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Jolie started out the show by warming up the Hall with a "jumpy" song, in honor of Mr. Durante's arrival, "Ma! He's Making Eyes At Me."
After the song, a few lines and jokes about little son Asa, and few jokes about current political events between Al and Oscar. Then Oscar Levant sat down at the piano and played from one of his favorites, the Grieg Concerto.
Ken Carpenter took the mike next with a few words of Kraft wisdom.
After the commercial, Oscar played a few bars of his piece, "Lady Play The Mandolin," to Jolson's barbs. Jolson wouldn't sing Levant's song, but did go into a great version of "If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight."
Starting off with a song, Jimmy Durante made his fourth entrance in his own way, "I gotta million of 'em!" Jimmy and Al looked at the possibility of a tour over the next summer, and constructed a routine to fit the situation.
Ultimately, Jimmy decides that what Al needs is a "Real Piano Player." Any he's not talking about Oscar Levant! The boys did this routine a month ago on the Durante show, this is an encore for the Kraft crowd!
Listen to the ovation they receive at the end of the number. Just fabulous!
The closing segment of the program is a song that remains as beautiful today as when it was written, and the way Jolson sang it is just icing on the cake: "I'll Be Seeing You."
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This is an excerpt of the 21 Apr 1949 Kraft Music Hall, starring Al Jolson with Jimmy Durante. In this edited segment, Jolson and Durante explore the possibility of a world tour, aided by the acting skills of Oscar Levant. They end the segment with a great version of "Real Piano Player." |
Updated 18 Apr 25 |