tv 1956

Season 6, Episode 8 – Aired: 1/1/1956
New Year's Day Show
Jack reads phony telegrams wishing him a Happy New Year, then chats with the coaches from tomorrow's Rose Bowl game, Red Sanders of UCLA and Duffy Daugherty of Michigan State. The Sportsmen Quartet sing a football fight song with a verse about Lucky cigarettes.
For the last 12 years on radio, the Benny show has done a sentimental, patriotic piece about the New Year year called The New Tenent; they restage it for the camera as a radio performance. Sitting with the cast is a grumpy man Jack doesn't recognize from rehearsal; he's part of the audience but couldn't find a seat. In the radio sketch, Benny plays the Old Timer, 1955, turning 1956 over to a new young kid.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself/Old Timer 1955 / Don Wilson - Himself/Uncle Sam
Guest Cast
Red Sanders - Himself / Charles Herbert - Himself/New Year 1956 / Hugh "Duffy" Daugherty - Himself / Gene Twambley - Himself / Sound Effects Man
Choreography - William Lundy (Choreographer for the Sportsmen)
Recurring Roles
Mel Blanc - Himself , Airplane , Mars / Benny Rubin - Audience Member Sitting on Stage
Sportsmen Quartet - Martin Sperzel (1950-1957) Gurney Bell Bill Days Robert Garsen (1954-1965)
Lois Corbet - Lois Wilson and Columbia / Writers - Al Gordon Writer Hal Goldman Sam Perrin George Balzer

Season 6, Episode 9 – Aired: 1/15/1956
Don Invites Gang To Dinner
A livid Benny blames his nasty cold on Don Wilson and wants to fire him. Don had invited Jack, Mary, Bob, and Dennis over for dinner after rehearsal, but ignored Jack's repeated advice to phone ahead and notify his wife. Once at the Wilson house, Don reconsiders and asks the gang to wait outside while he tells her some people might drop by. Jack is the last one left waiting outside when it begins to rain. Then, a robber comes at him with a gun and demands "Your money or your life!" After going over Don's contract with a lawyer, Jack decides to keep Don; Benny feels guilty over how little he's paying him. Dennis Day sings "Almost Like Being in Love."
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Don Wilson - Himself / Dennis Day - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones
Guest Cast
Harlan Warde - Director / Joe Downing - Hold-up Man (as Joseph Downing)
Recurring Roles
Benny Rubin - Cab Driver / Joseph Kearns - Mr. Kearns / Lois Corbet - Lois Wilson / Bob Crosby - Himself / Mary Livingstone - Herself
Director Of Photography - John MacBurnie / Art Director - Martin Obzina / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Associate Producer - Richard Fisher
Writers - Al Gordon Hal Goldman Sam Perrin George Balzer / Executive Producer - Ralph Levy / Producer - Hilliard Marks

Season 6, Episode 10 – Aired: 1/29/1956
How Jack Met Rochester
Jack tells his guest Sarah Churchill how he first met Rochester. In a flashback, Jack is making his big move from New York to Hollywood as cheaply as possible. Rochester is the porter on the train Jack is taking westward. Benny is smuggling Don (for whom he bought a children's ticket) and Dennis (no ticket) in his upper berth. Rochester discovers his scheme but promises to keep it quiet. Unfortunately, the conductor finds out and fires Rochester on the spot. Feeling badly for having gotten Rochester canned, Jack offers him a job as his butler/nursemaid.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Don Wilson - Himself / Dennis Day - Himself
Guest Cast
Sarah Churchill - Herself / Will Wright - Conductor / George Comfort - Dining Car Waiter / Joe Roach - Extra / Nancy Duke - Extra / Betty Rome - Extra / Seymour Rosen - Extra
Writers - Al Gordon Writer Hal Goldman Sam Perrin George Balzer
Recurring Roles
Benny Rubin - Indian / Roy Glenn - Henry, a Porter

Season 6, Episode 11 – Aired: 2/12/1956
William Holden/Frances Bergen Show
Jack introduces Dennis Day who aggravates him with stories of his dead uncle before singing. Benny introduces William Holden, director Mervyn LeRoy, and Frances Bergen in the audience. He invites Frances on stage and she discusses a film offer she's had. Jack wonders why he never gets drama roles; she tells him it's because he has zero sex appeal. To prove otherwise, he improvises a lame seductive love scene with her. It's so bad that William Holden comes onstage to show Jack how it's done. After a kiss from Holden, Bergen swoons and goes limp. Don presents his dufus son Harlow to do the the Lucky Strike commercial, and the young man botches it thoroughly.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Dennis Day - Himself / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Frances Bergen - Herself / William Holden - Himself / Mervyn LeRoy - Himself / Thomas Wade - Stagehand
Recurring Roles
Dale White - Harlow Wilson
Writers - Al Gordon Writer Hal Goldman Sam Perrin George Balzer

Season 6, Episode 12 – Aired: 2/26/1956
Rochester Sleeps Through Jack's Show
Rochester sits down to watch Jack's show, but falls asleep. Jack expects Rochester, his toughest critic, to give him an honest evaluation of the program, but Rochester gives him nothing but evasive answers. Discovering that he slept through the show, an angry Jack sends him to his room without supper. Reconsidering, Benny goes to apologize and finds Rochester packing his clothes, not knowing that he's simply getting ready for a camping trip. Horrified that Rochester is leaving him, Jack offers him more days off--even Labor Day--and makes him a steak dinner. Rochester milks the situation for all it's worth.
Mary Livingstone and Rob Crosby sing "How About You."
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Leon Tyler - Guest Star
Editorial Supervisor - Richard G. Wray / Daniel A. Nathan (Film Editor)
Art Director - Martin Obzina / Director Of Photography - John MacBurnie / Associate Producers - Richard Fisher / Musical director - Mahlon Merrick
Producer - Hilliard Marks / Executive Producer - Ralph Levy
Recurring Roles
Mary Livingstone - Herself / Joe Besser - Joey Mel Blanc - Polly (voice) / Roy Glenn - Roy / Bob Crosby - Himself / Writers - Hal Goldman Al Gordon

Season 6, Episode 13 – Aired: 3/11/1956
Jack Drives To Palm Springs
Jack, Rochester and Polly the parrot are driving to Palm Springs in Benny's prehistoric Maxwell, planning to meet Mary and Don there. Stopping at a gas station, attendant Mel Blanc ridicules their ancient vehicle.
Upon arrival, Jack is so eager for a dip in the pool that he leaps from the diving board without noticing that it's drained for cleaning. Jack is stuck bed with injuries for the duration of his vacation. The hotel's doctor, Frank Nelson, tells Mary to keep Jack's blood pressure up by showing him the bill every hour. The rest of Benny's trip is made more miserable by snide comments from Mary, Rochester, and Don.
Stars
Jack Benny -Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Leon Tyler - Bellboy / Thomas Wade - Waiter / Foster H. Phinney - Man in Jaguar / Johnny Silver - 2nd Gas Station Attendant / Jan Arvan - Doctor's Assistant
Recurring Roles
Frank Nelson - Hotel Doctor / Mary Livingstone - Herself / Mel Blanc - Gas Station Attendant/ Polly the Parrot (Voice) / Benny Rubin - Pool Cleaner
Writers - Al Gordon George Balzer Hal Goldman Sam Perrin
Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Director - Ralph Levy / Executive Producer - Ralph Levy / Producer - Hilliard Marks / Make-Up Artist - Jack Barron
Costume Supervisor - Vincent Dee / Associate Producer - Richard Fisher

Season 6, Episode 14 – Aired: 3/25/1956
Jack Opens Beverly Hills Office
Jack opens a swanky business office in Beverly Hills, but does it on the cheap. To cut expenses, he shares the suite with an interior decorator and hires a surly drug store waitress as receptionist. Dore Shary, the head of MGM, comes by to talk with Jack about a film role, but Benny's less than thrilled about the part and the money. The decorator takes a look at Jack's office and trashes the place, leading to an offer for him from Schary.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Don Wilson - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones

Guest Cast

Dore Schary - Himself / Wilfred Knapp - Mr. Elliot, Building Owner / William Munchow - Mover's Assistant
Director - Ralph Levy / Writers - George Balzer Al Gordon Hal Goldman Sam Perrin / Producer - Hilliard Marks
Recurring Roles
Iris Adrian - Miss Adrian, Secretary / Artie Auerbach - Mr. Kitzel / Joe Besser - Mr. Henshaw, Interior Decorator / Benny Rubin - Furniture Mover
Sportsmen Quartet - Gurney Bell Bill Days Robert Garsen (1954-1965) Martin Sperzel (1950-1957)

Season 6, Episode 15 – Aired: 4/8/1956
Gisele Mackenzie Show
Jack reads a public service announcement on behalf of the IRS, and jokes about the band member's deductions. Gisele MacKenzie joins Jack to chat and sings "Poor People of Paris." Meanwhile backstage, Jack's press agent proves a pest. Don and Lois Wilson beg Jack to give their son one more chance at doing the Luckies commercial. Lois said Harlow fouled up last time because Don yelled at him. Harlow does another lousy job, causing his mother to lose her temper and bust Jack's violin over his head. Gisele and Jack reprise their a violin duet from the year before, "Getting to Know You."
Stars
Don Wilson - Himself / Jack Benny - Himself
Guest Cast
Tom D'Andrea - Steve Bradley / Gisele MacKenzie - Herself / Thomas Wade - Stagehand
William Munchow - Photographer / Technical Director - Ken Kaylor / Ralph Levy - Director
Recurring Roles
Dale White - Harlow Wilson / Lois Corbet - Lois Wilson
Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee / Writers - Al Gordon Hal Goldman George Balzer Sam Perrin / Producer - Hilliard Marks / Executive Producer - Ralph Levy
Set Decorator - Bob Gullickson

Season 6, Episode 16 – Aired: 4/22/1956
Jack Tries To Get a Passport
Frustrations set Jack's blood boiling as he plans his European vacation. At the passport office, he encounters endless red-tape as he's shuffled from window to window. He has his photo taken by photographer Mel Blanc who hands every man the same photo of Rock Hudson, and smart-mouthed bureaucrat Frank Nelson who's not wearing any pants. Everyone gives Benny a dirty look when he repeatedly claims his age as 39.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Don Wilson - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones
Guest Cast
Richard Deacon - Dead-Pan Man / Ann Scott - Ann Klem, Woman in Audience / Harry Stewart - Olaf Yorgenson, Swede in Line / William Munchow - Uniformed Passport Man
Margaret Brayton - Female Passport Clerk / Mike Rayhill - Young Male Passport Clerk
Extras - Thomas Wade Betty Rome Frances Pasco Kathryn Moore Nancy Duke Laura Anders Andrew Orapeza Ron Brogan Charles Sheridan
Recurring Roles
Mel Blanc - Passport Photographer
Sportsmen Quartet - Robert Garsen (1954-1965) Gurney Bell Bill Days Martin Sperzel (1950-1957)
Frank Nelson - Passport Office Clerk
Producer - Hilliard Marks / Director - Ralph Levy / Writers - Al Gordon Hal Goldman George Balzer Sam Perrin

Season 7, Episode 1 – Aired: 9/23/1956
Alfred Wallenstein Show
In the season premiere, Jack is nervous about a violin concert he's giving at Carnegie Hall. Trying to do some last-minute practicing, he distracted by a pair of locksmiths he called to open his basement vault; Jack has lost the only key. The conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra for Jack's performance, Alfred Wallenstein, comes by to offer pointers. He hears little because of all the sawing and grinding coming from the vault. When the locksmiths resort to blasting, Jack plays on, oblivious to all the plaster and debris falling around him.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Alfred Wallenstein - Himself / William Munchow - 1st Male Reporter / William Henry - 2nd Male Reporter / Chuckie Bradley - Woman Reporter / Nick Stewart - Sam (voice only)
Recurring Roles
Artie Auerbach - Mr. Kitzel / Mel Blanc - 1st Locksmith / Benny Rubin - 2nd Locksmith
Sportsmen Quartet - Martin Sperzel (1950-1957) Bill Days Gurney Bell Robert Garsen (1954-1965)
Writers - Al Gordon Hal Goldman George Balzer Sam Perrin

Season 7, Episode 2 – Aired: 10/7/1956
George Burns/Spike Jones Show
Recalling his Carnegie Hall performance, Jack has jitters before the show. Spike Jones drops in backstage because he couldn't believe Jack Benny was really playing there. Trying to relax, Jack dreams that Felix Mendelssohn compliments his violin playing. In a nightmare, the Devil (George Burns) offers to make Jack the greatest violinist of all time; naturally, there's a catch. Jack begins to play with the orchestra, but the conductor is replaced by Spike Jones. The orchestra begins playing wildly and Jack has to be carried offstage on a stretcher, still playing his violin.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Gracie Allen - Herself (voice only) / George Burns - Devil / Peter James - "City Slickers" Member / Spike Jones - Himself / Freddie Morgan - "City Slickers" Member
Paul 'Mousie' Garner - "City Slickers" Member / Lowell Gilmore - Concert Announcer / Bob Darrin - Man / Carey Leverette - Stretcher Bearer / Paul Rees - Stretcher Bearer
Recurring Roles
Artie Auerbach - Mendelssohl / Director - Ralph Levy
Technical Director - Ken Kaylor / Writers - Sam Perrin George Balzer Al Gordon Hal Goldman / Associate Producer - Richard Fisher / Producer - Hilliard Marks
Associate Director - John F. Meyers / Lighting Designer - James S. Rice / Set Decorator - Buck Henshaw / Executive Producer - Ralph Levy / Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee

Season 7, Episode 3 – Aired: 10/21/1956
George Gobel/Red Skelton Show
Jack Benny and George Gobel face off as opposing candidates as each vies for the presidency Of the Beverly Hills Beavers. Gobel, who has a nephew in the club, joined the race after hearing about jack's candidacy. Each candidate ends up with just one vote apiece. The winner is another celebrity who has a nephew in the group.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
George Gobel - Himself / Red Skelton - Himself
Guest Stars - Dennis Pepper Hugh Cochran Scotty Morrow Mel Stevens Ronald Anton Gary Allen Rosemarie Ace
Associate Director - John F. Meyers
Recurring Roles
Barbara Pepper - Herself
Writers - Hal Goldman Al Gordon George Balzer Sam Perrin / Executive Producer - Ralph Levy / Producer - Hilliard Marks / Lighting Designer - James S. Rice
Set Decorator - Buck Henshaw / Associate Producer - Richard Fisher / Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee / Technical Director - Ken Kaylor / Ralph Levy - Director
Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick

Season 7, Episode 4 – Aired: 11/4/1956
Jack Is Invited To the Ronald Colmans
While cleaning house, Rochester discovers Jack's old diary and reads an entry about Benny being invited to Ronald and Bonita Coleman's home for dinner. In the flashback, Rochester recalls the event. An invitation shows up on Benny's doorstep addressed to "Jack" and inviting him to the Colemans' home; the invitation was intended for the couple's British friend Jack Wellington. Benny shows up at the Coleman home anyhow, dressed in gaudy white tie and tails. When the British Jack shows up only in casual slacks and a sweater, Benny is convinced that this guy is an under-dressed party crasher.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Benita Hume - Herself / John Sutton - Guest Star / Eric Snowden - Guest Star / Ronald Colman - Himself
Make-Up Artist - Leo Lotito, Jr. / Costume Supervisor - Vincent Dee
Recurring Roles
Lois Corbet - Lois Wilson / Mary Livingstone - Herself
Writers - Sam Perrin George Balzer Al Gordon / Director - Ralph Levy / Assistant Director - Jack Corrick / Sound Supervisor - Earl Crain Jr.
Set Decorator - James Redd / Executive Producer - Ralph Levy / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Associate Producer - Richard Fisher
Director Of Photography - John MacBurnie

Season 7, Episode 5 – Aired: 11/18/1956
Jack's Maxwell Is Stolen
Jack's monologue is interrupted by a phone call from Rochester informing him that his Maxwell has been stolen. Unable to call the Beverly Hills Police to report the crime (their number is unlisted), Jack hurries to the station. Don is left to introduce the Sportsmen. Caught off guard, they dress onstage while singing "Puttin' on My Top Hat" and a Lucky Strike commercial. The Beverly Hills Police station is incredibly ritzy: the receptionist asks Jack if he has an appointment, the "hounds" are French poodles, the dispatchers play pop records on the radio between announcements. When the "DJ" plays a Lawrence Welk tune, bubble machines turn on and everyone ballroom dances. One of the thieves is caught when he returns the car to Jack's house.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Robert J. Stevenson - Officer O'Hara / Lyle Talbot - Sgt. Vandermeer
Associate Producer - Richard Fisher / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Producer - Hilliard Marks / Executive Producer - Ralph Levy / Director - Ralph Levy
Writers - Al Gordon Hal Goldman George Balzer Sam Perrin
Sprotsmen Quartet - Bill Days Martin Sperzel (1950-1957) Gurney Bell Bill Days

Season 7, Episode 6 – Aired: 12/2/1956
Jack Locked In The Tower of London
In the first of four episodes filmed on location in Europe, Jack and Mary visit London. Jack has a major reaction to the monetary exchange rate. The twosome take a tour of the Tower of London. Jack is so entranced by the collection of Crown Jewels on display that he's left behind by the group and locked in the Tower for the night. Benny dreams he's back in the 16th century and a vengeful Henry VIII has mistaken him for a musician named Smeaton who's Ann Boleyn's lover. Believing Jack is that cad, the king plans to get his revenge on Jack in his elaborate torture chamber. Benny rallies to the occasion and single-handedly defeats a group of guards and wins a sword fight.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Guest Stars - Robert Raikes Michael Ward Edward Forsythe Frank Atkinson Clifford Buckton Derek Waring
Recurring Roles
Mary Livingstone - Herself
Writers - Sam Perrin George Balzer Al Gordon Hal Goldman
Director - Ralph Levy / Associate Producer - Richard Fisher / Executive Producer - Ralph Levy / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Make-Up Artist - Dorrie Hamilton
Set Designer - Robert Tyler Lee / Assistant Director - William Lang / Costume Supervisor - Felix Evans / Film Editor - Stanley Rabjohn / Editorial Supervisor - Richard G. Wray

Season 7, Episode 7 – Aired: 12/16/1956
The Mikado
Dennis wants to do his Elvis Presley imitation, but Jack says no. Don does the Lucky Strike commercial with his untalented son Harlow. Jack intends to class the show by staging a condensed version of the opera The Mikado. Jack is Koko, the Lord High Executioner with Dennis playing Nanki-Poo disguised as a minstrel. The production falls apart when, instead of singing the Japanese love song that's planned, Dennis does his Elvis imitation in his Asian costume.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Dennis Day - Himself / Don Wilson - Himself
Executive Producer - Ralph Levy / Director - Ralph Levy / Technical Director - Ken Kaylor / Writers - Al Gordon Hal Goldman George Balzer Sam Perrin
Set Decorator - Dwight Gibson / Lighting Designer - James S. Rice / Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee / Associate Producer - Richard Fisher

Choreography - Jack Regas / Associate Director - John F. Meyers / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Producer - Hilliard Marks

Season 7, Episode 8 – Aired: 12/30/1956
Talent Show
During Jack's monologue about his Christmas gifts, Don interrupts with a purse found by an usher. Jayne Mansfield comes out of the audience to claim it, saying the usher grabbed it from her when she was walking past. Jayne says it's a sneaky way to get a guest star.
The Sportsmen Quartet sing and Rochester dances to "New Years in Trinidad" leading into the musical Lucky Strike ad.
Jack conducts a talent contest. First is Mel Blanc as Stanley Gropff (Jack sprays on him every time he says the man's name) who performs animal impressions. Next is phony "The Landrews Sisters" trio (one regular, one sour, one fat) who sing and dance to "Did You Ever See a Dream Walking." Lastly, Leon Salvadore, a judo champ chosen by Jack. He's immediately beaten unconscious by the six big men.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Muriel Landers - "The Landrews Sisters" / June Earle - "The Landrews Sisters" / Iris Adrian - "The Landrews Sisters"
Leon Lanza - Leon Salvadore / Jayne Mansfield - Herself
Writers - Sam Perrin George Balzer Hal Goldman Al Gordon
Director - Ralph Levy Director / Executive Producer - Ralph Levy / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Producer - Hilliard Marks / Set Decorator - Dwight Gibson
Recurring Roles
Mel Blanc - Animal Impersonater Stanley Gropff
Sportsmen Quartet - Bill Days Gurney Bell (1950-1957) Robert Garsen (1954-1965) Martin Sperzel (1950-1957)