This Day in Jack Benny
521 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago - ★★★★★ - 361 ratingsThe 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"
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Episodes
Audiobook Chapter 2
June 19, 2023 18:55 - 1 hour - 107 MBJACK 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?
"Over Here" Guest Jack Benny
June 14, 2023 18:34 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBDecember 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.
Audiobook Chapter 1
June 12, 2023 07:23 - 1 hour - 108 MBJACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley Read by Stephanie Henderson Chapter One: Becoming Benny
Jack Benny Audiobook Introduction
June 11, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 76.7 MBThis 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
Hollywood Revue of 1929 (BONUS)
June 07, 2023 07:21 - 36 minutes - 50.5 MBThis 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)
Maltin on Benny
May 31, 2023 07:30 - 21 minutes - 28.9 MBLeonard 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
Ready for London Trip
May 24, 2023 19:30 - 32 minutes - 44.3 MBMay 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.
Generous Jack (Eddie Cantor)
May 17, 2023 14:42 - 34 minutes - 47.5 MBMay 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.
Al Jolson Show Guest Dennis Day (Bonus)
May 10, 2023 07:46 - 39 minutes - 54.6 MBHere are Dennis Day's appearances on The Kraft Music Hall with Al Jolson. December 9, 1948 February 3, 1949 May 8, 1949
The Treasure of The Sierra Madre
May 03, 2023 13:09 - 34 minutes - 47.7 MBMay 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 th...
In The Spring (Lion Tamer)
April 26, 2023 07:13 - 32 minutes - 44 MBApril 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.
English Drawing Room
April 19, 2023 07:45 - 32 minutes - 44.4 MBApril 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.
Buck Benny, Burns and Allen
April 12, 2023 15:01 - 31 minutes - 43.3 MBApril 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.
Turn Off The Moon
April 05, 2023 07:11 - 32 minutes - 45.1 MBApril 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".
The Train Porter (Rochester)
March 29, 2023 07:30 - 34 minutes - 47 MBMarch 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.
Oscar Night (The Continental)
March 22, 2023 07:01 - 34 minutes - 46.7 MBMarch 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 Au...
Live at Air Base (Lt Robert Taylor)
March 15, 2023 07:31 - 32 minutes - 44.5 MBMarch 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.
Now Cut That Out! (Hubba Hubba Hubba)
March 08, 2023 08:19 - 32 minutes - 45.2 MBMarch 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".
Surprise Guests (Tamarisk Country Club)
March 01, 2023 08:11 - 33 minutes - 45.4 MBMarch 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.
Brewster's Millions starring Jack and Mary
February 22, 2023 08:11 - 1 hour - 86 MBFebruary 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.
Jack Benny Fiddles With The Classics (Bonus)
February 16, 2023 02:58 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MB1956 - 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.
Dennis Day's Parents (Baa Baa Baa)
February 08, 2023 08:38 - 30 minutes - 42.4 MBFebruary 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.
North-West Mounted (Winter Olympics)
February 01, 2023 05:03 - 31 minutes - 43.6 MBFebruary 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.
The Shooting of Dan McGrew
January 25, 2023 08:18 - 34 minutes - 47.3 MBJanuary 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.
Parking Ticket
January 18, 2023 08:39 - 33 minutes - 46.4 MBJanuary 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 Ma...
All Music (Carole Lombard's Death)
January 11, 2023 08:47 - 31 minutes - 43.1 MBJanuary 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...
Pet Camel (Stan Freberg)
January 04, 2023 08:25 - 32 minutes - 44.3 MBJanuary 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).
Dennis Has a Cold (Cut Jokes)
December 28, 2022 17:42 - 33 minutes - 46 MBDecember 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.
Christmas Shopping for Dennis
December 21, 2022 08:09 - 33 minutes - 45.8 MBDecember 14, 1941 - Horseradish, a ride in the Maxwell, a bird on a stick. Jack Benny is Christmas shopping for Dennis Day. This is one week after Pearl Harbor and the mention the blackouts that followed. Merry Christmas!
Christmas Eve 1942
December 14, 2022 08:50 - 1 hour - 92 MBDecember 24, 1942 - Command Performance featuring Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Harriet Hilliard, The Andrews Sisters, Spike Jones, Bing Crosby, Kay Kaiser, Ginny Simms, Ethel Waters, Charles Laughton, Edger Bergan and Charlie McCartney, Dinah Shore, Fred Allen and Jack Benny.
Pearl Harbor
December 07, 2022 08:01 - 34 minutes - 47.6 MBDecember 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.
Psychiatrist Office (Pinky Lee)
November 30, 2022 08:02 - 32 minutes - 45.3 MBNovember 28, 1954 - Jack Takes Dennis to the Psychiatrist. Meanwhile it's the sportsman quartette's birthday. References include the chidren's television host Pinky Lee, the Aurthur Murray dance studio, ballet dancer Nijinsky, the sound barrier, the LA Times and Nat "King" Cole.
Alice Faye (Thanksgiving)
November 23, 2022 08:00 - 32 minutes - 45.1 MBNovember 23, 1941 - Thanksgiving Day Dinner. Jack Benny invites his cast to his house for dinner including Mary Livingstone, Don Wilson and his wife Peggy, and Phil Harris and his new wife Alice Faye. Dennis is in blackface helping Rochester serve the meal. References include Miles Standish, Chipped Beef, Hedy Lamarr, Humphrey Bogart, and gossip columnists Louella Parsons, Harrison Carroll, Jimmy Star, Herb Stein, and Sidney Skolsky.
Duck Hunt (NBC 15th Anniversary)
November 16, 2022 08:15 - 35 minutes - 48.7 MBNovember 16, 1941 - He fumbled the ball. Jack Benny tells Don Wilson about his latest hunting trip, Phil Harris plans to be in a play of the pilgrim historical fiction story "The Courtship of Miles Standish", Dennis Day asks Jack about the NBC 15th Anniversary special from the night before, and Mary Livingstone plays a football player in the skit. The football announcers are Frank Nelson and Arthur Q. Bryan (the voice of Elmer Fudd). References includemovie "Ah Wilderness!", Commodore Dewey ...
Ernst Lubitsch (Leo Durocher)
November 09, 2022 08:10 - 32 minutes - 45.5 MBNovember 9, 1941 - Football Game. Jack Benny is making a movie (To Be Or Not To Be) with Carole Lombard and director Ernst Lubitsch. Phil Harris brings his pal, Leo Durocher, the manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. References include Fred Allen, John Barrymore's profile, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Dorsey, Alexander Korda, Al Smith and more.
Behind the Scenes (September 1954)
November 02, 2022 07:25 - 34 minutes - 47.5 MBSeptember 1954 - This is a fascinating look behind the scenes of the Jack Benny radio show. I mixed the most interesting parts from the rehearsal on September 9, 1954 and the pre-edit master recording for the episode on September 26, 1954. It features deleted scenes, notes and chatter. You can listen to the finished Broadcast recording here: ThisDayBenny.com/is-the-show-on-the-air-ap-gypsies
Drive-In Movie
October 26, 2022 07:32 - 32 minutes - 44.5 MBOctober 24, 1954 - Jack, Dennis and Don got to The Drive-In, after Jack Plays gin rummy with Rochester. References include flying saucers, Ronald Colman, and candy like Oh, Henry! bars and Tootsie Rolls,
Train to L.A. (Emily Post)
October 19, 2022 07:40 - 32 minutes - 44.5 MBOctober 19, 1941 - On the train to Los Angeles. References include Fred Allen in a bathing suit in a radio guide magazine, Bob Hope, Spencer Tracy, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstien, Scottish singer Harry Lauder, and etiquette expert Emily Post.
Columbus Day
October 12, 2022 07:30 - 32 minutes - 45.2 MBOctober 12, 1941 - Jack Benny and the gang read reviews of last week's opening program as they wrap up thier short trip to New York. References include Daryl F Zanuck, the Lewis/Nova fight, Mickey Owens dropping the ball at the world series, Errol Flynn's fight with a columnist, Braodway plays, penguins in the Radio City Building.
Brooklyn Dodgers (From New York)
October 05, 2022 07:30 - 32 minutes - 44.7 MBOctober 4, 1941 - Jack is about to start the new season, but is very nervous. Phil is in love with his new wife Alice Faye and Mary tell the story of going to Ebbets Field to watch the Brooklyn Dogers and New York Yankees in a World Series game. References include Olsen and Johnson, Joe Louis and Lou Nova boxing match, Roseland Ballroom, and ballroom dancer Yolanda.
Trading Places with Ronald Colman
September 28, 2022 07:27 - 36 minutes - 50 MBJanuary 16, 1949 - Jack's Scrapbook Ronald Colman dreams he is Jack Benny and Jack is him. References include the bug California snowfall, the Rose Bowl Queen, songs "slow Boat to China", "Nature Boy", an "California Hear I Come", Ferde Grofé and "Pennies from Benny", a touring vault for the March of Dimes
A Double Life (Ciro's)
September 21, 2022 07:30 - 34 minutes - 47.1 MBFebruary 1, 1948 - Jack and Mary See Ronald Colman's Movie. References include Dennis's wedding, Dorothy Dix advice column, USC football, Schlitz beer, Herbert Hoover, General Eisenhower, Tom Breneman, Hawaii travelogue, Ciro's nightclub with Xavier Cugat and Jerry Lester, celebrities like Lana Turner and Frank Sinatra.
Costume Party (Ronald Colman Prank)
September 14, 2022 19:30 - 46 minutes - 63.9 MBNovember 9, 1947 - The Corner Drug Store, Denny Day does a funny Ronald Colman impression. The REAL Ronald Coleman is also in this episode in one of the funniest scenes ever! References include Norman Krasna (with a call back to Mel Blanc's woody woodpecker laugh), Phil Haris' Fitch Bandwagon show, A Day in the Life of Dennis Day, Dick Tracy and Mumbles, Roy Rogers and Trigger, and Ronald Colman's movie Random Harvest.
Tickets for the Colmans (Fred Allen Cut Off)
September 07, 2022 07:10 - 34 minutes - 47.3 MBApril 27, 1947 - Leaving for Chicago with the Colmans. Jack Benny is getting ready for his stage tour and tickets for his program for Ronald and Benita Colman. References include the controversy over Fred Allen. He had been cut off by the NBC censors for a joke last week. In the episode they mention Adagio acts, Fred Astair's dancing, Barry Fitzgerald, Tommy Manville, Norman Krasna, the Florsheim shoe company, and the Texas City disaster.
USS Saratoga (Atomic Bomb Test)
August 31, 2022 07:30 - 33 minutes - 46 MBApril 21, 1946 - Aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga Navy aircraft carrier docked in the San Francisco Bay, a week and a half before it left for Bikini where it would sink in an atom bomb test that summer. References include Fred Allen, dehydrated powder eggs, and galley slaves.
Violin Practice (Ronald Colman)
August 24, 2022 19:16 - 33 minutes - 45.5 MBApril 14, 1946 - Jack Benny's Violin Practice Interrupts Ronald Colman's Rehearsal. References include the song "One-zy, Two-zy", gossip reporter Louella Parsons, France's debt to the United States, and lines for nylons, butter and vaccinations.
Isaac Stern Concert (The Colmans)
August 17, 2022 07:43 - 31 minutes - 43.2 MBFebruary 3, 1946 - Jack Attends Isaac Stern Concert with the Colmans and the winning poem for the "I Can't Stand Jack Benny Contest". *Note: This episode was the very first episode of the podcast. This is an updated intro.
Contest Winners (One-zy Two-zy)
August 10, 2022 07:20 - 30 minutes - 41.8 MBJanuary 27, 1946 - Fred Allen Announces Contest Winner. Jack Benny has a nightmare about having to give away $10,000 in prises for the I Can't Stand Jack Benny contest. Phil Harris sings "One-zy, Two-zy" with his daughter. References include the sending of a radar signal to the moon, the phrase "Dutch Treat", movies "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Lost Weekend", plus Margret O'Brien and Boris Karloff.
State Fair Part Two
August 03, 2022 07:30 - 34 minutes - 47.1 MBJanuary 20, 1946 - Jack Benny and the gang again spoof the musical "State Fair". References include Mayor LaGuardia, Harry Truman, Betty Grable, Gabriel Heater ("Ah, There's good news tonight."), Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.
State Fair Part One
July 27, 2022 07:30 - 34 minutes - 46.8 MBJanuary 13, 1946 - State Fair Rehearsal - Rochester drives Jack Benny and Mary to the studio where they run into Edgar Bergan and Charlie McCarthy (impersonator) and rehearse their version of the movie "State Fair". References include war hero Pappy Boyington, violinist Joseph Szigeti, radio's Lum and Abner, actresses Barbra Stanwyck, and Betty Grable, movies "The Lost Weekend", "The Bells of St Mary's" and "Spellbound", songs "Stardust", "Chickery Chick", and "Oh You Beautiful Doll".