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It’s the season opener, and Jack is being tormented by a couple thugs, until Rochester rescues him from his dream. On the way to the studio in the Maxwell, the preseason jitters keep up. Don meets the singing Jack to compare preshow butterflies, and he talks about the new quartet who will be doing the commercials this season. Phil plays, The Sun in the Morning and the Moon at Night.
In the studio, Don makes the opening introductions to kick off the show. He and Jack talk about being on the air for their 13th year together. Mary talks about the weight she has gained over the summer break, and what she did on her vacation. When she mentions Phil’s new show on the Fitch Bandwagon, Jack can’t believe it. He’s even more surprised to learn about Dennis new show. The first Sportsmen commercial is presented. What’s Jack getting for the $500 dollars a week that they’re getting paid? Hmm…
Phil enters to interrupt Jack’s outbreak with Don over the commercial. He jokes about his vacation, a take on the popular film of the day, Lost Weekend. What’s Dennis doing? Jack tries to phone him, but gets Gertrude and Mabel, the telephone operators instead. They talk about their vacation with more jabs at popular movie titles, but no word from Dennis.
Dennis surprises Jack with his entrance, then jokes about his new show. After threats from Jack, Phil slips into an impression of Senator Claghorn from the Fred Allen show, and Dennis does a line from the Mad Russian. Dennis sings, One and Only You. Jack was so mad that he storms out, and on the way home in the Maxwell, he pouts to Mary about his luck.
Jack Benny was the funniest man on radio. It is so good to be able to enjoy these again. Thank you so much for offering this.Did he get Mable to go out with him?
lol. Jack sure can be a big baby at times. Hey, maybe he did go on a date with Mabel. As much as those phone operators poke fun at Jack, they both seem to enjoy dates with him.
I just noticed. In an episode I just posted, I made a note, wondering if that was the first episode the Maxwell returned in. This season opener got past me somehow.
The Maxwell went off to war, as did Dennis, Phil, and manhy from other radio shows. In it’s absence, Jack used a converted taxi when he needed to be driven around by Rochester. Phil wasn’t gone for long, just about long enough for basic training, then he served in either the the Merchant Marine, or the Navy. I can’t remember which. He must have been in Reserve because he didn’t miss too many shows.
Dennis made a big splash when he returned, and booted Larry Stevens off the show, just months earlier in the 1946 calendar year.
The Maxwell just kind of silently slid back into Jack’s life. No history of the war service the fictional car might have experienced, whether the vehicle was commissioned as is, or reconstructed, or anything. Hmm… similar to how Rochester joined the show after his first guest appearances. He just showed up as Jack’s butler. I doubt there’s a connection, other than the method of just slidding itno the show inconspiciously.
Glad you enjoy the shows.