This Day in Jack Benny

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 t...

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: ht...

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...

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. Wi...

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