Kraft Music Hall - 45-03-08 - Guest-Joe Venuti

Summary

Podcast Summary: Kraft Music Hall - 45-03-08 - Guest-Joe Venuti

Release Date: April 17, 2025
Source: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Introduction

The episode of Kraft Music Hall, hosted by Bing Crosby and orchestrated by John Scott Trotter, features a vibrant mix of music, humor, and engaging conversations. This particular episode spotlights hot jazz fiddle virtuoso Joe Venuti and distinguished Spanish concert pianist Salido de Solis, alongside regular performers Eugenie Baird and The Charioteers. The show captures the essence of the Golden Age of Radio, transporting listeners back to a time when families gathered around the radio for entertainment.

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Featured Guests and Performances

Joe Venuti took center stage as the special guest, showcasing his exceptional fiddle skills. His collaboration with the hosts brought a dynamic energy to the program. Salido de Solis also made an appearance, delivering a heartfelt performance that resonated with the audience.

Notable Quote:

Joe Venuti: “What did they do? Just when everything looks so dark, man, they said we better accentuate.”
(Timestamp: 03:26)

Eugenie Baird contributed with her smooth vocal performances, including Jerome Kern's latest ballads, adding a lush auditory experience to the evening.

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Notable Discussions and Anecdotes

The hosts engaged in light-hearted banter, reminiscing about past performances and sharing amusing anecdotes. Bing Crosby and John Scott Trotter playfully interacted, highlighting their longstanding chemistry and camaraderie.

An interesting segment involved a humorous exchange about Salido de Solis' predicament of hosting a party with an imbalance of guests:

Salido de Solis: “I'm giving a little party tonight and three of the boys wired me and said that they can't make it.”
(Timestamp: 10:58)
John Scott Trotter: “Send one of the marines home. You'll be awesome.”
(Timestamp: 11:20)

This exchange not only provided comic relief but also showcased the hosts' quick wit and rapport.

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Musical Numbers

The episode was rich with musical performances, blending classic tunes with contemporary interpretations. Highlights include:

• Bing Crosby's Ballad: Crosby delivered an emotionally charged rendition of his classic love song, captivating listeners with his smooth vocals.

  Notable Lyrics:

  “I dream of you more than you dream I do. How can I prove to you this love is real?”
  (Timestamp: 05:06)

• Joe Venuti's Fiddle Performance: Venuti's mastery of the fiddle was on full display as he performed his own arrangement of "Lady Be Good," impressing both the audience and the hosts.

  Notable Quote:

  John Scott Trotter: “Joe really roving the groove that time? I'm fractured entirely.”
  (Timestamp: 08:01)

• Salido de Solis' Piano Medley: Salido presented a paraphrase of Cole Porter's "Night and Day," blending classical piano prowess with jazz influences.

  Notable Quote:

  John Scott Trotter: “Very brilliant, Senor De Solis.”
  (Timestamp: 20:59)

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Comedic Interludes and Trivia

The show intertwined humor and trivia, offering listeners entertaining facts from the year 1934:

• Historical Events: Discussions ranged from unusual wildlife sightings to failed assassination attempts on historical figures.

  Notable Exchange:

  Eugenie Baird: “A Brooklyn woman who complained of a slight pain in her stomach was discovered to have eaten 1,203 items of hardware.”
  (Timestamp: 24:32)
  John Scott Trotter: “What a chick to take on a dinner date. Can't you just hear that, gal?”
  (Timestamp: 24:45)

• Pop Culture References: The hosts referenced notable personalities and events, blending them seamlessly into the conversation.

  Notable Quote:

  Eugenie Baird: “1934 was a belligerent year too. Me by In 1930, 1934, Japan announced to the world Japan is going to have the world's greatest navy.”
  (Timestamp: 23:24)

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Advertisements and Sponsorships

While advertisements are typically brief, this episode featured integrated sponsorships that adhered to the era's style. Kraft Cheese Company was prominently featured, aligning with the show's name, "Kraft Music Hall."

Notable Advertisement:

Eugenie Baird: “Tomorrow take just one red point and get two boxes of Kraft Dinner. That's two dinner main dishes of swell macaroni and cheese, fluffy light macaroni with rich cheddar cheese flavor through and through.”
(Timestamp: 29:21)

The sponsorships were seamlessly woven into the program, maintaining the show's flow without disrupting the listener's experience.

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Closing Remarks

The episode concluded with a preview of the next week's show, teasing another renowned guest, Artie Shaw, a celebrated clarinetist and orchestra leader. The hosts extended their gratitude to the audience, encouraging them to tune in for future broadcasts.

Notable Quote:

John Scott Trotter: “We hope you can make it. Next Thursday at the same time, we'll be coming at you with more of the same.”
(Timestamp: 28:39)

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Conclusion

This episode of Kraft Music Hall exemplifies the charm and allure of Golden Age radio. With stellar performances from Joe Venuti and Salido de Solis, coupled with the engaging banter of Bing Crosby and John Scott Trotter, listeners are transported to a bygone era of entertainment. The blend of music, humor, and nostalgic references creates a rich and immersive listening experience, fulfilling the promise of Harold's Old Time Radio to preserve and celebrate classic radio shows.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Bing Crosby]

When the blue of the night.

[John Scott Trotter]

Meets.

[Bing Crosby]

The gold of the day, Someone waits for me.

[Eugenie Baird]

It's Bing Crosby in the Kraft Music hall with John Scott Trotter in his orchestra and chorus, Eugenie Baird, the Charioteers, and our special guests, hot jazz fiddle virtuoso Joe Venuti and the distinguished Spanish concert pianist Salido de Solis. Ah, that's not Salito. That's Dr. Crosby affixing his signature to an admonitory note.

[John Scott Trotter]

You got the accent. Chewate the positive.

[Bing Crosby]

Elim minute to negative.

[John Scott Trotter]

Negative lat joy to the affirmative.

[Bing Crosby]

Don't mess with Mr.

[John Scott Trotter]

In between. But to spread joy. Pick up your fridge work there, drummer.

[Bing Crosby]

To the maximum. Bring room down to the minimum. Have faith all pandemonium. Liable to walk upon the scene to illustrate my last remark. Jonah in the whale knowing the ark.

[John Scott Trotter]

What did they do?

[Bing Crosby]

Just when everything looks so dark, man. Instead we better accentuate the positive feeling I need negative.

[John Scott Trotter]

Lat's right on to the affirmative.

[Bing Crosby]

Don't mess with Mr. In between. No, don't mess with Mr. In between.

[Joe Venuti]

You got to act as Samp. Shall we hate the positive? In the mind they hate the negative. Lat's right onto the affirmative. And don't mess with little in between. You got to spread that joy right up to the maximum. Bring bloom right down to the minimum. Have faith or pandemonium? Liable to walk upon the scene to illustrate my last remark. Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark.

[Eugenie Baird]

What did they do?

[Joe Venuti]

Just when everything looked so dark, man, they said we better accentuate. Hate the positive, eat them I may hate the negative Latch right onto the affirmative. And don't mess with Mr. In between. No, don't mess with Mr.

[Eugenie Baird]

In between.

[Joe Venuti]

No, don't mess with Mr.— in between.

[John Scott Trotter]

Whilst I retire to a previously prepared position and conjure up a mood suitable for an upcoming ballad, my associate will dwell on matters much more prosaic.

[Eugenie Baird]

Out on the battle lines. One of the nutritious foods that keeps our boys going is cheddar cheese, the protean part of the ration K lunchbox. Here at home, we're packing lunchboxes too. And one of the very fine foods for those compact meals is the cheddar cheese food Velveeta. Where besides rich yet mild cheddar cheese flavor, Velveeta offers complete high quality protein and milk minerals, food energy, vitamin A and vitamin G, otherwise called riboflavin. So whenever you spread or slice genuine Velveeta for those workday sandwiches, you can be sure you're packing in working power. Of course, there isn't a lot of Velveeta available right now, but smart shoppers watch for it. They say it pays to get the cheese food. You know about dependable Velveeta?

[Bing Crosby]

I dream of you more than you dream I do. How can I prove to you this love is real? You're mean to me more than you mean to be. You just can't seem to see the way I feel. When I am close to you. The world is far away. The words that fill my heart. My lips can't seem to say. I want you so. More than you'll ever know. More than you dream I do. I dream of you. When I am close to you. The world is far away. The words that fill my heart. My lips can seem to say. I want you so. More than you'll ever know. More than you dream. I do dream of you.

[John Scott Trotter]

Very few men and no women that I know of can play hot fiddle and play it right. Master of them all in this field, a top recording artist for 20 years. Famous. Whenever Le Jazz Hot is discussed graces our podium this night. The king of South Philly whispering Giovanito mix. Right in here, Joe. Thank you. For my first number, I'd like to wait.

[Bing Crosby]

Time.

[John Scott Trotter]

Time. Just a minute. Time. Whoa. Who'll give you the downbeat here? We're in no rush. You and I are old Whiteman alumni. Let's cut up a few touches, live a little. Reminisce. Want to? Okay. Bing. I'll never forget the time in that hotel in Atlantic City. Atlantic City. Just when the cops was breaking down the door. Wait. What Are you going to play? Joe, please. What are you going to play? Well, Bing, I'm going to play my own arrangement of Lady Be Good. Joe. You really roving the grove that time? I'm fractured entirely. Right in through here, we're going to be joined by our dreamy eyed, dark haired Eugenie Baird. When Janie turns a melody, it's really lush. Lush like a thrush. She really knows this girl.

[Salido de Solis]

Oh, thanks, Bing. I wish I knew what to do about the quandary I'm in right now.

[John Scott Trotter]

It's very becoming.

[Salido de Solis]

Oh, but really, Bing, you don't know what it's like nowadays to be a hostess.

[John Scott Trotter]

Well, not exactly. No, I don't.

[Salido de Solis]

Well, you see, I'm giving a little party tonight and three of the boys wired me and said that they can't make it.

[John Scott Trotter]

You're three short, huh?

[Salido de Solis]

Mm. Now I'm going to have five girls and only two marines. Honestly, I don't know what to do.

[John Scott Trotter]

Five girls and two marines, huh? Want to make it even, huh?

[Salido de Solis]

Oh, yes.

[John Scott Trotter]

Send one of the marines home. You'll be awesome. Eugenie is going to sing one of Jerome Kern's newest, one of his loveliest for you.

[Salido de Solis]

More and more this heart of mine confess More and more I'm caught in your caresses Warm by the breadth of your sight could by the blue of your eyes More and more I find it more than thrilling to share this dream that needed fulfillment More and more I'm less and less unwilling to give up Wanting more and more.

[John Scott Trotter]

I loved it, Eugenie. Really. A lacy delivery. Now if the charioteers will rally around here, we shall all gently latch onto one of the tenderest ballads of the dear dead days. Dear old girl.

[Bing Crosby]

Dear old girl the robin sings above you Dear old girl he speaks of how I love you the blinding tears are falling As I dream of my lost earth and my broken heart is called calling Calling for.

[Salido de Solis]

You.

[Bing Crosby]

Dear old if I could just.

[Salido de Solis]

Hold your charms again in my arms Then life would be.

[Bing Crosby]

Complete the blinding tears are falling As I dream of my lost pearl and my broken heart is calling Calling for you Jejo Black Friday in Primavera the Home Depot En quesas travajando con catorce dias yo fertas in the Home Depot En quentra mol chisimos ahoros en el centro de jardineria Como la compre especial Cinco bolsas de mulch Scots earth grow Porzolo dias dolores the Black Friday and Primaveras dal die siss dia brill and The Home Depot.

[John Scott Trotter]

Lads. May I tell you that you had that harmony really coming on. This evening we celebrate the return of a truly prodigal talent. Salito de Solis, eminent concert pianist. And he played his first program in this country a few seasons ago. In a memorable day beyond the Kraft Music hall. It is a most agreeable assignment to say once again, welcome to kmh. Muchas gracias, senor. Thank you very much.

[Eugenie Baird]

Say, Bing, you're pretty smooth, aren't you? When it comes to a spot of Spanish here and there.

[John Scott Trotter]

Well, I've met. Mastered most of the languages. Yes, I. Sanskrit.

[Eugenie Baird]

Well, you can help me. Yeah. How would you say welcome to kmh? I'd like to add my welcome in. You know, espanol.

[John Scott Trotter]

Clever, Clever. I'm glad to help you. Can you just say bienvenido a tus dominos poderoso y amado, Senor De Solis. Throw that in there.

[Eugenie Baird]

Thanks, Bing. Senor De Solas.

[John Scott Trotter]

Si.

[Eugenie Baird]

Welcome to kmh.

[John Scott Trotter]

This boy's a linguistic wonder, isn't he? I understand since last we met that in addition to your concerts, you've been very busy as a composer, Senor. I have been. In fact, I just have published a composition called Portraits of Spain. Ohkowski's going to introduce it. I understand. Suite in Three Movements. Three movements?

[Eugenie Baird]

Well, just why are the sections of a composition known musically as movements?

[John Scott Trotter]

Oh, really, Kensington. I don't know why it's so self evident. I'm amazed at you.

[Eugenie Baird]

Oh, well, for example.

[John Scott Trotter]

Well, sometimes the title suggests. Yes. The number of movements and so on.

[Eugenie Baird]

For instance.

[John Scott Trotter]

Well, like take Concerto for Yo Yo. Two Movements up and down.

[Eugenie Baird]

Now I understand. Yes, well, being as a musical expert, doubtless you also can tell me the story.

[John Scott Trotter]

Would you get me out of this? This boy's really got to work on me. I'll see you later. I can't work for you, but I play for you. Excellent. Senor de Solis will present his own concert paraphrase of Cole Porter's distinguished Night and Day.

[Salido de Solis]

Sa.

[John Scott Trotter]

Very brilliant, Senor De Solis. And muchas gracias comes now a worthwhile communique from my very worthy colleague.

[Eugenie Baird]

Throughout rural United States this week, a million 700,000 members of the 4H clubs are rededicating themselves to the most important project they've ever undertaken. Their all out effort to help win the war. The Kraft Cheese Company is proud to honor them and to applaud the determination expressed in their slogan, dig in for victory. The members of the 4H clubs are boys and girls from 10 to 21 who learn by doing. They produce milk and cream, grow crops, raise poultry and livestock. They perfect themselves in every kind of farming and homemaking, which will enable them to make the greatest possible contribution to their communities. And they buy bonds, too. Since Pearl harbor, they've bought or sold to others $140 million worth of war bonds. Right now, as spring approaches, America's farms and dairies are preparing for a new and vital crop year. What more fitting time to pay tribute to the 4H Club achievements. The 4H's stand for head, heart, hand and health. And we of craft are proud to know that the 4H boys and girls are using all of these so well for their country.

[John Scott Trotter]

One of the rare few tune smiths to triumph equally as a composer and as a lyricist is Cole Porter, former Yale boy and sophisticated favorite of the international smart set. Among his outstanding works, which have become contemporary classics like Night and Day and Begin the Beguine, lies ample proof that his tunes are equally beloved on Park Avenue or in Okalachicola. For this evening's medley, we turn to Porter's score for Anything Goes, a jolly musical japery, which made its Broadway bow in 1934, later picturized with an unknown batatone.

[Eugenie Baird]

Quite the quixotic year, too. Bing 34. Yes, 34 was the year when a Bulgarian audience, dissatisfied of the singer's performance, threw him into the Black Sea.

[John Scott Trotter]

That night I swam the Hellespont, buffeting the angry toilet and thrusting it aside with lusty sills.

[Eugenie Baird]

But had I reached the other side? You better come up for air. 1934 was a belligerent year too. Me by In 1930, 1934, Japan announced to the world Japan is going to have the world's greatest navy. If we don't, we will. No reason why.

[John Scott Trotter]

Check with Nimitz and Halsey. They'll give them all the doubts.

[Eugenie Baird]

1934, being a versatile year, was a gay one too, doing its best to live up to Porter's title tune, if Anything Goes.

[Bing Crosby]

In olden days a glimpse of stocking.

[John Scott Trotter]

Was looked on as something shocking now.

[Bing Crosby]

Heaven knows anything go. Good authors who once knew better words now only used for letter words writing.

[John Scott Trotter]

Prose Anything goes the world has gone.

[Bing Crosby]

Mad today and good's bad today Black's.

[John Scott Trotter]

White today and day's night today when most guys today what women prize today.

[Bing Crosby]

Just silly gigolo so though I'm not.

[John Scott Trotter]

A great romancer I know that you're bound to answer When I propose anything go.

[Eugenie Baird]

Yep, there's no doubt about it. Bing 34 was on the screwball side.

[John Scott Trotter]

Oh, truly a tricky 12 month.

[Eugenie Baird]

And it was was the year when scores of people throughout the Caribbean islands swore they sighted a 60 foot long sea serpent offshore at 2 o'clock in the morning.

[John Scott Trotter]

Now they close the bars at midnight.

[Eugenie Baird]

Oh my. You know what happened in Brooklyn?

[John Scott Trotter]

Watch Brooklyn. Not too large.

[Eugenie Baird]

A Brooklyn woman who complained of a slight pain in her stomach was discovered to have eaten 1,203 items of hardware.

[John Scott Trotter]

What a chick to take on a dinner date. Can't you just hear that, gal? No, Harry, you take the cutlets, I'll eat the cutlery.

[Eugenie Baird]

1934, courtesy of Cole Porter, gave Romeos a new way to be articulate in praising their Juliets with the phrase featured in our next ditty from Anything Goes. You're the top.

[John Scott Trotter]

You're the top.

[Bing Crosby]

You're the Coliseum.

[John Scott Trotter]

You're the top. You're the Louvre museum.

[Bing Crosby]

You're a melody from a symphony by Stroud.

[John Scott Trotter]

You're a Bendel Bonnet Shakespeare sonnet.

[Bing Crosby]

You're Mickey Mouse. You're the Nile, you're the Tower of Pisa. You're the smile on the Mona Lisa. I'm a worthless check, a total wreck, you flop.

[John Scott Trotter]

But if baby, I'm the bottom, you're the top.

[Eugenie Baird]

In 1934, up on a ranch up in the northwest was born an albino buffalo. A whitey, pure white, said by biologists to be the strangest animal in the United States.

[John Scott Trotter]

Oh, how about the Hollywood wolf? Now there's a strange performance.

[Eugenie Baird]

Memorable historical incident in 34 was the first of a series of unsurprising unsuccessful attempts by German army officers to assassinate Hitler. The most recent of such plots. Only last year would have succeeded.

[John Scott Trotter]

With a bit more luck, may I say better luck next time?

[Eugenie Baird]

Going good. Among the most amazing scientific discoveries of the year 1934 was that of a geologist who computed the age of the earth to be 1,725,000 years. He did it with the aid of an invention called a radioactive time clock.

[John Scott Trotter]

I discovered hope's age by the use of riboflavin. Really? Yeah.

[Eugenie Baird]

Concluding melody by Leo Robin and Fred Hollander interpolated in the picture version of Anything Goes presents a caressing, if cardiac twosomes. Cardiac. My heart and I.

[Bing Crosby]

My heart and I. We're discussing your charm. We decided that you should be in my arms.

[Salido de Solis]

My arms.

[Bing Crosby]

And I felt such a thrill at the start. We decided that you should be in my heart. We're so in love with you. Both my heart and I love. Then as years go by Both my heart will forever be true for all that I want is your heart.

[John Scott Trotter]

That's all in the all friends for now, and thanks for being with us. We hope you can make it. Next Thursday at the same time, we'll be coming at you with more of the same. And with our special guest, a very fine orchestra leader, ace clarinetist and musical pundit, Artie Shaw. Adios for now.

[Eugenie Baird]

Tune in the Craft Music hall next Thursday at this same time with Bing Crosby, John Scott Trotter and his orchestra and chorus, Eugenie Baird, the Charioteers, and our guest, the popular band leader and brilliant clarinet star, Artie Shaw. Lady, are your red ration points running low? Then tomorrow take just one red point and get two boxes of Kraft Dinner. That's two dinner main dishes of swell macaroni and cheese, fluffy light macaroni with rich cheddar cheese flavor through and through. And with Kraft Dinner, you cook your macaroni and cheese in just seven minutes. So save time, save ration points and give the folks really delicious macaroni and cheese. Tomorrow, ask your food dealer for Kraft Dinner. This is the National Broadcasting Company.