(CBS, 1952) [Originated on CBS radio 1948-- with same music THEME; Short-lived on TV because of a racial stereotyping controversy and sponsorship problems]
[Theme credit in "Stetcheson Classified Song Directory", 1961 and "The Big Broadcast", 1966, 1972; The original Italian title was: "Maria, Marì"] Composer: Edoardo Di Capua (predates ASCAP & BMI) Original U.S. Publisher: [unknown] 1978 Publisher: [public domain] Creation Date: Published circa 1899 in Italy. Copyright Date: [w/English lyrics, on or before 1937 date of Horace Heidt 78 rpm recording] [original composition as "Maria, Marì" dates from 1899, according to Mario Biondi, music researcher in Italy] Recordings: 78rpm by Horace Heidt and his Orchestra Brunswick 7920 (1937)