- Actors: Al Jolson, Lowell Sherman, Hobart Bosworth
- Format: Black & White, Colour, DVD-Video, Original recording remastered, NTSC
- Language English
- Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: Unrated (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Studio: Warner Archives
- DVD Release Date: 6 April 2010
- Run Time: 84 minutes
- ASIN: B003G5UBAA
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 79,117 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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11 reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Great Jolson songs; horrendous Jolson acting
1 Sep 2001
Why was it that Al Jolson, Broadway's biggest star, the man who starred in 1927's The Jazz Singer, the first talking movie, didn't make tons of movies? Was it just because "The World's Greatest Entertainer," as he was called, did some of his act in blackface (minstrel shows were acceptable in those days) or sang in a highly emotional, loud style (later outmoded by the more sedate Crosby, who vocally caressed the mike). I was a Jolson fan when my friends loved the Beatles and the Rolling Stones but I have to be honest: written accounts say, and this movie PROVES, that his acting left a lot to be desired. I own this movie and LIKE it. Yet, it's hard to rate since it boasts a GREAT Irving Berlin score. On the music I would give it four stars. On Jolson's acting two or three (at most). Jolson does "Let Me Sing And I'm Happy" several times and he is so incredibly charismatic you can see how Judy Garland and the others labelled as "another Jolson" didn't come close. Despite critics who said Jolson's pizazz could not be captured on film, it is (partly) in several spots here. George Burns and others wrote and said there was no one who ever came close to relating to and exciting an audience like Al Jolson. Meanwhile, his performance here in non-singing scenes ranges here from OK to absolutely dreadful (his scene where he is supposed to be drunk is nothing less than embarrassing). He comes across as likeable most of the time, but the acting is truly subpar (and I am being generous). According to some accounts, audiences tired of Jolson's movies because they basically all were variations on The Jazz Singer: he was usually an entertainer, there were emotional songs, and there was usually something about a mother. If you want to see stage charisma this video IS worth buying (you probably can't find it in any rental stores and it certainly will SELDOM if ever be seen on television due to the blackface segments). NOTE: I have my copy and won't sell it because I like his vocal performances and stage charisma. But when I watch it I fast foward to the songs.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Jolson is great!
4 Feb 2000
Jolson stars in this review of the bygone minstrel era in a movie that could not be made today. Jolson portrays Al Fuller, lead showman for Meadow's Merry Minstrels. Show biz turns to murder when an envious co-star slips real bullets into a prop gun and Jolson finds himself charged with murder. 1930's film that's sure to give you an idea of what movie "talkies" were all about. These films put a lot of the movie piano players out of a job. Based on the Broadway play "Mr Jones" by Irving Berlin. 1 hour and 24 minutes of glorious black and white. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the film, seeing and hearing Jolson again. There's only one voice like that. The voice of "The Jazz Singer" lives on in this film. 5 stars for Al.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Horray for Al Jolson!
23 Oct 2005
The story of this film is mediocre. Al Fuller, one of the stars in a vaudeville act, is in love with his best friend's girl. However, his best friend treats the girl badly. The two get into a fight about the way she should be treated, and another cast member frames Al, making it look as if he tried to murder his best friend. The supporting cast is not memorable enough to carry the show to its limit which makes it less engaging than it could be.
The songs in this films are not outstanding either, except for the often used "Let Me Sing And I'm Happy" which Jolson emotes with passion. The lyrics seem to truly illustrate Jolson's own love for music and performing.
The reason this film gets four stars instead of three is because of the outstanding performer Al Jolson. Yes, he was stagy and yes he was egotistical, but he is nothing but lovable in this movie in which he plays the underdog Al Fuller. He is magnetic in all of his scenes; he loves the camera and the camera loves him. Audiences catch a glimpse of what Jolson must have been like on the stage in his scenes imitating vaudeville, a highly lovable and lasting actor.
The songs in this films are not outstanding either, except for the often used "Let Me Sing And I'm Happy" which Jolson emotes with passion. The lyrics seem to truly illustrate Jolson's own love for music and performing.
The reason this film gets four stars instead of three is because of the outstanding performer Al Jolson. Yes, he was stagy and yes he was egotistical, but he is nothing but lovable in this movie in which he plays the underdog Al Fuller. He is magnetic in all of his scenes; he loves the camera and the camera loves him. Audiences catch a glimpse of what Jolson must have been like on the stage in his scenes imitating vaudeville, a highly lovable and lasting actor.
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