The Jazz Singer (1952)

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Samson Raphaelson (short story "The Day of Atonement"), Samson Raphaelson (play),

Stars:

Danny Thomas, Peggy Lee, Eduard Franz

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Danny Thomas	...	Jerry Golding
Peggy Lee	...	Judy Lane
Eduard Franz	...	Cantor David Golding
Mildred Dunnock	...	Mrs. Ruth Golding
Alex Gerry	...	Uncle Louie
Allyn Joslyn	...	George Miller
Tom Tully	...	Dan McGurney
Harold Gordon	...	Rabbi Roth
Hal Ross	...	Joseph
Justin Smith	...	Phil Stevens
Anitra Stevens	...	Yvonne
Marcoreta Hellman	...	Mrs. Robbins
Gayne Whitman	...	Mr. Eskow
Anthony Jochim	...	Mr. Michton
Dan Barton	...	Ray Mullins

Storyline

---

Plot Keywords:

cantor | philadelphia pennsylvania | synagogue | audition | entertainer | 

---

Taglines:

It's joy set to music. A story that sings out to your heart.

---

Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 February 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jazz Singer

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The 1927 version of movie was referenced in the Gene Kelly classic "Singing In The Rain", however this version was released in the same year.

---

Goofs

Catwalks, lights and other equipment rigged to the roof of the sound stage are clearly visible during a shot of an audience supposedly sitting in a real theater.

---

Connections

Remade as The Jazz Singer (1980)

---

Soundtracks

"Living the Life I Love"
Music by Sammy Fain
Lyrics by Jerry Seelen

User Reviews

Oy Vey!

Oy gevalt! What a disaster!

Danny Thomas croons (badly), Danny Thomas tells jokes (badly) that are so corny and ancient Al Jolson would have been embarrassed to crack them, Danny Thomas emotes (badly, almost laughably).

Opening scene had me wondering what all those goyim were doing in the temple!

Peggy Lee was entertaining and a standout in this otherwise dreary film.

The supporting cast was more-or-less adequate, with the mother and father characters well cast.

Look for character actor William Schallert in a bit part, along with some other familiar faces.

The Technicolor photography was superb.

Watch all the scenes taking place in clubs across the nation and you'll notice that Danny and Peggy are using the exact same microphone in each one!

My advice - stick with Jolie's groundbreaking original.