Credited cast: | |||
Larry Parks | ... | Al Jolson / Larry Parks | |
Barbara Hale | ... | Ellen Clark | |
William Demarest | ... | Steve Martin | |
Ludwig Donath | ... | Cantor Yoelson | |
Bill Goodwin | ... | Tom Baron | |
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Myron McCormick | ... | Ralph Bryant |
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Tamara Shayne | ... | Moma Yoelson |
Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Ray Carnay | ... | Cantor Yoelson (singing voice) |
In this sequel to The Jolson Story, we pick up the singer's career just as he has returned to the stage after a premature retirement. But his wife has left him and the appeal of the spotlight isn't what it used to be. This time Jolson trades in the stage for life in the fast lane: women, horses, travel. It takes the death of Moma Yoelson and World War II to bring Jolson back to earth - and to the stage. Once again teamed with manager Steve Martin, Jolson travels the world entertaining troops everywhere from Alaska to Africa. When he finally collapses from exhaustion it takes young, pretty nurse Ellen Clark to show him there's more to life than "just rushing around". Written by A.L.Beneteau <albl@inforamp.net>
Continuing where 'The Jolson Story' left off, this sequel explores a less exciting part of Al Jolson's life, however it is saved from dullness by a great gimmick in the final 25 minutes: depicting the making of 'The Jolson Story', which includes Jolson meeting Larry Parks. It is certainly inferior to the first film, but yet still entertaining whenever Parks performs one of Jolson's tunes the songs are still great. Although he does not look or sound old enough, Parks still gives it his best too. The film definitely resurrects good memories of the original, without a strong yearning to see something better, which is a good thing. The characters, the acting, the originality, in fact, just about everything was better in 'The Jolson Story', however, even if not quite as involving or as well made, this still passes the test for an adequately amusing piece.