spelled backwards is Yhtapmys. Yip, Yip, Yatapamiss!" a parody of Serutan.

October 1, 1944 - In this wartime episode Jack Benny compares himself to General Patton. Jack is just back from a USO tour. Dennis Day has joined the Navy and Phil Harris was the replacement host for "Kay Kaiser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge". Plus Dick Tracy characters Flattop, Gravel Gerdy, The Brow and the Summer Sisters. Plus references to Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Boris Karloff and surprise guest Fred Allen!

September 28, 1952 - In this episode Jack Benny plays Gary Cooper's character in their version of the western "High Noon". Dennis Day started using Chlorophyll Toothpaste. and Jack Benny had his picture in the Radio Guide.

September 26, 1954 - A really fun episode from 1954. They mention radio shows from the 1920s - A&P Gypsies conducted by Harry Horlik and Sam 'n' Henry (later known as Amos 'n' Andy). They mention "The September Song", Rheingold the dry beer, and Bing Crosby's stock in the Pittsburg Pirates. "The Jack Benny program, starring Jack Benny with Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris, Rochester, Dennis Day, and yours truly Don Wilson"

September 14, 1934 - School Days September 21, 1934 - Boxing Match October 14, 1934 - First Episode fro JELL-O October 21, 1934 - Grocery Store

September 20, 1953 - Jack and the gang do their version of Gary Cooper's new movie "Return to Paradise". They mention Ralph Edwards' This is Your Life, miners union president John L Lewis, president Eisenhower, Tallulah Bankhead, Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardener. Plus, Mary Livingstone on the cover of Women's Home Companion magazine.

John Henderson, host of the This Day in Jack Benny podcast talks with Jack Benny's oldest grandson Mike Rudolph. He talked about how his granddad would play the violin for him as a baby. As a kid Jack would take him baseball games and met the players. He took him on tour to places like Las Vegas where he would sit backstage and hang out. His grandmother (Mary Livingstone) would sleep in late and Mike had to be quiet. George Burns confused him. The stories are too numerous to fit here. Enjoy! If you signed up with Patreon you got this episode early, plus new bonus episode today. The Music of 1941. Join Now! Become a patron

April 20, 1952 - This episode was broadcast from the Naval Air Station in San Diego, California. They mention Navy related things like the F9F fighter jet and WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). Plus, the Poodle HairstyleGuy Lombardo and the song "Shrimp Boats".