Al Jolson Home Page|His Works|Radio|21 Apr 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.

Al Jolson and Jimmy Durante
Al Jolson and Jimmy Durante
This program was originally broadcast on Thursday, April 21, 1949, reunites Al Jolson and the great Jimmy Durante in the Kraft Music Hall. This was Jimmy's fourth Kraft appearance, a bit more than a month after the last one.

Jolie started out the show by warming up the Hall with a "jumpy" song, in honor of Mr. Durante's arrival, "Ma! He's Making Eyes At Me."

After the song, a few lines and jokes about little son Asa, and few jokes about current political events between Al and Oscar. Then Oscar Levant sat down at the piano and played from one of his favorites, the Grieg Concerto.

Ken Carpenter took the mike next with a few words of Kraft wisdom.

After the commercial, Oscar played a few bars of his piece, "Lady Play The Mandolin," to Jolson's barbs. Jolson wouldn't sing Levant's song, but did go into a great version of "If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight."

Starting off with a song, Jimmy Durante made his fourth entrance in his own way, "I gotta million of 'em!" Jimmy and Al looked at the possibility of a tour over the next summer, and constructed a routine to fit the situation.

Ultimately, Jimmy decides that what Al needs is a "Real Piano Player." Any he's not talking about Oscar Levant! The boys did this routine a month ago on the Durante show, this is an encore for the Kraft crowd!

Listen to the ovation they receive at the end of the number. Just fabulous!

The closing segment of the program is a song that remains as beautiful today as when it was written, and the way Jolson sang it is just icing on the cake: "I'll Be Seeing You."


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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No time for a full recording?
Check our this one minute short!
     This is an excerpt of the 21 Apr 1949 Kraft Music Hall, starring Al Jolson with Jimmy Durante. In this edited segment, Jolson and Durante explore the possibility of a world tour, aided by the acting skills of Oscar Levant. They end the segment with a great version of "Real Piano Player."


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This listing and material Copyright © 1995-2025 Marc I. Leavey, M.D. Baltimore, Maryland
Updated 18 Apr 25