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This Day in Jack Benny

Comedy

The 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"

Location:

Waukegan, IL

Description:

The 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"

Language:

English


Episodes

Walking Man Winner

3/13/2024
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.

Duration:00:34:34

The Walking Man

3/7/2024
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.

Duration:00:34:55

Doo Wah Ditty (Hit Parade)

2/28/2024
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".

Duration:00:33:16

Monument for Jack (Bob Crosby)

2/21/2024
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.

Duration:00:37:57

Birthday in Canada

2/13/2024
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.

Duration:00:32:08

Georgie Jessel Hosts

2/7/2024
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.

Duration:00:34:00

Virginia Bruce

1/31/2024
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.

Duration:00:33:07

Scoop Benny, Ace Reporter

1/24/2024
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.

Duration:00:32:37

Unfinished Mystery (Mighty Lak' a Rose)

1/17/2024
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.

Duration:00:32:52

$64 Question (Benny Goodman)

1/11/2024
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".

Duration:00:34:01

Take It Or Leave It - Guest Jack Benny (Bonus)

1/8/2024
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.

Duration:00:31:35

Bear Hunting (Maine Stein Song)

1/3/2024
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.

Duration:00:31:38

Command Performance with Dennis Day and Jack Benny

12/20/2023
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

Duration:00:31:27

Christmas Department Store (Shirley Temple doll)

12/13/2023
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.

Duration:00:31:44

The Man Who Came to Dinner (Christmas)

12/6/2023
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!

Duration:00:54:08

Tickets to the Game (USC-UCLA)

11/29/2023
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).

Duration:00:38:09

Ed Wynn

11/22/2023
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.

Duration:00:34:30

Flubs and Mistakes (Richard Whorf)

11/15/2023
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.

Duration:00:32:39

Yacht Ride (Amos & Andy)

11/8/2023
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",

Duration:00:40:59

Halloween (Basil Rathbone)

11/2/2023
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.

Duration:00:31:32