Al Jolson - 26 Jan 1943 Colgate Program

|His Works|Radio|26 Jan 43 Colgate Program

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.

Monte Woolley

Al Jolson and Harry (Parkyakarkas) Einstein

From October, 1942, through June, 1943, Al Jolson starred in his fifth radio series, the Colgate Tooth Powder program. Just as with earlier shows, the material seems a bit forced, and Jolson's delivery is obvious at places showing just how he felt about it.

This program, broadcast on January 26, 1943, starred Al Jolson, and featured Parkyakarkas and Carol Bruce, with Monty Woolley now becoming a regular and the co-star of the program.

After a fanfare and quick introduction by Fred Uttal, Al Jolson came right on singing, "Where The Black-Eyed Susans Grow." Catch the "blushin' bride" at the end, different from the Decca version.

After some remarks dedicated to the War effort, Monty Woolley made his entrance in the role of co-host of the program. More than ever, Jolson and Woolley seem to predict the wonderful pairing with Levant a bit more than four years later. Much of this routine dealt, in fact, with Woolley's wit and ego, and his proper place on the show.

In the midst of all this, Jolson introduced singer Carol Bruce, with a line directed back at Woolley. Ms. Bruce then sang a song dedicated to some hard workers in the War effort, "Basin Street Blues."

After the song, Messers Woolley and Jolson take a turn with a commercial. Fred Uttal picked up the line, explaining why consumers should accept whatever the store has from Colgate, due to wartime shortages.

Conductor Ray Bloch made a rare appearance on mike, as part of introducing the cast of the show. Of course, Parkyakarkas came on as well, as the cast does their best to destroy Shakespeare. There is no way I can describe this, just listen along for the ride.

Fred Uttal made a special plea to the ladies during the Colgate commercial. Gentlemen were excused for the moment.

Retelling the story of the Irving Berlin song, Monte Woolley introduced Al Jolson's closing song, "When I Leave The World Behind."

Thanks to the family of Robert Marko, one of the uncredited writers on several of the Al Jolson radio shows, here is the original script from this program. If you click on each page, and read it while you listen, you will see many differences, missing jokes and changed order. Such was the nature of radio scripts, but this is a chance to read along, and really feel what it may have been like to be there.

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 26 Jan 1943 Al Jolson Colgate Program. The podcast begins with the opening of the show, and Al Jolson's performance of "I'm Going Back To The Shack Where The Black-Eyed Susans Grow." Following the song, Jolie delivered some scripted World War II vintage humor, and talked about his new co-host, Monty Woolley. We then hear Carol Bruce, the "girl Singer" of the show, with "Basin Street Blues." The video is illustrated with photos, original and composite, of the stars.

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Updated 25 Jan 26