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46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Much is made of the factual inaccuracies of this story. In fact if you have the good fortune to read the excellent book JOLIE -THE STORY OF AL JOLSEN by Michael Freedland, the truth is not as far away as you may think. First of all the man had to have an ego do what he was doing, cope with the fame and up to a point survive. He had certain character traits that others had, a temper, meanness followed by generosity and so on that were minimised and ignored for the most part by the film. You can only tell so much of a story and maintain the interest of the watcher. Personalities devolve in to composite characters and so on. Like for most mature vocalists, the music has to be several steps lower as the range changes with age. As with Sinatra and others this was a bonus and Jolsen's voice became richer and developed a beauty that many would envy. I saw a comment about Larry Parks as the younger Jolsen having too rich a sound for Jolsen at that age. So what!!! Rather that than a bad impressionist or an adjusted old record for a soundtrack. Jolies voice is thrilling by anyone's standard.
Larry Parks worked very hard to demonstrate the power of Jolsen. He sang at the top of his voice to unbearable loud Jolen tracks so that you could see that he was 'working'; veins bulging; eyes poppin'. Something I have laughed about in other films where they just move their lips and totally fail to convince.
According to Jolsen; apparently he was pleased with what Parks did except for one sequence on the runway Parks could not mimic the Jolsen dance convincely (for Jolie). In fact in long shot the 'dancer' is Jolie! He used to jest that when he died they would bury Larry Parks he was so convincing.
This is still one of the finest biographical musicals ever made. A box officer winner the time and enjoyable in the extreme now.
Incidentally in another place, great play was made of his ex-wife Ruby Keeler being air-brushed out of the film. She would not let it happen and allegedly never watched the film when it was made.
Watch this film, see between the lines; you will appreciate that most of the story is there somewhere.
A lot closer than the producers of the immensely enjoyable Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller stories ever got to the truth!! Those films wereimmensely enjoyable too.
You must not shrink from buying these films if you have any sort of soul.
Larry Parks worked very hard to demonstrate the power of Jolsen. He sang at the top of his voice to unbearable loud Jolen tracks so that you could see that he was 'working'; veins bulging; eyes poppin'. Something I have laughed about in other films where they just move their lips and totally fail to convince.
According to Jolsen; apparently he was pleased with what Parks did except for one sequence on the runway Parks could not mimic the Jolsen dance convincely (for Jolie). In fact in long shot the 'dancer' is Jolie! He used to jest that when he died they would bury Larry Parks he was so convincing.
This is still one of the finest biographical musicals ever made. A box officer winner the time and enjoyable in the extreme now.
Incidentally in another place, great play was made of his ex-wife Ruby Keeler being air-brushed out of the film. She would not let it happen and allegedly never watched the film when it was made.
Watch this film, see between the lines; you will appreciate that most of the story is there somewhere.
A lot closer than the producers of the immensely enjoyable Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller stories ever got to the truth!! Those films wereimmensely enjoyable too.
You must not shrink from buying these films if you have any sort of soul.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Larry Parks repeats his unforgettable performance as Al Jolson, the world's greatest entertainer. This musical extravaganza is the follow up to 'The Jolson Story' which is equally better to this.
The story unfolds when Jolson comes out of retirement and heads back to Broadway, only to find that the music styles of the day have changed, and Minstrel Jazz no longer pulls an audience. Discouraged, Jolson turns to his friend and manager, (William Demarest)who enlists him to entertain troops in the war. During this, Jolson falls ill and has to have a kidney out. He then meets, and marries a beautiful army nurse, (Barbara Hale) who encourages Jolson, to sing again.
Whilst entertaining a crowd, an old friend of Jolson's decides to make a movie about him. Jollie doesn't think too well of this, but agrees. (It is quite confusing watching Larry Parks playing Jolson, teaching Larry Parks, to play Jolson! And, to have the real Jolson as a cameo, watching all this!)
But, the film is completed,and on the opening night, Jolson (Larry Parks playing Jolson!) can't watch the film for he is nervous that this won't pull an audience. So, he stuffs himslef with popcorn and calm pills, and beomes sick! But, he pulls himself together for the finale of the film and he watches as the audience turns into an uproar of applauses. Jolson sang again!
Something which I find confusing is the finale of the film. Not 'Jolson Sings Again', but in Jolson Sings Again, when everybody is watching 'The Jolson Story.' The ending of the film they are watching, is different to the actual ending!
But, I'd buy this film if you have the first one, or even if you have not got it, buy them both!
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Like just about every other Hollywood "biography" of the period these two films manage to wander quite a bit from the truth. Who cares? The music is just wonderful and these flawlessly restored prints are marvellous. Great colour and great sound. I bought these two separately and felt they were worth every penny but having them rolled up into one collection is an even better deal. I can watch these over and over again and enjoy Larry Park's Oscar-nominated (and much deserved) performance time after time. Jolson re-recorded all his great hits for these films and the quality of his voice was actually said to have improved over his earlier recordings, despite singing 4 notes lower than when he performed them originally. These movies are all about the music and there's lots and lots of that to enjoy. The first of the films: "The Jolson Story" was the top selling film of 1946. No surprise. Do yourself a favour ... if you've any appetite at all for these great old songs buy this set and let any lack of accuracy in his life story roll off your back. This is pure musical entertainment at a very high level.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Jolson Movies
Again this movie was bought for a friend who tells me she is greatly enjoying both movies the old ones appear to be the best
Published 18 days ago by mick flynn
This IS entertainment!!
I first saw these two films as a youngster in the Fifties with my mother. No TV in our house then. One week I saw "The Jolson Story" and the following week " Jolson Sings again". Read more
Published 6 months ago by Warwick
JOLSON
I am a member of the International Al Jolson Society. An organisation which exists to perpetuate the memory of the man they called "The World's Greatest Entertainer". Read more
Published 7 months ago by Christopher Mumford
The old ones are the best
It was a real pleasure to sit and watch these old movies. The quality of the DVD version was probably much better than the original film. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr George H Harvey
On the Banks of the Warbash far away.....................
These are great films, the acting and lip synch is superb - Larry Parks is brilliant. If you like this era of music, buy this double pack. Fantastic
Published 11 months ago by J. F. Conybeare
Brilliant
Brilliant, uplifting, sad, it has everything. Larry Parks does a superb job. I can watch this many times and never tire of it.
Published 13 months ago by JollyJ
jolson sings again
a life long jolson fan.I have this dvd on vhs tape but glad to be able to preserve it on disc. he deserves the title of 'the worlds greatest entertainer' I read his biography over... Read more
Published 16 months ago by bunnyman
thinking of my mom
I was a very young girl when I first saw thease movies and I fell in love with Jolson and I still do . he was to me one of the best singers i have ever heard . Read more
Published 21 months ago by bettygee
sunshine 33rays
l enjoyed both films that were in the dvd,it was great acting from Larry Parks as it was sycronised very well with Al Jolson doing all the singing. Read more
Published 22 months ago by sheilagh rowland
The greatest entertainer
These two films are great viewing they contain a classic morality/faustus theme with the "hero", Jolson,being offered the choice between using an amazing given talent at the... Read more
Published on 5 April 2010 by coodenbeach
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