Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
Product Description
A double bill of films making up a biopic of Broadway entertainer Al Jolson. In 'The Jolson Story', young Jolson (Scotty Beckett, and later Larry Parks, whose voice is dubbed for the musical numbers by Jolson himself) has an ambition to perform in vaudeville, although his parents would prefer that he pursued an alternative career. However, Jolson pursues his dream, becoming the biggest Broadway star of his time. 'Jolson Sings Again' chronicles Jolson's 1940s comeback, finding popularity anew as he works to entertain the US forces during World War Two.
Product Description
This Dvd Is Brand New & Factory Sealed - Another Dvd Is Now Becoming Very Collectable & Sought After. This Dvd Is In Stock And Will Be Posted From The UK - Why Wait More Days Than You Have Too
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 54 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.... Read more ›
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.... Read more ›
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By J. Bryce
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.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By "manney_"
Format:DVD
Myself, my brother and two sisters pretty much grew up watching these film (OK less of the "SAD" remarks). And watching it again some 20 years later, just brought all the memories back and I'm surprised to still know pretty much every word! Great film about one man's dedication to his work and addiction to entertaining people, almost destroyed his personal life.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
I watched this movie years ago when I was a boy and wanted to own it on dvd. It is just as good as I remember, the songs and Larry Prks plays the part so well. My children watched also and although their nine and eleven they watch it whenever they get the chance and konw all the songs. they also want me to buy Al Jolson CD's.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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". Al Jolson was an entertainer who never stopped entertaining.
An entertainer in the total absolute sense of the word. A man who literally conjured with his voice, casting a magical spell over every gathering and managing by some miracle of regeneration to give himself to people, heart and soul night after night.All his life Al Jolson carried on an unashamed love affair with his audience, an affair that lasted when everyone said it was over, because it was founded on love strong enough to survive one long seperation and some serious rifts. When Al Jolson died in 1950, he was a household name, acknowledged by all the world to be fabulously rich and fervently American.However, in the best fairy-tale tradition, his beginings in Lithuania were far removed in every way from his later life; for when he was born in 1886, "The World's Greatest Entertainer" did not even owe the name by which the world was to know him.
From what my fellow Jolsonians have been telling me, it is through the two Bio-Pic Films "The Jolson Story" and
"Jolson Sings Again" with Larry Parks that most Jolson fans first fell in love with AL Jolson. This is the Jolson that most people love and remember, and had it not been for "The Jolson Story" and "Jolson Sings Again", and this enormous comeback in popularity Jolson enjoyed after entertaining the troops during The Second World War, if all we had ever heard of him were the early Pre-Electric Recordings of the 1920s,then he would not have had anything like the impact he has today.At the same time recording techniques improved, so did the quality of Al Jolson's voice.... Read more ›
An entertainer in the total absolute sense of the word. A man who literally conjured with his voice, casting a magical spell over every gathering and managing by some miracle of regeneration to give himself to people, heart and soul night after night.All his life Al Jolson carried on an unashamed love affair with his audience, an affair that lasted when everyone said it was over, because it was founded on love strong enough to survive one long seperation and some serious rifts. When Al Jolson died in 1950, he was a household name, acknowledged by all the world to be fabulously rich and fervently American.However, in the best fairy-tale tradition, his beginings in Lithuania were far removed in every way from his later life; for when he was born in 1886, "The World's Greatest Entertainer" did not even owe the name by which the world was to know him.
From what my fellow Jolsonians have been telling me, it is through the two Bio-Pic Films "The Jolson Story" and
"Jolson Sings Again" with Larry Parks that most Jolson fans first fell in love with AL Jolson. This is the Jolson that most people love and remember, and had it not been for "The Jolson Story" and "Jolson Sings Again", and this enormous comeback in popularity Jolson enjoyed after entertaining the troops during The Second World War, if all we had ever heard of him were the early Pre-Electric Recordings of the 1920s,then he would not have had anything like the impact he has today.At the same time recording techniques improved, so did the quality of Al Jolson's voice.... Read more ›
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 4 reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delivered on time and with no problems
I bought this DVD for my Grandfather, and he has enjoyed watching it. He has been after it for ages, and I have managed to pick this one up for him, for a couple of pounds.
Published 2 days ago by Mr SJ Proctor
5.0 out of 5 stars
You ain't seen nothin' yet
This sanitised film biography of the 'World's Greatest Entertainer' is a must for any lover of film musicals. Read more
Published 8 days ago by lycidas
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just for one song
Bought this because of "how we danced" but watched all the film and was supprised how driven he was havenow let all the family watch it
Published 8 days ago by anagram bap
5.0 out of 5 stars
review of above product
superb quality and value for money,highly recommended!
larry parks at his career best. two movies for the price of one!
larry parks at his career best. two movies for the price of one!
Published 17 days ago by ian kyle
5.0 out of 5 stars
One/two for romantics everywhere
Anyone over 60 will almost certainly be aware if Al Jolson and these two dvds are worth the watching. Read more
Published 1 month ago by granpa joe
5.0 out of 5 stars
all good
all good all good 28 words or more x v b b n h g f d s a r ew qo p l
Published 1 month ago by Toni Taylor-Munn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Recommend this film for those interested in Hollywood stories
Bought for my mother who loves both movies because the music and story. Brought back memories of the Hollywood era and the feel good factor. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Diane Loughlin
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Jolson Story/Jolson Sings Again [DVD] [1946/1949 ] [2003]
My husband is an Al Jolson fan and so this DVD was purchased as a present for him. He is very pleased with it and has listened to it on many occasions.
Published 2 months ago by A. D. Fry
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is nostalgi
I love Al Jolson and Larry Parks do a remarable Job playing him.
Both films on one DVD is fine.
Both films on one DVD is fine.
Published 3 months ago by Per Blaaberg
4.0 out of 5 stars
what a great songs
Love the musical and lovley songs, good story about Jolson become a star!
Larry Parks is the best actor for this film
Larry Parks is the best actor for this film
Published 3 months ago by ANTHONY LODGE
Customer Discussions
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
