Jack Benny radio show 12/2/56 Christmas Special

Benny and the gang returned for one last radio show in this Christmas special from 1956. Guests are June Allyson and Frances Bergen. Jack and Mary go Christmas shopping.

[@label1877]

This was absolutely the final Jack Benny Radio show. The characters feel like family to me.

[@johntabler349]

Dennis and Mel absolutely steal the show in this one I wonder in all the guest spots they did back and forth why Dennis Day and Gracie Allen never had a routine together

[@OofusTwillip]

The "curious deliveryman" first appeared in the 1951 "Christmas Party" episode, when he was played by Elliott Lewis. It's interesting to compare the two performances. Elliott's is more naturalistic. Mel's is more cartoony. Both are hilarious, but nobody can do a freak-out like Mel.

[@johntabler349]

@@OofusTwillip thanks fellow radio lover Elliot Lewis was genius on both sides of the microphone I always think of him first from the Phil Harris Alice Faye show but his versatility would make a great biography piece

[@GraemeCree]

They did. Dennis and Gracie had an extended sequence together on 3/7/1943.

[@johntabler349]

@@GraemeCree I am indebted to you and will attempt to listen asap

[@johntabler349]

@@GraemeCree listened with my wife over the weekend one of the best thanks again

[@OofusTwillip]

Elliott Lewis as the clerk at the perfume counter. In scripts, this recurring character is called "Mooley".

[@fromthesidelines]

As originally heard over CBS at 5:05pm(et).

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Did Jack or any of his gang ever appear on an otr show after this one?

[@fromthesidelines]

No. This was his final radio appearance.

[@steventorrico5695]

too bad no Frank Nelson or Phil Harris.

[@johntabler349]

Phil decided to stop doing the Benny show when it expanded then moved to TV focusing exclusively on his personal appearances and his wonderful radio show with his wife Alice, Bob Crosby was very good but not quite as good as Phil I suspect Frank Nelson was otherwise occupied because he continued to be a regular guest on the Benny show throughout anytime there's a shopping episode and you don't have the yeeeeeeees it's mildly disappointing

[@fromthesidelines]

Phil was under exclusive contract to NBC for his radio show- and that also covered his TV appearances as well. He couldn't appear on Jack's TV program while he was working for NBC. He continued on Jack's radio show because that wasn't a part of his other contract. It was because of a cutback in the radio show's production budget that Jack finally had to let Phil go in 1952 {there were no hard feelings}, and he replaced him with Bob- who was previously seen on a few TV episodes- for less money.

[@fee9043]

Bob Crosby was kind of dull.

[@fromthesidelines]

True, he didn't have Phil's personality, but he was effective in his own way.

[@floydriggle857]

It is funny that Ronald Coleman and his wife who didn't do comedy and was at first scared to do the show. Jack assured them both that they would be fine and taught them. Ronald was thrilled on how he was received. Tells a lot about Bob Crosby.

[@johntabler349]

@@floydriggle857 the Coleman's were practically regulars for a good while

[@Tre404]

@@floydriggle857 ... Colman