Podcast Summary

NBC The Jell-O Show Starring Jack Benny: "Jack's Christmas Open House"

Original Broadcast Date: December 25, 1938
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio (Harold)
Summary Date: December 7, 2025

Episode Overview

This festive episode of the classic "Jack Benny Program" transports listeners to Jack Benny’s home in Beverly Hills for a warm, comedic Christmas open house. Featuring regulars like Mary Livingston, Rochester, Don Wilson, Kenny Baker, and Phil Harris, the show unfolds as a rollicking mixture of witty banter, running gags, celebrity cameos, and slapstick mishaps—all surrounding the chaos of preparing for a holiday gathering. Ostensibly glamorous, Jack’s party becomes a showcase for his trademark blend of self-deprecating humor and endearing holiday traditions.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Setting Up Jack's Christmas Open House

[01:53–05:00]

• Don Wilson warmly thanks the listeners:

  “We want to thank you, listeners, for your gift to us of friendship and loyalty during the past four and a half years.” (01:32)

• The program sets the scene with Jack and Mary Livingston decorating the Christmas tree—a fraught process riddled with jokes about Jack’s stinginess and the tree’s sorry state.
  • Mary: “I never saw such a droopy tree. It looks like Zazu fits in a green dress.” (02:32)
  • Jack: “All this tree needs is a few decorations.” (02:38)
• Recurring gags:
  • Arguments over missing candy canes.
  • Jack’s frugality about ornaments and saved tinfoil.
  • Rochester’s sarcastic one-liners.
    • Rochester: “That star has five points.”
      Jack: “It went down two points this last year.” (03:14–03:18)

2. The Guests Arrive (and the Snubs Roll In)

[05:07–09:44]

• Orchestra members arrive and are dispatched for “refreshments” (not-so-potent punch).
  • Rochester: “Take it easy, man. It ain’t nothing to get excited about.” (05:17)
• Jack lists a star-studded guest list, only for Mary to joke about her questionable dress choice.
• Kenny Baker arrives, bearing a “musical handkerchief” as a gift.
  • Kenny: “Yeah, every time you blow, your nose chimes ring.” (07:44)
• Multiple telegrams come in from celebrities like Robert Taylor, Barbara Stanwyck, and Ronald Coleman, all declining Jack’s invitation with outlandishly silly excuses.
  • Mary: “Dear Jack, terribly sorry that Ms. Stanwyck and I are unable to come... her dog, Rover, is quite ill.” (09:08)
  • Mary (reading as Rover): “I have a terrible headache. Signed, Rover.” (09:24)

3. Carols and Holiday Cheer

[10:07–13:00]

• Kenny leads the guests in singing classic carols, creating a bit of heartfelt holiday atmosphere amidst the banter.

4. Party Dynamics and Romantic Rivalries

[14:05–16:23]

• Jack is eager for the arrival of Barbara Whitney, hinting at romantic rivalry with Phil Harris.
• Misunderstandings and jealousies play out as Don Wilson flirts with Barbara, prompting Jack’s consternation.
  • Don: “Roses are red, violets are blue, Jello is tempting, and so are you.” (15:47)

5. Jack Prepares for Santa's Arrival

[16:34–18:09]

• Rochester signals someone at the back door—Andy's in charge of donning the Santa costume.
• Jack gives Andy slapstick instructions for his chimney entrance, complete with a salad fork/back scratcher/comb gift from Andy’s mother.
  • Andy: “It’s a combination salad fork and back scratcher... that's for your hair as you're going by.” (17:20–17:43)

6. The Eternal Kitchen Dilemma and More Telegrams

[18:22–21:12]

• More celebrity snubs via telegram (Clark Gable, Carol Lombard, Ginger Rogers).
  • Mary: “It says that we would love to be with you tonight, but we were invited somewhere else in the nick of time.” (18:29)
• The guests joke about the massive amount of uneaten food.
• Jack’s anticipation for Barbara’s effect on Phil Harris is palpable.
• Everyone dances (awkwardly) as the orchestra plays.
  • Mary: “Kenny, you’re marvelous. And believe me, I’m kidding.” (21:40)

7. The Party Reaches its Climax

[22:06–29:20]

• Phil Harris arrives with Joan Bennett; the gathering is complete.
  • Mary: “He calls every girl he takes out, ‘baby’... half of them you can’t even pronounce.” (24:09)
• Joan jokes about Mary’s dress; the women trade zingers.
• Jack and Joan reminisce about making the film "Artists and Models Abroad," leading to more banter.
  • Joan: “You really like it? …No, but it’s Christmas.” (24:23)
  • Jack: “I saw it 12 times.” (26:48)
  • Joan: “You know your part, Jeff.” (26:54)
• Under the mistletoe, Jack kisses Joan (and the house erupts in “Yippee!” and “Hooray!”).

8. Santa Gets Stuck & The Party Races On

[28:32–29:20]

• The guests gather for gift-giving, but Andy, as Santa, gets hilariously stuck in the chimney.
  • Andy/Santa: “Deaf? Nothing. I'm stuck in the chimney.” (29:07)
• Mary shrugs: “Let’s eat.” (29:14)
  The party moves to dinner, ending on a farcical note.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Don Wilson (Thanking the audience):

  “We want to thank you, listeners, for your gift to us of friendship and loyalty during the past four and a half years.” (01:32)

• Mary Livingston (on Jack’s tree):

  “I never saw such a droopy tree. It looks like Zazu fits in a green dress.” (02:32)

• Rochester (on diminished star):

  “Well, it went down two points this last year.” (03:18)

• Kenny Baker (explaining musical gifts):

  “Yeah, every time you blow, your nose chimes ring.” (07:44)

• Jack Benny (after falling off ladder):

  “Oh, my leg.” (14:41)
  “I hope somebody sent me a pair of tweezers.” (14:54)

• Mary Livingston, reading celebrity telegrams:

  “Dear Jack, terribly sorry that Ms. Stanwyck and I are unable to come... her dog, Rover, is quite ill.” (09:08)
  “Dear Jack, believe me, Mr. Taylor is telling the truth. I have a terrible headache. Signed, Rover.” (09:24)

• Don Wilson (Jello romance):

  “Roses are red, violets are blue, Jello is tempting, and so are you.” (15:47)

• Joan Bennett & Mary (fashion rivalry):

  “Gee, that's a pretty dress you've got on.”
  “Thanks. You really like it? No, but it’s Christmas.” (24:21–24:23)

• Jack Benny (about watching his film):

  “I saw it 12 times.” (26:48)

• Ending gag—Santa stuck:

  “Santa Claus...are you deaf? ...Deaf, nothing. I'm stuck in the chimney!” (29:07)

Segment Timestamps for Reference

• Universal thank-yous & intro: 00:55–01:53
• Trimming the tree & first guests: 02:08–05:07
• Gift exchange & musical handkerchiefs: 07:22–08:13
• Comic telegrams: 09:01–09:38; 13:27–13:53; 18:22–18:38
• Carols: 10:07–13:00
• Jack’s romantic rivalry: 14:05–16:23
• Santa plan begins: 16:34–18:09
• Dancing scene: 21:34–22:00
• Phil Harris & Joan Bennett Arrive: 22:06–24:16
• Jack & Joan, mistletoe: 27:38–28:20
• Santa stuck in chimney: 28:49–29:20

Final Thoughts

Jack Benny’s "Christmas Open House" episode is a time capsule of holiday cheer, quick-witted repartee, and vaudevillian antics. The joy comes not from plot twists but from the ensemble’s chemistry, relentless teasing, and gentle send-ups of stardom and holiday excess. Moments of warmth—a carol, a botched dinner, a joke-laden gift exchange—anchor the laughter, inviting listeners into an old-school Christmas family gathering, golden age Hollywood-style.