This Day in Jack Benny

John Henderson

Where comedy lives on

  • 34 minutes 6 seconds
    How Jack Found Mary

    March 18, 1945 - Jack tells a reporter the story of how he discovered Mary back in 1932. They made this episode for TV which aired October 31, 1954.

    Refrences include the Oscars where Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman were winners. They mention the radio shows "Your Hit Parade", "Duffy's Tavern", and "Fibber McGee and Molly", the silent film actress Theda Barra, the bandleader Spike Jones, the old song "Just a Gigolo", the watch company Gruen.

    Plus the true story of Mary meeting Jack.

    2 April 2025, 1:26 pm
  • 53 minutes 38 seconds
    1960 Cleveland Symphony Concert (BONUS)

    November 4, 1960 - Jack Benny is the violin soloist at the Cleveland Symphony Benefit Gala.

    20 March 2025, 1:31 pm
  • 31 minutes 33 seconds
    Courtroom Drama

    March 13, 1938 - Death in the Night Club. Jack and the gand talk about the Academy awards and do a play about a murder trial.

    References inlcude Kenny Baker in the movie "Goldwyn Follies", Fred Allen in "Sally, Irene, and Mary", Edward G Robinson, Spensor Tracy, Shirley Temple and Robin Hood and his band.

    12 March 2025, 7:43 am
  • 32 minutes 12 seconds
    Date with Giselle MacKenzie

    March 7, 1954 - Jack's big date at the Acme Plaza Hotel with Giselle Mackenzie broadcast from New York, New York with guest Frank Fontaine.

    References include the play "Tea and Sympathy", movies "Beat the Devil", "It Should Happen To You", and "Riot in Cell Block 11".

    5 March 2025, 8:09 am
  • 33 minutes 22 seconds
    Hollywood Canteen (Eddie Cantor)

    February 27, 1944 - At the Holywood Canteen Jack Benny and the gang broadcast for soldiers with guest Eddie Cantor.

    References include celebrities Hetty Lamarr, Betty Grable, Lana Turner, Dorothy Lamour, Larry Adler, The Hall Johnson Choir, Al Jolson and Frank Sinatra. Plus the song "Cloe".

    26 February 2025, 1:40 pm
  • 33 minutes 16 seconds
    Buying A Camel (Liquid Stockings)

    February 13, 1944 - From March Field Jack tells the story of buying calmels in Egypt last summer. Larry Adler the harmonica player joins him to re-create a portion of thier USO act.

    Refrences include liquid stockings, Pepsi Cola, Wendel Willkie and FDR, The Andrews Sisters, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, the songs "Mairzy Doats" and "Deep In The Heart Of Texas".

    12 February 2025, 8:56 am
  • 32 minutes 47 seconds
    Douglas Fairbanks Jr (90-Foot Putt)

    January 28, 1951 - Douglas Fairbanks Jr Guest Show. Jack Benny and the gang are in New York getting ready for Jack's second-ever television show. Phil Harris had won the Bing Crosby Pro-Amateur Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach by sinking an incredibly long putt on the 17th hole.

    References include Bock Beer, Fred Allen, Ethel Merman, and the broadway shows "Guys and Dolls", "Call Me Madam", and South Pacific". 

    29 January 2025, 2:31 pm
  • 32 minutes 45 seconds
    Alexis Smith (Shoo Shoo Baby)

    January 23, 1944 - From Camp Muroc in the Mojave Desert Jack Benny broadcasting for a crowd of soldiers with guest Alexis Smith returning for the second.

    References include Jack's article in Libery Magazine, Phillip Morris ciggerettes, Fred Allen and the Andrews Sisters song "Shoo-Shoo Baby".

    23 January 2025, 1:19 am
  • 33 minutes 16 seconds
    The Constant Nymph

    January 16, 1944 - From El Toro, California Alexis Smith makes guest appearance. 

    References include the Corsair aircraft with folding wings, Good Humor wagons, silent film actress Theda Bara, and Oscar Levant who names piano pieces on the game show "Informtion Please", 

    15 January 2025, 8:29 am
  • 32 minutes 51 seconds
    Suspense (Death of a Salesman)

    January 6, 1952 - Jack Benny and the gang talk about the Rose Bowl then do thier version of the mystery radio show "Suspense".

     

    References include Los Angeles cross streets Pico and Supulvida, director of price controls Michael DiSalle, and the movie "Death of a Salesman" with Fredrick March.

    8 January 2025, 2:05 pm
  • 32 minutes 55 seconds
    New Year 1950 (I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts)

    January 1, 1950 - Jack's broken new year's date. Mary invites Jack to her New Year's Eve party but Jack is all dressed up for a date. Mel Blanc sings an Al Jolson song to promote his new record and Dennis Day sings "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts".

    References include Red Skelton's Mean Little Kid, the Hooper Radio Rating, plus Phil Harris and Alice Fay.

    1 January 2025, 9:37 pm
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