Web Site Logo

This website is made possible, in part, by displaying a few online advertisements to our visitors.
Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker for this site.
[ <- Back to Radio & TV Appearances ]

 
Click to view full image
 

LET YOURSELF GO - Guest Al Jolson

Air Date/Released Wednesday, June 6, 1945
Station/Studio CBS (radio)
Host/Star Milton Berle
Featuring Joe Besser (Solo)

Milton Berle was a television pioneer, but had only modest success in radio despite a 13-year run. In the early 1940s, trying to find a sustaining, successful formula, Berle began experimenting with formats, which led to several different programs, and changes in sponsors and networks. One of these was LET YOURSELF GO which ran on CBS from March 1944 thru June 1945. Tending more to slapstick, which did not translate well to an audio format like radio, it used both audience and celebrity participants to set aside dignity and “let themselves go,” engaging in gags often directed at Berle’s expense.

Later in LET YOURSELF GO’s run, Berle began tweeking the format yet again, and much of the show’s gimmick was abandoned for a more typical variety show format. Joe Besser joined the cast beginning on April 18, 1945 (per Joe’s 1984 autobiography Not Just a Stooge).

Milton Berle opens with a monologue of rapid-fire gags, and jokes around with announcer Ken Roberts. Going into a discussion of income taxes, Ken introduces a mathematical wizard and the world’s greatest tax authority to help Milton prepare his return… Joe Besser! A couple hilarious minutes of gags featuring Besser’s schtick follow. Connie Russell sings “Cross the Atlantic.” Milton is searching for a young, romantic crooner to headline a summer replacement series, so Ken introduces Al Jolson, leading into a series of “age” jokes between Berle and Jolson. For the last half of the broadcast, Milton narrates a career retrospective/salute to Jolson, as Al contributes melodies of his greatest hits.


A funny highlight is Al Jolson expressing annoyance with Berle by imitating Joe Besser, “Oh-h-h, you’re such a cr-a-a-a-zy!”

Cast: Milton Berle (Himself), Ken Roberts (Announcer), Connie Russell (Herself), Ray Bloch & His Orchestra (Orchestra), Al Jolson (Himself), Joe Besser (Himself)
[ <- Back to Radio & TV Appearances ]




FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We make such material available in an effort to advance awareness and understanding of the issues involved. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information please visit: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission directly from the copyright owner.