The Jazz Singer (1927)

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.

Director:

Alan Crosland

Writers:

Samson Raphaelson (play), Alfred A. Cohn (adaptation)

Stars:

Al Jolson, May McAvoy, Warner Oland

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Al Jolson	...	Jakie Rabinowitz
May McAvoy	...	Mary Dale
Warner Oland	...	The Cantor
Eugenie Besserer	...	Sara Rabinowitz
Otto Lederer	...	Moisha Yudelson
Robert Gordon	...	Jakie Rabinowitz - Age 13 (as Bobby Gordon)
Richard Tucker	...	Harry Lee
Yossele Rosenblatt	...	Cantor Rosenblatt - Concert Recital (as Cantor Joseff Rosenblatt)

Storyline

Cantor Rabinowitz is concerned and upset because his son Jakie shows so little interest in carrying on the family's traditions and heritage. For five generations, men in the family have been cantors in the synagogue, but Jakie is more interested in jazz and ragtime music. One day, they have such a bitter argument that Jakie leaves home for good. After a few years on his own, now calling himself Jack Robin, he gets an important opportunity through the help of well-known stage performer Mary Dale. But Jakie finds that in order to balance his career, his relationship with Mary, and his memories of his family, he will be forced to make some difficult choices.

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Plot Keywords:

blackface | national film registry | afi | cantor | jazz singer | 

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Taglines:

Wait a minute! Wait a minute! You ain't heard nothing' yet. Wait a minute, I tell ya, you ain't heard nothing'! Do you wanna hear 'Toot, Toot, Tootsie!'? All right, hold on, hold on. Listen. Play 'Toot, Toot, Tootsie!' Three choruses, you understand. In the third chorus I whistle. Now give it to 'em hard and heavy. Go right ahead! Toot, Toot, Tootsie!

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 1927 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Jazzsänger

Filming Locations:

Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$422,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$7,630,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Vitaphone)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The theatrical date of release, was on Saturday, February 4th, 1928. But it was first shown to and shown seen by the Warner Brothers' cast and crew, of directors, producers, actors and actresses, on Thursday, October 6th, 1927. 121 days, (17 weeks & 2 days), differ between the movie's date of release and the date, it was first shown to and seen by the Warner Brothers' cast and crew, of directors, producers, actors and actresses, (cast and crew members)before public theaters were allowed to show this premiere.

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Goofs

During the audience applause after "Tootsie", it's clear that the clip is just being looped, as a person behind the counter in the background repeatedly enters from off-screen without exiting.

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Quotes

Jack Robin: [sings] I'll walk a million miles for one of your smiles, my Mammy.

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Connections

Featured in Side by Side (2012)

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Soundtracks

Dirty Hands, Dirty Face
(1923) (uncredited)
Music by James V. Monaco
Lyrics by Edgar Leslie, Grant Clarke and Al Jolson
Sung by Al Jolson

User Reviews

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.