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
Hot Dog Man (First Mr. Kitzel)
July 20, 2022 07:30 - 33 minutes - 46.6 MBJanuary 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.
End of Contest
July 13, 2022 07:00 - 31 minutes - 42.8 MBDecember 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.
Contest Mail (Louella Parsons)
June 29, 2022 07:38 - 33 minutes - 46 MBDecember 16, 1945 - Hello Louella. Gossip Columnist Louella parsons has a cameo. Jack benny gets a lot or mail for the "I Can's Stand Jack Benny" contest. It will be judged by Fred Allen, Peter Lorre and Goodman Ace. References include songs "Melencholy Baby", "The Sheik of Araby" and "I'm Glad I Waited For You". The two-way stretch refers to real rubber used in womens undergarments after the war. Plus Tommy Manville, Van Johnson, and the poem "The Ballad of Yukon Jake" by Edward E. Paramo...
Ronald and Benita Colman
June 22, 2022 07:40 - 32 minutes - 44.6 MBDecember 9, 1945 - Jack is invited to the Colman's for dinner. This is the first episode with Ronald and Benita Colman and the second episode of the "I Can't Stand Jack Benny Because..." contest. References include the Fred Allen Show's character Senator Claghorn, the movie "The Man Who Came to Dinner", the books Charles Darwin's "Origin of the Species", and H.G. Wells' "Anatomy of Frustration" and "The Outline of History". Plus a couple of excerpts from Jack Benny's memoir "Sunday Night a...
I Can't Stand Jack Benny Contest
June 15, 2022 13:32 - 32 minutes - 45 MBDecember 2, 1945 - Jack Benny's publicity agent comes up with the idea for a new contest. Listeners are invited to write in and finish this sentence "I can't stand Jack Benny because..." in 50 words or less.
Cass Daley (Contest Idea)
June 08, 2022 07:10 - 33 minutes - 45.6 MBNovember 25, 1945 - Jack Benny is still dealing with all the trouble his publicity agent has caused, but this is only the begining. Plus an appearance by Cass Daley of the Fitch Bandwagon. References include Dick Tracy (Itchy stuck in the tunnel), the movie "Spellbound", the song "Sweet Leilani", used car dealers The Smiling Irishman and Madman Muntz, and Boris Karlof on Fred Allen's radio show.
PREVIEW: Jack Benny Audiobook
June 01, 2022 07:00 - 36 minutes - 50.7 MBThis is a preview of the new audiobook of "Jack Benny and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy" by Kathryn H Fuller-Seeley. Each month the This Day in Jack Benny Patreon feed will be releasing another chapter from the book. Plus patrons will also be able to hear a Jack Benny related old time radio BONUS episode each month. Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/thisdaybenny Buy a hard copy of the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Benny-Golden-American-Radio-Comedy/dp/0520295056 ...
The Indy 500
May 25, 2022 04:27 - 33 minutes - 45.4 MBMay 31, 1953 - Jack Benny listens to the Indianapolis 500 race on the radio. References include jailbreaker Willie Sutton, actors Jimmy Stewart, Mickey Rooney, Humphrey Bogart and George Montomery (Fort Ti 3D), director Mervyn LeRoy (Quo Vatis), and the catchphrase from the Jackie Gleason show's The Homeymooners "One of these Days...pow! Right in the kisser."
I Flew to Mars (Space Patrol)
May 18, 2022 07:30 - 33 minutes - 45.9 MBMay 17, 1953 - Jack Benny takes the plot of the movie "Flight to Mars" and the characters from the TV show "Space Patrol" to do his own science fiction play "I Flew to Mars in a Space Ship". Reference include the MC convertible, "The Girl Next Door" with Dennis Day and more!
Gisele MacKenzie (San Francisco)
May 11, 2022 07:16 - 28 minutes - 38.9 MBMay 3, 1953 - From San Francisco, Jack Benny's guest is Gisele McKenzie. References include the TWA airline, the songs "The Doggie in the Window" and "Pretend", actresses Ava Gardener, Lana Turner and Marilyn Monroe.
The Hills of Old Kentucky
May 04, 2022 07:08 - 31 minutes - 42.9 MBMay 4, 1934 - In this episode they talk about the Kentucky Derby and do a hillbilly feud play. They mention the songs "Carioca", "Cocktails for Two", "Shim Sham Shimmy", "Uptown Lowdown", "The Hills of Old Kentucky" and "Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore". Movies "Cavelcade", "Mata Hari", and a loose reference to "To The Last Man". Plus explorer Admiral Byrd, silent film actor Fracis X Bushman, newpaper sports writer Damon Runyon, and bridge jumper Steve Brodie.
Charley's Aunt Dress (Dorothy Kirsten)
April 27, 2022 07:20 - 32 minutes - 44.6 MBApril 25, 1948 - Jack Dresses as Charley's Aunt and Don brings opera singer Dorothy Kirsten to join the Sportsmen quartet. References include the Marylin Monroe movie "Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!", songs "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover" and "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody", and producer George Jessel.
Paul Lukas' Oscar (Charles Farrell)
April 20, 2022 07:30 - 35 minutes - 48.2 MBApril 11, 1948 - Murder at the Racquet Club Part One. Jack goes to Palm Springs and meets silent film star Charles Farrell and Academy Award winner Paul Lukas. References include the movies "April Showers", "The Naked City" and "The Last of The Mohicans", and actress Greer Garson.
Recovering from Illness (Orson Welles)
April 13, 2022 13:56 - 32 minutes - 44.5 MBApril 11, 1943 - Jack returns to the show after illness. Orson Welles has been filling in for the past four weeks. References include a washing machine ringer, an electric heating pad, the racehorse Whirlaway, the old song "Sweet Adeline", W. C. Fields, Claudette Colbert, and Alice Faye (starring in "Hello, Frisco, Hello").
Final Orson Welles Host (Red Riding Hood)
April 06, 2022 07:34 - 32 minutes - 44.8 MBApril 4, 1943 - Little Red Riding Hood with guest host Orson Welles filling in one last time for Jack Benny. References include radio's Lum and Abner, the poem "Trees", Burlesque's ball of fire Betty Rowland, Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew", "Hamlet", and "The Merchant of Venice".
Orson Welles Still Hosts
March 30, 2022 07:33 - 32 minutes - 45.1 MBMarch 28, 1943 - Host Orson Welles Murder at Midnight. Orson Welles fills in for Jack a third time and does a murder mystery. References include radio comedians Fred Allen and Red Skelton, gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, the painting "Whistler's Mother", and actress Heddy Lamarr. Goodnight Doll.
Orson Welles Hosts Again
March 23, 2022 07:20 - 32 minutes - 44 MBMarch 21, 1943 - Host Orson Welles fills in for Jack Benny and takes cast to his movie. References include the comedy team of Abbot and Costello, rain in California and the Tournament of Roses.
Phil Harris Returns (Orson Welles Host)
March 16, 2022 07:22 - 32 minutes - 45.2 MBMarch 14, 1943 - Orson Welles fills in for Jack Benny and Phil Harris returns to the program after three months in the merchant marines. References include the actress Rita Hayworth, and singer John Charles Thomas.
Burns and Allen Host
March 09, 2022 08:30 - 38 minutes - 53.5 MBMarch 7, 1943 - George Burns and Gracie Allen Sub For Jack. With Jack Benny sick Don Wilson calls of Jack Benny's personal friends George and Gracie, along with thier cast Bill Goodwin, Herman the duck (Clarence Nash), Tootsie Stagwell (Elvia Allman) and Paul Whitman and his orchestra. References include Mayor La Guardia, Walter Pidgeon, Artie Shaw and Toscanini. Listen after the program for a clip from The Burns and Allen Show "Concerto For Index Finger" where Gracie plays Carnegie Hall.
Kit Carson (Judo)
March 02, 2022 08:20 - 32 minutes - 45.9 MBFebruary 28, 1943 - Kit Carson Benny with Bob Crosby. Broadcasting from Fort Custer, Michigan Jack Benny learns Judo from the military police in training. References include the movies "Kit Carson", "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman" and "the Meanest Man in the World".
Submarine D-1 Part Two
February 23, 2022 08:30 - 32 minutes - 45.3 MBFebruary 27, 1938 - Jack Benny and his cast are joined by Andy Devine to conclude their version of the movie "Submarine D-1". References include Barbra Stanwyck and Robert Taylor, race horse Pompoon, attorney Clarence Darrow, violinist Jasha Hiefetz, and radio shows Professor Quiz, Lum and Abner, Jimmie Fidler, and Fred Allen,
Submarine D-1
February 16, 2022 08:22 - 32 minutes - 44.8 MBFebruary 20, 1938 - A parody of the movie "Submarine D-1" plus they talk about Jack Benny's age after his birthday this week. They also discuss Jack's appearance on the radio show "Good News of 1938". References include Popeye the sailor, the Albany night boat, movie starts Virginia Bruce, Freddie Bruce and George Arliss.
Jack Benny is Back
February 09, 2022 08:43 - 34 minutes - 47.2 MBFebruary 9, 1941 - Back From New York. The Sponsor Likes Herbert Marshall. References include Phil Harris' new song "That's What I Like About The South", movies "The Mark of Zorro" and "The Letter", announcer Harry Von Zell, and Fred Allen.
Herbert Marshall Hosts
February 02, 2022 08:26 - 32 minutes - 44.6 MBFebruary 2, 1941 - The Jack benny Program without Jack Benny. Herbert Marshall Hosts the Show. References include Fred Allen, and the kissing game called post office.
The McFarland Twins
January 26, 2022 08:45 - 32 minutes - 45.1 MBJanuary 24, 1943 - Jack Benny talks with his guest bandleaders, the McFarland twins, about the DC housing shortage. The skit is a repeat of the Mr. Smith Goes to Washington spoof from March 10, 1940. References include W.C. Fields, Fred Allen and an atomizer.
Oscar Levant (Joe Besser)
January 19, 2022 08:30 - 33 minutes - 46.1 MBJanuary 17, 1943 - Guest stars Oscar Levant and Joe Besser help Jack the the gang do a spoof of the game show Information Please. Meanwhile Jack is getting ready to play the violin at Carnegie Hall. References include the wage ceiling, Benzedrine, "The Powers Girls", singers Jarmila Novotna, Ezio Pinza, Gladys Swarthout, John Charles Thomas and young violinist Isaac Stern.
Mrs. Nussbaum's Restaurant
January 12, 2022 04:26 - 33 minutes - 46.2 MBJanuary 14, 1945 - Mrs. Nussbaum's Restaurant with special guest Fred Allen. References include the stage shows "Bloomer Girl", "Laffing Room Only", "Mexican Hayride", "The Voice of the Turtle" and "Harvey" starring comedian Frank Fay. Plus singer Frank Sinatra, soap opera "John's Other wife" and Mayor Laguardia.
The Vault (Racetrack Tout)
January 05, 2022 08:30 - 30 minutes - 42.3 MBJanuary 7, 1945 - Leaving for New York Jack Benny and the gang meet at the train station. This is the debut episode of Jack Benny's vault, the racetrack tout, and Mel Blank's train announcer who always announces "Anaheim, Azusa and Cucamonga". References include Van Johnson and Barbra Stanwyck and "The Trolley Song".
Christmas with the Beavers
December 21, 2021 05:32 - 28 minutes - 38.6 MBDecember 24, 1950 - The Beavers come to Jack's for Christmas Dinner. Don Wilson dresses as Santa, Frank Remley (played by Elliott Lewis) joins Phil Harris. References include Red Skelton, Hudson Motors "Step-down" cars, The Faye Emerson Show, and Phil Harris' song "The Thing".
Christmas Shopping (Unbreakable Crystal)
December 15, 2021 08:30 - 34 minutes - 47.7 MBDecember 17, 1950 - Jack Buys Golf Tees For Don References include Kukla Fran and Ollie, Buck Rodgers in the 25th Century, The Ed Sullivan Show, Martin Kane Private I, Faye Emerson, Clark Gable, Victor Mature, Burt Lancaster, Admiral Bird, and the Phil Harris song "The Thing".
Liberty Ship
December 08, 2021 08:30 - 33 minutes - 45.4 MBDecember 6, 1942 - Phil Harris' last show before joining the Merchant Marines. They References include Captain Kidd, Joan Bennett, Ann Sheridan (George Washington Slept here), Emperor Hirohito, and President Roosevelt's plan that no American make more than $25,000 after taxes.
Three Men in a Tank
December 01, 2021 08:30 - 33 minutes - 45.3 MBNovember 29, 1942 - Going after Rommel. In this episode Jack Benny and the gang are broadcasting live for a group of soldiers. References include Spike Jones (Der Fuhrer's Face, Sheik of Araby, Love in Bloom), Dennis Day in the movie "The Powers Girls", shipbuilder Henry Kaiser, and Nazi General Erwin Rommel.
Thanksgiving Dinner (Lydia Pinkkham's)
November 24, 2021 08:30 - 32 minutes - 44.7 MBNovember 29, 1953 - Jack Buys a Turkey. References include Phil Harris, Bing Crosby and his Minute Maid Orange Juice sponsorship, Mel Blanc the voice of Bugs Bunny and Woody Woodpecker, Dinah Shore, Jimmy Wallington, Harry Von Zell and Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound.
Birmingham Hospital (Milk Dress)
November 17, 2021 08:30 - 24 minutes - 34.2 MBNovember 18, 1945 - Broadcasting From Birmingham hospital in Van Nuys, California. Prize fighter Joe Louis returns. References include Phil Spitalny and his all girl orchestra, Dr. Kildair and Dr. Gilespie, dancing the jitterbug, point rationing on butter and clothing made from milk wool.
Charlie Chan in Radio City
November 10, 2021 08:30 - 26 minutes - 36.4 MBNovember 11, 1934 - In this early episode Jack Benny plays the Chinese detective Charlie Chan from the film series of the same name. References include the record breaking streamline train, California Governor Frank Merriam, Popeye the sailor, Babe Ruth visiting Japan (ballplayers Dizzy Dean, Daffy Dean, Hack Wilson and Frankie French), Senator Huey Long getting a black eye, boxers Max Baer and Jack Dempsey, comedian Lou Holtz, the Marx brothers (Harpo in particular), the song "Carioca", o...
Dark Passage (Bogie and Bacall)
November 03, 2021 07:30 - 33 minutes - 46.8 MBNovember 2, 1947 - Jack Benny and the gang do their version of the Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall movie Dark Passage where an escaped convict gets plastic surgery to change his face. References include Tom Breneman's Breakfast in Hollywood radio show, comedians Bob Hope and Fred Allen, Orson Welles, playwright Norman Krasna, and the new style in skirts (they're wearing them long again).
Publicity Stunt (Erskine Johnson)
October 27, 2021 07:30 - 32 minutes - 44.1 MBOctober 28, 1945 - $85,000 Bet. After dreaming of an eighty-five thousand dollar bet last week, Jack gets held-up in this episode. References include news commentators Erskine Johnson, Gabriel Heater and H.V. Kaltenborn, child star Margret O'Brien, actress Ingrid Bergmen, soap opera Stella Dallas, the song "My Dream Are Getting Batter All The Time", WWI General Pershing, Diamond Jim Brady, Julius Caesar.
Racehorse Dream (Tokyo Rose)
October 20, 2021 07:30 - 35 minutes - 48.3 MBOctober 21, 1945 - Jack Dreams of the Race Horse 'Texas Sandman'. References include, Charles Boyer, Gypsy Rose Lee, Fred Allen, Claudette Colbert, Lana Turner and Turhan Bey, movies "The House on 92nd Street", "Mildred Pearce" and "Double Indemnity", WAACs, Admiral Halsey, and Tokyo Rose.
Gossip Article (Louella Parsons)
October 13, 2021 07:30 - 32 minutes - 44.7 MBOctober 26, 1952 - Louella Parsons is back to write a gossip article on Jack Benny. This is a recycled script from April 2, 1944. References include Johnny Ray singer of "The Little White Cloud That Cried", Florence Chadwick who swam the English Channel, movies like "Francis Goes to West Point", exiled King Farouck of Egypt, and the presidential campaign with Ike Eisenhower and Richard Nixon vs Adlai Stevenson.
Darryl F. Zanuck
October 06, 2021 07:30 - 31 minutes - 42.7 MBOctober 19, 1952 - Jack Buys 20th Century Fox. Producer Darryl F. Zanuck of 20th Century Fox is the guest star and Jack dream he is the head of a movie studio himself. References include Campbell's Soup, Jack Warner of Warner Brothers, Howard Hughes of RKO, Errol Flynn, Ronald Colman, Lassie Come Home, and the song "Feet Up (Pat Him on the Po Po)".
The Gopher Trap (Wish You Were Here)
September 29, 2021 07:30 - 32 minutes - 44.6 MBOctober 15, 1952 - Jack Catches His Nose in a Gopher Trap. Mel Blanc does the chattering of the gopher. Then Jack goes shopping for a new television set. References include the song "Wish You Were Here" by Eddie Fisher, Spike Jones, Marion Davies, the Yankees World series win, Chlorophyll tablets that fight bad breath, Vigero plant food, and Bugs Bunny's catchphrase "What's Up Doc?".
Scoop Benny (Feet Up)
September 22, 2021 07:30 - 34 minutes - 47.5 MBOctober 5, 1952 - Jack Benny plays a newspaperman. References include game 5 of the World Series with ballplayers like Phill Rezzuto and Jackie Robinson, Albert Einstein, Milton Berle, Rocky Marciano, Ty Cobb, The New Follies at the Burbank Theater, and the songs "Cry" by Johnny Ray, "Kiss of Fire" by Georgia Gibbs, and "Feet Up (Pat Him on the Po Po)" by Guy Mitchell.
Tales of Manhattan
September 15, 2021 07:30 - 34 minutes - 47 MBOctober 25, 1942 - In this episode Jack Benny and the gang do their version on the movie "Tales of Manhattan" starring Charles Boyer, Charles Laughton and Edward G Robinson. References include the Fred Allen radio show, the Kate Smith radio show, gasoline rationing and Berma-Shave.
Barbara Stanwyck's House
September 08, 2021 07:30 - 32 minutes - 44.5 MBOctober 4, 1942 - Jack Takes Two Cadets To Barbara Stanwyck. Don still calls the new sponsor "Grapes Nuts Flakes", they again listen to their favorite soap opera "The Heartaches of Sally Sutton" Jack is getting ready to give the Maxwell away for scrap in support of the war effort. References include Bromo-Seltzer in the blue glass bottles, coal minor's union man John L Lewis, Red Cross blood donation, bandleader Paul Whitman, and the song "Jingle Jangle Jingle".
Share Your Car (Veronica Lake)
September 01, 2021 07:30 - 34 minutes - 47 MBOctober 4, 1942 - Jack Rounds up the Gang in the Maxwell. It's the first show for Grape Nuts and Grape Nuts Flakes. In this episode they mention the "Share Your Car" campaign. Jack's toupee is compared to the iconic hair of Veronica Lake. Jack sings ("I Got Spurs That) Jingle Jangle Jingle" plus Fibber McGee, the Aldrich Family, Bing Crosby and soap operas.
The Count of Monte JELLO
August 25, 2021 07:30 - 25 minutes - 35.6 MBJanuary 6, 1935 - Jack Talks with Don and Mary about their New Year's Eve celebration then do their version of "The Count of Monte Cristo". References include Mickey Mouse, Popeye the Sailor, playwright George Bernard Shaw, boxer Gene Tunney, and Gimbel's department store.
Claude Rains
August 18, 2021 07:30 - 33 minutes - 45.5 MBFebruary 27, 1949 - Jack Has a Music Lesson. Guest star Claude Rains comes to try and get out of appearing on The Ford Theater with Jack. References include "Rope and Sand", The Life of Riley, Abbot and Costello, Milton Berle, Monty Woolly, Pyramid Club, Bill Spitalny and his all-girl orchestra and more.
Jack Warner (Ford Theater)
August 11, 2021 07:30 - 32 minutes - 45.1 MBFebruary 20, 1949 - Jack Benny is planning to do his movie "The Horn Blows at Midnight" on The Ford Theater radio program. Jack Warner of the Warner Brothers Studio calls to try and talk him out if it. References include Al Jolson, Sam Goldwyn, William Paley, Clark Gable, Jane Russell, movies "The Adventures of Don Juan", "Life with Father", "Key Largo", "John Loves Mary", "Johnny Belinda", and "The Treasure of Sierra Madre" and the song "The Dance of the Hours".
Mr. Finque (Jack's Birthday)
July 28, 2021 05:02 - 32 minutes - 45.6 MBFebruary 13, 1949 - It's Jack Benny's birthday and everyone sings Happy Birthday except one guy in the audience. References include, Eddie Cantor, Errol Flynn, King Midas, Honest John's used cars, Pyramid Clubs, the songs "Buttons and Bows" and "Columbia, Gem of the Ocean".
Claudette Colbert and Vincent Price
July 21, 2021 07:30 - 32 minutes - 44.1 MBFebruary 6, 1949 - Don Wilson signs his contract, Claudette Colbert and Vincent Price guest star in a re-working of the October 20, 1940 episode. References include a pyramid club.