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Jack Benny – Christmas Shopping. 371212 After an intro that drips with buttering up, Jack suspects that Don is expecting something good for Christmas. Even Phil and Mary are overly complementary. It doesn’t take long for the sugary veneer to wear off, and the wisecracks kick back in.
Jack claims to have been known as a big time gambler, Nick the Greek, back in his Waukegan days. Phil plays, The Dipsy Doodle.
Jack is afraid the show will go long, so talks in abbreviations. Even Don gives an abbreviated commercial. Kenny comes in late to talk with Jack about his love life. Jack recommends a Christmas gift he ought to get for his gal. A letter comes from Mary’s mom. News from home deals with paying the rent, milking the cow, and the cold weather. Kenny sings, Am I in Love.
There’s no time for the play so Jack and Mary go Christmas Shopping. At the department store, the sales clerk gives Jack a hard time. Wow, what a switch that set up will become in future years when Mel Blanc takes over as the sailsman.
Floor walker, Frank Nelson, gives Jack directions to the toy department. On the way, they spot Kenny trying to buy stockings for his gal from sales lady, Be Benaderet. The elevator operator is Eddy Anderson, later to be known as Rochester. In earlier shows he frequently appeared on the show as a train porter, thus some of the jokes that show up.
Jack, Mary, and Kenny check out the Andy Devine doll in the toy department. Hey, how life like can they get?
The gang go to see Santa Claus, also known as Schlepperman. Santa sings with the gang, I’ll Be Coming Down the Chimney When I Come. It’s time to go home, so Don delivers the commercial, complete with another yummy recipe.
