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IMDbPro

The Jazz Singer

  • 19271927
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
10K
YOUR RATING
The Jazz Singer (1927)
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Musical
The son of a Jewish Cantor must defy the traditions of his religious father in order to pursue his dream of becoming a jazz singer.The son of a Jewish Cantor must defy the traditions of his religious father in order to pursue his dream of becoming a jazz singer.The son of a Jewish Cantor must defy the traditions of his religious father in order to pursue his dream of becoming a jazz singer.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
10K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Alan Crosland
  • Writers
    • Samson Raphaelson(play)
    • Alfred A. Cohn(adaptation)
    • Jack Jarmuth(titles)
  • Stars
    • Al Jolson
    • May McAvoy
    • Warner Oland
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alan Crosland
  • Writers
    • Samson Raphaelson(play)
    • Alfred A. Cohn(adaptation)
    • Jack Jarmuth(titles)
  • Stars
    • Al Jolson
    • May McAvoy
    • Warner Oland
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 114User reviews
    • 67Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 3 wins & 1 nomination total

    Photos45

    Neely Edwards, Al Jolson, May McAvoy, Margaret Oliver, Marie Stapleton, and Seymour Kupper in The Jazz Singer (1927)
    Al Jolson in The Jazz Singer (1927)
    Eugenie Besserer and Al Jolson in The Jazz Singer (1927)
    Eugenie Besserer, Al Jolson, and Warner Oland in The Jazz Singer (1927)
    Eugenie Besserer, Al Jolson, Otto Lederer, May McAvoy, and Richard Tucker in The Jazz Singer (1927)
    Eugenie Besserer and Al Jolson in The Jazz Singer (1927)
    Al Jolson and May McAvoy in The Jazz Singer (1927)
    Eugenie Besserer and Al Jolson in The Jazz Singer (1927)
    Eugenie Besserer and Al Jolson in The Jazz Singer (1927)
    The Jazz Singer (1927)
    1/2 sheet, 28' x 22'
    The Jazz Singer (1927)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Al Jolson
    Al Jolson
    • Jakie Rabinowitzas Jakie Rabinowitz
    May McAvoy
    May McAvoy
    • Mary Daleas Mary Dale
    Warner Oland
    Warner Oland
    • The Cantoras The Cantor
    Eugenie Besserer
    Eugenie Besserer
    • Sara Rabinowitzas Sara Rabinowitz
    Otto Lederer
    Otto Lederer
    • Moisha Yudelsonas Moisha Yudelson
    Robert Gordon
    • Jakie Rabinowitz - Age 13as Jakie Rabinowitz - Age 13
    • (as Bobby Gordon)
    Richard Tucker
    Richard Tucker
    • Harry Leeas Harry Lee
    Yossele Rosenblatt
    Yossele Rosenblatt
    • Cantor Rosenblatt - Concert Recitalas Cantor Rosenblatt - Concert Recital
    • (as Cantor Joseff Rosenblatt)
    Jane Arden
    • Small Partas Small Part
    • (uncredited)
    Ernest Belcher
    • Choreographer - 'April Follies'as Choreographer - 'April Follies'
    • (uncredited)
    Violet Bird
    • Small Partas Small Part
    • (uncredited)
    Nat Carr
    Nat Carr
    • Levias Levi
    • (uncredited)
    Claire Delmar
    Claire Delmar
    • Small Partas Small Part
    • (uncredited)
    William Demarest
    William Demarest
    • Buster Billingsas Buster Billings
    • (uncredited)
    Neely Edwards
    Neely Edwards
    • Dance Directoras Dance Director
    • (uncredited)
    Audrey Ferris
    Audrey Ferris
    • Chorus Girlas Chorus Girl
    • (uncredited)
    Joseph Green
    • Walk-onas Walk-on
    • (uncredited)
    Ena Gregory
    Ena Gregory
    • Small Partas Small Part
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Alan Crosland
    • Writers
      • Samson Raphaelson(play) (short story "The Day of Atonement")
      • Alfred A. Cohn(adaptation)
      • Jack Jarmuth(titles)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    The Jazz Singer

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      First feature-length movie with audible dialogue.
    • Goofs
      Mary recieves a telegram dated August 8, 1927. Later in the film, Jack is seen writing a letter to Mary, dating it August 7, 1927.
    • Quotes

      [opening lines, first quote and first words in the first widely-seen talking picture]

      Jack Robin: Wait a minute, wait a minute, you ain't heard nothin' yet! Wait a minute, I tell ya! You ain't heard nothin'! You wanna hear "Toot, Toot, Tootsie"? All right, hold on, hold on...

      [then he walks back to one of the band members]

      Jack Robin: Lou, listen. Play "Toot, Toot, Tootsie", three chorus, you understand. In the third chorus, I whistle. Now give it to 'em hard and heavy, go right ahead.

    • Connections
      Edited into Okay for Sound (1946)
    • Soundtracks
      My Gal Sal
      (1905) (uncredited)

      Written by Paul Dresser

      Sung by Robert Gordon (dubbed by an unidentified singer)

    User reviews114

    Review
    Top review
    Almost biographical movie of Al Jolson
    I gave this movie a 10 out of respect for the first talkie. Imagine the pressure in Hollywood at the time. Movies were rolling along at a great pace and silent film stars were icons. The technology of putting talking words to film was being developed and Hollywood had to choose the one star that could make it happen. That star...Al Jolson. Already incredibly adored and admired for a great singing and entertaining talent this legend accepted the challenge and forged Hollywood into a brand new era. Until the advent of computers and graphic enhancements with special effects Hollywood just refined that which Jolson brought to the public in 1927.

    If ever you want to get a real kick see this movie, if you can find a viewable copy, and revel in the historical significance of it. Also take out your copy, or pick up Singing In The Rain, which pays homage to the advent of talking pictures. Although they goof with the characters, such as the voice of Lina Lamont, the very real challenges of transitioning from a silent world to a talkie world is very evident.
    helpful•41
    8
    • Shapster11
    • May 18, 2001

    FAQ4

    • What is 'The Jazz Singer' about?
    • Is 'The Jazz Singer' based on a book?
    • How does the movie end?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 4, 1928 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Pevac dzeza
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $422,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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