Jack Benny Month!

[Maxwell]

It's Jack Benny Month again beginning Saturday, Feb. 1 on Chuck Schaden's "Those Were the Days" radio program. The shows can be streamed live on Saturdays from 1:00-5:00 p.m. CST at http://www.wckg.org. They may also be heard for a week beginning the starting the Tuesday following each live broadcast at http://www.nostalgiadigest.com. This year's programming revolves around the "Why I Can't Stand Jack Benny" contest and appearances by cast members in dramatic roles.

Here is a rundown of this February's shows.

February 1

"The Jack Benny Program" (10/14/45): Remote broadcast with Ingrid Bergman guest starring in the Gang's version of "Gaslight" with Jack in the Charles Boyer role. Larry Adler also appears.

"Suspense" (5/18/53): "Vial of Death" with Lloyd Nolan and Joe Kearns. With Jerry Hausner, Charlotte Lawrence, and Howard McNear.

"The Jack Benny Program" (10/21/45): Jack can't decide which horse to bet on when he goes to the track. First appearance of "Polly" and Phil's "daughter." Cast: Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris, Eddie Anderson, Don Wilson, Larry Stevens, and Mel Blanc.

"The Jack Benny Program" (10/28/45): Jack's press agent Steve Bradley figures comes up with a scheme when Jack dreams he has won a lot of money at the track.

"Family Theater" (1/21/47): "William the Terrified" starring Dennis Day and Narrated by Fred Allen. Cast: Howard McNear, Jay Novello, Irene Tedrow, Ken Christie, Barbara Eiler, and Charlotte Lawrence.

"The Jack Benny Program (11/4/45): Jack believes he has been robbed and is confined to his bed when the "robber" calls warning him to keep his mouth shut. (This is the AFRS rebroadcast.)

February 9

"The Jack Benny Program" (11/11/45): After Jack has been "robbed," Rochester tries to convince Jack to hire Joe Louis to be his body guard. (This is the AFRS rebroadcast.)

"Hallmark Playhouse" (1/19/50): "Around the World in 80 Days" starring Ronald Colman as Phi;eas Fogg with Hans Conried as Passepartout. Hosted by James Hilton.

"The Jack Benny Program" (11/25/45): Jack discovers Steve Bradley was behind the whole "robbery." Bradley thinks up a use for the "stolen" money.

"The Jack Benny Program" (12/2/45): Steve Bradley explains the "Why I Can't Stand Jack Benny" contest.

"The Adventures of Maisie" (11/22/51): Starring Ann Sothern as Maisie Revere. Cast: Frank Nelson, Sheldon Leonard, Lurene Tuttle, and Sidney Miller.

"The Jack Benny Program" (12/9/45): The gang helps Jack read entry letters for the contest. The Colmans invite Jack to dinner in their first appearance on the show. (This is the AFRS rebroadcast.)

February 16

"The Jack Benny Program" (12/16/45): Jack's home is inundated by contest entries, and the gang helps Jack read them.

"Request Performance" (1/27/46): Listener request show. Phil Harris and Alice Faye make their what is billed as their first appearance together to do a sketch based on their home life. Lionel Barrymore appears in "The Chest of Hahalana." With Meredith Willson, Leith Stevens, and announcer Del Sharbutt.

"The Jack Benny Program" (12/23/45): The Colmans guest again. The cast reads more entries on the eve of the contest deadline.

"The Jack Benny Program" (12/30/45): The gang is still reading entries.

"Kraft Music Hall" (12/9/48): Dennis Day guests on this variety show starring Al Jolson with Oscar Levant, Lou Bring's orchestra, and announcer Ken Carpenter.

"The Jack Benny Program" (1/6/46): Mary explains how Jack went to the Rose Bowl but didn't see the game. Announcement that the contest winner will be revealed in 3 weeks. First appearance by Artie Auerbach as Mr. Kitzel.

February 23

"The Jack Benny Program (1/13/46): Skit: "State Fair." Reminder that the contest winner will be announced in two weeks.

"The Halls of Ivy" (1/30/52): Ronald Colman and Benita Hume as Dr. and Mrs. Todhunter Hall. He's the President of Ivy College. She's his wife, a former music hall star. Cast: Herb Butterfield, William Tracy, Ken Peters, Vic Perrin. Announcer: Ken Carpenter.

"The Jack Benny Program" (1/20/46): "State Fair," Part 2. Reminder that the winner of the contest will be announced in one week.

"The Jack Benny Program" (1/27/46): Fred Allen announces the winner of the contest. Jack announces the runners up.

"Suspense" (5/10/51): "Death on My Hands" starring Phil Harris and Alice Faye. Cast: Joe Kearns, Herb Butterfield, Gil Stratton, Jr., Barbara Whiting, Jerry Hausner, Byron Kane. Announcer: Harlow Wilcox.

"The Jack Benny Program" (2/3/46): Jack and Mary go to a violin concert by Isaac Stern. Jack sees the Colmans and makes a pest of himself. Ronald finds the winning entry to the contest and reads it.