Podcasts about Jolson

A rundown of fun facts about some of the people and programs that came to define radio's Golden Age.

Starting with some Jolson - Keeler banter, and punctuated by a Jolson remark, here is a greate performance of "A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody" by Al Jolson from June 15, 1936. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Another unique item from the June 15, 1936, broadcast is this rendition of "Is It True What They Say About Dixie?" which included a rarely heard verse, and not Jolson's usual ending for the tune. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Unlike other renditions of "Toot, Toot, Toosie," this one from a June 15, 1936, broadcast features sounds of Ruby tap dancng rather than Al whistling duing the bridge. One wonders it it's really Ruby's shoes or a sound man's device. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Jolie and Georgie joined voices for a spirited rendition of the George M Cohan classic, "Give My Regards To Broadway," from the June 11, 1937, broadcast of "Hollywood Hotel." There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Introduced by George Jessel on the June 11, 1937, "Hollywood Hotel" program, Al Jolson sang "My Blushin' Rosie," with an arrangement and lyrics more faithful to the original than the version heard in "The Jolson Story." There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Appearing on Eddie Cantor's radio program on June 4, 1941, Al paid tribute to Eddie's wedding anniversary by singing "Ida" in tribute to Eddie's wife of 27 years. After the song, Eddie noted Al's generosity with his payment for the broadcast. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

"California, Here I Come" was a song that Al Jolson loved to sing, as he does here on a May 13, 1942, broadcase to soldiers around the world. He said it was an often requested song, and it still is. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson brought back memories singing "My Mammy" on a May 13, 1942, radio broadcast to soldiers around the world. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

In a broadcast to soldiers around the world, Al Jolson opened his May 13, 1942, set with George Gershwin's "Swanee." There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson singing "Sonny Boy," in a performance from the Lux Radio Theatre broacast of "Jolson Sings Again" from May 22, 1950. This is one of nine songs posted from that program. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson singing "Chinatown, My Chinatown," in a performance from the Lux Radio Theatre broacast of "Jolson Sings Again" from May 22, 1950. This is one of nine songs posted from that program. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson singing "Baby Face," in a performance from the Lux Radio Theatre broacast of "Jolson Sings Again" from May 22, 1950. This is one of nine songs posted from that program. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson singing "I Only Have Eyes For You," in a performance from the Lux Radio Theatre broacast of "Jolson Sings Again" from May 22, 1950. This is one of nine songs posted from that program. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson singing "Back In Your Own Backyard," in a performance from the Lux Radio Theatre broacast of "Jolson Sings Again" from May 22, 1950. This is one of nine songs posted from that program. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson singing "Toot, Toot Tootsie (Goo'Bye)," in a performance from the Lux Radio Theatre broacast of "Jolson Sings Again" from May 22, 1950. This is one of nine songs posted from that program. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson singing "Carolina In The Morning," in a performance from the Lux Radio Theatre broacast of "Jolson Sings Again" from May 22, 1950. This is one of nine songs posted from that program. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson singing "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody," in a performance from the Lux Radio Theatre broacast of "Jolson Sings Again" from May 22, 1950. This is one of nine songs posted from that program. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson singing "Is It True What They Say About Dixie," in a solo performance from the Lux Radio Theatre broacast of "Jolson Sings Again" from May 22, 1950. This is one of nine songs posted from that program. There is more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Introduced by Jack Benny, Al Jolson sang "You Made Me Love You" as he did in "The Jolson Story" on Benny's May 18, 1947, radio show. This clip is edited for brevity, and there is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Introduced by Jack Benny, Al Jolson sang what may be his theme song, "April Showers," as his opening number on Benny's May 18, 1947, radio show. This clip is edited for brevity, and there is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Introduced by Bing Crosby, Al Jolson sang Irving Berlin's "Lazy" as only he could sing it. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson and Bing Crosby with a heartfelt duet of this Irving Berlin song, "All My Myself." There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson and Bing Crosby recorded "Alexander's Ragtime Band" for Decca about a month before this live broadcast. Here they recreate the number, with a few differences from the recording, and maybe some more pep as well. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Noted to be a bit late in Irving Berlin's comments after the song, Al Jolson and Bing Crosby do justice to "Easter Parade." There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Two great voices singing a great song, "Lullaby of Broadway," in this duet by Al Jolson and Bing Crosby from Crosby's May 3, 1950, radio program. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

The first "Jolson song" heard in "The Jolson Story," Bing and Al joined voices in a wonderful duet of "Ma Blushin' Rosie" on Bing's May 3, 1950 program. Here it is with introduction, gaffs, and botched lyrics. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Introduced by Bing Crosby, Al Jolson gave a spirited rendition of "Give My Regards To Broadway" as he was introduced on Croby's May 3, 1950, program. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Bob Hope welcomed Al Jolson to his broadcast on April 8, 1947. Bandleader Desi Arnaz, to the consternation of Bob Hope, waited for the applause to die down before starting the band with "California, Here I Come," which Al Jolson sang to a rousing reception. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson was on Bob Hope's radio program on April 8, 1947, and opened with "California, Here I Come" (that is on another podcast in this series). But Bob Hope had to have his try with the song, emulating Jolson. Jolson's comments, and gaff, at the end are priceles. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Introduced by Bob Hope, here is Al Jolson singing Irving Berlin's "Always." Listen for Hope's comment over the applause at the end of the song. This is from the April 8, 1947, Bob Hope program. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Sung only a handful of times by Al Jolson, "A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody" was a tune written for the Ziegfeld Follies of 1919. Here is Jolson singing it from The Lux Radio Theatre presention of a radio adaptation of the film, "Alexander's Ragtime Band," on April 7, 1947. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

The Lux Radio Theatre presented a radio adaptation of the film, "Alexander's Ragtime Band," on April 7, 1947. Here, from that broadcast, is Al Jolson singing the title tune, as only he could. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Among the many Irving Berlin tunes, this song, "Lazy," is one of my favorites, Here is Al Jolson giving it his special touch from The Lux Radio Theatre which presented a radio adaptation of the film, "Alexander's Ragtime Band," on April 7, 1947. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Often considered Al Jolson's signature song, he rarely sang "My Mammy" on the radio. Here he is on the Bing Crosby program of 02 Apr 47 in a performance well received by the audience. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Heard in "The Jolson Story" with Scotty Beckett acting to Rudy Wissler's voice, here is Al Jolson, himself, from the 02 Apr 47 Bing Crosby program singing "Banks of the Wabask." There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

From the April 2, 1945, Lux Radio Theatre broadcast of "Swanee River," here is Dennis Morgan, playing Stephen Foster, trying to sell a song to E. P. Christy, played by Al Jolson. The song, "Oh, Susanna," is one of Foster's enduring hits. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Playing E. P. Christy, Al Jolson sang this Stephen Foster song with an ensemble in the April 2, 1945, Lux Radio Theatre broadcast of "Swanee River." There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

As an encore to the April 2, 1945, Lux Radio Theatre broadcast of "Swanee River," Al Jolson sang "April Showers." He was accompanied on the piano by Louis Silvers, who wrote the tune. There is much more material in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Jimmy Durante made a pitch to play piano for Al Jolson, with this great routine from Durante's 04 Mar 1949 radio program. There is much more material is in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

With a request for a song by Jimmy Durante, sit back as Al Jolson sings "I'm Crying Just For You," from the 04 Mar 1949 Durante program. There is much more material is in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

From the Burns and Allen program of 29 Mar 1950, enjoy Gracie Allen commenting on Jolson's new baby, a great rendition of "Easter Parade," and some more from Gracie after the song. There is much more material is in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

George Burns asked for a song on this 29 Mar 1950 program, ans tried to start singing one, but Al Jolson took over with a great rendition of "For Me And My Gal." There is much more material is in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Saying that they had never sung together, Al Jolson and Eddie Cantor joined voices in a rendition of "Toot, Toot Tootsie." There is much more material is in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Eddie Cantor welcomed Al Jolson to his 06 Mar 1947 program by crafting a fanciful story of when they met, leading off with Jolson's singing of "Swanee." There is much more material is in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

The breakout hit song from "The Jolson Story" was "Anniversary Song," still popular at weddings and anniversaryy parties today. Here, from Bing's 05 Mar 47 radio show, Bing joins Jolie in a duet of this popular melody. There is much more material is in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

One of the many novelty songs that Al Jolson sang was "Who Paid The Rent For Mrs. Rip Van Winkle When Rip Van Winkla Went Away." Bing Crosby and Al Jolson have fun with this old tune on the 05 Mar 47 broadcast of the Crosby radio show. There is much more material is in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Al Jolson was introduced to the Bing Crosby radio audience on 05 Mar 1947, singing the song that Irving Berlin wrote for the movie "Mammy," which later became the theme for "The Jolson Story": "Let Me Sing And I'm Happy." There is much more material is in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Perhaps one of the Jolson songs heard the most, this is clearly a unique performance of "April Showers," by Al Jolson, with George Burns adding his own touch to the performance. There is much more material is in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

George Burns and Gracie Allen seemed to recall being on the radio with Al Jolson as he samg "You Made Me Love You," with George giving the song a bit of his own touch. There is much more material is in the complete program which, along with other Jolson radio shows, circulates on the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.