Just as with this year, this program was broadcast the week before election day, and 1948 was a Presidential election year. So, Jolson sang a song that then Governor Dewey would never sing, "I'm Just Wild About Harry." I'm sure Harry Truman, elected President the next week in a close election, was pleased.

With some more jokes about Jolson's age, and education, Oscar Levant and Al Jolson found the chance to throw in some topical humor. Mangling the name of the piece, Jolson asked Levant to play "Medidations from Thaïs" from the Opera Thaïs composed by Jules Massenet. Although he likely could have played this piece, Levant said he could not, and proceeded to play an abridged version of Edvard Grieg's "Piano Concerto in A Minor."

The economy of cheese was the topic of Ken Carpenter's first Kraft commercial ~ yummy! And the technique of Oscar Levant was the topic of Jolson's opening remarks after the break. Al Jolson then discusses the filming of Jolson Sings Again, segueing that into "Latin From Manhattan." This is the one with the Velveeta ending. After Levant tweeked Jolson about his status among other entertainers, Jolson let out with a full and beautiful rendition of "Down Among The Sheltering Palms." He bent the lyrics in this performance, see if you notice.

After a few more words from Kraft, Jolson describes dreaming about beautiful women. This culminates with the appearance of Dorothy Kirsten, one of Jolie's loveliest of guests on the Kraft Music Hall. After some scripted comedy, Jolson somehow manages to pronounce the title of her tune in Yiddish, "Vissi D'Arte," from the opera Tosca by Giacoma Puccini. This is, by the way, the same opera Jolson from which was alledged to have stolen the tune for Avalon. You read that story on the Permanent Collection page.

Following her solo, Al and Dorothy joined voices in a tune that, I think, was older than both of them put together, "Hello, My Baby."

Smooth melting Velveeta preceeds Jolson's closing number, done as only the master could do it, "I'll Be Seeing You." And until next week, so shall we.