March 16, 1947 – After hosting the 19th Academy Awards Jack Benny talks about his experience. Having fired the Sportsmen he still needs a new quartet. He has found a replacement quartet. Dennis Day, Dick Haymes, Andy Russell and Bing Crosby.
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Jack Benny Hosts 1947 Oscars (Bonus)
March 13, 1947 – This is not a regular episode of Jack Benny. This is the 19th Academy Awards Ceremony hosted by Jack Benny. I have cut down the very long night into a fun highlight show with all of Jack Benny’s segments in tact.
If you have a bunch of extra time and would like to hear the full three hour ceremony you can listen for free here. Patreon.com/ThisDayBenny
Replacement Quartet (The Beast With Five Fingers)
March 9, 1947 – The third episode in a story arc where Jack Benny fires the Sportsman Quartet. Now he has to try to find a replacement. In this episode they mention movie actors Lena Horne, Margery Main, Steppin Fetchit, Bob Hope and Gary Cooper. They mention wacky bandleader Spike Jones, singer John Charles Thomas, guitarist Tony Romano and radio personalities Harry Von Zell and Al Pearce. Plus the movies “Nora Prentiss” and “The Beast With Five Fingers”!
The Quartet Has Been Fired (Francis X Bushman)
March 2, 1947 – Part of a fun story arc! Jack Benny has fired the Sportsman quartet, but the sponsor is not happy. In this episode they mention the story of George Washington and the cherry tree, The Jolson Story, The Hal Johnson choir, Bob Hope, the movie “Duel in the Sun”, Mel Blanc and his many regular radio roles, and silent film star Francis X Bushman.
Jack Fires The Sportsmen (Nora Prentiss)
February 23, 1947 – Jack Benny mentions this episode specifically in this memoirs. He says the he was particularly proud of his timing in the phone call with the sponsor at the end of the episode. In this episode they mention Edger Bergen & Charlie McCarthy, DownBeat magazine, the Esquire girl, Bugs Bunny, Disney’s The Song of the South, The Yearling, Lassie, and Nora Prentiss.
Surprise Birthday Party (Dish Night)
February 16, 1941 – Surprise! It’s Jack Benny’s Birthday and Herbert Marshall show up to celebrate. In the episode they mention gossip columnist Louella Parsons, and “Dish Night” where you got a free piece of china with your movie ticket.
It’s a Wonderful Life
February 2, 1947 – Frank Capra, the director of “It’s a Wonderful Life” is the guest in this episode. Jack Benny thinks the movie’s premise is silly until he meets his own angel that shows him where the Mary, Dennis, Don and Phil would be if Jack had never been born. Plus references to “The Song of the South” Disney’s controversial movie, “The Bride and Groom Program” where real couples tell their love story, “The Fred Allen Program” and two men in the news who both claim to be the governor of Georgia.
