Eddie Cantor – Happy Birthday with Jack Benny. 370130 (RV49 retro616)

Announcer: Harry Vonzel. Vocalist: Margret Whiting.

The audience sings Happy Birthday to Eddie. He will be 55 at midnight. The cast tease Eddie about aging. Not pleased with a request to the network, Eddie wantss to start his own. To raise the funds, Eddie wants to borrrow money from his pal, Jack Benny. When Jack enters, the cheap jokes abound. Eddie tries to butter him up, but will Jack go for the investment? How can he say no?

Eddie is joined by Margret Whiting to sing a nostalgic medley of songs including: Yessir That’s My Baby, Melanchollie Baby,

Peter Lind Hayes is called on to use his talent as a voice impersonator to be the announcer for Eddie’s new network. After protests by Harry, and a commercial, a sample soap opera is previewed. Next is audience participation with Ralph Edwards, with a twist on his Truth or Consequences show.

To wrap up, Eddie gives tribute to the recently deceased Franklin D Roosevelt, and his legacy, the March of Dimes.

Bonus Tracks

  • Keith makes a few corrections. The date of this show is often listed as being in 1937, but given the callendar date, and topics in the show, 1947 is the actual date.
  • A handful of news events for the month are reviewed, and a tidbit about Eddie’s birthdate.
  • Red Angle and hisNatural 7 – Temp Tay Shun, with Cinderella G Stump (1947)