The Kraft Music Hall began in 1933 as The Kraft Program, a radio music-variety show featuring orchestra leader Paul Whiteman, who was billed as “the King of Jazz” and who was arguably America’s first popular music superstar. Later hosted by Bing Crosby from 1936-1946. During the Al Jolson years, Nelson Eddy was the host of the summer show from 1947-1949.
Nelson Eddy, a classically trained baritone, is best remembered today for his nineteen films, particularly those with soprano Jeanette McDonald, who was Eddy’s co-star in eight musicals. His best-known film is Rose-Marie (1936), in which Eddy portrayed Sgt. Bruce, a steadfast Canadian Mountie that has been imitated and satirized, giving birth to the cartoon Dudley Do-right among others. The musical’s biggest hit, Indian Love Call, is so ubiquitous, selling over a million copies, that many who have not seen the film know the song. Eddy was the highest paid singer in the world in his heyday, earning $10,000 for a single concert.
In his last two seasons with The Kraft Music Hall, Eddy was joined by co-host Dorothy Kirsten. She was an operatic soprano who had debuted at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. After performing roles with a number of opera companies, Kirsten had her own radio program, Keepsakes, from 1943-1944.
Rounding out Eddy’s supporting cast were announcer Ken Carpenter, who had joined Bing Crosby in 1936 when the famous singer began his tenure as host of the show (Crosby called him “the man with the golden voice”) and continued to announce for Crosby on various programs for the following twenty-seven years, and; musical director Robert Armbruster, who joined the show in 1948. A conductor, composer, pianist and songwriter, he was featured in classical piano solos each week on the program.
The Kraft Music Hall Starring Nelson Eddy contains fourteen half-hour shows in Sparkling audio quality from the summer of 1948. Five of the shows are rare dress rehearsals.
Stout-Hearted Men - Rehearsal
Thursday, June 17, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
June Is Bustin’ Out All Over - Rehearsal
Thursday, June 24, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
Come to the Mardi Gras - Rehearsal
Thursday, July 8, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
Rise and Shine
Thursday, July 15, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
Your Land is My Land - Rehearsal
Thursday, July 22, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
I Feel A Song Coming On - Rehearsal
Thursday, July 29, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
Great Day
Thursday, August 5, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
Valencia
Thursday, August 12, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
Beyond the Blue Horizon
Thursday, August 19, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
Get Happy
Thursday, August 26, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
It's A Grand Night For Singing
Thursday, September 2, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
Little Girls
Thursday, September 9, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
Guest - Jeanette MacDonald
Thursday, September 16, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
Drums In My Heart
Thursday, September 23, 1948 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft Foods
