- Actors: Al Jolson, May McAvoy, Warner Oland, Eugenie Besserer, Otto Lederer
- Directors: Alan Crosland
- Format: Import, NTSC
- Language: English
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00000K2XH
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Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
There are many reasons to love Jolson's "The Jazz Singer",
By
This review is from: Jazz Singer (VHS Tape)
This is an extraordinary film.First, it is a great story of the dilemma faced by a son between following a path set by his family and culture, in contrast with pursuing his own career ambitions. This is a story with great relevance today. Second, it is the first "talking picture." As a piece of cinema history, it is a missing link between silent and talking pictures. The Jazz Singer is conceived and photographed as a silent picture, and follows all silent picture conventions, but has several synchronized sound segments - with performances by the great Al Jolson - worked in. The most memorable to me is the scene with Jolson talking to his mother, with Jolson sitting at the piano. Third, Al Jolson was the most popular superstar of his day; he is compared in popularity to Michael Jackson, Elvis, and Bing Crosby combined at their peaks. In a world before radio, television, and sound pictures, the Winter Garden Theater on Broadway in NYC was built for Jolson and he filled it for years. Finally, "The Jazz Singer" is an historical document looking at New York in the 1920's. That world is long long gone. The sets, the costumes, the types of the actors, all reflect a rich and interesting world that no longer exists. Don't look at "The Jazz Singer" as some historical oddity or museum piece. As a piece of entertainment, culture and history, it is very powerful and riveting. As far as I am concerned, it is highly recommended.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Highly moving film,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Jazz Singer (VHS Tape)
What lady watching could keep a dry eye at the end when Jack Robin sings Mammy with his own mother proudly watching in the audience? Absolutely moving. The film was not the first part talkie to come outa Hollywood but it was the most successful. And the story rather closely parallels Jolson's real life family story. He was the son of a cantor, the two were originally from Lithuania and Jolson ran away from his dad when he was just a boy.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Maybe the greatest semi-silent,
By A Customer
This review is from: Jazz Singer (VHS Tape)
I saw the Danny Thomas version of The Jazz Singer when it came out about 50 years ago; forgot the plot. Never got to see Neil Diamond's in full. Then I saw Al Jolson. I was spellbound, wondering what the outcome was going to be. The blackface picture on the box was a little offensive and can cause a distraction. They could have chosen some other scene instead.Can't wait for the DVD version to come out, with whatever extras might be included. Hope they do pick another cover illustration .
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