Al Jolson Podcast | IAJS

Excerpt of the 01 Oct 1946 tribute broadcast to Al Jolson. This star-studded program originated from both New York and California, and included George Jessel, Eddie Cantor, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Perry Como, and others, in an hour long tribute to the World's Greatest Entertainer upon the release of The Jolson Story. This podcast includes songs by Eddie Cantor, Dinah Shore, and Frank Sinatra, along with the ending of the program by Mr. Jolson. If there is any doubt about how those in the business felt about Al Jolson, this should get rid of them for all time. The complete broadcast, along with other Jolson radio shows, is available at the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Excerpt of the 16 Sep 1950 Al Jolson performance at the Itazuke Air Force Base in Japan. This excerpt includes three songs from the half-hour transcription, which includes Jolson joking and singing for his favorite audience, soldiers at the front. "Swanee," "April Showers," and "The Anniversary Song" are the three songs heard here, there is quite a bit more in the original program. This is likely the last transcribed performance of Al Jolson; he died about one month after this show. The complete broadcast, along with other Jolson radio shows, is available at the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Excerpt of the 16 Sep 1933 broadcast from Belmont Park with Al Jolson. Having wrapped one movie, starting another, and headlining on the radio, Al Jolson took time to go to Belmont Park in New York, and appear on the radio to joke and call a race at the track. This is just a race and a little humor, there is much more in the 30 minute program. The complete broadcast, along with other Jolson radio shows, is available at the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Excerpt of the September 8, 1937, Memorial Concert to George Gershwin with George Jessel and Al Jolson. This brief excerpt of the two hour program includes Jessel's eulogy of Gershwin, and Jolson's performance of Gershwin's first, and greatest, hit, "Swanee," which he sang without whistling. An edited version of this long show is currently online, along with other Jolson radio shows, at the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Excerpt of the September 7, 1937, Lifebuoy Program starring Al Jolson with guest George Jessel. This clip from the existing 16 minute transcription of the broadcast features Al Jolson and George Jessel having fun with "Toot, Toot, Tootsie." There's more, of course, in the existing segment, which is currently on the Jolson website. The broadcast, along with other Jolson radio shows, is available at the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Excerpt of the September, 1949, polio drive program in Baltimore featuring Al Jolson. In this edited segment, Jolson recalled his boyhood in Charm City, and sang "April Showers," accompanied by Harry Akst. The complete broadcast, along with other Jolson radio shows, is available at the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Excerpt of the August, 1942, Contact program starring Al Jolson. This program, broadcast in support of the military during World War II, featured Al Jolson as Honorary Soldier of the Week. This excerpt includes some topical humor, along with his popular "California, Here I Come." The complete broadcast, along with other Jolson radio shows, is available at the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Excerpt of the 13 Aug 1941 Treasury Hour Program, featuring Al Jolson. Having just closed his last Broadway show, Al Jolson joined in this effort to sell Defense Bonds before World War II erupted. Here is an edited version of his closing segment, which suggests the plot of his life story, The Jolson Story, to be made five years later. The complete one hour broadcast, along with other Jolson radio shows, is available at the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Excerpt of the 08 Jun 1948 broadcast of The Eddie Cantor Pabst Blue Ribbon Program with guest star Al Jolson. Al Jolson took note of the 34th anniversary of Eddie and Ida Cantor being wed, and sang a song to them as only he could. The complete broadcast, along with other Jolson radio shows, is available at the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.

Excerpt of the 03 Aug 1938 Tribute to Irving Berlin featuring Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor and Irving Berlin. This one hour radio program was both a tribute to Berlin, and a plug for the new movie Alexander's Ragtime Band. Along with the many other stars in the show, enjoy three great stars singing great Berlin tunes. The complete one hour broadcast, along with other Jolson radio shows, is available at the Official Al Jolson Website at www.jolson.org.