This Day in Jack Benny

April 22, 1945 - Broadcast from Twenty Nine Palms naval air station. The Jack Benny show is back after a week off due to the death of FDR.

Jack mentions the reviews of his new movie. Episode references include Dick Tracy and Gravel Gertie, Donald Duck, William Powell, Fitch hair tonic, songs "Apple Blossom Time" and "Surrey with the Fringe on Top", and the sporting goods store Abercrombie and Fitch.

April 8, 1945 - From Torney Hospital In Palm Springs, Jack Benny dreams (guest star) William Powell is his butler.

References inlcude the radio shows "Breakfast at Sardi's" and "The Aldrich Family", the song "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive", Jack Benny's movie "The Horn Blows at Midnight", Fred Allen's movie "It's In The Bag", movie stars Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Van Johnson, Charles Boyer, Spencer Tracy, Fred MacMurray, Gary Cooper, Ronald Colman, Eleanore Powell and Hedy Lamarr

March 29, 1936 - Jack Benny talks with the gang about the American East vs the West does his version of Cinderella with him as the title character "Cinderallen".

References include the Dionne quintuplets, movie stars Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Shirley Temple, Mae West, Herald Lloyd, Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers, singers Bing Crosby and Lanny Ross, plus Fred Allen, the Crime Club program, Dracula, and Victor Hugo's Les Misérables.

March 22, 1953 - A walk through Beverly Hills. Jack Benny has recovered from the Flu and is getting ready for his TV show.

They mention former president Hoover, "The Sheik of Araby" silent film star Rudolph Valentino, Bendix Washing Machine, and 3-D Movies.

March 14, 1948 - Winner of the Walking Man Contest and "Truth or Consequences" host Ralph Edwards are the guests on this episode.

References inlcue Radio Mirror magazine the radio show "Bride and Groom", the movie "The Naked City, Oscar winner Ronald Colman "Life of Riley" character Digger O'Dell, Fred Allen, and voice actors Blanch Stewart and Mel Blanc. 

March 7, 1948 - The Walking Man Contest from Truth or Consequences has ended and the secret is out; Jack Benny is The Walking Man.

References include Sophie Tucker, Van Johnson and radio shows Stella Dallas, Portia Faces Life, and The Judy Canova Show.

February 29, 1948 - Jack's Girlfriend Gladys Comes To Studio

References include the songs "Near You", "The Freedom Train", and "South America Take it Away", the songwriter Stephen Foster, movie star Errol Flynn, former President Grover Cleveland, and for the commercials the Sportsmen spoof Al Jolson singing "Sonny Boy".

February 21, 1943 - From Chicago, Jack Benny broadcasts from the Army Air Force's Technical Training Center with guest bandleader Bob Crosby, brother of Bing Crosby. 

The program is briefly preempted by a message from the OPA about rationing. They mention Fred Allen, Hedy Lamarr and historical Navy Admiral George Dewey.

February 14, 1943 - Jack's Birthday From Toronto, Canada with guest conductor Allan McIver and His All-Canadian Orchestra. 

References include Prime Minister Mackenzie King, comedian Fred Allen, Halifax-born singer and dancer Ruby Keeler (Or actress Ruby Stevens better known as Barbara Stanwyck) and the song Blues in the Night.

February 7, 1943 - Jack is late and guest George Jessel subs for Jack. 

References include Fred Allen (with a clip of Oscar levant talking about playing with Jack Benny at Carnegie Hall), Abbot and Costello, Benny Rubin and Joe Lewis.

January 31, 1943 - Broadcast from Quantico Marine Base, Virginia with the actress Virginia Bruce, director Gegory Ratoff and guest band the McFarland twins.

References include the movie "Casablanca", and the Casablanca Confrence with FDR and Churchill.

January 23, 1938 - Jack Benny plays a newspaper man in this week's drama. References include detective Charlie Chan, movie stars, Paul Muni, Clark Gable, Robet Taylor, Bing Crasby, Carole Lombard, Greta Garbo and Gale Patrick. Also magazines Field and Stream and Woman's Home Companion. 

January 16, 1955 - Jack Doesn't Have a Script, adapted from the January, 12, 1941 episode. A very funny episode where Jack Benny talks to his writers and tries to get them to finish the script as the show is on the air.

References include, the mumps (a childhood illness), writers Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck, comedian Fred Allen, The Hall Johnson Choir, the song "Mighty Lak' a Rose" and Amos 'n' Andy. 

January 10, 1943 - The Sixty-Four Dollar Question, Jack Benny is in New York with guest conductor Benny Goodman. Then Jack visits "Take It or Leave It" host Phil Baker to try to get the money he had lost on that game show.

References include the wartime Victory Tax, comedians Bob Hope and Fred Allen, stage actress and singer Lillian Russel, the movies "Random Harvest" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls".

November 8, 1942 - Take It Or Leave It was the game show where the prize money doubled with each question. In this bonus episode Jack Benny plays it strait as a contestant.

January 3, 1943 - Broadcasting from Bangor, Maine for an audience of soldiers. Guest bandleader Abe Lyman.

References include singer Rudy Vallee, boxer Lou Nova, and actresses Hedy Lamarr and Lana Turner.

December 20, 1945 - Command Performance hosted by Dennis Day with Jack Benny, singer June Christy, novelty band the Hossier Hotshots and movie star Rita Hayworth

December 12, 1937 - The first Christmas shopping episode! Jack Benny says he is a gambler, then goes Christmas shopping at a department store with Mary.

References include punchboards, the rado show "Lum and Abner", Popeye, and Shirley Temple dolls.

December 25, 1949 - Jack Benny is the guest star in this radio adaptation of the movie "The Man Who Came to Dinner".

Merry Christmas and enjoy the show!

November 26, 1950 - Jack tries to buy tickets to the USC-UCLA game. Phil Harris plays a part in an episode of the Lux Radio Theater.

References include J Edgar Hoover, Albert Einstein, Ronald Colman, Skitch Henderson, Faye Emerson (and her wardrobe malfunction), the movie "King Solomon's Mines", and the Whiffenpoof song (We are poor little lambs who have lost our way).

November 20, 1949 - Jack goes to rehearsal and runs into TV comedian Ed Wynn and Dennis Day's replacement Larry Stevens.

References include General Bradley, the coal strike, the song "Mule Train", the Crosley millions contest, the musical "South Pacific", Al Jolson, Buster Keaton, Margret O'Brien and Keenan Wynn.

November 13, 1949 - Last week's mistakes. Jack visits Ronald Coleman on a movie set. The movie was "Champagne for Caesar", directed by Richard Whorf.

References include the song "Mule Train", the Notre Dame college football team, comedian Red Skelton, and orchestra conductor Arturo Toscanini.

November 6, 1949 - Jack rides in a yacht and Rochester guest stars on the Amos & Andy program in the episode "Friendly Loan Company". 

References include the high price of coffee, True Confessions magazine, princess Margret, the song "Mule Train", Popeye cartoons, comedians Milton Berle and Fred Allen, movie stars Gary Cooper, Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn and Joan Crawford, the movies "Mutiny on the Bounty" and "Wabash Avenue", 

November 2, 1941 - Halloween celebration with guest star Basil Rathbone as himself. Jack and the gang are making mischief on Halloween.

References include the animal trapper Frank Buck, and movie stars Claudette Colbert, Charles Laughton, Ronald Colman, and Charles Boyer.

October 24, 1937 - Jack Buys the Maxwell and they do thier version of the movie "Wife, Doctor and Nurse" starring Loretta Young, Waren Baxter, and Virginia Bruce. References include the steam-powered vehicle called The Stanley Steamer.

October 12, 1947 - Jack's Sponsor Buys Insurance On Him. This is a very funny episode! So funny that the script was reused May 24, 1953.

References include the movie "Mother Wore Tights", the burlesque dance Gypsy Rose Lee, and the first televised presidential address in wich Truman asks the American people to conserve food to help feed starving people in Europe.

October 10, 1937 - Jack Benny and the gang discuss the reviews of last week's opening broadcast. 

References include Lily Pons, Eddie Cantor, Fred Astaire, movies "Artists and Models", "This Way Please" and "High, Wide and Handsome". Plus Abe Lyman returns.

October 3, 1937 - Beginning Of 4th Season for Jello and we compair the east coast and west coast broadcasts.

References include ocean liners, Dracula, actresses Loretta Young and Marline Deitrich, and boxer Jack Dempsey.

March 21, 1937 - From New York Jack Benny plays his own father in the story of his life.

References include Kenny Baker and Phil Harris' upcoming movie "Turn off the Moon", Minsky's Burlesque nightclub, and old songs "(My) Pony Boy" and "In the Good Old Summertime".

February 24, 1937 - The Fred Allen Show during the height of the Benny/Allen Feud featured a production all about Jack Benny.

Terry Phillips is a former CBS reporter who, in 1983 had a chance to interview the great Mel Blanc. Terry is also the producer of a audio drama podcast called Imagine Air Theater, and his new play "Ronald Reagan Saves the World" premiered last week at the Center Stage Theater in Santa Barbara, California.

Mel Blanc Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fsWZVbLllQ

Imagine Air Theater here: https://www.imagine-air-theater.com

Ronald Reagan Saves the World https://www.reaganplay.com

December 28, 1945 - Jack Benny is the guest on Bill Stern's Sports Newsreel. June 7, 1946 - Eddie "Rochester" Anderson is the guest on Bill Stern's Sports Newsreel. Bonus - Paul Harvey's Rest of the Story segment.

October 28, 1950 – Premiere Show 

The audio version of the very first episode of the Jack Benny Television Program with special guest Dinah Shore! With Mel Blac, Don Wilson, and comedian Ken Murray. References include Olsen & Johnson, and Bob Hope.

Phil Harris stars in the short comedy film "So This is Harris" from 1933.

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy

By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley

Read by Stephanie Henderson

Conclusion

Download the full book at www.thisdaybenny.com/audiobook

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy

By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley

Read by Stephanie Henderson

Chapter 9: Jack Bennys Turn Towards Television

March 9, 1947 - Jack Benny is the guest star on "The Fitch Bandwagon" starring Phil Harris and Alice Faye. In this episode they mention foxtails on old car radiator caps and more!

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy

By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley

Read by Stephanie Henderson

Chapter 8: Benny At War With The Radio Critics

Side 1 - Great Moments of Humor and Pathos.

Radio programs did not always follow script: Lowell Thomas program. Julian Anthony news broadcast. Radio "trivia": the first radio variety series. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig on their radio show. Babe Ruth's final message. Lou Gehrig says "Goodbye." Amos 'n Andy Christmas program.

Side 2 - Special Production.

Arch Oboler presents "CAT WIFE" --a full length terror drama, freshly produced, just as it was heard on Golden Radio. Cast: Virginia Gregg, Vic Perrin, Hal Peary, Jay Novello and Chester Stratton.

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy

By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley

Read by Stephanie Henderson

Chapter 7: Jack Benny's Intermedia Juggling of Radio and Film

Side 1 - Radio Reports World War II.

Pearl Harbor bulletin. Manila bombing. FDR "Day of Infamy." Last broadcast from

Corregidor. Interview with radio operator.

Side 2 - Radio Reports World War II.

"D" Day to Final Victory. Dwight D. Eisenhower announces "D" Day. FDR on "D" Day. "Live" report from landing ship. Iwo Jima invaded. FDR's death. Arthur Godfrey at funeral. President Truman's tribute. Winston Churchill on VE Day. President Truman announces Hiroshima "A" bomb attack. VJ Day. General MacArthur as signing of peace treaty.

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy

By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley

Read by Stephanie Henderson

Chapter 6: The Commercial Imperative: Jack Benny, Advertising, and Radio Sponsors

Side 1 - The March Toward World War II.

The King George V Funeral. Edward VIII abdicates. King George VI coronation. Prime Minister Chamberlain reports to the world. The U.S.S. Squalus Disaster. Hitler declares war on Poland. Chamberlain announces war. FDR: "America Hates War." and Winston Churchill: "Give us the tools."

Side 2 - On-The-Spot Coverage of Sports!

The Dempsey-Tunney fight. Schmeling defeats Joe Louis. Max Baer, Gene Tunney, Jack Dempsey comment as Louis defeats Schmeling. Jesse Owen in 1936 Olympics, Ted Husing reports. 1937 Davis Cup Match Budge vs. Kramm. Whirl-a-way wins the Kentucky Derby. Bobby Thompson home-run.

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy

By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley

Read by Stephanie Henderson

Chapter 5: Rochester and the Revenge of Uncle Tom in the 1940s and 1950s

Side 1 - Radio Adventure and Drama.

Jack Armstrong. The Lone Ranger. Sgt. Preston and Yukon King. Terry and The Pirates. Famous Jury Trials. Dangerous Assignment. Mr. Keene, Tracer of Lost Persons. Gang Busters. Suspense. The Shadow.

Side 2 - The Classic Radio News Broadcasts.

KDKA Election Returns. Pres. Coolidge presents Charles Lindberg to Congress.

Amos 'n Andy on Hoover-Smith campaign. Eddie Cantor on 1929 Crash. Billy Sunday on prohibition. FDR is inaugurated. Edwin C. Hill. Bruno Hauptman is executed. The Hindenburg disaster.

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy

By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley

Read by Stephanie Henderson

Chapter 4: Eddie Anderson, Rochester, and Race in 1930s Radio and Film

In 1969 Jack Benny hosted a a box-set of records looking back at old time radio. It was titles "Jack Benny Presents the Treasury of Golden Memories of Radio".

Side 1 - The Great Radio Comedians.

"Allen's Alley" with Fred Allen, Senator Claghorn, Titus Moody and Mrs. Nusbaum.

The Easy Aces with Jane and Goodman Ace. Baron Munchausen, featuring Jack Pearl. Fibber McGee and Molly, with Mr. and Mrs. Jim Jordan.

Side 2 - More of The Great Radio Comedians.

Lum 'N Abner. Fanny Brice as Baby Snooks. Jack Benny and Mary Livingston. Mel Blanc as "The Maxwell Car." Bob Hope. Fred Allen and Jack Benny.

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley Read by Stephanie Henderson Chapter 3: Masculine Gender Identity in Jack Benny's Humor

In 1969 Jack Benny hosted a a box-set of records looking back at old time radio. It was titles "Jack Benny Presents the Treasury of Golden Memories of Radio".

Side 1 - Remember Golden Radio?

The Philco Radio Show with Bing Crosby, Jack Benny and Mary Livingston. George Burns and Gracie Allen. Eddie Cantor. Amos 'n Andy.

Side 2 - Day Time Radio and Commercials

Lorenzo Jones. The Romance of Helen Trent. Just Plain Bill. Mary Noble, Back stage Wife. "Ma" Perkins' Last Broadcast. Mary Margaret McBride with Mr. & Mrs. Alben Barkley.

Commercials: Interwoven Socks, Chesterfield Smoke Dreams, Pepsi-Cola, Rinso, Lava, Crisco, The Longines-Wittnauer Watch Company.

JACK 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?

December 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.

JACK BENNY and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy

By Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley

Read by Stephanie Henderson

Chapter One: Becoming Benny

This 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)

Leonard 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

May 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.

May 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.

Here are Dennis Day's appearances on The Kraft Music Hall with Al Jolson.

December 9, 1948

February 3, 1949

May 8, 1949 

May 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 the Bounty", "Flamingo Road", and "Ma and Pa Kettle". 

April 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.

April 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.

April 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.

April 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".

March 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.

March 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 Aurty, Charles Boyer and more. 

They also mention the imfamous, short-lived TV show "The Continental".

March 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.

March 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". 

March 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.

February 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.

1956 - 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.

February 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. 

February 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.

January 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.

January 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 Magician.

January 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 Mahlon Meerick's orchestra, Dennis Day, soloist, and the Sportsman's Quartet, vocal group. Don Wilson announced. Miss Lombard was scheduled for a guest appearance on the Jan. 25 Jell-O program." -Broadcasting Magazine

January 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).

December 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.

December 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!

December 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.

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 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.

November 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.

November 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 taking Manila Bay, plus a host of movie stars.

November 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.

September 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.

October 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, 

October 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.

October 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.

October 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.

January 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

February 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.

November 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. 

April 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.

April 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.

April 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.

February 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.

January 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.

January 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.

January 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".

December 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. Paramore Jr.