Donna Jack
October 1, 2017, revised 10:12 p.m. October 2, 2017

A little over a week ago, one of my sisters-in-law sent me the 1939 YouTube with Kate Smith introducing “God Bless America”.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching it in the past, and was more than happy to watch it again.  In addition to the YouTube mentioned, below there is a second YouTube, and also some information about Kate Smith and about the many years she brought entertainment to families across America.

Why was Kate Smith so popular?

Many people today say that Kate Smith was popular only because of her voice (which people loved).  They say that if people could have seen her and how over-weight she was, she would not have been popular at all.

Well, people definitely did see her — and loved her.  Not only did she have a powerful voice, and was able to sing about anything — but she was also interesting and had interesting guests.  Kate Smith had a radio, television, and recording career spanning five decades.

Millions of people loved her.

“Her inspiring rendition [of “God Bless America”] went on to sell millions of war bonds and even helped a hockey team in the 1970s win the Stanley Cup.” [source of this quote]

From 1950 to 1954 she had “The Kate Smith Hour,” a variety program which aired on CBS television with host Kate Smith.  Stars: Kate Smith, Bill Norvas and The Upstarts

Later in this blog piece, if you wish, you can watch a YouTube of a YouTube of a 1953 “The Kate Smith Hour” show (just under an hour long).

Here is a link to a short biography of Kate Smith, and notes.

Two responses on YouTube, to the YouTube video
of Kate Smith’s 1939 introduction  of “God Bless America”:

Two years ago, Mary Jane Prouty, who was living in Boston as a child, recalled watching Kate Smith everyday on Channel 4 at 4 p.m. right before the Howdy Doody show.

Also two years ago, Wayne Brasler said: “I was 12 at the time and watched her religious[ly] every day.  She could, and did, sing everything!  She also was amazingly spontaneous day after day.  She had a lot to say and said it, but always with utmost clarity and sincerity.  She discovered a lot of important talent and always kept up on the latest songs.”

Both my husband and I watched Kate Smith on television
when we were young.

My husband shared with me how he enjoyed watching Kate Smith on television when he was a boy.

And when I was a little girl, our family also loved to watch her on TV.  My mother and I would sing together as she played on our piano songs that Kate Smith had written or performed.  Mom and I spent many many hours singing together those wonderful songs.

YouTube of Kate Smith introducing
“God Bless America” by Irving Berlin

November 11, 1918 was the Armistice of World War I (WWI).  (That was the day WWI ended.) [Link to some history about WWI.]

The following YouTube is from November 11, 1939 — the 21st anniversary of the Armistice of WWI.  In this YouTube, Kate Smith introduces “God Bless America” — and as she is singing it, you get to see many popular people from 1939, including Irving Berlin himself (the composer of “God Bless America”).

https://www.youtube.com/embed/TnQDW-NMaRs?rel=0

Linked is biographical information about Kate Smith.  Below is one of Kate Smith’s television shows from 1953.  It is almost 60 minutes long.  Wait patiently through silent portions in the YouTube, for continuation of the program.