Al Jolson - Kraft Music Hall 04 Nov 1948

|His Works|Radio|04 Nov 48 Kraft Music Hall

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. On this page, I will be featuring full length radio programs for your enjoyment.

This program is from the Thursday night Kraft Music Hall series starring Al Jolson, which ran from October 2, 1947, through May 26, 1949.

Al Jolson with
George Burns & Gracie Allen

This program was originally broadcast on Thursday, November 4, 1948. Joining Al and Oscar were the wonderful team of George Burns and Gracie Allen. Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula

Letting us know that he could see into the future, Jolie reminded us that he had successfully predicted Harry Truman's winning the presidency last week, when he sang "I'm Just Wild About Harry," and that he would now predict the 49^th state, with "Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula." You know, Al, you were right!

Next up was Oscar Levant, following the usual banter with Ken Carpenter. Politics ran thick through the conversation that week. Does anything in show business change? After all of this, Mr. Levant graced the keyboard with Rachmaninoff's 2^nd Piano Concerto.

The economy and protein composition of cheese was the topic of Ken Carpenter's Kraft commercial, along with a listing of brands no longer available. Following a few comments about the new movie, Jolson Sings Again, and Jolson's wives, Levant counters with comments about his own movie career. Jolson then went into a song for romance, "Shine On Harvest Moon." After a bit more banter, the full accompaniment was given to "Someone Else May Be There While I'm Gone."

Ken Carpenter then announced the availability of real Kraft cheese, not seen since before the war. Who needs Velveeta? George Burns then entered the show, along with his wife, Gracie Allen. Gracie tried to tell George that he should sing on the Music Hall; George had other ideas, as did Jolie! Nevertheless, George got a few bars in here, in his own inimitable style.

The picture of George and Al on this page is likely from the this bit, which Jolie ended by singing "Old Gray Bonnet."

Cheap Cheese was the Carpenter Commercial to Close the show. Jolson's contribution was the wonderful Irving Berlin song, "How Deep Is The Ocean."

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 04 Nov 1948 Kraft Music Hall starring Al Jolson. George Burns and Gracie Alles were the guest stars on this program, but this segment is from the middle section of the broadcast, and features Al Jolson and Oscar Levant, in comedy and song. Jolson's songs include "Shine On Harvest Moon," and "Someone Else May Be There While I'm Gone." With the help of photos of Al and Oscar, the illusion is almost complete.

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Updated 03 Nov 24