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Audio isn’t particularly clear, still good, but not the best. In the department store all week, Jack has had trouble making up his mind over what to buy Don for Christmas. Who knew there were so many considerations to decide on when buying shoelaces? Dennis Day is on hand to give the floorwalker a hard time, confusing the man with his wackiness. Elsewhere, Jack and Mary do some shopping for the others in the cast and production crew. Floorwalker, Frank Nelson gets in his jabs to give Jack a moment of torment as he looks for the jewelry department.
The race track tout makes an appearance with adice on which elevator is the best one to take. Phil Harris gets a special treat when he is helped by a sales girl from Dixie. After exchanging the shoelaces yet again, Mel Blanc is beginning to reach the end of his rope. It’s off for a visit from Mr Kitzel, and Jack learns what his friend is getting for his family for Christmas. Jack and Mary part ways, and she encounters Dennis in the music department, so he sings, Buttermilk Skies.
Jack tries to shop for something special for his rival, Fred Allen, then encounters a gleeful autograph seeking fan. Will Jack pick something up at the perfume counter? As Rochester shops for a neck tie, Jack and Mary eavesdrop on him to see what he’s getting for Jack.
Mel Blanc is only one more exchange of shoelaces away from going over the cliff of a nervous breakdown. Will Jack nudge him over the edge? In epilog, Jack gives a nod by name to those behind the scenes, as well as his cast for their parts in the show.
Jack Benny at Christmas. There is nothing funnier. Mel Blanc was hilarious as usual over the gift being changed over and over. Thoroughly enjoy these Christmas shows.
Jack did lots of Christmas shows. Pretty nifty for a Jewish guy. Of all the ones about department stores, and shopping, I think this has to be the pinnacle episode of them all.