This Day in Jack Benny

January 8, 1948 - Jack Benny is the guest in Maxwell House Coffee Time with George Burns and Gracie Allen. Jack Benny wants to be appreciated for his violin playing and George Burns wants to be appreciated for his singing voice. Gracie recommends they disguise themselves as Gypsies.

December 31, 1950 - The old time 1950 gives advice to baby 1951 in this New Year's Eve Fantasy skit. References include the Korean War, radio show "Life Can Be Beautiful", the movie "Harriet Craig", TV host Faye Emerson, singers Frank Sinatra and Al Jolson, bandleaders Wayne King, Kay Kyser and Guy Lombardo, writing on the head of a pin,  and Flying Saucers.

December 24, 1944 - Jack Benny has some trouble while trying to decorate his Christmas tree in this Christmas Eve episode. Plus Jack gives a heartfelt Christmas speech to those fighting in the war. References include the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas", the author Mark Twain, inventors Thomas Edison and Robert Fulton, and the movie "Hollywood Canteen".

December 18, 1944 - Jack Benny is the guest on Frank Sinatra's radio show "Frank Sinatra in Person". References include Fibber McGee, Bing Crosby and Fred Allen, plus war bonds and Vigero plant food.    

December 17, 1944 - Jack meets Frank Sinatra in a drug store. Mary drives Jack to go Christmas shopping. References include Bing Crosby, Eddie Cantor, Fred Allen, women drivers, rationing, and the Gruen watch time signal.

December 2, 1951 - Jack goes shopping for cufflinks for Don. The racetrack tout plays the department store Santa Claus. References include advertising of the major cigarette brands, Ronson lighters, Napoleon Brandy, oil millionaire Glenn MacCarthy, actors Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn, Jimmy Stewart and Gary Cooper. 

November 30, 1947 - Jack Benny has a turkey dream after Thanksgiving. References include Fred Allen, Betty Grable, Stokowski, Toskinini, Rochefort Beer and Coronet Magazine quizzes.  

November 23, 1947 - Movie Of Jack's Life, Thanksgiving Show.   References include the royal wedding, cars with motors in the rear, Phil Spitalney, John Wilks Booth, boxers Jack Dempsy and Slapsie Maxie, and actors Roddy McDowell, Mickey Rooney, Cornel Wilde, Errol Flynn, and Clark Gable.

November 13, 1938 - Jack steals a girl from Phil Harris. Jack and Mary go see a fortune teller. References include Screeno.

November 8, 1953 - Jack Benny plays the role originated by a young Tony Curtis from his football movie "All American". References include newsman Edward R Murrow, the "quiz show with a heart" Strike it Rich , the soap opera John's Other Wife , and the WWII greese collection program Save Your Fat Week .

October 30, 1949 - Don Wilson is celebrating the anniversary of 25 years in radio. Frank Sinatra makes a guest appearance. References include the soap opera "Life Can Be Beautiful" and the advice show of John J. Anthony.

October 26, 1947 - Seventh Hole at Hillcrest Country Club. Jack Benny and Rochester look for the golf ball that Jack hit into the woods last week. Jack and Mary talk about their picture in the new issue of Radio Mirror magazine. The Sportsmen Quartet sings The Ghost Dance . References include the Royal Wedding, President Truman's Investigation, Donald Duck, Deanna Derbin, Fibber McGee and Molly, B...

October 11, 1953 - Jack tries to sell his house for $100,000. References include Jack's old singer Kenny Baker, Milton Berl, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, Nation Wine Week, Cinerama, and the song "I want a Girl (Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad)".

October 5, 1947 - Jack is Back from His Summer Vacation.  Refrences include the radio shows, "The Jack Paar Show", "The Fred Allen Show", "Duffy's Tavern", and "Take It or Leave It".  The Miss America Beauty Pageant, the movies "Mother Wore Tights" and "Black Narrisis", The Yankee / Dodgers World Series game, and the Freedom Train.

August 17, 1947 - Jack Benny guest stars on his summer replacement show, Jack Paar. References include Margaret Truman at the Hollywood Bowl, actor C. Aubrey Smith, singer Lilly Ponds, bandleader Andrew Kostelanetz, Evelyn and her Magic Violin, Arid Deoderant Creme, and radio shows "Myrt and Marge" and "Jack Armstrong, All-American Boy".

November 26, 1944 - Comedian Joe E. Brown hosts the program "Stop Or Go" with guest stars Orson Welles, Hedda Hopper, Rudy Vallee, Dorothy Lamour and Jack Benny.

June 2, 1952 - Jack Benny Stars in this episode of Suspense where he plays a faithful clerk who tries to steal $50,000.

March 26, 1947 - The Bing Crosby program with guests Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone. Refrences include frontiersman Daniel Boone, the painting "Spirit of '76", sci fi show Buck Rogers, comedy show writer Bill Morrow, singer Peggy Lee, and the singer (with a smile in his voice) Jack Smith.

November 22, 1950 - Jack Benny guest stars on Ronald and Benita Colman's program "The Halls of Ivy". Ronnie and Benita are playing characters but Jack is playing himself. Reference includes silent film stars John Benny, Flora Finch and Billie Dove, they also mention violinist Heifetz, and the radio program People are Funny!

January 7, 1937 - Jack Benny hosts the 25th anniversary of Paramount Pictures in honor of studio head Adolph Zukor. A night of music, laughs and stars. Enjoy!

May 23, 1951 - Jack Benny guest stars on the radio show Family Theater, introduced by Lucille Ball. They reference The Marshall Plan, Hedda Hopper and hats. Enjoy!

Recorded February 15, 1953 - This is the rehearsal for the episode aired February 22, 1953 where the kids impersonate the Jack Benny show.

John Charles Daly hosts What's My Line? on TV with Jack Benny as the mystery guest. February 8, 1953 - Panel: Dorothy Kilgallen,  Steve Allen, Arlene Francis, and Hal Block June 21, 1959 - Panel: Arlene Francis, Steve Allen and wife Jayne Meadows, and Bennett Cerf June 5, 1966 - Phyllis Newman, Tony Randall, Arlene Francis, and Bennett Cerf

August 23, 1944 - "Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge" was fun music quiz show. Phil Harris guest hosted all summer. Play along and enjoy the music!

January 31, 1946 - Command Performance USA hosted by Robert Young with special guests Chico Marx, Lina Romay and Jack Benny in his version of the Suspense play "Sorry Wrong Number".