This Day in Jack Benny

Steak Ride (English Horse)

08 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

February 8, 1953 - A lively episode from Palm Springs! Mel Blanc does his now famous impression of an English Horse.

Jack's Fight Training

05 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

February 5, 1939 - Jack Benny does some boxing practice just in case his feud with Fred Allen comes to blows. They reference Tarzan and "Oliver Twist"...

The Horn Blows at Midnight

01 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

January 30, 1944 - The Mills Brothers song "Paper Doll" was at the top of the charts. In this episode Jack Benny is promoting his upcoming movie "The ...

Jack's Bodyguard (Mata Hari)

29 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

January 29, 1939 - Jack Benny is in the midst of this feud with Fred Allen. In this episode the reference the Western movie series "Hopalong Cassidy" ...

Train to Hollywood (Kubelsky?)

25 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

January 25, 1948 - Jack Benny has not his real name. His real name was was Benny Kubelsky. In this is a very fun episode where the cast is on a train ...

Jack Saved Fred Allen (Fink's Mules)

22 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

January 22, 1939 - They make a very early reference to television in this episode. But it's mostly about Jack Benny telling how he saved Fred Allen's ...

City of Conquest (Jack in Jail)

18 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

January 19, 1936 - "JAIL-O again" Jack is in Jail for speeding. Unfortunately the audio quality is really bad. So instead... January 19, 1941 - Jack s...

Jack's Screen Performance

15 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

January 15, 1939 - On Jack's Screen Guild Performance with Joan Crawford he tries to prove he can make love on screen as well as any other actor. The ...

The Don Wilson Story (Zsa Zsa)

11 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

January 10, 1954 - The episode celebrates Jack Benny's announcer Don Wilson with a joke biography. That day a real biography of Jack appeared in Parad...

Snow White

08 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

January 8, 1939 - This is the second time Jack and they gang performed this parody of Snow White on the air. It is a lot of fun. Listen after the epis...

Golden Boy

04 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

January 7, 1940 - Barbra Stanwyck guest stars to reprise her role in "Golden Boy", only things don't go exactly as planned. This is also just after th...

No Date for Jack

31 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

December 31, 1939 - Gladys Dissapoints Jack on New Year's Eve. This episode has a few old references. Alexander Woollcott was an author and critic. S...

1947 Review (New Look)

28 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

December 28, 1947 - This is a sort of year in review for 1947. Princess Elizabeth gets married. The new look in fashion is a style that includes longe...

Christmas Open House

24 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

December 24, 1939 - It's Christmas Eve and Jack invites the gang over. This is in 1939 at the end of the Great Depression. Listen after the show for a...

English Butler

21 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

December 23, 1945 - Newsreel of Christmas shopping for dolls and hobby horses in 1945. The US is working on withdrawing troops from Europe after WWII....

Christmas Shopping for Perfume (East vs West)

18 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

December 17, 1939 - The Jack Benny Program was broadcast live each week, so they did it twice. Once for the east coast time zone, once for the west co...

Jack is Recovering (Toot-Toot-Tootsie)

14 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

October 9, 1949 - Mel Blanc sings does his Al Jolson impression "Neyyyaa" singing along with the Sportsmen quartette. He also just made a record imita...

Football Murder Mystery Part 2

11 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

December 10, 1939 - Jack finishes the Murder on the Gridiron episode which is less gridiron and more murder mystery. They have some great double-talk ...

Christmas Shopping for Paints

07 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

December 5, 1954 - This is the last of the great Christmas Shopping episodes on The Jack Benny radio show. Jack Buys oil paints for Don for Christmas....

Football Murder Mystery Part 1

04 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

December 3, 1939 - Jack Benny AKA Buck Benny the cowboy joins other western stars for the Santa Claus Lane Parade. Meanwhile in cinema, Spencer Tracy ...

Playing Cards (Baby, It's Cold Outside)

30 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

November 27, 1949 - Dis you know Ricardo Montalban & Esther Williams sang the first recorded version of the holiday hit "Baby, It's Cold Outside"? Or ...

Duck Hunting (Strongman)

27 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

November 26, 1939 - References in this episode include Earle Liederman, a strongman on the vaudeville stage who sold a mail-in bodybuilding course. Th...

Jack Dreams He's a Turkey

23 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

November 21, 1943 - Happy Thanksgiving from the front lines! The war is on which means the rationing of meats, but Jack is still able to get turkey. T...

An Ostrich For Thanksgiving

20 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

November 19, 1939 - The year with two Thanksgivings. President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving from the last Thursday of November one week e...

Jack's Drivers License

17 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

November 16, 1947 - Cleaning Jack's Den before Jack goes to the DMV to get his Driver's License. Movies in '47 included "Forever Amber" and "The Egg a...

Jack Has a Toothache

13 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

November 12, 1939 - Jack Benny has a toothache and goes to the dentist. Dr.Frank Nelson. What could be more torture? Only Fred Allen and his sponsor ...

Girls Dormitory & Romeo and Juliet

09 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

November 1 & 8, 1936 - Clips from a few episodes of the Jack Benny Program from 1936. It's also election week Landon vs FDR.

The Women

06 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

November 5, 1939 - It's s spoof of the movie "The Women" with Jack Benny, Phil Harris and Don Wilson as the women. A podcast of the greatest Old Time ...

Jack's Life Story (Harry Shearer)

02 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

November 4, 1951 - Listen after the episode for a clip from Jack's TV show that day. Harry Shearer is well known as the voice of Mr. Burns, Ned Fland...

Costume Party (Hot Mikado)

30 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

October 29, 1939 - Happy Halloween! This episode of the Jack Benny program takes place at a masquerade party and it's no surprise that Don Wilson is d...

Romeo and Juliet Preview

26 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

October 26, 1936 - Jack Benny stars in "The Big Broadcast of 1937". They talk about the movie "Anthony Adverse", and the star-studded "Romeo and Juli...

Stanley and Livingstone

23 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

October 22, 1939 - This episode spoofs the movie "Stanley and Livingstone", no relation to Mary Livingstone. And Kay Kaiser from the movie "That's Rig...

Golf Match

19 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

October 19, 1947 - Jack Benny is out golfing. Mel Blanc is still looking for a job doing his Al Jolson impression. References to Fibber McGee and Moll...

Dennis' Mother Interferes

16 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

October 15, 1939 - Disney's Cinderella features Verna Felton as the Fairy Godmother. But long before she sang "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" she was Dennis Day...

Jack's Memory is Lost Part 2

12 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

October 9, 1949 - What?! Jack Benny suddenly stopped being cheap and became the soul of generosity? He give Mel Blanc a raise, he offers Rochester spe...

Jack's Memory is Lost Part 1

09 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

October 2, 1949 - They mention vaudeville performers like Al Jolsen and The Avon Comedy Four, Jack Benny is cheap. That is until one day while taking ...

The World Series

05 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

October 4, 1953 - Baseball manager Leo Durocher AKA "Leo the Lip" watches the Yankees vs Dodgers 1953 World Series with Jack Benny. Bob Crosby discus...

Introducing Dennis Day

02 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

October 8, 1939 - Aldrich Family was the summer replacement show. This is the first show of the new season and the first episode ever with Dennis Day....

Phil and Dennis Have Their Own Shows

28 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

September 29, 1946 - Jack is humming the hit song of the day "South America, Take it Away" by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. Jack is upset Phil...

Edger Bergen and Red Skelton

25 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

September 25, 1949 - Jack Benny visits the CBS studio to start a new season on the radio and runs into ventriloquist Edger Bergen and his pal Charlie ...

In Scotland (Who's on First?)

21 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

September 21, 1952 - Jack Benny and Rochester do their own version of Abbot and Costello's famous bit "Who's on First?". Plus Shopping in Scotland wit...

Edward My Son (Mel Blanc)

18 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

September 18, 1949 - Mel Blanc is remembered as "The man of 1,000 voices" in this episode he is begging Jack Benny to let him do a voice, any voice on...

Honolulu Trip (TV BONUS Marilyn Monroe)

13 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

September 13, 1953 Television Episode (Audio Only) with Marilyn Monroe in her first ever television appearance.

Bus Tour (Deep Sea)

11 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

September 11, 1949 - Deep sea diver sets world record in an iron ball. What does that have to do with Mary's sister Babe? Jack Benny has such great su...

Back From Vacation in Hawaii (Liberace)

07 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

September 13, 1953 - Jack Benny and the gang are back from vacation. They joke about Liberace's gleaming white teeth. And this is the radio episode th...

Back From London (Alan Young)

04 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

September 10, 1950 - Alan Young was known in 1950 as the star of TVs "The Alan Young Show". Today He's known as the star of Mr.Ed and the voice of Scr...

Murder in G Flat

31 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jack Benny stars in Suspense. Also first episode of a new podcast called "Theater of Thrills", Subscribe here: http://theaterofthrills.libsyn.com/rs...

The House of Benny

28 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

August 31, 1934 - Jack Benny's old time radio show is really old this time. This is an early episode so it is quite interesting. References include th...

Mr.Benny Actor Interview

24 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Newell has played Jack Benny in a one man stage play called "Mr.Benny" for years. We talk about who Jack Benny was, why he was so funny and how to...

House of Rawchild

21 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

August 24, 1934 - The skit in this episode is a spoof on "The House of Rothschild", a 1934 movie about Jewish bankers. The episode also references sin...

Reminiscing with my Brother

17 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

I talk with my younger brother, Jeff Henderson, about playing the violin as a kid, getting scared out of our minds listening to Suspense, and Jack Ben...

Fan Club Founder Interview

10 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Laura Leibowitz (formerly Laura Leff)  is the founder and president of the International Jack Benny Fan Club. In this interview we talk about meeting...

Who is The Walking Man?

07 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Truth or Consequences was a quiz stunt radio show starring Ralph Edwards. In 1947 he had everyone asking "Who is the Walking Man?". Now, 70 years late...

Part 2 Kathy Fuller-Seeley Interview

03 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our conversation with Kathy Fuller-Seeley. Kathy is a professor of media history at UT Austen. She is writing a book called Jack Benny and...

Music of The Jack Benny Show #2

31 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

It's De-Lovely - Orchestra You Do The Darndest Things Baby - Mary Livingstone Good Night My Beautiful - Dennis Day Clancy Lowered The Boom - Dennis Da...

Part 1 Author Kathy Fuller-Seeley Interview

27 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Kathy Fuller-Seeley is a media history professor at University of Texas at Austin and a Jack Benny fan club member. She is currently writing book call...

Who Killed Mr.Stooge?

24 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

July 20, 1934 - A real episode of the Jack Benny Program. A real early episode. Not the best sound quality. At least Mickey Mouse is mentioned in this...

Memories with Grandma

20 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

I talk to my Grandmother about listening to Jack Benny on the radio at age 5 and watching him on TV as a teenager. Plus Inner Sanctum Mysteries, Lux ...

Best of Fred Allen Feud

17 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Jack Benny / Fred Allen Feud started with an ad lib in 1936 and continued until Allen's death in 1956. These are some one the highlights!

Tralfaz Blog Interview

13 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jim Bennie is the man behind the Tralfaz Blog. He is a very knowledgeable fan of Jack Benny along with many other old time media, especially the class...

Music of The Jack Benny Show #1

10 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Love in Bloom - Al Bowlly How Could You - Orchestra Never in a Million Years - Kenny Baker That's What I Like About The South - Phil Harris Too Roman...

Jackstravaganza 2016

06 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Jack Benny Program took the summer off so here on the Podcast we will be doing special programs to fill the summer. This episode is a preview of w...

Best of Year One

03 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Spring 1933 - This is an episode put together from April to June surviving episodes of 1933, plus a radio broadcast of Phil Harris from 1933. Enjoy!

From New York (Republicans)

29 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

June 27, 1948 - Jack Benny was the Guest on Fred Allen's program, packing for his trip to Europe. Meanwhile the Republican Nation Convention is underw...

Last Show of the Season (Gossip Column)

26 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

June 26, 1938 - They talk current events including the Spanish civil war and war between China and Japan, the lone Ranger, and gossip columnist Louell...

Back Home in Indiana (Popeye)

22 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

June 19, 1938 - What is a chinstrap? Which cartoon short was playing at this time? This plus Kenny Baker, Phil Harris, Mary Livingstone and the whole ...

Father's Day (The Mikado)

19 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

June 18, 1939 - Kenny Baker was starring in the film adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado".  This is the last episode of the 1939 season....

Father's Day (Henry Aldrich)

15 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

June 16, 1940 - A jam-packed episode with a theme song sitcom segment, Dennis Day's mother, and special guest star "Henry Aldrich".

Artists and Models Abroad

12 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

June 12, 1938 - An early episode, not quite as funny, but extra interesting. Jack Benny visits the set of his upcoming movie "Artists and Models Abroa...

Vacation Plans

08 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

June 9, 1940 - The songs "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" and "Playmate" are referenced. There are also plans for the movie "Love Thy Neighbor" with comedi...

Hillbilly Feud

05 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

June 2, 1940 - JELL-O has renewed the Jack Benny Program for another year, Rochester buys a racehorse on the installment plan, Mary dreams about movi...

Phil's Last Show

01 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

June 1, 1952 - It's the season finally! Jack Benny's movie "Charlie's Aunt", Marilyn Monroe's movie "Niagra", the soap opera "Stella Dallas", Wheel of...

Party for Sponsor (Cisco Kid)

31 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

May 26, 1940 - Mr. Mortimer's Party, formal dinner for sponsor...with no JELL-O for dessert. Very Funny episode. Meanwhile on Burns and Allen, Gracie ...

Insurance Medical Exam

25 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

May 24, 1953 - Who was the Heavyweight Champion of the world in 1952? What is the Mystery of the House of Wax? Why does this episode of the Jack Benny...

Northwest Passage

22 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

May 19, 1940 - Mary plays a trick on Jack by pretending Dennis is related to the sponsor. The skit is a spoof on a forgotten Technicolor movie "Northw...

Down on the Farm

18 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

May 18, 1952 - Imagine if any of the candidates in the current political race had a cartoon elephant leading the charge, and the candidate was describ...

Murder in the Library

15 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

May 15, 1938 and early episode with some fun banter at the beginning and a murder mystery skit at the end. Plus Horse racing and guest Bing Crosby.

Clown Hall Tonight (Fred Allen)

11 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

May 5, 1940 - Jack Benny does his impression of Fred Allen with a clothes pin on his nose. 

Returning on a Plane

08 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

May 12, 1940 - Mother's Day was on May 4th. Jack Benny and the cast have been in New York and are now on their way back to LA. They take an airplane. ...

First Professional Appearance

04 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

May 2, 1932 This is the very first episode of the Jack Benny Program and the only episode from 1932 that has survived!

Buck Benny At The Paramount Theater

01 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

April 28, 1940 In New York. The first episode since the opening of Jack's Movie Buck Benny Rides Again. Fred Allen had Rochester on as a guest on his ...

Costume Party

27 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

November 9, 1947 - Denny Day does a funny Ronald Coleman impression. The REAL Ronald Coleman is also in this episode in one of the funniest scenes eve...

From The Ritz Theater (Hellzapoppin)

25 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

April 21, 1940 Live from the Ritz Theater for the release of Jack Benny's movie "Buck Benny Rides Again". There is talk of the Broadway show "Hellzapo...

Jack's Upset About His Appearance on the Quiz Kids

20 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A hilarious appearance of Jack Benny on the Quiz Kids, which is just what it sounds like, a trivia program for smartypants youngsters. The Jack Benny...

To New York By Train

17 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

April 14, 1940 - Calling all adventure fans! Calling all Dick Tracy Fans! A fun episode on location with all your favourite cast members, plus their m...

Jack Fixes a Phonograph (Newsweek)

13 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

April 13, 1947 Jack talks about his picture in Newsweek. Also so much old time music. The Luck Strike program, starring Jack Benny with Mary Livingst...

Buck Benny is Back

10 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

April 7, 1940 - Jack Benny is about to release his new movie "Buck Benny Rides Again" so he is bringing back his old Buck Benny skit for the radio sho...

Jack Opens His Swimming Pool

06 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

April 13, 1952 with a clip from April 13 1934. Those early episode are hard to listen to because of the sound quality, but if you can make out what th...

Pinocchio

03 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

March 31, 1940 - The Jello Program starring Jack Benny! Jack was also on Orson Wells' program that week in a mostly dramatic play called "June Moon". ...

A Sad Soldier is Discharged

30 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

March 31, 1946 - This episode of The Jack Benny show is being broadcast from March field with a passionate crowd of soldiers.

Pinocchio Trailer (Ed Sullivan)

27 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

March 24 1940 - Happy Easter! This week is also the anniversary of Jack Benny's breakthrough radio appearance on Ed Sullivan's program. This episode f...

I Stand Condemned (Soap Opera)

23 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

March 24, 1946 A clip from the long running radio soap opera "Life can be beautiful" plus this funny episode featuring a special guest.  This Day in...

Dennis Day Returns

20 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

March 17, 1946 - Dennis Day is back after two years serving in the Navy. In this episode of the Jack Benny Program they parody Allen's Alley from the ...

Trying to Lose Weight

16 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

March 16, 1952 - It's one day before St Patricks'd Day and Dennis Day is as Irish as can be. This is also just 10 days after President Harry Truman ga...

The Lost Weekend

13 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

March 10, 1946 Ray Maland who would win the Oscar for "The Lost Weekend" (1945) guest stars on the Luck Strike Program starring Jack Benny. They spoof...

The 4th TV Show of the Season

09 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

March 9, 1952 Jack gets ready for the fourth show of the second season of his TV show, which would air later that night on CBS with guest stars Georg...

Murder at Lone Palm

06 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

March 3, 1946 - This episode features Frank Nelson the YEEESSSS! guy as a real estate agent. But the show really pick up when Jack gets to the studio ...

Jack Goes to the Dentist

02 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Lucky Strike Program Starring Jack Benny! The March 4, 1934 Episode of Jack Benny sounds like they are doing the show under water. They aren't, it...

Palm Springs Shopping

28 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

February 24, 1946 - The Jack Benny Program from Palm Springs. The Hot Dog Man (who would later be called Mr.Kitzel) is featured as Jack and Mary roam ...

Jack's Violin Returned (Vintage Horse Race)

24 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Seabiscuit was a popular race horse in the 1930's and 1940's. In this episode we feature the actual horse race from 1937, the day before this episode ...