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 of writers.
References include Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Eleanore Roosevelt, wartime generals plus the old technology of carbon copying, and the spooky radio show “Inner Sanctum Mysteries” with it’s signature creaking door.
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 include ethyl Gasoline, the draft for the Korean war, Duncan Heins, Mad Man Muntz, gangsters Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd, the radio shows “People Are Funny” and “Hopalong Cassidy”, the movie “Born To Be Bad”, the song “Good Night Irene”, the actor Ronald Colman, the costume designer Adrian, and Woody Woodpecker.
February 29, 1948 – Jack’s Girlfriend Gladys Comes To Studio
References include the songs “Near You”, “The Freedom Train”, and “South America Take it Away”, the songwriter Stephen Foster, movie star Errol Flynn, former President Grover Cleveland, and for the commercials the Sportsmen spoof Al Jolson singing “Sonny Boy”.
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 Sophie Tucker, Van Johnson and radio shows Stella Dallas, Portia Faces Life, and The Judy Canova Show.
March 14, 1948 – Winner of the Walking Man Contest and “Truth or Consequences” host Ralph Edwards are the guests on this episode.
References include Radio Mirror magazine the radio show “Bride and Groom”, the movie “The Naked City, Oscar winner Ronald Colman “Life of Riley” character Digger O’Dell, Fred Allen, and voice actors Blanch Stewart and Mel Blanc.
Jack Benny Episodes 