[not to be confused with "The Kate Smith Hour" afternoon show] (NBC Primetime, 1951 - 1952)
[Verified as opening theme by collector Ray Clark; Irving Berlin wrote the song originally as a Song of Victory in 1918 while serving in the Army; In 1938 when Hitler came into power, Berlin decided to revise the lyrics as a Song of Peace; Kate Smith made it her signature song on radio and TV series, and its popularity soared. Later Berlin donated profits from the song to a "God Bless America Fund", to distribute to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America.] Composer: Irving Berlin (ASCAP) [professional name of Israel Isidore Baline] Original Publisher: Irving Berlin Music Corp. (ASCAP) 1997 Publisher: Irving Berlin Music Corp. (ASCAP) of New York, NY 2010 Publisher: Irving Berlin Music Corp. (ASCAP), division of Williamson Music Co., of New York, NY Composition Date: 1918, revised lyrics in 1938. Copyright Date: Oct. 27, 1938; Eu 180 420. Recordings:
[Theme verified in correspondence with composer 3/17/82 who wrote, "All my themes had the same name as the show"] Composer: Harry Sosnik (ASCAP) Original Publisher: Harbet Music Publishing Co. (ASCAP) 1997 Publisher: [no listing in ASCAP Repertoire] Copyright Date: Recordings:
[Also used as the closing theme on the radio series "The Big Show" on which Meredith Willson was the music director; The show closed with its star, Miss Tallulah Bankhead, singing it in her inimitable husky voice; Then when the "Big Show" migrated to television as a short-lived series entitled "The Big Party" hosted by Rock Hudson, Mz Bankhead also sang it to close that show as well. This song became a standard -- recorded by Frankie Laine, Perry Como and Jim Reeves, among others.] Composer: Meredith Willson (ASCAP) 1978 Publisher: MCA, Inc. (ASCAP) 1997 Publisher: MCA, Inc. (ASCAP) 2000 Publishers: Frank Music Corp. (ASCAP) of New York, NY; and Meredith Willson Music (ASCAP) c/o Frank Music Corp. (ASCAP) of New York, NY 2010 Publishers: Frank Music Corp. (ASCAP) c/o MPL Communications Inc., New York; and Meredith Willson Music (ASCAP) Los Angeles, CA Published Copyright Date: Dec. 26, 1950; EP 51 685. Published Renewal Date: Feb. 13, 1978; RE-000-430. Recordings: