(NBC Primetime, 1958 - 1971)
[aka: "Milton Berle Starring in The Kraft Music Hall" (1958 - 1959),
aka: "Kraft Music Hall Presents: The Dave King Show" (1959), and
aka: "Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall" (1959 - 1967)]
[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 Signature
THEME Song.]
[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
Composer: under investigation
Original Publisher:
1978 Publisher:
1999 Publisher:
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
[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
[filed as "On My Way To a Star"]:
Copyright Date: Sep. 7, 1955; Eu 410 314.
[filed as "On My Way To a Star"]:
Renewal Date: Jan. 10, 1983; RE-162-563.
Recordings:
[This was the signature opening song of the "Medley Time"
spot -- a weekly segment of the series, in which Perry Como sang
a medley of several songs with a common thread -- including songs
or topics suggested by viewer corespondence.
The Mitchell Ayres Orchestra performed medley arrangements written
by Joe Lipman and Jack Andrews.]
Composer: Ray Charles (ASCAP)
[professional name of Ray Charles Robinson]
1978 Publishers: Roncom Music Co. (ASCAP)
2009 Publishers: Roncom Music Co. (ASCAP)
Como Licensing [division] LLC, of
Great Neck, NY; and
The Como Legacy, LLC. (ASCAP), of
Palm Beach, FL
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
Composer: music by Robert Allen (ASCAP); with
lyrics by Allan 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:
Composer: Peter Matz (ASCAP/BMI)
Original Publisher: [unknown]
1999 Publisher: Musicways, Inc. (BMI),
div. of Filmways, Inc.
c/o Bankruptcy Court,
Los Angeles, CA
2009 Publisher: Musicways (BMI)
c/o Universal Songs of Polygram International, Inc.
of Los Angeles, CA
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings: