Al Jolson Home Page|His Works|Radio|12 May 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.

Victor Moore
Victor Moore
Radio star Victor Moore made his fourth appearance on the Kraft Music Hall on this program, originally broadcast on Thursday, May 12, 1949.

Jolie opened the program with a medley of two songs. He only sang these two together one time, but, thanks to a Decca LP, they are forever linked this way in our minds: "My Melancholy Baby" and "My Blue Heaven."

After the opening song, Jolie talked about his recent trip to New York, along with comments about Oscar Levant and kreplach soup. Then come some comments about Jolie's new car and his driving. A serious comment about driving brings up the presence of Oscar Levant.

Levant's piece on the piano is introduced as the "Break Your Lease Concerto" by Khatchaturian. In more civilized musical circles, I am told, it is referred to as Khatchaturian’s Concerto in D Flat Major.

Following a Miracle Whip word by Ken Carpenter, Oscar Levant approached Jolson for advice regarding his motion picture career. But Jolson can only think of a new musical he saw in New York, As The Girls Go, with it's song, "I Got Lucky In The Rain."

The Wonderful Girl Of Mine

After that, Jolie gave out with a song he got from the old country. Derived from an old Yiddish song called "Mein Shtetele Belz," by Jacob Jacobs and Alexander Olshanetzky, enjoy the English lyrics by Sammy Gallop in "That Wonderful Girl Of Mine."

Victor Moore returned to the Music Hall at this point, recalling his recent activities. They even look to the future to the advent of television. It should only have happened. Of course, it could never be that simple. The predictions of the future are, shall we say, convoluted. Any fishing routine that includes using pastrami for bait to hook a gefilte fish just has to be!

To top it all, a robust campfire song sung by Al Jolson and Victor Moore -- "Pretty Baby." Go figure!

Some more words about Miracle Whip are flung about by Ken Carpenter. After that, enjoy the Jolson version of the song from South Pacific, "Some Enchanted Evening." If only he had done the show!


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 12 May 1949 Kraft Music Hall, starring Al Jolson with Victor Moore, illustrated with images of the stars to get a feeling for the broadcast.. Jolson and Moore join in some typical radio comedy, and end the routine in a duet of "Pretty Baby." After that, you can hear Al Jolson solo in the great song from South Pacific, "Some Enchanted Evening."


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This listing and material Copyright © 1995-2025 Marc I. Leavey, M.D. Baltimore, Maryland
Updated 11 May 25