Will Benny Renew Phils Contract: The Phil Harris (March 9, 1947)

The Phil Harris, old-time radio on Stupid Potato

“Will Benny Renew Phils Contract” is an episode of The Phil Harris, the old-time radio show, first broadcast March 9, 1947. Listen free on Stupid Potato: no sign-up, no app.

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What happens

Phil Harris learns from Jack Benny that his contract is nearing expiration, and Benny has doubts about keeping him on next season. Harris goes to Benny's home to find out where he stands, and the two men haggle over his pay. Benny offers a figure, Harris pushes back, and Harris's band members and family appear along the way. The Phil Harris series aired on NBC, and this episode is dated March 9, 1947, with Phil Harris, Alice Faye, Elliott Lewis and Gale Gordon in the cast.

NBC studios, then the Harris home

Characters: Phil Harris, Jack Benny, Alice Faye, Frankie, Curly, Julius, Little Alice

Listen for: The contract negotiation between Phil Harris and Jack Benny

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.