Al Jolson Radio KMH 06 Nov 47

|His Works|Radio|06 Nov 47 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 radio programs for your enjoyment.

Guest star Humphrey Bogart with Al Jolson

Following Jolson's trademark line, "You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet!" Al took off for the "Golden Gate," a song he had introduced in The Singing Fool and, other than a Decca recording a few months before, not recorded live until this performance.

After some discussion about fashion with Oscar Levant, we are treated to Levant's performance of George Gershwin's 2^nd Prelude. An admirer and friend of Gershwin, Levant's interpretation may come the closest to the composer's intent.

After Ken Carpenter thrilled us with a Kraft commercial, Al Jolson returned to center stage to sing a song which carried his name on the music, "All My Love." He followed that with the song that Irving Berlin wrote for him in the movie Mammy, that became one of his trademark numbers, "Let Me Sing And I'm Happy." It was this number, of course, that served as the title theme for The Jolson Story, as well.

What could follow Gershwin and Berlin, but Bogart? Humphrey Bogart joined Al and Oscar in a parody of The Jolson Story. Why describe this, when you can listen?

Jolson then closed the show with the song that introduced many to his voice in The Jolson Story, "Sweet Sixteen."

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 06 Nov 1947 broadcast of the Kraft Music Hall, starring Al Jolson. Humphrey Bogart guest starred on this broadcast, but to hear his portion, click the link to the left for the full program. Here, enjoy Al Jolson and Oscar Levant kick it back and forth, and Jolson singing "All My Love" and "Let Me Sing, And I'm Happy." Great photos of Al Jolson and Oscar Levant give a real feel for the broadcast. Note that YouTube would not post this clip, it is hosted locally on the IAJS site.

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Updated 01 Nov 26