This Day in Jack Benny

A podcast of the greatest Old Time Radio ever, The Jack Benny Program! Starring Jack Benny with Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris, Rochester, Dennis Day, and Don Wilson. The Jack Benny Show AKA The Jello Program AKA The Lucky Strike Program aired from the 1930's right through to the 1950's. Each week your host, John Henderson, brings an episode from that week 60-80 years ago. It's old, yet still as funny as ever. An OTR podcast.

Biopic of Jack Benny 11/19/2025

Biopic of Jack Benny 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. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/39093925

Madame Zombie (Screeno) 11/12/2025

Madame Zombie (Screeno) November 13, 1938 - Jack steals a girl from Phil Harris. Jack and Mary go see a fortune teller. References include Screeno. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/39007565

All American (Tony Curtis) 11/05/2025

All American (Tony Curtis) 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. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/38920020

The Don Wilson Story (Mr. Anthony) 10/29/2025

The Don Wilson Story (Mr. Anthony) 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. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/38821190

Lost Golf Ball (Ghost Dance) 10/23/2025

Lost Golf Ball (Ghost Dance) 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, Bob Hope and Jerry Colonna, "The Bride and Groom Program", and Charles Dana Gibson's illustrations. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/38752360

House For Sale 10/14/2025

House For Sale 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)". /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/38588525

Sun Valley Vacation (Freedom Train) 10/08/2025

Sun Valley Vacation (Freedom Train) 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. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/38507545

Jack Paar Show Guest Jack Benny (BONUS) 10/01/2025

Jack Paar Show Guest Jack Benny (BONUS) 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". /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/38420315

Stop or Go (BONUS) 09/24/2025

Stop or Go (BONUS) 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. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/38338660

Suspense: A Good and Faithful Servant (BONUS) 09/17/2025

Suspense: A Good and Faithful Servant (BONUS) June 2, 1952 - Jack Benny Stars in this episode of Suspense where he plays a faithful clerk who tries to steal $50,000. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/38245555

Bing Crosby Show with Jack and Mary (BONUS) 09/10/2025

Bing Crosby Show with Jack and Mary (BONUS) 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. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/38153655

The Halls of Ivy (BONUS) 08/27/2025

The Halls of Ivy (BONUS) 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! /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/37974670

Paramount Silver Jubilee (Bonus) 08/20/2025

Paramount Silver Jubilee (Bonus) 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! /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/37890365

The Golden Touch (BONUS) 08/13/2025

The Golden Touch (BONUS) 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! /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/37790230

Rehearsal with Kids (BONUS) 08/06/2025

Rehearsal with Kids (BONUS) Recorded February 15, 1953 - This is the rehearsal for the episode aired February 22, 1953 where the kids impersonate the Jack Benny show. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/37703510

What's My Line? Mystery Guest Jack Benny (BONUS) 07/31/2025

What's My Line? Mystery Guest Jack Benny (BONUS) 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 /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/37617640

Phil Harris fills in for Kay Kyser (BONUS) 07/23/2025

Phil Harris fills in for Kay Kyser (BONUS) 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! /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/37515085

Benny Wrong Number (BONUS) 07/17/2025

Benny Wrong Number (BONUS) 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". /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/37437935

King For A Day (BONUS) 07/09/2025

King For A Day (BONUS) 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 references include The Lone Ranger, Ralph Edwards, Mary Margaret McBride, The Street Singer, Duncan Phyfe, Marconi, Sidney Greenstreet, "The Postman Always Rings Twice", President Truman, Camels cigarettes, and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/37344230

George Burns Goes to College (BONUS) 07/02/2025

George Burns Goes to College (BONUS) 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. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/37261305

Ah, Wilderness! 06/26/2025

Ah, Wilderness! 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 at weddings, the coronation of King George and Queen Elizabeth, Portland Hoffa, Ripley's Believe it or Not, and the racehorse Pompoon. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/36464960

Phil Harris and Jack Benny Interviewed 1946 (BONUS) 06/25/2025

Phil Harris and Jack Benny Interviewed 1946 (BONUS) 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 Benny was the guest on the program. Here are both 15 minute episodes! /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/37145140

Dennis Day Reads Snow White (BONUS) 06/18/2025

Dennis Day Reads Snow White (BONUS) Dennis Day narrates Read-Along Records: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1949) Snow White and Sneezy (1952) Snow White and Dopey (1952) /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/37050925

Podcast Update 2025 06/04/2025

Podcast Update 2025 John Henderson's wife Stephanie joins him for a chat about the state of the podcast. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/36842890

Lost Watch 05/28/2025

Lost Watch 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 episode. This is his last appearance before becoming Jack's butler. References include the movies "Death Takes a Holiday" and "This Way Please". /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/36742500

Death At Midnight 05/21/2025

Death At Midnight 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 include Bing Crosby, Mae West, Laural and Hardy, Dracula, Bullocks Wilshire department store, and the book "Live Alone and Like It" by Marjorie Hillis, /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/36653430

Without Jack Benny 05/14/2025

Without Jack Benny 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. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/36559735

The Egg and I (Magic Eye) 04/30/2025

The Egg and I (Magic Eye) 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 radio component called the magic eye, singer Nelson Eddie, Sen-Sen liquorice breath freshener, and Murine eye drops. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/36369080

Sunset Boulevard (Easter) 04/21/2025

Sunset Boulevard (Easter) 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 include the Senate crime investigating committee, billiard champ Willie Hoppe, Telula Bankhead, Hopalong Cassidy, movies "Harvey", "Broken Arrow", "Tomahawk", "Lassie", "Banzo", "Wabash Avenue", and "I'll Get By". /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/36250465

Mary's Sister Babe 04/09/2025

Mary's Sister Babe 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 Tracy, the song "The Tennessee Waltz", the radio show Suspense, and Claudette Colbert, Basil Rathbone and Robert Motgomery who would be on his TV show. /episode/index/show/jackbennypodcast/id/36065915

This Day in Jack Benny

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