Al Jolson Home Page|His Works|Radio|10 Mar 49 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.

Durante and Jolson
Jimmy Durante and Al Jolson
inspect the new tape recording
This program was originally broadcast on Thursday, March 10, 1949, with that "well dressed man," Jimmy Durante, coming to the Music Hall. As a program note, this was the first Kraft Music Hall recorded on tape, rather than acetate disks. You will hear Ken Carpenter add the word "transcribed" to the opening, reflecting the fact that this program was now broadcast from tape, rather than live.

Al Jolson opened the show with an "oldie" he wanted to sound like a "newie," known to many from Jolson Sings Again, "After You've Gone." That the show was transcribed to tape for the first time was alluded to in the first segment jokes, which also deal with Jolson's wealth and a few other running topics.

Returning to the original format, kind of, Oscar Levant was up next, with Chopin's Revolutionary Etude.

With an introduction by Jolson, himself, Ken Carpenter next took the spotlight in honor of Velveeta.

Starting off with a song, Jimmy Durante made a big entrance after the commercial, with new twists to old jokes. After jokes about Durante's education, and both Al and Jimmy tripping on the big words, Durante professes to psychoanalyze Jolson.

Somehow, in the course of the bit, Jolie manages to get in two songs by George M. Cohan, "I Was Born In Virginia," and "Mary Is A Grand Old Name."

Of course, the two have to join in duet. Sit back and enjoy Al and Jimmy with "The Song's Gotta Come From The Heart," "Parlez Moi D'Amour," "Otchi Tchorniya (Dark Eyes)," and "Chidabee, Chidabee, Chidabee." Trust me, this is a special sequence.

Next up, Ken Carpenter waxing poetic about lenten Velveeta once more.

Al Jolson ended the show with a song he wrote that was "so new, I haven't been sued yet," written with the late Saul Chaplin whose name is on so many Jolson tunes, "You'll Always Be Beautiful."


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

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     This is an excerpt of the 10 Mar 1949 Kraft Music Hall, starring Al Jolson with Jimmy Durante. After a singinging entrance, Al and Jimmy's edited comedy routine features Al Jolson singing "I Was Born In Virginny" and "Mary Is A Grand Old Name," by George M. Cohan, and Al and Jimmy duet in an extended version of Durante's classic "A Song's Gotta Come From The Heart." Of course, Jolie and Jimmy's faces grace the clip as well!


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This listing and material Copyright © 1995-2025 Marc I. Leavey, M.D. Baltimore, Maryland
Updated 09 Mar 25