Walter Kaner
Walter Kaner (May 5, 1920 – June 27, 2005) was an American journalist and philanthropist.
Early life
Kaner was born in New York City, one of three children of Philip and Ida Kaner. He grew up in New York City.
Career in Journalism
As “Tokyo Mose” during and after World War II, Kaner aired on US Army Radio, answering Tokyo Rose’s broadcasts. In occupied Japan, his “Moshi, Moshi Ano-ne” theme song, sung to the tune of “London Bridge is Falling Down,” was so popular with Japanese children and GIs alike that Stars and Stripes, the Army paper, called it “the Japanese occupation theme song.” Elsa Maxwell’s column and radio show in 1946 referred to Kaner as “the breath of home to unknown thousands of our young men when they were lonely.”
Following his discharge from the Army, Kaner was a columnist for the original daily Long Island Press (Not to be confused with the present-day alternative weekly of the same name), the New York Daily News, the Queens Gazette and other publications for more than 50 years.
He was married to Billie Elliot, who died on September 29, 2004. Kaner always referred to his wife in his columns as “Doll Face”.
Kaner once stood in for Ed Sullivan, jokingly reminding his television audience that he was the one who rejected acts such as Harry Belafonte and Barbra Streisand.
Walter Kaner Children’s Foundation
In 1950, Kaner founded the Walter Kaner Children’s Foundation to help poor, handicapped and mentally disabled kids in New York. His foundation has enhanced the lives of more than 250,000 physically and mentally challenged, economically disadvantaged children in the New York Metro area. Kaner truly loved children and delighted in making them laugh and improving their lives. He served on the boards of and supported numerous children’s organizations.
Memorials
Kaner died in Port Washington, New York, in 2005 at the age of 85.
In May 2006, Amboy Lane between Jamaica Avenue and Springfield Boulevard in Queens was renamed "Walter Kaner Street" in his memory in ceremonies at the intersection of Amboy Lane and Springfield Boulevard.