
Binnie And Mike 46-11-18 (x) Morning Talk Show
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Benny Barnes
We're taking you to breakfast with Vinnie and Mike. Every morning at this time, KMPC invites you to share the breakfast chat of those two famous personalities. Movie star Benny Barnes and her husband, film producer, sports announcer and authority Mike Frankovich. Their three children, the household staff, the dog, the two birds, and anyone else who happens to drop in. We now switch you to the Beverly hills home of Mr. And Mrs. Mike Frankovich for breakfast with Benny and Mike.
Mike Frankovich
Oh, what a lovely. How's the weather this morning, Eileen? It's nice, Madame. Oh, greetings, darling. And I'm so happy to see that you're out of the bathroom, so.
Benny Barnes
Oh, now, baby, you know I always get out in time for coffee. Well, I hope it tastes as good as it smells this morning.
Mike Frankovich
Well, it definitely does. You know, something doesn't have to. And I find that Hill squatter is perfectly the best that there is on the market. I think you'll agree with me when you taste it.
Benny Barnes
Well, I'm going to taste it right now and I'll let you know. Just a moment. Say, I think you're right. It's swell and it certainly sets me up this morning. And, brother, do I need it.
Mike Frankovich
Well, I'm glad something sets you up, dear. Say, what were you pussy footing in about 12:30 last night for?
Benny Barnes
I wasn't pussy footing, dear. I came in with my shoes on. And the reason it was 12:30 is because I was in a bridge game with Chico Marx and George Raft and Alex Kempner. And I played. I was a dollar winner, a dollar loser until about 11:15. And then the last rubber lasted about a solid hour. And I had Chico marked for a partner. And it looked like I was going to come out all right last night until our opponents bid six hearts. Michelle, put your hands up to your mouth when you're coughing like that, will you, please?
Mike Frankovich
I did before.
Benny Barnes
All right, dear. Thank you. And with the opponents bidding six hearts, I led the queen of clubs with three cards left in our hands. And I knew that it was going to be a good trick, but Chico, who is one of the best bridge players in town, went ahead and trumped my good queen. Well, you imagine how I felt. And of course, they made their small slam and we argued about it for 20 minutes. You know how the boys go on.
Mike Frankovich
I've never heard a man with so many excuses, but that's all I do. You always have a very good one, I must say.
Benny Barnes
Excuse. Believe me.
Mike Frankovich
All right. Well, you know what the astrologer says today, dear?
Benny Barnes
Oh, I wish they were better than they are. I hope they're better than they were yesterday for me in that bridge game. Go ahead, Mrs. Zodiac.
Mike Frankovich
Now, listen, dear. I worked it all out beautifully last night. And today is nursery. And that means that it's a very fine day for signing contracts and doing business and to be have. Well, to have a lot of fun and be very gay.
Benny Barnes
You and your astrology all the time. I suppose you're going to tell me that everything is governed by astrology. Makes me laugh.
Mike Frankovich
Now, listen, dear, this may surprise you very much indeed. You talk about astrology. But I had a thought yesterday that it would be very nice to give the children ice cream. So, do you know what I did?
Benny Barnes
No, what did you do?
Mike Frankovich
I went to the May Company on Wilshire Boulevard. And believe it or not, dear, they have a freezer. Now, listen, this is simply divine. They have a freezer that you can go to the table and you make in, oh, I think something like 9 seconds. Ice cream at the table, Matt, you.
Benny Barnes
Know, not nine seconds. You must have read the ad wrong.
Mike Frankovich
Well, you know, I never read ice cream.
Benny Barnes
Well, I kind of like ice cream. How about you, Michael? Would you like some ice cream?
Mike Frankovich
Did you ever see their. Their store on Wilshire Boulevard?
Benny Barnes
What store?
Mike Frankovich
The appliance store that the May Company.
Benny Barnes
Oh, the May Company. You mean the one down near Fairfax?
Mike Frankovich
That's right.
Benny Barnes
You had what?
Mike Frankovich
You see? Now, that's why we should get a freezer. You hear that? That's what your children like. They want ice cream. Daddy, you hear it all the time.
Benny Barnes
Well, I'm gonna have to drop into that make company and take a look at that place. Incidentally, though, I understand there are a lot of nice appliances in there.
Mike Frankovich
Certainly are. Say, how about the game?
Benny Barnes
Yeah, how about the game? Shall I go on to that football game, or shall I keep talking about appliances?
Mike Frankovich
No.
Benny Barnes
Now, everybody in town has asked me for tickets. And this is the big game. Usc, ucla. And these tickets are worth a lot of money. They only sell for $5. But I venture to say if I were a scalper which I am not, of course, I could sell it for 20 or $25. However, I have a ticket for you. Now, are you going or are you not going?
Mike Frankovich
You mean I can really get $5 for the ticket?
Benny Barnes
No, you can get game. And if you're not going, I'll take one of the boys.
Mike Frankovich
Which boys are you going to take?
Benny Barnes
Well, never mind. I won't take a girl. We'll put it that way. Do you want to go to the football game?
Mike Frankovich
Well, I don't know, dear. I'd love to go, but you know that I don't understand one thing about the game. All I know is a man stands up, he chases along with a ball under his arm, and I can never see who's got the ball. They're shoving it around, they're pushing it around. And then the man gets at the end. And by the time I see it, somebody in front of me stood up, my hat is off their head. I never see. Darling, what's going on. I really don't.
Benny Barnes
I suppose that women should be kept out of football games. I really do.
Mike Frankovich
I disagree with you. But if they did it from a woman's point of view. There, now, now you'd have something.
Benny Barnes
Oh, I can just see myself announcing a football game from a woman's angle. I suppose it would go something like this. Joe Ducks has the ball and he's running around the woman in the red hat and the gray hat and he's pastor, and he's down to the 15, to the 10, to the five yard line. He goes all the way down to the woman in the mink coat and the purple crocheted beret.
Mike Frankovich
Oh, well, you well did. No, that wouldn't be a bad idea. But speaking of berets, I was in John Frederick's the other day and he had a crocheted beret that was simply divine. It was only maybe $60. I don't remember. All right, don't look, dear. I know you can't afford it, but I know. Yes, dear, we are. Isn't it wonderful fun. But eat your eggs, sweetheart. And talking about this hat, you know, it comes way down over the head hairline way over the years. And I saw Lana Turner in it, dear. And I know that I wouldn't look like Lana Turner. You know that.
Benny Barnes
Well, I'm not interested in crochet beret. But I could certainly like to see Lana Turner anytime, with or without a hat. But I can say one thing about women's hats. They never look out of style or go out of style. They just go on looking more ridiculous year and year, as far as I know.
Mike Frankovich
Yeah, listen, we saw a picture the other night, the Jolson Story, that you loved the hat and that you simply adorn. You said, I wish you'd wear one like that.
Benny Barnes
Well, Ellen, he looks good in almost anything as far as I'm concerned. But speaking of that picture, brother, there is a picture that I can recommend to anybody. When I sat and watched that picture, I'm telling you, it just gave me a big thrill. I can't remember when I saw a picture and got chills down my back like I did the Jolson story. Because I can remember when I was a kid seeing Jolie at the Paramount and sitting through six shows. I used to sit through six shows.
Mike Frankovich
And watch the show. Yeah. How could you? You're not that. I thought this was the second era of this.
Benny Barnes
Well, Jolson's not that old. Or maybe my father told me about it again.
Mike Frankovich
Oh, I'm so glad you told me.
Benny Barnes
Anyway, I can remember Jolie. And when I saw Larry park play that part after he'd been on the screen for two reels, I didn't realize that Jolson wasn't there. Because, of course, you know, they dubbed Jolson's voice all the way through. Oh, no, I didn't know that they did. And he did a beautiful job. And park imitated Jolson all the way. He used all the gestures, and it went through a beautiful story. And incidentally, it's in color. And. And I've never seen Technicolor done better because you watch the whole picture and you never get conscious that it's in color. And it was beautifully done. I say that Sidney Skolsky and Al Green, who directed it, did a swell job. I can't recommend that picture too much for anybody that wants to see a lot of entertainment. Here's some beautiful songs that make you remember, Al, when he sang such songs as Sonny Boy and all those songs that he sang.
Mike Frankovich
I hear you singing once in a while in the boat.
Benny Barnes
Yeah, well, I'm not quite as good. I mean, I need a little more modest, dear. That's right.
Mike Frankovich
Tell me, do you think it looks like it could be an Academy Award.
Benny Barnes
Winner, the Jolson Story? I definitely do, and it's a great picture. I only wish they were going to play it up here in Buddy Adler's Hitching Post. That's going to open up here, you know.
Mike Frankovich
Say, aren't we going to take the children to this?
Benny Barnes
Children? I like them myself, but the kids love Cowboy pictures. And, Michael, you like them if they've got cars in them, don't you?
Mike Frankovich
Yes, that's right.
Benny Barnes
Of course he wants cars in them. But this is a new theater opening here in Beverly Hills on Cannon Drive. They're going to show all Western pictures. And of course, I might as well get a plug in. Republic makes the best pictures, you know, out of dark studio, of course. And I'm looking forward to that. The 23rd of this month. And that's an easy day to remember because it's the same day that USC plays UCLA for the right to go into the Rose Bowl. So that ought to be pretty good.
Mike Frankovich
You're pretty excited about that game.
Benny Barnes
Say, by the way, dear, last night when you were in the bathtub, made Sunday, coach.
Mike Frankovich
Oh, well, I'll call her back later, dear. Speaking of bathtubs, I have a new. Well, no, I've got an idea, dear. I've got a new thing. It's an invention, you know. You know, you sit in the bathtub and you have a tray sits in front of you, see? So the girls sit in the bathroom, they grease their faces and they take off their makeup and that. And the man sits and he shaves in the bathtub. And you bring. Well, a lot of people do.
Benny Barnes
I'm strictly a shower man.
Mike Frankovich
Then they bring the telephone to the bathroom, and you listen on the telephone. And then you can do most anything sitting in the tub. Today I have a new invention. I really have. It's very good.
Benny Barnes
Go ahead. I'll take another invention.
Mike Frankovich
Well, I think this is very good. So you get nice and warm and you're in the bath. Suddenly you lean back. You know what happens? You lean back, it hits you right in the back. You get freezing cold. The back of the bathtub is so cold, it gets so cold. Well, I thought of a new thing. You know, they have heated pads and heat this and you heat that. And I thought, why couldn't we get an invention that heated up the back of the bathtub? Isn't that good?
Benny Barnes
Oh, you got something there. I think I better talk to Don Amici. You know, he's working our lot in the picture that Frank Borzeggi is doing. Gallant Man. And of course, Amici with all of his inventions, I'm sure he'll be able to work out a heated bathtub back. Now, how practical can you get with your inventions, Derek?
Mike Frankovich
Incidentally, speaking of inventions and things like that, what happened to the Polish art treasures? Treasures.
Benny Barnes
Treasures. Who was out at 12:30 last night, you or me? I Think that is an interesting subject. And I looked it up a little more after reading it, Newsweek last week. And as you remember, I told you that when the Nazis overran Poland in 1939, the Polish government. Help her a little.
Mike Frankovich
Yeah, I'll give her a little milk.
Benny Barnes
Give her a little milk. What kind of milk? You gotta mention that adorable adore milk.
Mike Frankovich
Don't you always drink adore milk, darling?
Benny Barnes
You like adore milk, Ross?
Mike Frankovich
Sure. They are sweet, of course.
Benny Barnes
There you go.
Mike Frankovich
She's got something in her throat. That's it.
Benny Barnes
Something in her throat. It's a little tickly, but. Speaking of these art treasures, when the Polish government decided the Nazis were coming in there in 1939, they shipped a lot of their treasures and $17 million in gold bullion and sent it into Canada. And when it got into Canada, the Canadian government put it away as they would in peacetime or on a peacetime basis. And they put it in three different places. They divided the treasures into three different sections and sent one third of it in the bank of Montreal. And then they put a third of it in a convent or a church. And it was called the Sant? On de Beaupre. I hope that's right. Eileen, of course, will check me up on that.
Mike Frankovich
You've got a wonderful accent there. Terrific, son.
Benny Barnes
That's that famous shrine, you know, dear.
Mike Frankovich
Oh, yes, that's right.
Benny Barnes
And then the third parcel went to the Precious Blood Convent, and that's up in Ottawa, Canada. And I remember in May of this year that the Polish government representative called on the Precious Blood Convent. That's the third place they sent these treasures and inquired about the trunks that contained these treasures. And he was told that the trunks had been claimed three or four days before that and that a man gave the nuns the secret password and he signed a receipt. You see, they had a secret password for each one of these places where they had these treasures stored away. Man had to give them. Well, so the Polish representative went away. And the next few days, the mystery became even more mystifying because the high Canadian church officials said that the treasures were safe and they'd be held until the Polish government could prove rightful ownership. Now, the other church officials said that they knew nothing about them at all. And Prime Minister Mackenzie King declared that the whole thing was of no concern to the Canadian government, but was a private matter. But in London, the Polish embassy said that they held the Canadian government responsible under the Potsdam Agreement. But on the other hand, a Canadian spokesman says that the Canadian government didn't even sign the Potsdam Agreement. So it's quite involved. But it's intriguing and I know a lot of women are wondering what happened to the treasures. But I suppose that Warner Brothers will make a picture with Humphrey Bogart and Baby Bacall one of these days and solve the mystery and let all the people exactly what happened.
Mike Frankovich
The cartoon was very clever.
Benny Barnes
Oh yes, I remember that cartoon. It was really terrific. There was a picture of a man who looked something like Stalin and he had on his sleeve the Russo element of the Polish government. And he had a big mustache like Stalin. And there was a big empty box like a treasure box. And the door was open and on the door was a sign that was stuck on there with a nail which said Kilroiski was here. And of course our friend Kilroiski gets around a lot. And that was the cartoon I got a kick out of. I'm sure that a lot of the folks will be interested in that article that appeared in Newsweek and I hope that solves your problem about the Polish mysteries. Of course, I'm the well informed man of the day, so if there are any.
Mike Frankovich
Oh, you always are, dear. You know the head of the house always is. Tell me darling, sometime or the other. I'm sure a lot of our listeners don't know about Kilroy. A lot of them do. So one day will you go into and tell them all about the Kilroy?
Benny Barnes
Let's do it on a Sunday because we're not on the air that day. And I'll tell everybody exactly that's where Kilroy is. You see, today we go off the air Kilroy broadcast and that's why they don't hear him.
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Mike Frankovich
Honey, this is it.
Benny Barnes
Shot clock winding down trimming by two.
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Benny Barnes
Shoots good.
Mike Frankovich
To see it.
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Benny Barnes
What went through Your head on the last shot.
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Benny Barnes
What are you having there? Some nice crisp Sunnyside bacon Rock. That's what it looks like you're eating.
Mike Frankovich
Isn't it wonderful?
Benny Barnes
I had some myself in these scrambled eggs. And this bread, this toast, you know, is made from Helms bread. Michael, do you know the Helms baker that comes and toots the whistle in the morning? He's a very nice boy, Michel does.
Mike Frankovich
Don't you, Michel? What are you eating, Michel? Bacon. What sort of bacon are you eating? Do you know? You don't know? What do you usually eat? What's that cereal that you eat, darling?
Benny Barnes
What do you have? What do you like for breakfast, Michelle?
Mike Frankovich
Wheaties and Chaffies.
Benny Barnes
Wheaties, the breakfast of champions. Do you really you like another kind, don't you, Ross? What do you like? Cheerios. Oh, they're good.
Mike Frankovich
We have to get them. I should say so, yeah.
Benny Barnes
What are they going to have for dinner, by the way?
Mike Frankovich
Yes, what are they eating tonight, Mrs. Lenard? You know, liver and spinach. Would you like liver and spinach? Oh, wonderful.
Benny Barnes
Yeah. Well, as long as we're talking about liver, dear, let's not have liver again for me. You know I never eat it and I don't like it. I don't want any part of it.
Mike Frankovich
Well, dear, I'm terribly sorry. That was a mistake. I've only been married to you 10 years. How do you expect me to know by this time what you like and what you don't like?
Benny Barnes
You ought to know I don't like liver.
Mike Frankovich
Well, I'll get used to you in time, dear. It just takes a little while. You know how it is.
Benny Barnes
About 10 more years, then you might get used to me. Or how long does a man have to be married to a woman before she knows him? Maybe I ought to ask Eddie Cantor and he can tell me. Unless he tells me that all his wife will tell him is that she can have girls and not boys or something like that.
Mike Frankovich
So, yeah, they're wonderful shirts you've got on the baby today, those Matis T shirts. Yes, they are. They're wonderful.
Benny Barnes
You know, I wish you'd get one for me.
Mike Frankovich
I think we can, dear. I think mateys make them now for men because they're the only shirts I really know that you can put in the washtub. And they don't run at all. This is absolutely. I've tried all of them.
Benny Barnes
Get them Big enough for a man.
Mike Frankovich
Oh, I think you can. I think all local soils are native. They're the best. Absolutely the best on the market.
Benny Barnes
Darling, I could probably get a lot of boys that would want some of those T shirts, you know, they're tough to get. I've been out of the army long enough now, so I've worn out all my army T shirts the government provided.
Mike Frankovich
Well, when I go out to the store today, I'll see if I can get one for you because I've got to go shopping.
Benny Barnes
What are you going to do today?
Mike Frankovich
I'm going to buy some shoes here.
Benny Barnes
Shoes?
Mike Frankovich
Uh huh.
Benny Barnes
Where?
Mike Frankovich
On Camden drive, right above us here. Do you know who's opened it? Murray's. Murray's shoe stall. The. Didn't you hear about it?
Benny Barnes
Shoes again. What are you going to do with all those shoes you got upstairs?
Mike Frankovich
Will they help me, dear?
Benny Barnes
I've never seen this to fail yet. Every woman has a slew of shoes in the closet. She always wants to buy new shoes and they always hurt her. Why don't they buy them to fit her?
Mike Frankovich
Well, do you always think you do? But you walk and you get hot and your feet get tired and that's why I brought some of that powder the other day, you know. Well, I have to. He's got the most beautiful shoes. Really, dear? They're so beautiful. The colorings are wonderful and he has bags to match. It really is a wonder. And it's so comfortable. It's a modern store and you really sit down and you don't you're going to buy one pair, so you wind up buying three or four because it's so comfortable in the place.
Benny Barnes
When the 15th of March comes around, Uncle Sam says we can't deduct those shoes from your income tax. And I get the bills and we scream and holler, but they must be good.
Mike Frankovich
You know where I heard about it? At Dolores Hope shower the other day.
Benny Barnes
Oh, that must have been true.
Mike Frankovich
Oh, it was wonderful. I went there and you know she's adopted two little children.
Benny Barnes
I didn't know that.
Mike Frankovich
One of the little boys name is Kelly Hope. Isn't that a cute name?
Benny Barnes
Kelly Hope. How do you like that? I can see Bing Crosby now signing him up already for Notre Dame or Gonzaga university. Kelly Hope.
Mike Frankovich
Oh, he's the cutest little thing you've ever seen. There's about 60 girls there and Cass Daley was there. She sang. Oh, she's such a good entertainer. Wonderful. She was so cute. She had on a green wool dress. It looked like one of Adrian's. I don't know, but that's what it looked like. Was it? So cute. And Dolores I think had on. I think he had one of his on also. It was a black taffeta, three quarter length and the skirt was tight fitting. And she had a little black cloak. She looked like a 1928 hat with a little veil on it. It was the sweetest thing I've ever seen. She really looked lovely.
Benny Barnes
She must have looked lovely.
Mike Frankovich
And Dixie Lee was there and she sang Crosby.
Benny Barnes
Oh, yes.
Mike Frankovich
I beg your pardon? She was there. She had on a lynx coat, three quarter lynx coat. And she sang a couple of songs and if you shut your eyes, she sounded exactly like Bing. I've never heard anything quite like it. She was so cute.
Benny Barnes
We better mention that to Filto the next time we see Mr. Filto.
Mike Frankovich
Okay. Oh, and I tell you who else I saw that. You remember Kate St. Germain.
Benny Barnes
I certainly do.
Mike Frankovich
She used to be Jack Carson.
Benny Barnes
What do you mean used to be? I saw them at the football game last Sunday and they're as happy as they can be. Haven't you heard? Let me give you the gossip, Mrs. Parsons, or whatever your name is, Kay and Jack are back together again and very happy. Doesn't that make you happy?
Mike Frankovich
Oh, I couldn't be happier, dear. That's simply wonderful because they're such a nice couple. Have you ever heard her sing?
Benny Barnes
Oh, have I heard her sing. I'll bet you can't remember what program she used to sing on. Well, $64 is a gift.
Mike Frankovich
Oh, dear, I need to.
Benny Barnes
I just gave the man's name a little while ago and he has five daughters.
Mike Frankovich
I know. Kim K. Oh, wonderful.
Benny Barnes
Give the lady $64.
Mike Frankovich
Okay, dear. One of the girls was telling me that they were going to New York on the plane and they said there was something about 186 passenger plane.
Benny Barnes
Well, that doesn't seem 180 passengers.
Mike Frankovich
Oh, eight is a sign.
Benny Barnes
It not only is possible, but it's factual, my dear. They've already made a trip with an airplane that carries 180 passengers. And it's a beautiful thing. It's a double deck airplane and it's got a spiral staircase in the front, spiral staircase in the back, and it's got four big 1200 horsepower engine. And you walk out into the wing and you can actually walk clear out to the wingtips and there are windows out there where you can look around, a lounge room, a smoking room and everything. It's a beautiful layout.
Mike Frankovich
You walk out into the Wings?
Benny Barnes
That's right.
Mike Frankovich
I wouldn't frighten this.
Benny Barnes
Well, that's nothing. They're going to have bigger airplanes than that one these days.
Mike Frankovich
There's something about a 400 plane. Is that right?
Benny Barnes
Well, don't you remember I went down to Long beach about, oh, about three weeks ago Sunday and saw that airplane that Howard Hughes is building. They're building the airplane right from scratch, right over the water. They're going to take it off. It's an amphib. They're going to take it off in the water. It's going to carry 400 people. It's going to be a three decker with six engines and twin tail elements and it's going to be a 400 passenger airplane. It'll take you from here to Honolulu, 400 people and come back the next day for breakfast and take 400 more over.
Mike Frankovich
In that short a time?
Benny Barnes
In that short a time. They go to Honolulu now and 12 or 13 hours. I used to take an airplane, a C54, over to Hickam Field in 12 and a half, 13 hours during the war. And this airplane will go over there in about eight hours or seven and a half hours. It'll be nothing. But of course I like the romance of a five day trip on the boat. And I've been told that if this airplane doesn't work out, they're going to cut the wind off of it and make a liner out of it.
Mike Frankovich
You want to be excused, Peter? Okay, we'll excuse Peter, won't we, everybody? Okay, we'll see you later.
Benny Barnes
Where are you going, Peter?
Mike Frankovich
He's. Where you going, Pete? He's going to do his chores, Daddy. Sir.
Benny Barnes
Oh, yes. Okay, Peter, go ahead.
Mike Frankovich
What is he up? Yeah, he can in a moment.
Benny Barnes
What does he want, Michelle?
Mike Frankovich
He wants his milk.
Benny Barnes
His milk?
Mike Frankovich
Okay, he'll get it in a moment.
Benny Barnes
He's going to get it himself then.
Mike Frankovich
Speaking of, we've got to go out tonight, where shall we eat? I hear that Chico Mafia's place is simply wonderful.
Benny Barnes
Oh, yes. At that bridge game last night we were talking about the Grill and Griddle they call it.
Mike Frankovich
Is that a peculiar name?
Benny Barnes
No, I think it's a cute name.
Mike Frankovich
Do you? Yes, I think it's a little tough to remember.
Benny Barnes
What's that? Yeah, Peter Stoney.
Mike Frankovich
Yes, he'll come back in a minute and get it.
Benny Barnes
But last night when I was in this bridge game there, Chico was talking about his place and George Rash said he had eaten dinner there and he had a wonderful steak and nice shrimp cocktail and very reasonable Much more reasonable than most places. He'd had better be a delicious New York cut steak. And he enjoyed the meal. And it's located right up where Tips used to be, you know. Right. Well do you know at the corner of Santa Monica and Wilshire where they.
Mike Frankovich
Come together there's sort of the Ralph market, you mean?
Benny Barnes
That's right.
Mike Frankovich
Oh I know.
Benny Barnes
That's where you do your.
Mike Frankovich
Oh that's very sensual, isn't it? Get right off the bus.
Benny Barnes
That's right.
Mike Frankovich
Oh that's wonderful.
Benny Barnes
That's Ralph's market. That's where the man wouldn't give you any black market products or he wouldn't buy them. Which was it?
Mike Frankovich
I wouldn't buy them, dear.
Benny Barnes
That's right. How long have you been a citizen now?
Mike Frankovich
10 years.
Benny Barnes
10 years. I wonder what all those relatives in England are thinking. How many do you have over there by the way?
Mike Frankovich
Oh, I have one sister that now has. She's got 12 children. Listen dear, don't get encouraged about this. Why should we talk about it?
Benny Barnes
How many were there in your family?
Mike Frankovich
16.
Benny Barnes
Well, I have hopes we have three now. Would you like about eight brothers, Michael?
Mike Frankovich
No he wouldn't dear. So leave us. Cut that out right now. You know, isn't it time you got going to work?
Benny Barnes
Yes, I better go to the work. I fight my way through that thicket line out there.
Mike Frankovich
Uh huh, sir. Incidentally, what is happening about this strike? I don't understand and I'm sure that most of our listeners don't. I wish you'd explain it to me a little bit.
Benny Barnes
Well, it's a very difficult thing to explain entirely because most people who read about it all hear that it's a jurisdictional strike. And what it evolves down to in simple language is that there are two unions. One is the CSU Conference of Studio Union and the other one is the iatse. And these two unions are fighting for the right to see which union is going to build the set and tear them down. In studio language we call them erecting and striking a set. Now one union wants to build them and the other ones strike them. But they won't strike them unless their own union builds them. So there's a big battle as to who's going to build them and strike them. And it's been going back and forth. The producers themselves in the studio has nothing to do with it. They don't know who wants to build them and they don't know how they're going to settle it. But inasmuch as both the CSU and the IATSC are both members of the American Federation of Labor. The studios are hoping that the AFL will solve the problem and make a decision on it. Anyway, we're not getting any fight with it. It's cost the studios a lot of money and more important, it's cost a lot of working men, carpenters and prop men and everything else a lot of time. And the families who really need it are not working. So it's a pretty tough thing to solve. And I'm going to stay as neutral as I possibly can on it.
Mike Frankovich
Well, tell me something. Do you mean that one union is fighting another union?
Benny Barnes
That's exactly right.
Mike Frankovich
And they can't settle it in any way?
Benny Barnes
That's right.
Mike Frankovich
But it seems a terrible way to do anything.
Benny Barnes
They're trying to work out an arbitration committee now and. My goodness, what time is it? It's 8:45 right now and I think.
Mike Frankovich
Darling, you know what Anon says. The trouble with a husband who works like a horse is that all he wants to do in the evening is hip for hell.
Benny Barnes
Anon hit the hay. Listen, Anon didn't know who Frankovich was. And who is Anon anyway?
Mike Frankovich
You know, darling, Anon for anonymous.
Benny Barnes
Oh, my goodness. Darling, those are the kind of things no red blooded man should have to put up with in the morning. At this time of the morning especially.
Mike Frankovich
That reminds me. Do you. Do you know the sophisticated sheep that said blah?
Benny Barnes
Oh, my goodness. And that remembers instead of that.
Mike Frankovich
It's a little early.
Benny Barnes
I'm wanting. I'm warning you.
Mike Frankovich
All right, all right. But I thought it was cute. Yes, darling, yes.
Benny Barnes
Peter came back. That was fine. Sit down, Peter.
Mike Frankovich
He's gonna have his nose. What he's gonna do.
Benny Barnes
Go ahead.
Mike Frankovich
All right, darling, you better get on your way.
Benny Barnes
I'm gonna get on my way, but before I do, I might tell the children. The next time you cough like that, Michael, you put your hands up to your mouth. You understand that?
Mike Frankovich
Peter?
Benny Barnes
Well, he didn't do it that time. Michelle. What's the matter, Rock? You got something in your throat? Okay.
Mike Frankovich
Oh, dear. Well, pat. Pat him on the back, Daddy.
Benny Barnes
Pat him on the back. By the way, I didn't tell you. Last night when I was coming from the studio I listened to Bob Trout for a while and he was telling us about a youngster who was riding a streetcar and he saw a woman. Better give him a little milk. He's joking.
Mike Frankovich
Okay. Well, let's hope he doesn't choke.
Benny Barnes
Frank, there's a telephone.
Mike Frankovich
Yeah, Aileen, answer the telephone.
Benny Barnes
All Right. And Bob Trout was telling about this little boy who was watching this woman on the street streetcar, and she was chewing bubble gum and just chewing away on bubble gum. And he looked up at his mommy and he says, mommy, you see, those are the kind of people that are causing shortage to people like me. And that was right on the Bob Trout show last night. Another thing he talked about, which intrigued me somewhat, was the elections that we had, the recent elections. You know, they can talk about elections year in and year out. He was telling about the Greeks couldn't figure out who won the election in the United States. And he thought we were all crazy, because in Greek or in the Greek language, democratis means both Republican and Democrat. And so they couldn't figure out whether the Democrats won the election or the Republicans won the election. So the news came over that the Democrats had been replaced by the Republicans in all the important offices in the states here. So they started to look it up in their Democratic. In their Democratic language as well as in their Greek dictionaries. And so the Greek dictionaries showed that Democrat meant both Republican and Democratic. Well, you see, our derivative is the Latin for Republican. But we got Democrat from the Greek Democratic. What did you say, Rocky?
Mike Frankovich
He wants milk to the top of his glass.
Benny Barnes
He said it was filled to the top.
Mike Frankovich
Adore Milken, he loves it so much. Don't you, darling? Yes. You going to school this morning? No, I'm not going very much. Hmm. Because we have a cold.
Benny Barnes
Yeah.
Mike Frankovich
Incidentally, they've got to go to the doctors and get some shots for those colds.
Benny Barnes
Well, they had some booster shots today.
Mike Frankovich
Yeah, they've got to get cold shots, dear, because that's the only way to keep colds from them all winter. Really? There's a new thing out, and it's simply wonderful.
Benny Barnes
There he is.
Mike Frankovich
Mm. Will you take them up on your way to work and drop them off at the doctor's office for me?
Benny Barnes
All right. What? What did the doctor do today when he gave you that shot, Rock? What did he do? You know, Michelle.
Mike Frankovich
Prosthetics.
Benny Barnes
What did he do?
Mike Frankovich
Shot.
Benny Barnes
He shot you?
Mike Frankovich
He did.
Benny Barnes
How did he do it? He just took something and put it in your arm like that.
Mike Frankovich
Did it hurt you, darling?
Benny Barnes
It didn't. Did you cry, Rock?
Mike Frankovich
No.
Benny Barnes
You don't cry. Is that right?
Mike Frankovich
Well, he's a big boy. That's why he doesn't cry.
Benny Barnes
Are you going to school, Michelle? No, you're not. If you have to go to school, what's the first thing the teacher makes you do? Does she make you do pledge allegiance? You don't know how to do it.
Mike Frankovich
Yes, I do.
Benny Barnes
Well, let me hear you say it. Well, that's very good. Everybody applaud. Rock. You have to clap for your sister. That's very good. Very good.
Mike Frankovich
This morning, could you sing God Bless America?
Benny Barnes
I don't think she knows.
Mike Frankovich
My homey home from West America My Lord.
Benny Barnes
I didn't know you were that clever. I really didn't know. Okay. Well, dear, as far as I'm concerned, I'm going to the studio. I'm getting all primed for that game because most of this week I'm going to be worrying about that USC UCLA game and I know that all the people listening in will be worrying about it. And as far as I'm concerned, I'm going to pull for the Bruins. But it looks like it's going to be a rugged game because the Trojans have come along very fast and it should be about even money at game time on Saturday. Well, that's about all there is to it. I'd like to leave all our listeners with a good thought. And here it is. Enjoy yourself. It's later than you think. See you tomorrow.
Mike Frankovich
Bye everyone.
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Date: December 28, 2025
Hosts: Benny Barnes & Mike Frankovich
This episode transports listeners back to the golden age of radio with an authentic recreation of a domestic breakfast chat hosted by Hollywood personalities Benny Barnes and her husband, Mike Frankovich. The tone is light, conversational, and filled with endearing banter, family moments, and commentary on life in 1940s Los Angeles. The Frankovich household becomes a microcosm of mid-century American life, featuring news, pop culture, household debates, and glimpses into the entertainment industry.
(00:58–02:41, 15:12–19:20)
“Oh, now, baby, you know I always get out in time for coffee. Well, I hope it tastes as good as it smells this morning.” — Benny Barnes [01:09]
(01:33–02:41, 22:54–23:24)
“And I had Chico marked for a partner. And it looked like I was going to come out all right last night until our opponents bid six hearts.” — Benny Barnes [01:50]
(02:45–04:17, 09:25–10:14)
“Why couldn't we get an invention that heated up the back of the bathtub? Isn't that good?” — Mike Frankovich [09:55]
(04:17–08:53, 30:42–31:18)
“I suppose that women should be kept out of football games. I really do.” — Benny Barnes (tongue-in-cheek) [05:16]
“Brother, there is a picture that I can recommend to anybody…just gave me a big thrill.” — Benny Barnes [06:35]
(08:29–13:48, 19:20–20:25)
“There’s about 60 girls there and Cass Daley was there. She sang. Oh, she’s such a good entertainer. Wonderful.” — Mike Frankovich [18:50]
(10:14–13:48)
“They shipped a lot of their treasures and $17 million in gold bullion and sent it into Canada…” — Benny Barnes [10:57]
(15:12–19:20, 27:10–29:32)
“Did it hurt you, darling?” — Mike Frankovich [29:24]
(19:20–22:12)
(20:25–22:12)
“You walk out into the wing and you can actually walk clear out to the wingtips and there are windows out there where you can look around, a lounge room, a smoking room and everything…” — Benny Barnes [21:03]
(24:09–25:52)
“What it evolves down to in simple language is that there are two unions...fighting for the right to see which union is going to build the set and tear them down.” — Benny Barnes [24:18]
(25:52–31:18)
“Do you know the sophisticated sheep that said blah?” — Mike Frankovich [26:16]
“Enjoy yourself. It's later than you think. See you tomorrow.” — Benny Barnes [31:10]
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Highlight | |-----------|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:09 | Benny Barnes | “Oh, now, baby, you know I always get out in time for coffee. Well, I hope it tastes as good as it smells this morning.” | | 04:53 | Mike Frankovich | “All I know is a man stands up, he chases along with a ball under his arm...I never see. Darling, what's going on. I really don't.” | | 06:35 | Benny Barnes | “Brother, there is a picture that I can recommend to anybody...just gave me a big thrill. I can't remember when I saw a picture and got chills down my back like I did the Jolson story.” | | 09:55 | Mike Frankovich | “Why couldn't we get an invention that heated up the back of the bathtub? Isn't that good?” | | 10:57 | Benny Barnes | “They shipped a lot of their treasures and $17 million in gold bullion and sent it into Canada…” | | 21:03 | Benny Barnes | “You walk out into the wing and you can actually walk clear out to the wingtips and there are windows out there where you can look around, a lounge room, a smoking room and everything…” | | 24:18 | Benny Barnes | “What it evolves down to in simple language is that there are two unions...fighting for the right to see which union is going to build the set and tear them down.” | | 26:16 | Mike Frankovich | “Do you know the sophisticated sheep that said blah?” | | 31:10 | Benny Barnes | “Enjoy yourself. It's later than you think. See you tomorrow.” |
The episode is a charming, meandering journey through the domestic and cultural life of 1940s Hollywood royalty. It blends showbiz gossip, humor, everyday problems, inventive ideas, and social commentary, all wrapped in genuine affection and wit. For listeners curious about the era’s lifestyle, values, and entertainment, “Breakfast with Benny and Mike” is both delightful and illuminating.