The Jolson Story (1946)

This movie shows the idealized career of the singer Al Jolson, a little Jewish boy who goes against the will of his father in order to be in showbiz. He becomes a star, falls in love with a... See full summary »

Director:

Alfred E. Green

Writers:

Harry Chandlee (adaptation), Stephen Longstreet (screenplay)

Stars:

Larry Parks, Evelyn Keyes, William Demarest

Won 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Larry Parks	...	Al Jolson
Evelyn Keyes	...	Julie Benson
William Demarest	...	Steve Martin
Bill Goodwin	...	Tom Baron
Ludwig Donath	...	Cantor Yoelson
Scotty Beckett	...	Asa Yoelson / Al Jolson, as a boy
Tamara Shayne	...	Mrs. Yoelson
Jo-Carroll Dennison	...	Ann Murray
John Alexander	...	Lew Dockstader
Ernest Cossart	...	Father McGee
The Robert Mitchell Boy Choir	...	Church Choir (as Mitchell 'Boychoir')
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert Kellard	...	Henry, Orchestra Leader (as Bob Stevens)

Storyline

This movie shows the idealized career of the singer Al Jolson, a little Jewish boy who goes against the will of his father in order to be in showbiz. He becomes a star, falls in love with a non-Jewish dancer, and marries her. In the end he chooses success on the stage.

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Plot Keywords:

blackface | face paint | florenz ziegfeld | blockbuster | painted face | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 October 1946 (USA)

Also Known As:

Al Jolson

Box Office

Budget:

$2,800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min 124 min (re-release)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the young Asa Yoelson is at the burlesque theater watching Steve Martin, there is an usher standing behind him and slightly to the right of the frame. Many have speculated that this usher is actually the real Al Jolson himself, this is not true.

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Goofs

The Jazz Singer had its world premiere at the Warner Theatre in New York, not the Winter Garden as depicted in the film (as "The Jolson Story" was a Columbia picture, the change is understandable).

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Quotes

Al Jolson: ...trying to make songs out of music I picked up. Music nobody ever heard of before, but the only kind I want to sing.

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Connections

References The Jazz Singer (1927)

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Soundtracks

There's a Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder
(uncredited)
Music by Dave Dreyer
Lyrics by Billy Rose and Al Jolson
Sung by Al Jolson
Originally from The Singing Fool (1928)

User Reviews

THE Magical Musical of All-Time.

After all these years, and all my countless viewings, "The Jolson Story" remains the most magical and thrilling of all Hollywood musical biographies. It also stands as testament to "The World's Greatest Entertainer," Al Jolson, and his tremendous impact on show business for all time. Jolie's fantastic voice, filled with warmth, power and soul, will always be heard as long as this wonderful movie is viewed. Larry Parks and his supporting cast are superb, but it is that Jolson voice, electricity-personified, that elevates the film to immortal status.