The Kraft Music Hall (musical variety)

    (NBC Primetime, 1958 - 1971)

    [aka: "Milton Berle Starring in The Kraft Music Hall" (1958 - 59),
     aka: "Kraft Music Hall Presents: The Dave King Show" (1959), and
     aka: "Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall" (1959 - 67).]

    [This series was a successor to the dramatic anthology series
     "Kraft Television Theatre" (NBC, 1953-58), which see...The
     "Kraft Music Hall" had actually originated first on radio,
     sponsored by Kraft Foods (1933-49) and its longtime radio 
     host had been crooner Bing Crosby.

     But when Kraft decided to move its "Music Hall" to television,
     the first host was not a musician, but a comedian -- Milton Berle. 
     Berle was a legend in early television, and had been very
     popular on two previous series - the "The Texaco Star Theater" 
     (NBC, 1948-53), which see...and "The Buick-Berle Show" (NBC, 
     1953-56), which see. Unfortunately his early successes didn't
     make a difference in this showcase, so Berle only lasted one 
     season hosting the "Music Hall."

     Following Berle the next host was British comedian-singer Dave 
     King. Perhaps this was an effort to find someone who could stretch
     to cover both comedy and music. Unknown in the United States, King
     failed to catch on. So his tryout during the Summer replacement 
     season of 1959, was his first and last season.

     The next host, who became associated most with "Kraft Music Hall",
     was vocalist Perry Como -- both a known entity and a musician -- 
     who had been the host of his own NBC-TV series from 1955-59 --
     whose dreamy delivery and charm was the right ingredient to last
     until Winter, 1966/67 in this showcase. (During Summers guest
     hosts were tried out.) Comic relief was provided by sidekick 
     announcers and guests.

     In Fall, 1967, the format changed again -- featuring different weekly
     hosts who included Lorne Greene, George Burns and Dinah Shore.
     Even Woody Allen and Groucho Marx each hosted a show. During its
     final years, Friar's Club "Roasts" were broadcast on this
     series. Later these appeared as a separate series hosted by
     Dean Martin. During the years 1967 - 71 music THEMEs were often 
     keyed to individual hosts. But Peter Matz and his orchestra was
     to provide continuity during this time and an original THEME
     used whenever it was not supplanted by a famous host's THEME.]

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Theme 1 (for the first, Milton Berle season 1958-59): "Near You"

    [a 1947 pop song, which became Milton Berle's signature theme
     and was used as such on many series and guest appearances.]

     Composers: music by Francis Craig (ASCAP), with
                lyrics by Kermit Goell (ASCAP) 
     1978 Publisher: Supreme Music Corp. (ASCAP)
     1998 Publisher: Warner Bros., Inc. (ASCAP)
                    (Warner Bros Music Division)
                     c/o Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., of
                     Los Angeles, CA
     Copyright Date: (1947, on sheet music)
     Recordings: 
                 78 and 45rpm singles by 
                 Francis Craig and his Orchestra, with
                         vocal chorus by Bob Lamm
                 (78rpm) Bullet 1001
                 (45rpm) Dot 45-16038 (1947)
                 (45rpm) MCA 2710

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Theme 2 (Dave King Summer season of 1959): [under investigation]

     Composer:
     Original Publisher:
     1999 Publisher:
     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:
     Recordings:

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Open Theme 3 (Perry Como years 1959-67): "On My Way To a Star"

    [aka: "Dream Along With Me" (ASCAP title)]
    [aka: "Dream Along With Me (I'm On My Way To a Star)"]
    [aka: "On My Way Is a Star"]

     Composer: Carl Sigman (ASCAP)
     1978 Publisher: Roncom Music Co. (ASCAP)
     1999 Publisher: The Songwriters Guild (ASCAP), of
                     Weehawken, NJ
     Copyright Date ("On My Way To a Star"): Sep.  7, 1955; Eu 410 314.
     Renewal   Date ("On My Way To a Star"): Jan. 10, 1983; RE-162-563.
     Recordings:

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Close Theme 4 (Perry Como years 1959-67): "You Are Never Far Away From Me"

     Composer: music by Robert Allan (ASCAP); with
               lyrics by Allen Roberts (ASCAP)
     1978 Publishers: Roncom Music Co. (ASCAP)
     1999 Publishers: Music Sales Corp. (ASCAP), of
                         New York, NY; and
                      Charlie Deitcher Productions, Inc. (ASCAP), of
                         Quogue, NY
     Copyright Date: August 4, 1952; Eu 283 052.
     Renewal Date 1: Jan.  11, 1980; RE- 53-599.
     Renewal Date 2: Jan.  27, 1980; RE- 61-952.
     Recordings:

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Theme 5 (circa 1967 - 71): "Kraft Music Hall Theme"

     Composer: Peter Matz (BMI)
     Original Publisher: [unknown]
     1999 Publisher: Musicways, Inc. (BMI),
                     c/o Bankruptcy Court,
                     Los Angeles, CA
     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:
     Recordings:

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