The Jazz Singer (1980)

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writers:

Samson Raphaelson (play)
Herbert Baker (screenplay)
(more)

Release Date:

19 December 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music | Romance

Tagline:

His story will make you cry. His music will make you sing. His triumph will make you cheer.

Plot:

The son of a Jewish Cantor must defy his father in order to pursue his dream of being a pop singer.

Plot Keywords:

Jewish | Singer | Star | Pop Singer | Remake

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Neil Diamond	...	Jess Robin
Laurence Olivier	...	Cantor Rabinovitch
Lucie Arnaz	...	Molly Bell
Catlin Adams	...	Rivka Rabinovitch
Franklyn Ajaye	...	Bubba
Paul Nicholas	...	Keith Lennox
Sully Boyar	...	Eddie Gibbs
Mike Kellin	...	Leo
James Booth	...	Paul Rossini
Luther Waters	...	Teddy
Oren Waters	...	Mel
Rod Gist	...	Timmy
Walter Janovitz	...	Rabbi Birnbaum (as Walter Janowitz)
Janet Brandt	...	Aunt Tillie
John Witherspoon	...	M.C. Cinderella Club
Dale Robinette	...	Tommy
David Coburn	...	Bar Mitzvah Boy
Judy Gibson	...	Peg
Hank Garrett	...	Police Sergeant
Ernie Hudson	...	Heckler
James Karen	...	Barney Callahan
Tim Herbert	...	Technician #1
Edward Jahnke	...	Guard (as Ed Jahnke)
Hugh Gillin	...	Texas Bartender
Jill Jaress	...	Cowgirl
Victor Paul	...	Irate Driver
Uri Frenkel	...	The Cantor (as Cantor Uri Frenkel)
Rex Cutter	...	Semi Driver
Michael Pasternak	...	Zany Gray (as Mike Pasternak)
Sandy Helberg	...	Sound Engineer
Brion James	...	Man in Bar
Douglas Nigh	...	Technician #2
Patrick Stansfield	...	Stage Manager
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Steve Dash	...	Policeman
Lev Liberman	...	Boots (uncredited)

Directed by
Richard Fleischer

Writing credits
Samson Raphaelson		(play)
Herbert Baker		(screenplay)
Stephen H. Foreman		(adaptation)

Produced by
Jerry Leider	....	producer
Joel Morwood	....	associate producer
Martin Wiviott	....	producer

Original Music by
Leonard Rosenman

Cinematography by
Isidore Mankofsky		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Maury Winetrobe

Casting by
Harriet B. Helberg

Production Design by
Harry Horner

Art Direction by
Spencer Deverell		(as Spencer Deverill)

Set Decoration by
Robert De Vestel		(as Robert de Vestel)
Ruby R. Levitt		(as Ruby Levitt)

Costume Design by
Albert Wolsky

Makeup Department
Leonard Engelman	....	makeup artist
Jerry Kerns	....	hair stylist: Neil Diamond
Christine Lee	....	hair stylist
B.J. Pardo	....	hair designer: Lucie Arnaz
Daniel C. Striepeke	....	makeup artist (as Dan Striepeke)

Production Management
E. Darrell Hallenbeck	....	executive production manager
Patrick Stansfield	....	concert production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Alice Blanchard	....	second assistant director
Jack Clinton	....	second assistant director
John Eyler	....	second assistant director
James Turley	....	assistant director
Robert Webb	....	assistant director (as Robert M. Webb)

Art Department
Leamon Adams	....	lead man
Wilbur Finks	....	lead man
Arthur Gelb	....	graphic designer
Carmine Goglia	....	stand-by painter
Christopher Horner	....	set designer
David Kirschner	....	logo designer
Mark Poll	....	set designer
John J. Rutchland III	....	construction coordinator
V.R. Bud Shelton	....	property master (as Vincent 'Bud' Shelton)
Alan Sims	....	assistant property master

Sound Department
Bill W. Benton	....	sound assistant engineer (as Bill Benton)
David Bianco	....	sound assistant engineer
Andy Bloch	....	sound designer
Jack Crymes	....	technical assistance
Mark Eshelman	....	sound assistant engineer
Bob Gaudio	....	sound supervisor
David Hawkins	....	sound editor
Ron Hitchcock	....	sound designer
Dennis Jones	....	boom
Jack Kirschner	....	sound editor
Gregg Landaker	....	sound re-recording mixer
Steve Maslow	....	sound re-recording mixer
Stan Miller	....	concert and playback sound (as Stan R. Miller)
Robert Nichols II	....	sound recordist
Tom Overton	....	production sound mixer (as T.G. Overton)
James A. Sandweiss	....	sound assistant engineer (as Jim Sandweiss)
Paul Sandweiss	....	sound assistant engineer
Jack Schrader	....	sound editor
William L. Stevenson	....	supervising sound editor
John Taylor	....	concert and playback sound
Elliot Tyson	....	adr mixer
Bill Varney	....	sound re-recording mixer
Ron Hitchcock	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)
Duncan McEwan	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
Donald C. Rogers	....	technical director of sound (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Lambert Powell	....	special effects
Ken Speed	....	special effects coordinator

Stunts
John Ashby	....	stunts
Chris Howell	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Larry Barbier	....	still photographer (as Laurence L. Barbier)
Howard Block	....	camera operator
Alfred Budniak	....	best boy
James F. Cornick	....	electrician
Don Duffield	....	key grip
Jake Jarrell	....	gaffer (as Jacob Jarrell)
Michael J. Krones	....	concert lighting team
Marilyn Lowry	....	concert lighting team
Owen Marsh	....	camera operator
Bill Masten	....	assistant camera (as William N. Masten)
Tom May	....	second grip
Tom D. May	....	second grip
Benny McNulty	....	best boy (as Bernard McNulty)
Douglas L. Pope	....	concert lighting team
Herb Roberts	....	camera operator (as Herbert C. Roberts)
Mike Tapp	....	dolly grip
Rick Tschudin	....	assistant camera (as Rich Tschudin)
Ronald Vidor	....	Steadicam operator
Jonathan West	....	additional camera operator

Casting Department
Janice Spitzer	....	extras casting (as Jan Spitzer)
Peter Spitzer	....	extras casting
Bryan Buchanan	....	extras casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Bruce Ericksen	....	costumer: men
Peggy Thorin	....	costumer: women (as Margaret Thorin)
James W. Tyson	....	costumer: men
Bill Whitten	....	wardrobe designer: Neil Diamond

Editorial Department
Donah Bassett	....	negative cutter
Derek Brechin	....	assistant editor (as Derek G. Brechin)
Mark Eggenweiler	....	assistant editor
Dennis E. Lew	....	assistant editor
Eric A. Sears	....	assistant editor
Alec Smight	....	apprentice editor
Frank J. Urioste	....	supervising editor

Music Department
Andy Bloch	....	music recording mixer: remote
Vince Charles	....	musician: percussion/steel drums (with The Neil Diamond Band)
King Errisson	....	musician: percussion (with The Neil Diamond Band)
Bob Gaudio	....	music producer
Tom Hensley	....	conductor
Tom Hensley	....	musician: keyboards, with The Neil Diamond Band
Ron Hitchcock	....	music mixer
Linda Press	....	vocals (with The Neil Diamond Band)
Reinie Press	....	musician: bass (with The Neil Diamond Band)
Doug Rhone	....	music collaborator
Doug Rhone	....	musician: guitar, with The Neil Diamond Band
John Rosenberg	....	music contractor
William Saracino	....	supervising music editor
Dennis St. John	....	musical director
Dennis St. John	....	musician: drums, with The Neil Diamond Band
John Michael Weaver	....	assistant recording engineer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Steve Bonner	....	driver
E.O. Braden	....	transportation

Other crew
Lea Andrews	....	production coordinator
Kathy Breen	....	assistant to director
Barry Cardinael	....	equipment manager
Harry Clein	....	unit publicist
Sam Cole	....	crew chief
Chris Coles	....	coordinator: New York
Kimberley Coy	....	unit publicist
Debbie Eisen	....	production assistant
Sonny P. Filippini	....	script supervisor (as Sonny Filippini)
Wayne Fitzgerald	....	title designer
Uri Frenkel	....	technical advisor (as Cantor Uri Frenkel)
Harriet Greenberg	....	assistant to producer
Carin I. Gronhagen	....	assistant production controller
Beatrice E. Marks	....	assistant: Bob Gaudio
Donald McKayle	....	choreographer (as Don McKayle)
Terry Merchant	....	equipment manager
Tom Mooney	....	road manager
Jerry Murphy	....	road manager
Burt Nodella	....	production executive
Matt Nodella	....	location manager (as Matthew Nodella)
David Oliver	....	title designer
Joe Olshan	....	production assistant
Victor T. Salant	....	production controller
Gary Schilz	....	production assistant
Bill Sheehan	....	first aid nurse
Vincent Staraci	....	production assistant
Clayton Townsend	....	location assistant
Walt Von Hauffe	....	marketing coordinator
Alison Zanetos	....	assistant: Mr. Diamond

Thanks
Max Gordon	....	acknowledgment: produced on the stage by
Sam Harris	....	acknowledgment: produced on the stage in association with (as Sam H. Harris)
Albert Lewis	....	acknowledgment: produced on the stage by

Production Companies

• EMI Films

Distributors

• Associated Film Distribution (AFD) (1980) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1983) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Constantin-Film (1981) (Austria) (theatrical)
• Gaumont (1981) (France) (theatrical)
• Neue Constantin Film (1981) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2009) (USA) (DVD) (30th anniversary edition)
• Lumiere Home Video
• Paramount Home Video (1981) (USA) (video) (CED videodisc)
• Republic Pictures Home Video (1990s) (USA) (VHS)
• Thorn EMI Video Australia
• VTI Home Vídeo (Brazil) (video)
• Warner Home Video

Special Effects

• Cinema Research (visual effects)
• Laserium (laser special effects)

Other Companies

• Aura Recording Studio  grateful acknowledgment
• Bucks Steak House  grateful acknowledgment
• Consolidated Film Industries (CFI)  color by
• Crystal Sound Recording  grateful acknowledgment
• DeLuxe Laboratories  prints by (as De Luxe®)
• Extracast  extras casting
• Imero Fiorentino Associates  concert lighting
• Klezmorim Band, The  grateful acknowledgment
• Maarev Temple Assistant Choir  grateful acknowledgment
• Mahoney / Wasserman  publicity (as Mahoney/Wasserman & Associates)
• Nederland Organization of California  grateful acknowledgment
• Nissan USA  grateful acknowledgment (as Nissan Motor Corporation [Datsun], California)
• Panavision  lenses and Panaflex camera (as Panavision®)
• Pantages Theatre  grateful acknowledgment
• Record Plant Scoring  remote recording facilities provided by
• Rogers & Cowan  publicity
• ShowBiz Enterprises  draperies
• Stanal Sound  concert and playback sound by
• Trans American Video Services  grateful acknowledgment
• Trax Club NY  grateful acknowledgment
• Warner Hollywood Studios  production services and equipment provided by

Also Known As:

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | DTS-ES (DVD version) | Dolby Digital EX (DVD version) | 70 mm 6-Track

Certification:

Finland:S | Argentina:Atp | Singapore:PG | Iceland:L | Australia:G | USA:PG (#25818) | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Pantages Theatre, 6223 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

EMI Films

Trivia:

The original Broadway stage production of "The Jazz Singer" opened at the Fulton Theater on September 14, 1925 and ran for 303 performances. The play starred George Jessel.

Goofs:

Continuity: In New York at the end of the movie when Leo asks Jess to sing in his father's place, Molly and Jess argue at the piano. Both Jess and Molly are wearing wedding rings. Later that night when Jess goes to reconcile with his father he is no longer wearing a wedding ring.

Quotes:

Molly Bell:Honey what happened? What was that all about?
Yussel Rabinovitch:When a Jew mourns somebody dead, they tear a piece of their clothing
Molly Bell:Who's dead?
Yussel Rabinovitch:I am

Movie Connections:

Featured in "I Love the 80's 3-D: 1980 (#1.1)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Jerusalem

No Jazz

I like to see remakes, because in many cases you experience two films at once: the film you are watching of course, and the one you recall. Usually that prior one is pretty good. In this case, it IS pretty good, and historically important too.

It was the first popular talkie, and not all talkie either. It was pretty amazing in depicting New York Jewry in a way gathered from the reality of the era, and on that score alone is fascinating. It was perhaps overly melodramatic, but suitably severe. And its "message" though simple wasn't quite dumb: that "jazz" music can be sacred work if delivered so. Along the way, we got (still!) entertaining songs.

Now this. I do not know what prompted the remake. It seems that they simply had Neil Diamond and saw a fit. He is Jewish. He has a fantastic portfolio of songs, some of which seem written for the project, and he is at least a credible actor. So they tromped through the old script, modernizing as they went. They shifted the focus to the music and the self- discovery of the musician. The rift with the father is recast as upset over sex rather than jazz, something I think is a big mistake.

And the script and production values (other than the songs) is horrible, Laurence Olivier embarrasses himself and us all every thing he speaks with some sort of faux stage accent. he is truly dreadful. Everyone is, save one, but he is the worst. The only good actor is on screen only a few times: he is the booker, played by Sully Boyar, and every time he shows up to speak, the sun shines. Doesn't kill the mold though.

Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.