thisdaybenny

The Jack Benny Program 1951

<- Back to 1950

January 21, 1951 – Jack Goes to the Doctor for a Check-Up

January 28, 1951 – Douglas Fairbanks Jr

Jack Benny and the gang are in New York getting ready for Jack’s second-ever television show.

January 11, 1951 – How Palm Springs Was Founded

February 18, 1951 – Jack Watches TV

March 4, 1951 – Jack Goes to the Dentist

The early Benny broadcasts sound like they were underwater. So listen to this later EPISODE Jack Goes to the Dentist.

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March 25, 1951 – Sunset Boulevard

It’s Easter day and Jack Benny and the gang (joined by Mary’s sister Babe) do a parody of the movie “Sunset Boulevard”.

April 1, 1951 – Mary’s Sister Babe

Leaving New York to do his TV show, Jack takes Babe Livingstone to the train station.

20qs April 8, 1951 – The IRS Visit

In this EPISODE Jack Benny is worried because the I.R.S. called to say they are coming over to talk to him about his tax return.

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April 15, 1951 – The IRS Visit Part 2

The IRS agents that visited Jack Benny in last week’s episode return, and then visit Jack’s neighbors, Ronald and Benita Colman.

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April 22, 1951 – The Circus Sideshow

In this EPISODE Jack Benny and the gang go to the circus including the Side Show and the Tunnel of Love.

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April 29, 1951 – From Nellis Air Force Base

April 6, 1951 – I Was Shanghaid

May 13, 1951 – Jack Prepares to Go to New York to Do His TV

May 20, 1951 – Bob Crosby

When you can’t get Bing Crosby the very next best thing is Bing’s brother Bob.

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May 27, 1951 – Doctor Visit

Sixty-five-dol-lar, la-la da-da-ba-ba blah-bla-singa-inga-aba-ba-ba-ba-ma-ma-sina-na-na hmm-mn-mn-mn-ma-ma- Sold to American!

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June 3, 1951 – The Show Credits

In this EPISODE Jack Benny references an incident where Bing Crosby was turned away from a swanky hotel because the clerk didn’t recognize him and said he “looked like a bum”.

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September 16, 1951 – USO Tour in Korea

In this EPISODE from 1951 Jack Benny is returning from his tour with Errol Flynn entertaining the troops in Korea.

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September 23, 1951 – Captain Horatio Hornblower

In this EPISODE of Jack Benny from 1951 Jack does his version of Gregory Peck’s latest romantic adventure movie.

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October 28, 1951 – Jack Loses His Song

November 4, 1951 – Jack’s Life Story

Harry Shearer talks about being working with Mel Blanc as a child. And this EPISODE tells Jack Benny’s life story.

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November 25 1951 – Dennis Day’s Movie

Dennis Day co-stars in “Golden Girl” in 1951 and in this EPISODE Jack Benny has a run-in with his mother at the theater.

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December 2, 1951 – Christmas Shopping for Cufflinks

This Christmas Jack Benny buys gold cufflinks for Don, and the racetrack tout plays the department store Santa Claus. Plus a look at advertising of the major cigarette brands.

December 9, 1951 – Palm Springs Murder Mystery

December 9, 1951 – Quadalajara Trio Sings Jacks Song

December 16, 1951 – Jack Renews His Drivers License

December 23, 1951 – Christmas Tree Decoration

-> Proceed to 1952

The Jack Benny Program 1950

<- Back to 1949

January 1, 1950 – New Year 1950

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”.

January 8, 1950 – Murder at Rominoffs

January 15, 1950 – How Jack Met Fred Allen

In this EPISODE from 1950 Jack Benny tells the story of how he first met Fred Allen in vaudeville.

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January 22, 1950 – I Was Betrayed

January 29, 1950 – To New York on the Train for the Heart Fund

February 12, 1950 – The Ink Spots

In this EPISODE Jack Benny and the gang are in New York so the Ink Spots fill in for the Sportsmen quartet.

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February 19, 1950 – Jack Returns on the Train to LA

February 26, 1950 – Washington DC

Jack Benny talks about his trip to Washington DC, then they do a parody of the mystery radio show “The Whistler”.

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March 5, 1950 – Buck Benny Rides Again

March 12, 1950 – Soap Contest

Jack Benny’s daughter Joan makes a guest appearance in this episode where Jack Benny enters a radio contest.

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championposter March 19 1950 – Champion

In this EPISODE Jack Benny plays the Kirk Douglas part in the movie “Champion”.

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March 26, 1950 – From Palm Springs

April 2, 1950 – From Palm Springs

April 9, 1950 – Jack Gives Fifty Cents Away
Jack Benny is the most generous cheap man in the world in this EPISODE from 1950. Jack gives 50 cents away!

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April 16, 1950 – Jack Gets the House Painted

In the spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love so Jack Benny almost asks Mary Livingstone out. Plus the song “Rag Mop” in this EPISODE from 1950.

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April 23, 1950 – Children Do the Show

In this EPISODE a troop of local kids, The Beverly Hills Beavers, put on their version of the Jack Benny Show.

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May 14, 1950 – Mother’s Day Gags

September 10, 1950 – Back from London

This EPISODE of Jack Benny has Alan Young long before he was the voice of Scrooge McDuck.

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October 1, 1950 – Beverly Hills Police Department

Jack Benny and the gang have a meal at the drug store and Jack finds out his car has been stolen.

October 15, 1950 – Married to Mary

This EPISODE from 1950 features Jack Benny’s real-life daughter Joan as herself.

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October 22, 1950 – Airport

Jack Benny is getting ready to fly to New York for his first ever TV episode.

November 5, 1950 – 20 Questions

On the train to Los Angeles Jack benny and the gang are playing 20 questions.

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November 12, 1950 – A Cup of Coffee, a Sandwich and a Murder

November 19, 1950 – Jack and Dinah in London

November 26, 1950 – Tickets to the Game

December 3, 1950 – How Jack Found Rochester

December 10, 1950 – Murder at the Racquet Club

December 17, 1950 – Christmas Shopping

In this EPISODE Jack Benny tests out the ‘unbreakable crystal’ on a watch he just bought for Mary.

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December 24, 1950 – Christmas with the Beavers

The Beavers come to Jack’s for Christmas dinner where Don Wilson dresses up as Santa.

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December 31, 1950 – A New Years Fantasy

-> Proceed to 1951

The Jack Benny Program 1949

<- Back to 1948

January 2, 1949 – First Broadcast on CBS

After 16 years on NBC radio, Jack Benny has moved to the CBS network.

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January 9, 1949 – Jimmy Stewart
In this EPISODE Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone run into Jimmy Stewart eating lunch.

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January 16, 1949 -Trading Places with Ronald Colman

In this EPISODE Ronald Colman dreams that he is Jack Benny and that Jack is him.

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January 23, 1949 – Don Wilson’s Contract

In this EPISODE Jack Benny is tries to get his announcer, Don Wilson, to sign his contract for next season, without giving him a raise in pay.

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January 30, 1949 – Don Still Won’t Sign

In this EPISODE Phil Harris is in Washington DC to entertain at President Truman’s Inaugural Ball with his wife Alice Faye.

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February 6, 1949 – Claudette Colbert and Vincent Price

Don Wilson signs his contract. References include a pyramid club.

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February 13, 1949 – Mr. Finque

It’s Jack Benny’s birthday and everyone sings Happy Birthday except one guy in the audience.

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February 20, 1949 – Jack Warner

Jack Benny is planning to do his movie “The Horn Blows at Midnight” on The Ford Theater radio program. Jack Warner of the Warner Brothers Studio tries and talk him out if it.

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February 27, 1949 – Jack Has a Music Lesson

March 6, 1949 – A Day at the Races

March 13, 1949 – After the Races

March 20, 1949 – Mary and Van Are Late

March 27, 1949 – Ozzie and Harriet
In this EPISODE Jack Benny is spring cleaning when they get a phone call from Ozzie and Harriet.

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April 3, 1949-04 – American Heart Association

April 17, 1949 – Happy Easter

Jack and Mary meet their friends and neighbors in the Easter Parade, plus the Lunar Eclipse.

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April 24, 1949 – The Maxwell Trade In
In this EPISODE from April 1949 Jack Benny learns a new dance.

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May 1, 1949 – The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Jack Benny, Mel Blanc and the gang do their version of the Humphrey Bogart movie “The Treasure of The Sierra Madre”.

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May 8, 1949 – Generous Jack

Eddie Cantor stops by and discusses the article he wrote about Jack Benny in Cosmopolitan magazine.

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Uncle Hoagy

May 15, 1949 – Jack Lends Phil $2,000

In this EPISODE from 1949 Jack Benny visits his vault, has a violin lesson and meets songwriter Hoagy Carmichael.

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May 22, 1949 – The Champion and the Set Up

May 29, 1949 – Margaret Whiting

May 29, 1949 – Jack Benny introduces all of the members of his cast and talks about his new short film for the Opportunity Bond Drive “The Spirit of ’49”.

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September 11, 1949 – Bus Tour

Jack Benny has such great supporting players that Jack himself is barely in this EPISODE from 1949.

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September 18, 1949 – Edward My Son

In this Jack Benny EPISODE Mel Blanc has a hilarious one-word impression of Al Jolson!

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September 25, 1949 – Edger Bergen and Red Skelton

This EPISODE of the Jack Benny show has 4 guests. 5 if you count the dummy.

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October 2, 1949 – Jack’s Memory is Lost Part 1

Jack Benny is cheap. That is, until one day…

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October 9, 1949 – Jack’s Memory is Lost Part 2

How the generous Jack Benny became cheap. This EPISODE from 1949.

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October 16, 1949 – Recovering from a Cold

October 23, 1949 – Jack is Recovering

In this EPISODE of the Jack Benny Program Mel Blanc does his Al Jolson impression in song. Neyyya!

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October 30, 1949 – The Don Wilson Story

Don Wilson is celebrating the anniversary of 25 years in radio. Frank Sinatra makes a guest appearance.

November 6, 1949 – Yacht Ride

Jack Benny goes on a “No Obligation Yacht Ride” and Rochester guest stars on the Amos & Andy program.

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November 1949 – Flubs and Mistakes

Jack visits Ronald Coleman on a movie set. The movie was “Champagne for Caesar”, directed by Richard Whorf.

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November 20, 1949 – Ed Wynn

Jack Benny runs into TV comedian Ed Wynn and Dennis Day’s replacement Larry Stevens.

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November 27, 1949 – Playing Cards

The Jack Benny Show is the original show about nothing. In this EPISODE Jack stays home and plays cards.

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December 11, 1949 – Texas Benefit

December 18, 1949 – Christmas Shopping for Sister

An unusual Christmas shopping EPISODE of Jack Benny where they mention the Hollywood Park Goose Girl.

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December 25, 1949 – Shocked at Christmas

Spend Christmas 1949 trimming the tree with Jack Benny and the gang!

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-> Proceed to 1950

The Jack Benny Program 1948

<- Back to 1947

January 4, 1948 – Jack Tries to Get Tickets for the Rose Bowl

Diaper Service January 11, 1948 – Leaving For Denver

In January of 1948 Shirley Temple was expecting her first baby. In this EPISODE Jack Benny say he’s going to send her an application for his diaper service.

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dime-of-march January 18, 1948 – Denver March Of Dimes

January 18, 1948 – Jack Benny is in Denver for a live show to raise funds for the March of Dimes.

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January 25, 1948 – Train to Hollywood

Kubelsky? Listen for Jack Benny’s real name in this EPISODE from 1948.

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February 1, 1948 – A Double Life

In this EPISODE Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone go to a special screening of Ronald Colman’s movie “A Double Life”.

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February 8, 1948 – Nightmare Alley

February 15, 1948 – Surprise Birthday Party

Jack Turns 39 and for his birthday everyone plans to throw him a surprise party.

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February 22, 1948 – House in Palm Springs

Jack Benny and the gang are in Palm Springs and they visit the site where his new house is being built.

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February 29, 1948 – Doo Wah Ditty

Jack Benny’s girlfriend Gladys comes to the studio.

March 7, 1948 – The Walking Man

The Walking Man Contest from Truth or Consequences has ended and the secret is out; Jack Benny is The Walking Man.

March 14, 1948 – Walking Man Winner

Winner of the Walking Man Contest and “Truth or Consequences” host Ralph Edwards are the guests on this episode.

March 21, 1948 – Ronald Coleman’s Oscar

This EPISODE of Jack Benny aired the day after the Academy Awards in 1948.

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March 28, 1948 – Jack Is Robbed!

“Your money or your life.” Listen to the EPISODE from 1948 that is still talked about today.

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April 4, 1948 – Bing Crosby’s Oscar

In this EPISODE of the Jack Benny Program from 1948 Jack visits Bing Crosby hoping to borrow his Oscar!

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April 11, 1948 – Paul Lukas’ Oscar

Jack goes to Palm Springs and meets silent film star Charles Farrell and Academy Award winner Paul Lukas.

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April 18, 1948 – Charlie Farrell

April 25, 1948 – Charley’s Aunt Dress

Jack Benny bring out his old dress from the movie Charley’s Aunt, and Don brings in opera singer Dorothy Kirsten to join the Sportsmen quartet.

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May 2, 1948 – Frank Sinatra

In this EPISODE from 1948 Jack Benny tries to negotiate with Frank Sinatra on his singing fee.

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May 9, 1948 – Ronald Colman’s Oscar Returned

In this EPISODE of Jack Benny the stolen Oscar is finally returned…or was it ever gone? And they mention Annie.

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May 16, 1948 – Robert Taylor

May 23, 1948 – The Egg and I

May 30, 1948 – I was framed

June 6, 1948 – Leaving for Detroit

Great EPISODE of Jack Benny. Phil Harris and Alice Faye are compared to the Toni Twins from this home perm ad.

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June 13, 1948 – Detroit

In this EPISODE from Detroit, Don Wilson says “I carry quite a bit of weight in this town.” Listen for the response.

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June 20, 1948 – Baseball and Bob Hope

In this EPISODE from 1948 Jack Benny is in Cleveland with Bob Hope!

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June 27, 1948 – From New York

The last show of the season 1948.

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swissalps October 3, 1948 – Swiss Alps Echo

Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris and Alice Faye are back from their summer trip in Europe.

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October 10, 1948 – Travel Diary

Rochester reads Jack Benn’s diary. Later they listen to the 1948 World Series on the radio.

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October 17, 1948 – Sorry Wrong Number

In this EPISODE Jack Benny has his own version of the 1948 film “Sorry Wrong Number”.

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October 24, 1948 – Dinner With The Colman

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October 31, 1948 – Trick or Treat

Jack Benny goes trick or treating with the Beverly Hill Beavers just before Election Day.

November 7, 1948 – Echo-Ay-Hee-Hoo

Jack sees a Psychiatrist and Mel Blanc does Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig. The surprise election results are also mentioned.

November 14, 1948 – Mary is Late

November 21, 1948 – The Advertising Agency

November 28, 1948 – How We Spent Thanksgiving

December 5, 1948 – Violin Lesson

Professor LeBlanc give Jack a violin lesson, and Don is mad at Jack.

December 12, 1948 – Relaxing Day Off

Jack Tries to Relax at Home, Eddie Cantor stops by briefly. References include the Pumpkin Papers.

December 19, 1948 – Christmas Shopping

The classic Christmas shopping episode where Jack Benny goes to a department store to buy a wallet for Don Wilson.

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December 22, 1948 – CBS Special
Unbroadcast

December 25, 1948 – Christmas Command Performance

Christmas episode featuring Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Dinah Shore, Herbert Marshall, Jimmy Durante and more!

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December 26, 1948 – Comedian of the Year

The last show for NBC before switching to CBS. Jack Benny thinks the movie “Portrait of Jennie” should be “Portrait of Bennie”.

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-> Proceed to 1949

The Jack Benny Program 1947

<- Back to 1946

January 5, 1947 – Bogie and Bacall

In this EPISODE of Jack Benny from 1947 Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall are the guests in a recreation of the movie “To Have and Have Not” that goes awry.

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January 12, 1947 – Burns and Allen Tune In

In this EPISODE of The Jack Benny Program George Burns and Gracie Allen visit. Listen to find out why Gracie tries to kiss Jack.

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borisbedlem January 19, 1947 – Boris Karloff

January 19, 1947 – Most of this episode is recycled from March 1946, only with horror movie actor Boris Karloff.

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January 26, 1947 – John Benny

In this EPISODE from 1947 Jack Benny announces he is changing his name to something more dignified, John Benny. Then they do a skit based on the movie “Margie”.

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Margie 1946

February 2, 1947 – It’s a Wonderful Life

After seeing “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the movies Jack Benny meets and angel who shows him what it would be like if he had never been born. They also happen to run into Frank Capra, in this EPISODE from 1947.

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February 9, 1947 – What Happens After the Show Goes off the Air

JackBennyViolin1947 February 16, 1947 – Birthday Dinner Party

In this EPISODE Jack Benny hosts a dinner party for his birthday with Isaac Stern the violinist, actor Ronald Colman.

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February 23, 1947 – Jack Fires The Sportsmen

In this memoirs Jack Benny said that he was particularly proud of his timing in this episode.

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March 2, 1947 – Quartet Has Been Fired

In this EPISODE we find out what happens after Jack Benny fires the Sportsman quartet. The sponsor is not happy.

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March 9, 1947 – Replacement Quartet

In this EPISODE Jack Benny on his violin is compared to the latest horror movie in theaters.

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March 13, 1947 – Jack Benny Hosts 1947 Oscars

Listen to this BONUS EPISODE of the 19th Academy Awards Ceremony hosted by Jack Benny.

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March 16, 1947 – After the Oscars

in this EPISODE Jack Benny introduces his new quartet – Dennis Day, Andy Russell, Dick Haymes and Bing Crosby.

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March 23, 1947 – Sportsmen Quartet is Back

In this EPISODE from 1947 Mary Livingstone is gardening and Jack Benny silently wonders if he can use Vigoro Plant Grow on his head.

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Screen Shot 2020-03-31 at 9.21.06 PM April 6, 1947 – Samuel Goldwyn

It’s Easter Day! After an egg hunt, Jack Benny goes to pitch a movie idea to producer Samuel Goldwyn.

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April 13, 1947 – Jack Fixes a Phonograph

Listen to the intro to this EPISODE for a clipping from a Newsweek cover story about Jack Benny

Right now Jack Benny is the funniest man on radio.
-Newsweek March 31, 1947

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April 20, 1947 – The Egg and I

Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone play Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert in their version of “The Egg and I”.

April 27, 1947 – Tickets for the Colmans

In this EPISODE Jack Benny is getting ready for his stage tour and drops off tickets to his program for Ronald and Benita Colman.

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May 4, 1947 – To the Train Station for Chicago

May 11, 1947 – Marjorie Reynolds

May 18, 1947 – Al Jolson

May 25, 1947 – Fred Allen and Jack Paar

October 5, 1947 – Sun Valley Vacation

In this EPISODE we find out what Jack Benny does on his summer vacations.

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October 12, 1947 – Jack Fixes Breakfast

Jack Benny’s Sponsor Buys Insurance On Him. This is a very funny episode!

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October 19, 1947 – Golf Match

Jack Benny is on the green in this EPISODE from 1947.

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October 26, 1947 – Lost Golf Ball

Jack and Mary talk about their picture in the new issue of Radio Mirror magazine.

November 2, 1947 – Dark Passage

Jack Benny take on the Humphrey Bogart role in “Dark Passage” as fugitive who must change his face.

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November 9, 1947 – Costume Party

Dennis Day impersonates Ronald Coleman in one of the laugh out loud funniest episodes ever!

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November 16, 1947 – Jack’s Driver’s License

In this EPISODE Jack Benny goes to get his driver’s license renewed.

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November 23, 1947 – Biopic of Jack Benny

In this EPISODE Jack Benny and the gang discuss who should play him in his upcoming biopic. Plus Jack buys a live turkey from Mr. Kitzel for Thanksgiving.