Al Jolson Home Page|His Works|Radio|17 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.

Dale Evans - Al Jolson - Roy Rogers
Dale Evans and Roy Rogers
with Jolie on the guitar!
This program was originally broadcast on Thursday, March 17, 1949, with the king of the cowboys, Roy Rogers, and his queen, Dale Evans, as guest stars.

Al Jolson's opening number was related to the time of day, "At Sundown." After the opening, we hear about a magazine article with photos of Jolie and Larry Parks. Wonder where that magazine is today!

Oscar Levant, who was featured in another magazine, then takes the podium with a great rendition of "Malagueña." Listen for the "Bravos" after the performance.

The yummy two pound loaf of Velveeta was the star of the first commercial by Ken Carpenter.

This program was broadcast on St. Patrick's Day, and Jolson, the good Irishman with the Yiddish accent, celebrated with "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling."

I'm Always Chasing Rainbows

Next up, without Trigger, was Roy Rogers and his wife, Dale Evans. Wondering about being a cowboy, Jolson talked about his grandfather, Yippy Ki-Yey Ki-Jolson. He even got a Kraft plug in this one!

Wondering about making a movie after "Jolson Sings Again," called "Jolson Rides Again," they work out the scheme of a Jolson western movie.

Roy and Dale took the opportunity to get in a song, "San Anton'."

With a tune lifted from Chopin, Al Jolson sang "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" as the final song of the evening. As always, nobody ever sang this song as well as Jolson - nobody!


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 17 Mar 1949 Kraft Music Hall, starring Al Jolson with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans join Al Jolson and Oscar Levant in a fanciful look at a western movie. Rogers and Evans sing "San Anton." And the video podcast concludes with an extra song not in the audio version, Jolson singing "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows." And Roy, Dale, and Jolie's faces all grace the presentation.


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This listing and material Copyright © 1995-2025 Marc I. Leavey, M.D. Baltimore, Maryland
Updated 16 Mar 25