This is the introduction of the new audiobook of "Jack Benny and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy" by Kathryn H Fuller-Seeley.

Thank you for the support of our Patrons who supported this project. The audiobook is now free for all to enjoy!

Buy a hard copy of the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Benny-Golden-American-Radio-Comedy/dp/0520295056

This episode is a look at Jack Benny before his radio career when he was a Master of Ceremonies on film.

July 30, 1928 - Bright Moments (Short Film)

January 6, 1929 - Song Writers Revue (clip of film short)

November 23, 1929 - Hollywood Revue of 1929 (portions of film)

Leonard Maltin talks about Jack Benny at the 2023 International Jack Benny Fan Club convention. The well known film critic and historian wrote a book about old time radio in 1997 called "The Great American Broadcast". This interview is hosted by Zach Eastman (Yesteryear Ballyhoo Revue podcast) and John Henderson (This Day in Jack Benny podcast).

Watch the full video interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp6lcCN_xUA

May 25, 1952 - Jack prepares for his trip to London, then Jack gets money from Ed in the vault, and a visit from Dennis' mother.

They mention the ocean liner that Jack Benny will take to London, the RMS Queen Elizabeth. They also mention the old Bundles for Britain program, the presidential slogan "I Like Ike", singers Johnnie Ray and Ezio Pinza, and Verna Felton on The Dennis Day TV show.

May 8, 1949 - Jack is upset with the cast for flubbing so many lines last week. Eddie Cantor stops by and discusses the article he wrote about Jack in Cosmopolitan magazine.

References include the Hooper Ratings, the fire at The Hollywood Park Race Track, the lifting of the Berlin Blockade, the song "Laugh Clown, Laugh", Bromo Seltzer and Dr. Scholl's corn remover.

Here are Dennis Day's appearances on The Kraft Music Hall with Al Jolson.

December 9, 1948

February 3, 1949

May 8, 1949 

May 1, 1949 - Jack Benny, Mel Blanc and the gang do their version of the Humphrey Bogart movie "The Treasure of The Sierra Madre".

References include Arthur Murray Dance Studio, used car salesman Mad Man Muntz, the new Buick with side port holes, French bathing suits, Mermaids, Toni home permanents, ad agency BBDO, the May Company department store, radio characters Henry Aldrich and Titus Moody, quiz show "Take It or Leave It", TV wrestling, Popeye the Sailor, and the movies  "Mutiny on the Bounty", "Flamingo Road", and "Ma and Pa Kettle". 

April 25, 1937 - In The Spring Tra-La. Phil Harris gets mad at Jack Benny for talking during the band number and the whole cast ends up walking off the set in anger. Then Jack visits Andy Devine at his parents house for supper.

References include the phrase "too, too divine", the bandleader Abe Lyman, Ish Kabibble from Kay Kyser's band, actor Clark Gable and actress Jean Harlow, and the circus lion tamer Clyde Beatty.

April 18, 1937 - Lady Milicent's Husband is the name of the English drawing room drama that Jack Benny and the gang put on.

References include Jeeves and Wooster, the actor Gary Cooper, casting for "Gone With The Wind", the movies "Lost Horizon", "Tarzan Escapes" and Jack Benny's movie "College Holiday.

April 11, 1937 - Guests Burns and Allen join Jack Benny for Buck Benny Rides Again (part 10).

References include the comedy trio The Ritz Brothers, the actor Adolphe Menjou, Ben Bernie's catchphrase "Yowsa". Plus a joke about shoe trees.