Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: The Jell-O Show Starring Jack Benny (1941-01-05) – Christmas Gift Exchange
Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio

Episode Overview

This episode features a classic installment of The Jell-O Show starring Jack Benny, originally aired January 5, 1941. The main theme is the post-holiday banter among Jack and his regular cast, centering around the annual ritual of exchanging unwanted Christmas gifts, sharing holiday misadventures, recounting a comedic trip to the Rose Bowl game, and the show's trademark witty blend of sponsor plugs, musical numbers, and sparkling repartee. The overall tone is light-hearted and self-deprecating, with the cast poking fun at themselves and each other in a fast, quick-witted, and playful manner.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Christmas Gift Exchange Fiascos

• Jack’s Reluctant Returns:
  • Jack is caught by Don Wilson exchanging Christmas gifts at a department store.
  • ("I was exchanging some of my Christmas gifts." – Jack Benny, 03:08)
• Unwanted Gifts:
  • Don received three electric razors; Jack got 25 bottles of cologne.
  • Jack quips about throwing a cocktail party using cologne as a mix called a "Central Avenue lullaby." (03:45)
• Outlandish Presents:
  • Jack exchanged Phil Harris’s present because, "I'm too old for an Indian suit." (04:06)
  • Recalls Phil’s last year’s gift: a manhole cover, which Jack hung on his wall as “Home Sweet Home.” (04:28)

2. New Year’s Eve Adventures

• Jack’s Date with Mary:
  • Jack details an early evening with Mary Livingston, with playful debate about their activities and Jack’s supposed thrift.
  • Mary: "At 12:01, Jack put the horn in his pocket and said, let's go home, Mary." (05:00)
  • Mary pokes fun at Jack’s dancing: "That was the first time I ever did the Turkey Trot." (05:44)
  • Jack insists he was doing the La Conga, not the Turkey Trot. Mary: "I thought your rheumatiz was giving you the biz." (06:05)

3. Dennis Day’s New Year’s Hangover Myth

• Misleading Headaches:
  • Dennis arrives asking for aspirin, but clarifies, “I bumped it getting out of my car.” (06:31)
• Running Joke about Film Screenings:
  • Ongoing joke about Jack sending Dennis to see Jack’s movie every night to laugh at his picture. (07:01–07:29)
  • Dennis sings "I'm Gonna Round Up My Love." (08:08–10:35)

4. Names and Respect

• Titles and Familiarity:
  • Jack notes Dennis now calls him "Jack" instead of "Mr. Benny."
  • Jack: "I kind of like the idea of your calling me Mr. Benny. It adds a little dignity..." (10:59)
  • Mary teases Jack: "Do you want me to call you Mr. Benny, too?" (11:08)

5. Phil Harris’s Grand Entrance and Resolutions

• Phil Arrives Late:
  • Jack ribbing Phil about showing up late, suggesting a microphone installed at a pool hall. (12:31)
• Phil’s New Year’s Resolutions:
  • Phil resolves to cut out smoking, drinking, gambling, and staying up late—but won’t give up chasing women: "When they stop running." (13:15)
• Jack's Suggestion:
  • Urges Phil to learn more about music: "when you pick up a piece of paper...don't look at your boys and say, 'There's a spy around here.'" (13:36)

6. Jell-O Commercial Antics

• Don Wilson’s Sponsor Gags:
  • Don claims his 1941 resolution is to find new ways to tell people about Jell-O, such as listing flavors out of order and even saying "Look for the big red letters on the box" backwards. (14:25)
  • Mary’s quick-witted reply: "Say box beyond Letters read big before look." (14:34)
  • Jack: "Well, mouth my shot." (14:34)

7. Phil’s Absurd Expense Account

• Discussion of Trip Expenses:
  • Phil tries to get Jack to approve his extravagant New York trip expense account. (15:15 onward)
  • Jack puzzled by odd items:
    • Laundry for two weeks: 37 cents
    • Ice: $2.50
    • Bromo: $135 and again $100
    • Notably "I.G.R." for $45 ("I got robbed.") (16:58)
    • Elevator: $400 (15:29–17:21)

8. The Rose Bowl Game Misadventures

• Recap of the Day:
  • Mary narrates the group’s chaotic trip to the Rose Bowl with Jack's girlfriend Gladys, including slapstick moments and Jack's rising jealousy. (19:46–29:33)
• Gladys’ Popularity:
  • Multiple run-ins with “Leftys,” old friends, and even a hot dog vendor named Slapperman (24:03), all of whom seem to know Gladys, much to Jack’s distress.
• Comic Tension:
  • Jack grows increasingly jealous of Gladys's many male acquaintances, culminating in his decision to leave the game, feeling upstaged and frustrated.

9. Notable Musical Numbers

• Orchestra Performance:
  • The show includes musical performances, e.g., "Moon Over Tarzana" opening (01:05), "I'm Gonna Round Up My Love" by Dennis Day (08:08), “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” by Phil Harris and orchestra (19:18).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jack on exchanging Phil’s gift:
  • "I don't care whether I hurt his feelings or not. I'm too old for an Indian suit." (04:06)
• On Re-Gifting:
  • "He gives a darnedest Christmas present. Last year he sent me a manhole cover." (04:16)
• Jack’s dancing skills, Mary’s take:
  • "That was the first time I ever did the Turkey Trot." (05:44)
  • Jack retorts: "That wasn't the Turkey Trot at all. I was doing the La Conga." (05:51)
  • Mary: "I thought your rheumatiz was giving you the biz." (06:05)
• Phil's New Year's resolution on women:
  • Jack: "When are you going to cut out running after women?"
  • Phil: "When they stop running." (13:15)
• Don’s Jell-O pitch reversal:
  • "Look for the big red letters on the box? Well, this year I'm going to say it backwards." (14:25)
• Phil’s expense itemization:
  • "I.G.R. $45." – Jack: "What's this?" Phil: "I got robbed." (16:59)
• On Gladys’ familiarity:
  • Jack: "Another Lefty. Don't you know anybody that's right handed?" (27:04)
• Jack, defeated:
  • "Well, that's the last straw. I'm leaving. I'm not even going to stay and see the game." (29:13)
• Mary’s Comeback:
  • "So there you are, Tom. That's exactly what happened at the Rose Bowl game on New Year's Day." (29:27)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:01] – Jack and Don discuss returning Christmas gifts
• [04:06] – Jack explains exchanging the Indian suit from Phil
• [05:44] – Mary's quip about Jack's dancing
• [06:31] – Dennis’s headache and the running cinema joke
• [08:08] – Dennis Day sings "I'm Gonna Round Up My Love"
• [12:31] – Phil Harris arrives; New Year's resolutions banter
• [14:25] – Sponsor ad is comedically recited backwards
• [15:15] – Examining Phil’s expense account
• [19:46] – The recap of the Rose Bowl game day begins
• [24:03] – Encounter with hot dog vendor Slapperman
• [27:04] – Jack gets jealous over "Lefty"
• [29:13] – Jack storms out of the game in jealousy

Additional Observations

• The episode showcases the archetypal Jack Benny persona: thriftiness, easily wounded pride, gentle self-mockery, and comic jealousy.
• Mary Livingston plays the perfect sardonic foil with sharp one-liners.
• Phil Harris represents the roguish charmer, with a devil-may-care attitude.
• Dennis Day is the lovable, naïve junior, often missing the joke but providing memorable musical interludes.
• The show’s structure naturally accommodates sponsor plugs as comedic elements, keeping energy high and transitions smooth.

Conclusion

This episode is a prime example of the Jack Benny Show’s ensemble chemistry, clever self-parody, and gentle lampooning of mid-century American traditions. It delivers an enjoyable mix of witty banter, situational comedy, and nostalgic charm—a time capsule from radio’s golden era that still amuses with its sharp writing and cast interplay.