Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:24 — 13.5MB)
Announcer: Harry Vonzel. Peter Vanseeten and the singers open with a song, Be a Good Sport.
As Fred reads the Town Hall Bulletin, Jack Benny has to be brushed off. The Town Hall News report includes the cold weather, as reported by Farmers, housewives, and street venders, but California representatives deny its existence. What about word from a dairy farmer? The Basin Street Boys sing, Rol the Gloom away. Jack Benny tries to butt in again, this time in the commercial.
Peter Vanseeten plays, Limehouse Blues. Despite more butting in, Jack Benny is brushed off for an interview of Willie King, a lunch wagon vendor for Warner Brothers studios. Does he have any competitors? Has he ever been in any films? How did he get started in the business? What do the stars eat? The Kingsmen sing, Nobody Loves a Riveter but His Mother. Eugene Lester, a candid cameraman taking shots in radio studios is slightly interrupted by Jack, but tells when his shots will appear in Radio Guide magazine. He shows off his vocal talent by singing, Rosalie.
Portland Hoffa arrives with a surprise. Jack Benny claims Mary is out shopping, then gets teased about not being paid. The two recount the old vaudeville days. Juggling, violins, and their current careers in Hollywood. Will Jack try to pawn off his Maxwell onto Fred? Maxwell jokes abound as the car makes an appearance.
The Mighty Allen Art Players. Santa Will not Ride Tonight. A reporter talks to Santa about the rumor the old man is quitting. Santa tells how he has been unappreciated through the years, starting with Nero. The golden cigarette lighter backfires on Santa as a good gift. Scottish poet, Bob Burns struggles with a rhyme, and Santa’s gift helps. What’s so upsetting about that? In the home of Paul Revere, Santa once again has his gift go wrong. In modern day Washington DC, Santa has trouble with the government’s idea of playing Santa. The clock begins to strike the hour, will Santa be able to resist?
Note: The Basin Street Boys are claimed to be heard on many cartoon reels, and they sound eerily like the Mills Brothers… can it be?
PS: Bob Burns is portrayed by Walter Tetley.
Jack Benny quotes:
- If I had his writers here.. what we’d call you.
- I’d give a thousand dollars if I could think of an answer right now.
