Al Jolson Home Page|His Works|Radio|04 Mar 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.

Al Jolson and Cary Grant
Al Jolson and Cary Grant
The second remote broadcast from the American Legion Auditorium in Palm Springs, California, was originally broadcast on Thursday, March 4, 1948, with guest star Cary Grant. This is another somewhat less than hi-fi transcription, but its well worth the listening.

Comparing Palm Springs to Hawaii, Jolie opened the show with "Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula," which he had introduced in the show Robinson Crusoe, Jr. Jolson and Ken Carpenter talked a bit about Palm Springs, with Jolson acknowledging his heritage saying that the show folk all know where the good food is, "they all know where the good spare ribs are, at Jolie's house. If I had'em my father would kill me!" After a few more banters and jabs, Levant played Chopin's "Military Polonaise."

After the usual words from Kraft, Al and Oscar have a discussion about Oscar's fingers, then, continuing the ethnic comedy, Al asks for "Hello My Bubby, I mean My Baby," and sings "Hello My Baby" with style. They then joined in another old number, "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles." Levant then showed his talent at the violin, and Jolson performed a full orchestral version of "Someone Else May Be There While I'm Gone," an Irving Berlin number he had originally recorded for Columbia in 1916.

Cary Grant then joined the show, and talked about, what else, women. Yep, Cary Grant even sings a few bars of a Jolson number, nu?

After an old-style Lenten commercial, Al Jolson recalled a song often requested by the troops overseas, "Marquita," to close the show. The show, by the way, ran a bit long. You can hear the network announcer clip the end of the last commercial!


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 week's program

    
     This is an excerpt of the 04 Mar 1948 broadcast of the Kraft Music Hall, starring Al Jolson. While Cary Grant was the guest on this week's show, you will have to listen to the full show on the page to hear his segment; this excerpt is plucked from the middle of the show, and features Jolson and Levant singing some very old songs, in their very typical way. Naturally, Al and Oscar's vistages are included for visual interest!


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This listing and material Copyright © 1995-2024 Marc I. Leavey, M.D. Baltimore, Maryland
Updated 03 Mar 24