tv 1958

Season 8, Episode 9 – Aired: 1/12/1958
Jack Takes a Beaver To The Dentist
Rochester does his impression of Louis Armstrong and sings "I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby." The den mother of the Beverly Hills Beavers, Mrs. Miller, asks Jack to take her two sons to the dentist. When one of the boys start to complain about having to have a tooth pulled, Jack gives a stern lecture on the importance of dental health. To show how painless going to the dentist is, Benny hops in the chair and has the doctor examine his teeth. When the doctor finds big problems in his mouth, Jack sings a whole different tune.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Don Wilson - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones
Guest Cast
Margaret Brayton - Mrs. Miller / Stephen Wootton - Joey Miller / Charles Herbert - Stevie Miller / Joseph Kearns - Dr. Peyton
Recurring Roles
Jeanette Eymann - Nurse / Benny Rubin - Recurring Role / Mel Blanc - Mr. Brown / Elvia Allman - Mrs. Brown (voice) / Artie Auerbach - Mr. Kitzel
Director Of Photography - John L. Russell / Director - Don Weis / Writers - Sam Perrin George Balzer Al Gordon Hal Goldman
Art Director - John Meehan / Film Editor - Daniel A. Nathan / Editorial Supervisor - Richard G. Wray / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick

Season 8, Episode 10 – Aired: 1/26/1958
Honeymooners Show
Jack introduces Dennis Day, who's pouting because he hasn't been on the show in five months. After claiming his loyalty, and insulting Jack in the process, he sings "The Twelfth of Never." In the sketch, Jack plays Ralph Kramden in a parody of The Honeymooners, with guest Audrey Meadows as Alice and Dennis as Ed Norton. Ralph accuses Alice of stealing his bowling ball money to buy dresses while bellowing, waving his arms, and pacing a la Gleason. Fuming, he says he'll get his own dinner. He and Norton eat what they think is tuna salad; Alice doesn't tell them it's cat food. When the bowling ball she bought for him arrives, Ralph has to tell her, "Baby, you're the greatest!" In the epilogue, Audrey compares the hotel Jack put her in to the Kramden's rundown apartment.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself, Ralph Kramden / Dennis Day - Himself, Ed Norton / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Eddie Shaw - Delivery Boy / Audrey Meadows - Herself, Alice Kramden
Associate Director - John F. Meyers / Set Decorator - Buck Henshaw / Lighting Designer - James S. Rice / Technical Director - Ken Kaylor
Director - Seymour Bern / Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee / Writers - Al Gordon Hal Goldman George Balzer Sam Perrin
Music Supervisor - Mahlon Merrick / Producer - Hilliard Marks / Assistant To The Producer - Jack Langdon

Season 8, Episode 11 – Aired: 2/9/1958
Jack At The Races
Mary comes over to go with Jack to the racetrack. Dennis shows up to tag along and inform Jack that he's suing him for calling him stupid. Dennis sings "If I Loved You."
Jack and Mary try to grab lunch at the racetrack restaurant, but Jack irritates the waiter with his demands. Racetrack tout Sheldon Leonard tells Jack which table to eat at. Dennis explains his insane system for betting, but Jack intends to bet his big $5 on Speedy Girl. Benny runs into his sponsor, Mr. Lewis, and convinces him to bet on Speedy Girl as well. In the meantime, Jack changes his bet to Mr. Lewis' original horse. Lewis loses $100; Jack proves such an insufferable winner that Mary knocks him out with one quick punch.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Dennis Day - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Pierre Watkin - Mr. Lewis (as Pierre Watkins)
Hairstylist - Florence Bush / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Art Director - John Meehan / Editoral Supervisor - Richard G. Wray
Film Editor - Daniel A. Nathan / Set Decorator - Perry Murdock / Sound Supervisor - William Lynch / Assistant Director - Ronnie Rondell Jr.
Costume Supervisor - Vincent Dee / Make-Up Artist - Jack Barron / Director - Don Weis / Writers - Hal Goldman Sam Perrin George Balzer Al Gordon

Season 8, Episode 12 – Aired: 2/23/1958
Violin Competition With Gisele MacKenzie
Jack explains that TV shows need exciting openings; that's why this one began with a guest getting his head chopped off. Gisele MacKenzie chats with Jack and sings a song. Benny's attempt to tell a joke is interrupted by an audience member (Mel Blanc) upset about Jack's smog jokes; the complainer proceeds to choke and cough from the L.A. air. Don and Harlow perform a weird song and dance about Siam. For the finale, Jack invites the band members (and their parole officer) on stage to back him and Gisele on their duet, "Sweet Georgia Brown." Jack's attempt at a solo on "Tea For Two" causes Blanc to return, confiscate the violin, and lead the band offstage.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Gisele MacKenzie - Herself / Charles Wagenheim - Headless Man, Gregory Winthrop / Paul Serra - Band's Parole Officer
Choreography - Glenn Turnbull / Writers - Al Gordon Hal Goldman George Balzer Sam Perrin / Director - Seymour Berns / Technical Director - Ken Kaylor
Producer - Hilliard Marks / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Assistant To The Producer - Jack Langdon / Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee
Lighting Designer - James S. Rice / Associate Director - John F. Meyers
Recurring Roles
Mel Blanc - Chamber of Commerce Complainer
Dale White - Harlow Wilson

Season 8, Episode 13 – Aired: 3/9/1958
Academy Awards
Jack is bent out of shape because he hasn't been asked to be an emcee at the upcoming Academy Awards. He badgers George Seaton, the president of the Motion Picture Academy. Then he visits Jerry Wald, the producer of the telecast, and pesters him. To get rid of Benny, Wald says that if one of the five emcees cancels, Jack will be the first one he calls. One of the hosts of the ceremony is Jimmy Stewart, so Jack pays his "friend" a visit. Stewart's shooting on a movie set and Jack destroys numerous takes. Finally, the big ham takes over Jimmy's role and shows him how it's supposed to be done.
Stars
Don Wilson - Himself / Jack Benny - Himself
Guest Cast
James Stewart - Himself / Jerry Wald - Himself / George Seaton - Himself / Joan Kelly - Miss Bruce, Secretary / Jan Arvan - Barber
Les Tremayne - Dick, Movie Director / Patricia Donahue - Actress in Film / Charles Sheridan - Clapperboard Man
Extras - Gerrie Bender Kevin Enright Seymour Rosen Al Silvani
Recurring Roles
Sprotsmen Quartet - Gurney Bell Bill Days Robert Garsen (1954-1965) Jay Moffett (1957-1965)
Director - Seymour Berns / Technical Director - Ken Kaylor / Writers - Al Gordon Hal Goldman George Balzer Sam Perrin / Producer - Hilliard Marks
Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee / Assistant To The Producer - Jack Langdon / Lighting Designer - James S. Rice

Season 8, Episode 14 – Aired: 3/23/1958
Railroad Station Show
Jack, Don and Rochester are heading to New York by train to meet with the show's sponsor. They can't go until Chuck the plumber finishes working on Jack's pipes, but Chuck keeps getting calls from his girlfriend making elopement plans. At Union Station, Jack runs into Mr. Kitzel who's heading to Chicago. Jack becomes irritated by the public address announcer and the clueless Information Desk clerk. Learning that there's already someone in his compartment, he goes to the ticket window and encounters surly Frank Nelson, who's given the compartment to his chubby daughter. Then Nelson hands Jack a live turkey he just won in the train station raffle. On the train, Nelson's daughter and boyfriend Chuck are married with Jack playing the violin and the turkey gobbling.
Stars
Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Jack Benny - Himself / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Napoleon Whiting - Porter / Dick Ryan - Preacher / Muriel Landers - Ticket Agent's Daughter
Producer - Hilliard Marks / Hairstylist - Florence Bush
Recurring Roles
Mel Blanc - Chuck the Plumber, Public Address Announcer, Turkey / Artie Auerbach - Mr. Kitzel / Herb Vigran - Milkman / Benny Rubin - Information Clerk / Frank Nelson - Ticket Agent
Director - Don Weis / Make-Up Artist - Leo Lotito, Jr. / Costume Supervisor - Vincent Dee
Writers - Hal Goldman Al Gordon Sam Perrin George Balzer / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick

Season 8, Episode 15 – Aired: 4/6/1958
Ronnie Burns Show
In the monologue, Jack tells the audience that Rochester bought him a live Easter rabbit, and he's planning on eating it. He also describes the Hollywood Easter Parade. He chats with guest Ronnie Burns, son of George Burns, and discovers that he and George each claim to have given the other their first break in show biz. Ronnie sings his (flop) single "Kinda Cute."
Angry that Jack gave the featured spot to George's son instead of his son, Harlow, Don sulks through the Lucky commercial and storms off.
Rochester calls to say Jack's new suit was delivered by the store owner, who was wearing it; for what Jack paid, he couldn't afford a box. Jack goes to Don's house to demand an apology for his tantrum. Benny says he'll help but needs to see his talent first. Harlow and Don duet on "Sonny Boy."
Stars
Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Don Wilson - Himself / Jack Benny - Himself
Guest Cast
Ronnie Burns - Himself / Seymour Rosen - Usher / Paul Power - Mr. Johnson
Writers - Sam Perrin Hal Goldman Al Gordon George Balzer / Director - Seymour Berns / Technical Director - Ken Kaylor / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick
Producer - Hilliard Marks
Recurring Roles
Lois Corbet - Lois Wilson / Dale White - Harlow Wilson
Lighting Designer - James S. Rice / Assistant To The Producer - Jack Langdon / Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee / Choreography - Jack Boyle

Season 8, Episode 16 – Aired: 4/20/1958
Hillbilly Act
Jack chews out his writers because they have no script yet for the next show. Telling his agent he's been working too hard, Jack says he's skipping rehearsals and leaves to play golf. The agent tells Benny's secretary the ridiculous story of how he discovered Jack, then a fiddle-playin' hick, performing in backwoods Arkansas. In the flashback, "Zeke" Benny and his shabby band, the Ozark Hillbillies, perform "You Are My Sunshine," "Fascinatin' Rhythm," and "Puttin' on the Ritz."
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Kay E. Kuter - Feuding Hillbilly / Guest Stars - Guy Wilkerson Russ Conway Joseph Kearns Sam Hearns / Valerie Scott - Hillbilly Band Vocalist Ma
Writers - Al Gordon George Balzer Sam Perrin Hal Goldman / Director - Don Weis / Producer - Hilliard Marks
Recurring Roles
Artie Auerbach - Mr. Kitzel / Mel Blanc - Recurring Role / Iris Adrian - Miss Adrian, Benny's Secretary / Herb Vigran - Recurring Role
Hillbilly Band Members - Wayne Songer Sammy Weiss Frank Remley Charles Bagby Don Rice

Season 9, Episode 1 – Aired: 9/21/1958
Gary Cooper Show
In the season premiere, guest star Gary Cooper sings "Bird Dog" with the Sportsmen Quartet.
Jack visits Cooper at a rehearsal of his next film, a western, to audition for the part of Gary's twin brother. Decked out in a ridiculous cowboy outfit and six-inch elevator shoes, Jack (aka Tex Morgan) swaggers in, sure he'll win the part. Benny changes his mind once he sees the scene he'd be in: a rowdy barroom brawl where his character gets beaten up.
In the epilogue, Benny introduces Cooper's wife and daughter in the studio audience.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself
Guest Cast
Gary Cooper - Himself / Jan Arvan - Mr. Bentley, Director / Sol Gorss - Tall Man Bob Houston / Dick Crockett - 1st Man / Dick Geary - 2nd Man / Paul Baxley - 3rd Man
Virginia Mancini - Girl Singer / Virginia Stefan - Girl / John Laing - Guest Announcer
Extras - Seymour Rosen Charles Sheridan Kevin Enright Sid Kane Joel Friend
Lighting Designer - Tom Schamp / Producer - Hilliard Marks / Associate Director - Howard A. Quinn / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee

Recurring Roles
Sportsmen Quartet - Bill Days Robert Garsen (1954-1965) Gurney Bell Jay Moffett (1957-1965)
Writers - Sam Perrin George Balzer Hal Goldman Al Gordon / Director - Seymour Berns / Technical Director - Ken Kaylor

Season 9, Episode 2 – Aired: 10/5/1958
Phil Harris Show
Jack discusses the World Series and read some reviews of his season premiere program. Benny is reunited with his old radio band leader, "hep cat" Phil Harris, who leads the band while singing "That's What I Like About the South." Benny interrupts the song, demanding that Harris make sense of the goofy lyrics. Since Jack has ordered Phil not to sing the foolish tune, he sings "Poker Club" instead.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones
Guest Cast
Phil Harris - Himself / Howard McNear - Announcer Elwood Hunter / John Laing - Guest Announcer
Recurring Roles
Frank Remley - Himself, Musician

Season 9, Episode 3 – Aired: 10/19/1958
The Millionaire
Marvin Miller, who plays courier Michael Anthony on the series The Millionaire, appears at Dennis Day's door and presents him a check for million dollars.
After his monologue, Jack introduces Dennis, but rock 'n roll duo Jan and Arnie come out and sing. Going to Dennis' house, Jack finds Day in a polo outfit, his mother expensively dressed, and Rochester working as their new butler. Michael Anthony returns and retrieves the check after discovering Dennis Day is just a stage name.
Jan and Arnie perform their single "The Beat That Can't Be Beat."
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Dennis Day - Himself
Guest Cast
Marvin Miller - Himself, Michael Anthony / June Foray - Maid, Girl at American Tobacco (voice only) / John Laing - Guest Announcer / Jan and Arnie - Themselves
Verna Felton - Dennis' Mother
Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee Art / Writers - Sam Perrin George Balzer Hal Goldman Al Gordon
Director - Seymour Berns / Technical Director - Ken Kaylor / Associate Director - Howard A. Quinn / Set Decorator - Arthur Jeph Parker
Recurring Roles
Benny Rubin - Man with Furs / Jeanette Eymann - 1st Phone Operator (voice only) / Glenn Turnbull - Joe, Stage Manager / Elvia Allman - 2nd Phone Operator (voice only)

Season 9, Episode 4 – Aired: 11/2/1958
Stars' Wives Show
Jack hires a painter, Mel Blanc, who likes to work to music. When Benny learns Blanc is paid 50 cents an hour, Jack puts on the fast side of an album. The Committee for the Improvement of Beverly Hills is meeting with the mayor. The group is made up of the wives of several big stars: Muriel (Ray) Milland , Delores (Bob) Hope, Jeanne (Dean) Martin, and Hjordis (David) Niven. Their want to get rid of Jack's mobile eyesore, his Maxwell, and decide to hold a raffle. Bob Hope and David Niven appear in a cameo at the end of the show.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Don Wilson - Himself (voice only) / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones
Guest Cast
Dolores Hope - Herself / Jeanne Martin - Herself / Joe Forte - Postman / Frank Wilcox - Mayor Davis / Virginia Gregg - Secretary / Bob Hope - Himself
David Niven - Himself / John Laing - Guest Announcer
Producer - Hilliard Marks / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee / Writers - Sam Perrin George Balzer Hal Goldman Al Gordon
Director - Seymour Berns / Technical Director - Ken Kaylor / Associate Director - Howard A. Quinn / Set Decorator - Arthur Jeph Parker / Lighting Designer - James S. Rice
Recurring Roles
Mel Blanc - Painter

Season 9, Episode 5 – Aired: 11/16/1958
Bachelor TV Lives
Jack is driving to New Orleans for a benefit concert and George Burns wants to ride along and perform. He proceeds to demonstrate his singing talents while Jack and Rochester pack. Benny's newspaper ad asking for riders gets a response from a pair of robbers who want to be picked up in front of a bank, and a bickering couple who fight over the front seat. Frank Nelson is the rude mechanic who brings Jack's car back from the garage. The Benny home erupts into chaos when another twenty people show up wanting to ride. All the while, Burns is still singing. In the epilogue, Jack parades the huge cast across the stage to the theme from Bridge Over the River Kwai.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
George Burns - Himself / Leonard Bremen - 1st Bank Robber / Len Lesser - 2nd Bank Robber / George Balzer - Technician
Extras - Colleen Collins Theona Bryant Tom Wade Barbara Fuller Bess Flowers Maurice Kelly Kevin Enright Laura Anders
Leoda Richards Paul Bradley Betty Rome Jeanette Eyrmann
Recurring Roles
Charles Bagby - Burns' Piano Player / Mel Blanc - Bickering Husband / Elvia Allman - Bickering Wife / Frank Nelson - Mechanic
Sportsmen Quartet - Gurney Bell Robert Garsen (1954-1965) Bill Days Jay Moffett (1957-1965)
Writers - Sam Perrin Hal Goldman Al Gordon George Balzer / Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee / Associate Director - Howard A. Quinn

Season 9, Episode 6 – Aired: 11/30/1958
Jack Goes To The Doctor
Jack is so agitated and irritable that guest Oscar Levant suggests he see his psychiatrist. While waiting for the doctor to finish with a patient, Oscar pinpoints the source of Jack's torment: Frank Nelson. Everywhere Jack goes, there Nelson is to give him grief. Before Benny hides under the carpet, he has visions of Nelson as a gas station attendant, a hot dog vendor, and a black hooded demon. Strangely, the psychiatrist's patient has the same problem--except it's Jack Benny who's tormenting him.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Don Weis - Himself / Olan Soule - Psychiatrist / Oscar Levant - Himself
Recurring Roles
Frank Nelson - Himself / Mary Livingstone - Herself / Jeanette Eymann - Secretary
Producer - Hilliard Marks / Writers - Sam Perrin George Balzer Al Gordon Hal Goldman / Director - Don Weis / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick
Hairstylist - Florence Bush / Set Decorator - Perry Murdock / Costume Supervisor - Vincent Dee / Make-Up Artist - Leo Lotito, Jr. / Art Director - John Meehan

Season 9, Episode 7 – Aired: 12/14/1958
Jack And Gisele Mackenzie
In his monologue, Jack talks about what Christmas gifts to give members of his cast. He and Gisele discuss her recent trip to Europe and she sings the Italian song "Non Dimenticar."
With Jack backstage, Don introduces his son Harlow to Gisele. She allows him do the commercial, which he constantly interrupts to make passes at her.
Dennis Day plugs his new holiday album Christmas Is For the Family. Jack and Gisele do another violin duet, "Czardis." Gisele prepares to play a piano, when a "surprise guest" pops out of the instrument: Red Skelton.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Dennis Day - Himself / Don Wilson - Himself
Guest Cast
Red Skelton - Himself / Gisele MacKenzie - Herself
Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Director - Seymour Berns / Technical Director - Ken Kaylor / Writers - Al Gordon Hal Goldman George Balzer Sam Perrin
Set Decorator - John D.W. Lamphear / Lighting Designer - James S. Rice / Associate Director - Howard A. Quinn / Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee / Producer - Hilliard Marks
Recurring Roles
Dale White - Harlow Wilson

Season 9, Episode 8 – Aired: 12/28/1958
Christmas Gift Exchange
High-strung department store clerk Herman (Mel Blanc) is trying to finish his inventory first to win tickets to the Rose Bowl. He's almost finished when in walks Jack, the man who drives him to insanity every holiday season. Jack, with his secretary Barbara, has come to return a sweater he didn't need. As usual, Jack is indecisive, repeatedly changing his mind about wanting a store credit or a check. Benny finishes Herman's inventory after having turned the poor man into a whimpering heap. Herman's in no shape for a football game, so Jack takes his tickets and leaves.
Stars
Jack Benny - Himself / Don Wilson - Himself / Eddie Anderson - Rochester Van Jones
Guest Cast
Barbara Nichols - Barbara, Jack's Secretary / Jus Callahan - Bronco, Football Player / Olan Soule - Manager / Anne Dore - Girl Clerk / Cheerio Meredith - Woman
Paul Serra - Man (as Charles M. Zacha, Jr.) / Ginny Mancini (with Sportsmen Quartet)
Extras - Jan Darrow Seymour Rosen Charles Sheridan Leoda Richards Betty Rome Jeanette Eyrmann
Producer - Hilliard Marks / Musical Director - Mahlon Merrick / Associate Director - Howard A. Quinn / Lighting Designer - James S. Rice
Art Director - Robert Tyler Lee / Set Decorator - Anthony Mondell
Recurring Roles
Mel Blanc - Sales Clerk Herman / Herb Vigran - Sales Clerk
Sportsmen Quartet - Robert Garsen (1954-1965) Jay Moffett (1957-1965) Gurney Bell Bill Days
Director - Seymour Berns / Writer - Al Gordon