Al Jolson Kraft Music Hall 08 Apr 48

|His Works|Radio|08 Apr 48 KMH with Vera Vague

Al Jolson's experience with radio began in the dawn of the medium, and continued until the birth of television, and his death. He started the Kraft Music Hall, along with programs for Lifebuoy Soap, Colgate Tooth Powder, and Chevrolet, and died while waiting to go on to Bing Crosby's Chesterfield program. Here is another full length radio program for your enjoyment.

Al Jolson and Vera Vague

The guest on this week's program was Barbara Jo Allen, an actress who was billed under the name "Vera Vague," and appeared in a number of vehicles.

Bowing to then current political sensibilities, Jolson opened the show with "I'm Just Wild About Harry." After the song, somehow, jokes about the circus being in town end up related to Jolson's age. Following that, Levant played the second movement of the Gershwin Piano Concerto.

Ken Carpenter then told how Velveeta appealed to children. A few good music and old age jokes later, Jolie sang the "Candlelight Café." There is no way I can summarize the bit that followed, only to say that it ends up with Jolson singing "In The Good Old Summertime," after an improbable vamp. He then closes the set, after some more verbal sparring, with "Whispering."

Guest star Vera Vague comes on next, as a special fan of Al Jolson. She tells us all about the Encino Single Women's Club.

After yet another glorious Velveeta commercial, Al Jolson sang his favorite song from Showboat, "Old Man River."

Listen to this radio program and watch a Video Podcast with an excerpt of the show illustrated with photos of the stars.

Click this link to listen to this week's program
		This is an excerpt of the 08 Apr 1948 broadcast of the Kraft Music Hall, starring Al Jolson. While Vera Vague was the guest on this week's show, you will have to listen to the full show on the page to hear her segment. This segment is a great mix of Jolson and Levant, piano and voice, that you just have to listen to, and much of it ended up in the Jolson and Levant album.

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Updated 07 Apr 24