This Day in Jack Benny

This Day in Jack Benny

Author: John Henderson Language: English Episodes: 100
Step back into a world of radio dials and living room entertainment with This Day in Jack Benny. Host John Henderson curates a weekly trip to the past, pulling an original broadcast from the same calendar week, but sixty to eighty years prior. These episodes, known variously as The Jello Program or The Lucky Strike Program, capture the iconic comedy that aired from the 1930s through the 1950s. What you'll hear is the timeless rhythm of Jack Benny's legendary stinginess and his impeccable timing, surrounded by the familiar voices of Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris, Rochester, Dennis Day, and announcer Don Wilson. The humor, built on character and situation rather than dated references, remains surprisingly fresh and effective. This podcast offers more than just nostalgia; it's a direct line to a golden age of comedy that still delivers genuine laughs. Henderson presents each episode as a preserved artifact, allowing the original performances to shine without unnecessary commentary. It’s a family-friendly listen that bridges generations, proving that great comedy is truly timeless. Tune in and discover why these classic routines have endured, finding a perfect home in the modern podcast format where their charm can be appreciated all over again.
Episodes
Beverly Hills Police Department [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:27
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, Ma…
The Kenny Baker Show (BONUS) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:55
January 20, 1947 - Jack Benny's old tenor Kenny Baker had his own shown, with Don Wilson as the announcer and Jack Benny as special guest!
Here Comes Mr. Kitzel (BONUS) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:14
December 27, 1950 - One of the often forgotten recurring characters on the Jack Benny Program is Mr. Kitzel. His funny voice is an over-the-top jewish dialect. Artie Auerbach was playing Mr. Kitzel on other radio program…
The Private Life of Rochester (BONUS) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:49
May 12, 1950 - In 1950 they developed a radio spin-off of the Jack Benny show starring Eddie Anderson as Rochester Van Jones. The show would have been 15 minutes long, five days a week. Unfortunately, it was never picked…
Love Thy Neighbor Movie (BONUS) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:02
December 18, 1940 - Jack Benny and Fred Allen star in the movie "Love Thy Neighbor". This is one of the rare movies where Jack Benny plays himself, set in the same world as his radio show. Here is a radio-style version o…
Jack Benny Record for State Farm (BONUS) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
This is a record for State Farm Insurance agents when the company started sponsoring the Jack Benny TV Show in 1960. "Jack Benny Music to Write Apps By".
1936 JELL-O Summer Show (BONUS) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:09
September 27, 1936 - Starring Don Wilson with the wacky comedy team of Tim and Irene Ryan. You might know Irene Ryan as granny from the Beverly Hillbillies. This is the rare surviving episode of that show. Enjoy!
Good News of 1938 - Guest Jack Benny (BONUS) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:26
February 17, 1938 - After Robert Taylor was the guest on Jack Benny's show, now Jack Benny is the guest on Robert Taylor's show. With Frank Morgan, Baby Snooks and more!
Wabash Avenue with Phil Harris (BONUS) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:39
November 13, 1950 - Phil Harris was in the movie musical "Wabash Avenue" starring Betty Grable and Victor Mature. Here is an original mix of the Lux Radio Theater presentation edited to include Phil Harris as Mike Stanle…
Eddie Cantor Show with Jack Benny (BONUS) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:51
January 30, 1947 - The Eddie Cantor Show with special guests Jack Benny. Plus a clip of Eddie on Dinah Shore's show and more!