Jimmy Stewart: Smithsonian Legendary Performer

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Summary: 20 Jack Benny Radio Programs On 10 CDs!
Review: Comedian Jack Benny was a mainstay on radio and TV airwaves for 33 years. His own self-titled "Jack Benny Program" varied very little in substance and style (and main cast) during its entire lifespan on both radio and television. Jack's radio show debuted in 1932 and ran until 1955. He performed both radio and TV versions of his show for five overlapping years (1950-1955). The Benny TV series continued through 1965.

This collection of Audio CDs gathers up Benny radio programs spanning a period of 1938 to 1953. (A detailed listing of shows is provided below.)

Big-name stars of the era were no strangers to "The Jack Benny Program". In this grouping of programs alone you'll hear such stars as Bing Crosby, Barbara Stanwyck, Jimmy Stewart, Orson Welles, Red Skelton, Bob Hope, Tyrone Power, and many others.

Along with the famous guest stars who would pop up each week, the Benny Program featured a first-rate regular cast: Don Wilson, Mary Livingstone (Jack's real-life wife), Dennis Day, Kenny Baker, Larry Stevens, Bob Crosby, Mel Blanc, Frank Nelson, Phil Harris, and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson. Many of the regulars in this group stayed with Mr. Benny throughout the entire run of the series, on both radio and TV.

In 2002, "Radio Spirits, Inc." (experts in providing Old-Time Radio material on CD and cassette tape) released this slick set of Compact Discs, featuring 20 radio episodes of "The Jack Benny Program" on ten CDs. Each disc has two full-length, thirty-minute Benny radio shows. Audio quality is very good, with each program having been "digitally restored and remastered". The 10 discs are housed in a compact, book-like package, with double-sided sleeves provided to hold the individual CDs. The sturdy plastic package measures approximately 7.0" (W) x 6.5" (H).

This set also includes an informative 32-page booklet, which provides details on the history of the Benny Program, along with a full page of info and data on each of the twenty radio shows in this CD set. Several rare and high-quality B&W photos are also included throughout the booklet.


Specific episode information follows (including original radio air dates) ......................

DISC 1:
1.) "Robert Taylor Plays The Cello" (Original Air Date: February 13, 1938). Guest: Robert Taylor.
2.) "Harry Von Zell Subs For Don" (March 27, 1938). Guests: Fred Allen, Kate Smith, and Robert L. Ripley.

DISC 2:
1.) "Is Jack Really Jack?" (March 26, 1939). Guest: Ed Sullivan.
2.) "Football Game" (November 9, 1941). Guest: Leo Durocher.

DISC 3:
1.) "From San Diego Marine Base" (March 8, 1942). Guest: Joan Bennett.
2.) "Jack Takes Two Cadets To Barbara Stanwyck's House" (October 11, 1942). Guest: Barbara Stanwyck.

DISC 4:
1.) "Jack Returns After Illness" (April 11, 1943). Guest: Orson Welles.
2.) "From St. Joseph, Missouri" (February 18, 1944). Guest: Jane Wyman.

DISC 5:
1.) "From Mitchell Field" (January 28, 1945). Guest: Ann Sheridan.
2.) "From Palm Springs, California" (February 10, 1946). Guest: Eddie Cantor.

DISC 6:
1.) "I Stand Condemned" (March 24, 1946). Guest: Peter Lorre.
2.) "The Kid From Brooklyn" (April 28, 1946). Guest: Danny Kaye.

DISC 7:
1.) "From New York" (May 18, 1947). Guest: Al Jolson.
2.) "Jack Tries To Reach His Advertising Agency" (November 21, 1948). Guest: Don Ameche.

DISC 8:
1.) "Jack's European Vacation" (December 4, 1949). Guest: Tyrone Power.
2.) "I Was Betrayed" (January 22, 1950). Guest: Red Skelton.

DISC 9:
1.) "A Cup Of Coffee, A Sandwich, And Murder" (November 12, 1950). Guest: Richard Widwark.
2.) "Bend Of The River" (April 27, 1952). Guest: James Stewart.

DISC 10:
1.) "The Road To Bali" (January 11, 1953). Guest: Bob Hope.
2.) "The Life Of Bing Crosby" (February 15, 1953). Guest: Bing Crosby.

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This multi-disc set yields a very satisfying sampling of Benny episodes. Plenty of laughs with Jack Benny and his famous guests are in store for the owner of this stylish CD set of Old-Time Radio programs. Jack's deadpan humor and ever-present penny-pinching gags were (and still are today) guaranteed to evoke a chuckle or two, or three -- or maybe even 39 -- Jack's favorite number. :-)

In short, Jack's programs are just good clean fun. And, IMO, they hold up as well in the 21st century as they did all those many years ago when the shows first crackled over the radio airwaves.