This Day in Jack Benny
Episodes
How Jack Found Rochester
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
March 11, 1945 - Jack and the gand practice archery, then a reporter comes and asks about Rochester, featuring guests Amos 'n Andy. References include...
Haunted House/Western
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
March 11 & 18, 1934 - Jack sleeps in a haunted house and the cast does an Arizona western play.
Mad About The Oscars
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
March 1, 1942 - Jack Benny is upset that his movie "Charlie's Aunt" didn't win him an Academy Award, he falls asleep and dreams of what might have hap...
The Whistler (Washington DC)
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
February 26, 1950 - Jack Benny talks about his trip to Washington DC, then they do a parody of the mystery radio show "The Whistler". They did this sa...
House in Palm Springs (I Think)
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
February 22, 1948 - Jack Benny and the gang are in Palm Springs and they visit the site where his new house is being built. There is also a cameo by F...
Surprise Birthday Party
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
February 15, 1948 - Jack Turns 39 and for his birthday everyone plans to throw him a surprise party. References include Bob Hope, Al Jolson, Jasha Hie...
Musical Tribute to Jack Benny
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
May 11, 1941 - NBC Tribute 10th Anniversary. Jack and the gang talk about the testimonial dinner that took place this weekend in Jack Benny's honor. T...
Testimonial Dinner (10th Anniversary)
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
May 9, 1941 - NBC 10th Anniversary Testimonial Dinner. Rudy Valli hosts a formal dinner in Jack Benny's honor with speeches by Edgar Bergan and Charli...
Salute to Jack Benny (10th Anniversary)
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
May 4 & May 9, 1941 - Behind the Mike with Don Wilson interviewing Jack Benny and the NBC Special 10th Anniversary Salute to Jack Benny. Plus it's the...
Elephant's Graveyard (Deleted Scene)
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
January 9, 1955 - The Elephant's Graveyard Mystery. Jack Benny walks around the neighborhood in the morning, then decides to read an adventure book. R...
George Burns and Jack Benny are Gypsies
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
New Year's Fantasy (1950 In Review)
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 "Li...
Trimming the Christmas Tree
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Frank Sinatra In Person (BONUS)
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Going Christmas Shopping (Sinatra)
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
December 17, 1944 - Jack meets Frank Sinatra in a drug store. Mary drives Jack to go Christmas shopping. References include Bing Crosby, Eddie Cantor,...
Christmas Shopping (Gold Cufflinks)
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
December 2, 1951 - Jack goes shopping for cufflinks for Don. The racetrack tout plays the department store Santa Claus. References include advertising...
Turkey Court (Banned in Boston)
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
November 30, 1947 - Jack Benny has a turkey dream after Thanksgiving. References inlcude Fred Allen, Betty Grable, Stokowski, Toskinini, Rochefort Bee...
Biopic of Jack Benny
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
November 23, 1947 - Movie Of Jack's Life, Thanksgiving Show. References include the royal wedding, cars with motors in the rear, Phil Spitalney, Jo...
Madame Zombie (Screeno)
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
November 13, 1938 - Jack steals a girl from Phil Harris. Jack and Mary go see a fortune teller. References include Screeno.
All American (Tony Curtis)
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
November 8, 1953 - Jack Benny plays the role originated by a young Tony Curtis from his football movie "All American". References include newsman Edwa...
The Don Wilson Story (Mr. Anthony)
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
October 30, 1949 - Don Wilson is celebrating the anniversary of 25 years in radio. Frank Sinatra makes a guest appearance. References include the soap...
Lost Golf Ball (Ghost Dance)
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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. Jac...
House For Sale
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, N...
Sun Valley Vacation (Freedom Train)
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Ta...
Jack Paar Show Guest Jack Benny (BONUS)
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
August 17, 1947 - Jack Benny guest stars on his summer replacement show, Jack Paar. References include Margaret Truman at the Hollywood Bowl, actor C....
Stop or Go (BONUS)
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Suspense: A Good and Faithful Servant (BONUS)
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
June 2, 1952 - Jack Benny Stars in this episode of Suspense where he plays a faithful clerk who tries to steal $50,000.
Bing Crosby Show with Jack and Mary (BONUS)
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
March 26, 1947 - The Bing Crosby program with guests Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone. Refrences include frontiersman Daniel Boone, the painting "Spiri...
The Halls of Ivy (BONUS)
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Paramount Silver Jubilee (Bonus)
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Golden Touch (BONUS)
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Rehearsal with Kids (BONUS)
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded February 15, 1953 - This is the rehearsal for the episode aired February 22, 1953 where the kids impersonate the Jack Benny show.
What's My Line? Mystery Guest Jack Benny (BONUS)
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Phil Harris fills in for Kay Kyser (BONUS)
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 mu...
Benny Wrong Number (BONUS)
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Susp...
King For A Day (BONUS)
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
May 26, 1946 - The Fred Allen Show with special guest star Jack Benny. In this episode they spoof the radio program "Queen for a Day". Other referen...
George Burns Goes to College (BONUS)
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
November 29, 1945 - In order to get and inheritance, George Burns has to go to college. Gracie Allen gets George's friend, Jack Benny, to join him.
Ah, Wilderness!
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
May 16, 1937 - Jack Benny and the gang do the Eugene O'Neill play "Ah, Wilderness!". References include the tradition of throwing rice and old shoes a...
Phil Harris and Jack Benny Interviewed 1946 (BONUS)
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the spring of 1946, Phil Harris and his wife Alice Faye were interviewed on the Chicago radio show of columnist Nate Gross. A week later, Jack Benn...
Dennis Day Reads Snow White (BONUS)
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dennis Day narrates Read-Along Records: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1949) Snow White and Sneezy (1952) Snow White and Dopey (1952)
Podcast Update 2025
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John Henderson's wife Stephanie joins him for a chat about the state of the podcast. https://thisdaybenny.com/
Lost Watch
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
June 6, 1937 - Death at Midnight Part 2. Jack Benny has lost his watch, a Christmas present from Phil Harris. Eddie (Rochester) Anderson is in the epi...
Death At Midnight
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
May 30, 1937 - Jack Benny is back after being sick and does a mystery play called "Death at Midnight" or "The Bang Bang Scream Murder Case" References...
Without Jack Benny
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
May 23, 1937 - Jack is sick and does not appear on the program. Don Wilson, Phil Harris and Kenny Baker fill in with guest singer Trudy Wood.
The Egg and I (Magic Eye)
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
April 20, 1947 - Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone play Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert in their version of "The Egg and I". References include a r...
Sunset Boulevard (Easter)
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
March 25, 1951 - It's Easter day and Jack Benny and the gang (joined by Mary's sister Babe) do a parody of the movie "Sunset Boulevard". References in...
Mary's Sister Babe
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
April 1, 1951 - Leaving New York to do his TV show, Jack takes Babe Livingstone to the train station. References include The Kefauver Committee, Dick ...
How Jack Found Mary
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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. R...
1960 Cleveland Symphony Concert (BONUS)
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
November 4, 1960 - Jack Benny is the violin soloist at the Cleveland Symphony Benefit Gala.
Courtroom Drama
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
March 13, 1938 - Death in the Night Club. Jack Benny and the gang talk about the Academy awards and do a play about a murder trial. References inlcud...
Date with Giselle MacKenzie
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Hollywood Canteen (Eddie Cantor)
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
February 27, 1944 - At the Hollywood Canteen Jack Benny and the gang broadcast for soldiers with guest Eddie Cantor. References include celebrities He...
Buying A Camel (Liquid Stockings)
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
February 13, 1944 - From March Field Jack tells the story of buying camels in Egypt last summer. Larry Adler the harmonica player joins him to re-crea...
Douglas Fairbanks Jr (90-Foot Putt)
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Alexis Smith (Shoo Shoo Baby)
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 seco...
The Constant Nymph
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
January 16, 1944 - From El Toro, California Alexis Smith makes guest appearance. References include the Corsair aircraft with folding wings, Good Hu...
Suspense (Death of a Salesman)
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 L...
New Year 1950 (I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts)
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Train Home (Ol' Man Mose)
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
December 18, 1938 - Returning to Hollywood by train. An unnamed announcer introduces the show even though Don Wilson appears in the episode. Jack Benn...
Relaxing Day Off (Pumpkin Microfilm)
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
December 12, 1948 - Jack Tries to Relax at Home, Eddie Cantor stops by briefly. References include the Pumpkin Papers, "White Christmas" and "Who Thre...
Violin Lesson (Lionel Barrymore)
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
December 5, 1948 - Professor LeBlanc give Jack a violin lesson, and Don is mad at Jack. References include the desert hot springs earthquake, Princess...
Football Coach (Mustard Plaster)
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
November 27, 1938 - Football with coach Flash Benny. Jack has a cold Phill rips off his mustard paster (along with his chest hair). Then they do a foo...
Too Hot To Handle (Cannibals)
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
November 20, 1938 - Jack Benny does his version of the Clark Gable and Myrna Loy movie "Too Hot To Handle". Refrences include the song "Pocket Full Of...
Television Director (Ralph Levy)
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
November 15, 1953 - Jack repares for his TV show with Johnnie Ray. References inlude TWA airline, 1954 Cadillac, Old Crow Bourbon Whiskey, Thrifty's d...
Echo-Ay-Hee-Hoo (Election Upset)
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
November 7, 1948 - Jack Sees Psychiatrist About Echo and Mel Blanc does Bugy Bunny and Porky Pig. References include the election where Truman was re-...
Trick Or Treat (Election Day)
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
October 31, 1948 - Jack goes trick or treating with the Beverly Hill Beavers. Plus clips from the Phil Harris Alice Faye Show. References include the ...
Airport (Swing Low)
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
October 22, 1950 - Dennis Tries to Borrow Fifty Thousand Dollars. Jack is getting ready to fly to New York for his first ever TV episode. References i...
Casablanca (BVDs)
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
October 17, 1943 - Jack Benny is back from his USO trip to Casablanca and recounts a story similar to the motion picture of the same name. Rochester s...
Home from North Africa (Creaking Door)
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
October 10, 1943 - Jack Recalls His African Trip. Broadcasting from New York as Jack returns from his USO tour. Behind the scenes there is a new group...
Beverly Hills Police Department
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
October 1, 1950 - The Maxwell is Stolen. Jack Benny and the gang have a meal at the drug store and Jack finds out his car has been stolen. References ...
The Kenny Baker Show (BONUS)
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
January 20, 1947 - Jack Benny's old tenor Kenny Baker had his own shown, with Don Wilson as the announcer and Jack Benny as special guest!
Here Comes Mr. Kitzel (BONUS)
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
December 27, 1950 - One of the often forgotten recurring characters on the Jack Benny Program is Mr. Kitzel. His funny voice is an over-the-top jewish...
The Private Life of Rochester (BONUS)
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
May 12, 1950 - In 1950 they developed a radio spin-off of the Jack Benny show starring Eddie Anderson as Rochester Van Jones. The show would have been...
Love Thy Neighbor Movie (BONUS)
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
December 18, 1940 - Jack Benny and Fred Allen star in the movie "Love Thy Neighbor". This is one of the rare movies where Jack Benny plays himself, se...
Jack Benny Record for State Farm (BONUS)
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is a record for State Farm Insurance agents when the company started sponsoring the Jack Benny TV Show in 1960. "Jack Benny Music to Write Apps B...
1936 JELL-O Summer Show (BONUS)
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
September 27, 1936 - Starring Don Wilson with the wacky comedy team of Tim and Irene Ryan. You might know Irene Ryan as granny from the Beverly Hillbi...
Good News of 1938 - Guest Jack Benny (BONUS)
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
February 17, 1938 - After Robert Taylor was the guest on Jack Benny's show, now Jack Benny is the guest on Robert Taylor's show. With Frank Morgan, Ba...
Wabash Avenue with Phil Harris (BONUS)
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
November 13, 1950 - Phil Harris was in the movie musical "Wabash Avenue" starring Betty Grable and Victor Mature. Here is an original mix of the Lux R...
Eddie Cantor Show with Jack Benny (BONUS)
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
January 30, 1947 - The Eddie Cantor Show with special guests Jack Benny. Plus a clip of Eddie on Dinah Shore's show and more!
We The People (Jack and Mary's Anniversary) BONUS
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
January 26, 1947 - Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone are guests on the human interest radio program "We There People" talking about their 20th Wedding A...
What's My Line? (BONUS)
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
January 23, 1955 - Can you guess the Jack Benny cast member before the celebrity panel? Listen to the audio from the TV gameshow.
Amos & Andy with Jack Benny and Rochester (BONUS)
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
November 10, 1944 - Jack Benny and Rochester are guest stars on the long running radio series Amos & Andy. This episode is called "The Employment ...
Phil Harris Hosts Kollege (BONUS)
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
August 9, 1944 - "Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge" was fun music quiz show. When they needed a guest host they called on Phil Harris. Play al...
Jack Benny on the Quiz Kids (Bonus)
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
April 7, 1941 - This Bonus Episode features Jack as a guest on the Quiz Kids Program! Plus clips of Walt Disney and Fred Allen.
USO Show in Paris 1945 (BONUS)
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
June 28, 1945 - Jack Benny, Larry Adler and Martha Tilton starting their USO tour in Paris. They mention the fall of Berlin, the Folies Bergère music...
"Babes in the Woods" This is My Best (BONUS)
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
May 29, 1945 - Jack Benny guest stars in the radio play "Babes in the Woods" from the program "This is My Best".
Portable TV Set
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
May 23, 1954 - Jack's trip to Las Vegas is disscussed as well as Jack's last television show of the season featuring Bob Hope, as well as Dennis Day's...
Rita Hayworth
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
May 20, 1945 - In San Francisco Jack Benny is joined by actress Rita Hayworth, Governer Earl Warren and harmonica player Larry Adler. This is just a...
Victory in Europe (The Vault)
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
May 13, 1945 - Jack is going to San Francisco. It is Mother's Day, the Sunday after V-E Day and Jack Benny is getting ready for a trip, so he gets som...
Test Drive (Grace Moore)
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
May 10, 1936 - Mary phones her mother in Los Angeles and Jack test drives a car. References inlcude singers Bing Crosby, actress Loretta Young and s...
Love Letters (Jeanette Eymann)
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
May 1, 1955 - Jack buys a baseball team. Much of this episode recycled portions of scripts from previous episodes including May 9, 1948 and April 13, ...
How Jack Hired Don Wilson
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
May 6, 1945 - Continuing a series of episodes about Jack Meeting his cast, this episode is about Jack hiring his announcer Don Wilson. Jack also gets ...
Professor LaBlanc
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
April 29, 1945 - First episode with Jack Benny's violin teacher Professor LeBlanc, played by Mel Blanc. References include Lena Horne, Ronald Colman, ...
29 Palms (Gravel Gertie)
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 mentio...
William Powell
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
April 8, 1945 - From Torney Hospital In Palm Springs, Jack Benny dreams (guest star) William Powell is his butler. References inlcude the radio shows ...
Cinderallen (Quintuplets)
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 "Ci...
Cimarron Rolls
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 preside...
Walking Man Winner
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
March 14, 1948 - Winner of the Walking Man Contest and "Truth or Consequences" host Ralph Edwards are the guests on this episode. References inlcue Ra...
The Walking Man
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Doo Wah Ditty (Hit Parade)
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
February 29, 1948 - Jack's Girlfriend Gladys Comes To Studio References include the songs "Near You", "The Freedom Train", and "South America Take it ...