Al Jolson Home Page|His Works|Radio|19 May 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.

Dorothy Kirsten and Al Jolson
Dorothy Kirsten and Al Jolson
Opera star Dorothy Kirsten made her seventh and final appearance on the Kraft Music Hall, on this program originally broadcast on Thursday, May 19, 1949. Also appearing, for the second time, was Jack Kirkwood.

Although this transcription is based on an AFRS edited version, without reference to Kraft or commercials, it has been augmented by some recently discovered material. It remains, however, an edited version. As before, if anyone has a clean copy of the original broadcast of this week's show, we'd love to hear from you.

Al Jolson opened the show remarking about the success of his program, when compared to others on the air. He punctuated that thought with an up tempo version of "Look For The Silver Lining."

Following this number, Oscar Levant appeared on the scene, with some typical comments about Jolson's age. Ezio Pinza, the then middle aged star of South Pacific was touted as an example of current tastes in stardom, much to Jolson's delight. Levant concluded the segment with Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, recognizable as the origin of Freddy Martin's "Tonight We Love."

Dirty Hands, Dirty Face

An interpolated cut of "Dirty Hands, Dirty Face" is substituted for the Kraft commercial in this AFRS version.

Dorothy Kirsten joined the program at this point, with her rendition of the aria "Depuis le Jour," from the opera Louise by Gustava Charpentier, to which Jolie responds, "Du herst?" ("You hear this?" in Yiddish)

After Dorothy's performance, Jolson fancies himself an opera star. He then proceeded to demonstrate with a variety of operatic, and near operatic, and near comical, numbers.

The highlight of this segment is a reprise of the duet Al and Dorothy did on June 10, 1948, with "People Will Say We're In Love."

Trying to sell some of his hit songs, Jack Kirkwood returns for a bit of comic relief to the end of the program.

"Bright Eyes" is placed into the show at this point, interpolated from a previous broadcast as well.

Having mentioned Ezio Pinza earlier in the show, Al Jolson closed the show with a song from the Broadway show in which he secretly longed to play, "Bali Ha'i."


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 is an excerpt of the 19 May 1949 Kraft Music Hall, starring Al Jolson with Dorothy Kirsten, illustrated with images of the stars to get a feeling for the broadcast. Ms. Kirsten leads the segment with an operatic aria befitting her status with the Metropolitan Opera. Following that, she and Jolson banter about a bit with the subject of opera. Jolson and Kirsten end the segment with a great rendition of "People Will Say We're In Love."


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