|The IAJS|Audio Department|Radio Programs|Kraft Music Hall Programs
International Al Jolson Society, Inc.
Audio Department
Al Jolson on the Radio
Kraft Music Hall
In October, 1947, Al Jolson assumed the starring role on the Kraft Music Hall, a radio program he had introduced in the early 1930s. From October 2, 1947, through May 26, 1949, there were 71 half-hour broadcasts on the NBC network, on Thursday nights. Al Jolson, along with pianist Oscar Levant, welcomed a variety of guests from the stage, screen, and radio to the program. The usual format of the program included an introductory song by Jolson, a piano piece by Levant, a routine between the two principles, the guest star, and a closing number by Jolson. Depending on the guest star, this pattern could be altered, modified, or trashed completely.
Although all of the programs are available, a few of them only exist in edited form, as broadcast by the Armed Forces Radio Service. In order to be broadcast to troops throughout the world, the shows were edited to remove references to Kraft and any commercials, filling in the time with a Jolson song from a previous program. These shows are marked by a ✪ symbol. If you know of a source for an unedited version of any of these programs, please contact the Society.
Each program is nominally 30 minutes in length. Two programs will fit on one CD, so each show is priced at ½ price. If you are selecting an odd number of programs, please also choose the "blank selection 30 min" to fill out the CD. Note that the Kraft Music Hall was pre-empted on March 31, 1949; there is no broadcast for that date.
Members of the International Al Jolson Society can check their latest Jolson Journal for these, and other Jolson CD and Video offerings.
Along with these CDs, members of the IAJS can take advantage of many other items in the Jolson catalog, along with receiving two jam-packed Jolson Journals yearly. If you are not a member, please click here to fill out an application, to more fully take advantage of all that the IAJS has to offer, and then place your order.
MEMBERS OF THE IAJS MAY PLACE YOUR ORDER BELOW USING OUR SECURE SERVER
NOTE THAT THERE IS A NOMINAL SURCHARGE TO COVER PAYPAL CHARGES
YOU MAY ORDER DIRECTLY FROM THE AUDIO DIRECTOR BY MAIL WITHOUT THAT CHARGE IF YOU PREFER.
Order Blank
Click below to order. US/UK purchase is US$16 per CD; International orders US$21.50 per CD.
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Season 1: 02 Oct 1947 - 10 Jun 1948
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Season 2: 30 Sep 1948 - 26 May 1949
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Number |
Date-Guest Star |
US / UK |
International |
| 471002 |
10/02/47-Edgar Bergen & Charle McCarthy |
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| 471009 |
10/09/47-Lauritz Melchoir |
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| 471016 |
10/16/47-Bing Crosby |
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| 471023 |
10/23/47-Groucho Marx |
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| 471030 |
10/30/47-William Bendix |
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| 471106 |
11/06/47-Humphrey Bogart |
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| 471113 |
11/13/47-Victor Moore |
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| 471120 |
11/20/47-Charles Boyer |
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| 471127 |
11/27/47-Dorothy Lamour |
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| 471204 |
12/04/47-Red Skelton |
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| 471211 |
12/11/47-Yehudi Munuhin & Arnold Stang |
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| 471218 |
12/18/47-Jimmy Durante |
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| 471225 |
12/25/47-Boris Karloff |
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| 480101 |
01/01/48-Madeline Carroll |
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| 480108 |
01/08/48-William Powell |
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| 480115 |
01/15/48-Bing Crosby ✪ |
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| 480122 |
01/22/48-Lucille Ball |
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| 480129 |
01/29/48-Walter O'Keefe |
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| 480205 |
02/05/48-Ed "Archie" Gardner |
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| 480212 |
02/12/48-Charles Laughton |
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| 480219 |
02/19/48-Charles Boyer |
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| 480226 |
02/26/48-David Niven |
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| 480304 |
03/04/48-Cary Grant |
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| 480311 |
03/11/48-Edward Everett Horton |
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| 480318 |
03/18/48-Edward G. Robinson |
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| 480325 |
03/25/48-Clifton Webb |
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| 480401 |
04/01/48-Jimmy Durante |
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| 480408 |
04/08/48-Vera Vague |
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| 480415 |
04/15/48-Charles Boyer |
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| 480422 |
04/22/48-Dorothy Kirsten |
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| 480429 |
04/29/48-Victor Moore |
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| 480506 |
05/06/48-Groucho Marx |
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| 480513 |
05/13/48-Dorothy Kirsten |
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| 480520 |
05/20/48-Henry Morgan |
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| 480527 |
05/27/48-Dorothy Kirsten ✪ |
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| 480603 |
06/03/48-Ezio Pinza |
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| 480610 |
06/10/48-Dorothy Kirsten |
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|
Number |
Date-Guest Star |
US / UK |
International |
| 480930 |
09/30/48-Judy Garland |
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| 481007 |
10/07/48-Edward G. Robinson |
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| 481014 |
10/14/48-Ezio Pinza |
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| 481021 |
10/21/48-No Guest - All Jolie |
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| 481028 |
10/28/48-Dorothy Kirsten |
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| 481104 |
11/04/48-Burns & Allen |
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| 481111 |
11/11/48-George Jessel |
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| 481118 |
11/18/48-Groucho Marx |
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| 481125 |
11/25/48-Victor Mature |
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| 481202 |
12/02/48-Peggy Lee |
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| 481209 |
12/09/48-Dennis Day |
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| 481216 |
12/16/48-Dinah Shore |
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| 481223 |
12/23/48-Kraft Choral Club |
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| 481230 |
12/30/48-Doris Day ✪ |
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| 490106 |
01/06/49-Larry Parks |
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| 490113 |
01/13/49-Groucho Marx |
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| 490120 |
01/20/49-Victor Moore ✪ |
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| 490127 |
01/27/49-Arthur Treacher |
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| 490203 |
02/03/49-Dennis Day ✪ |
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| 490210 |
02/10/49-Peggy Lee |
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| 490217 |
02/17/49-Joan Davis ✪ |
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| 490224 |
02/24/49-Andrews Sisters ✪ |
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| 490303 |
03/03/49-Dorothy Kirsten |
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| 490310 |
03/10/49-Jimmy Durante |
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| 490317 |
03/17/49-Roy Rogers & Dale Evans |
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| 490324 |
03/24/49-George Jessel ✪ |
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| 490407 |
04/07/49-Groucho Marx |
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| 490414 |
04/14/49-Margret Whiting ✪ |
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| 490421 |
04/21/49-Jimmy Durante |
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| 490428 |
04/28/49-Doris Day ✪ |
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| 490505 |
05/05/49-Dennis Day |
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| 490512 |
05/12/49-Victor Moore |
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| 490519 |
05/19/49-Dorothy Kirsten ✪ |
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| 490526 |
05/26/49-Groucho Marx ✪ |
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| Undated |
Blank Selection 30 min |
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Programs marked with the ✪ symbol were edited for AFRS broadcast, as described above.
These CDs may also be ordered by mail. Members of the IAJS are encouraged to check the Jolson Journal or Journalette for the latest items and direct member pricing information, as well as requesting a complete catalog of material available from the Audio Department. Many short titles are available, and are not listed on this website. Be sure to include a list of CDs desired, your name and address and check or money order for the full amount, made payable to the International Al Jolson Society, Inc. (not the Audio Director) and mail to:
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USA Orders |
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UK Orders |
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Kevin Roberts
21 St. Davids Road
Old Colwyn, Clwyd
LL29 9BH
Wales
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Prices by mail, with check or money order in the appropriate amount, are:
Single CDs -- US orders: US$15 each | UK orders: UK£11 each | International: US$20 each
Send orders and appropriate payment in US$ or UK£ to the appropriate address.
This listing and material Copyright © 1995-2024 Marc I. Leavey, M.D. Baltimore, Maryland