Jolson Sings Again (1949)

Director:

Henry Levin

Writer:

Sidney Buchman (writer)

Release Date:

17 August 1949 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Music

Plot:

In this sequel to The Jolson Story, we pick up the singer's career just as he has returned to the stage after a premature retirement...

Plot Keywords:

Travel | Nurse | Alaska | Manager | Singer

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Larry Parks	...	Al Jolson / Himself
Barbara Hale	...	Ellen Clark
William Demarest	...	Steve Martin
Ludwig Donath	...	Cantor Yoelson
Bill Goodwin	...	Tom Baron
Myron McCormick	...	Ralph Bryant
Tamara Shayne	...	Moma Yoelson
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ray Carnay	...	Cantor Yoelson (singing voice)
Gertrude Astor	...	(uncredited)
Steve Benton	...	(uncredited)
Peter Brocco	...	Headwaiter (uncredited)
Michael Cisney	...	Writer (uncredited)
Dick Cogan	...	Soldier (uncredited)
Bing Crosby	...	Bing Crosby (voice) (uncredited)
Ben Erway	...	Writer (uncredited)
Philip Faulkner Jr.	...	Sound Mixer (uncredited)
Martin Garralaga	...	Mr. Estrada (uncredited)
Joe Gilbert	...	(uncredited)
Dick Gordon	...	(uncredited)
Sam Harris	...	On-Stage Actor (uncredited)
Betty Hill	...	(uncredited)
David S. Horsley	...	(uncredited)
Louise Illington	...	(uncredited)
Al Jolson	...	Himself (uncredited) (singing voice)
Robert Emmett Keane	...	Charlie (uncredited)
Nelson Leigh	...	Theater Manager (uncredited)
Jock Mahoney	...	(uncredited)
Eleanor Marvak	...	(uncredited)
Frank McClure	...	(uncredited)
Helen Mowery	...	Script Girl (uncredited)
Virginia Mullen	...	Mrs. Bryant (uncredited)
David Newell	...	(uncredited)
Charles Perry	...	(uncredited)
Wanda Perry	...	(uncredited)
Charles Regan	...	(uncredited)
Marjorie Stapp	...	Nurse (uncredited)
Morris Stoloff	...	Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
Eric Wilton	...	Henry (uncredited)

Directed by
Henry Levin

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Sidney Buchman		writer

Produced by
Sidney Buchman	....	producer

Original Music by
George Duning

Cinematography by
William E. Snyder		(as William Snyder)

Film Editing by
William A. Lyon		(as William Lyon)

Art Direction by
Walter Holscher

Set Decoration by
William Kiernan

Costume Design by
Jean Louis

Makeup Department
Clay Campbell	....	makeup artist
Helen Hunt	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Jack Fier	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Milton Feldman	....	assistant director

Sound Department
George Cooper	....	sound
Philip Faulkner Jr.	....	sound (as Philip Faulkner)

Camera and Electrical Department
Fayte M. Browne	....	camera operator (as Fayte Browne)
George Hager	....	gaffer
Walter Meins	....	grip
Homer Van Pelt	....	still photographer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Joan Joseff	....	costume jeweller (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Lawrence W. Butler	....	montage
Francis Cugat	....	associate color director: Technicolor

Music Department
Saul Chaplin	....	music advisor
Larry Russell	....	orchestrator
Morris Stoloff	....	musical director
Arthur Morton	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Other crew
Audrene Brier	....	choreographer
Natalie Kalmus	....	technicolor color director
Frances McDowell	....	script supervisor
Gertrude Bank	....	stand-in: Barbara Hale (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Sidney Buchman Enterprises (for)
• Columbia Pictures Corporation

Distributors

• Columbia Pictures (1949) (USA) (theatrical)
• RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1987) (USA) (VHS)
• RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1987) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (1995) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl

Company:

Sidney Buchman Enterprises

Trivia:

Al Jolson auditioned to play himself.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Jolson's third wife's name was not Ellen Clark, but Erle Chennault Galbraith.

Quotes:

Ellen Clark:[leaving room] My! We'll soon be smart as pigs!

Movie Connections:

Follows The Jolson Story (1946)

Soundtrack:

Carolina in the Morning

Surprisingly good sequel to the original 'Jolson Story'...

As a rule, sequels don't usually measure up to the original. Of course there are exceptions and this is one of them. Once again, Larry Parks does an amazing job of mouthing the words to Jolson's singing voice and sings a number of great standards. This time the plot focuses on Jolson's disillusionment with show business after his wife leaves him. Prompted by his agent (William Demarest), he agrees to be an entertainer during World War II and on one of his tours he meets a pretty nurse (Barbara Hale) whom he marries. High quality script has Jolson coming to Hollywood for a bio on his life and meeting Larry Parks (courtesy of trick photography). Song-filled gem is a worthy sequel and proved it by winning three Oscar nominations for writing, cinematography and musical scoring. Hale looks great and her pleasant personality adds sparkle to the film, while Parks is once again quite convincing in his colorful role.