Jolson Sings Again (1949)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Henry Levin

Writer:

Sidney Buchman

Stars:

Larry Parks, Barbara Hale, William Demarest

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Larry Parks	...	Al Jolson / Larry Parks
Barbara Hale	...	Ellen Clark
William Demarest	...	Steve Martin
Ludwig Donath	...	Cantor Yoelson
Bill Goodwin	...	Tom Baron
Myron McCormick	...	Ralph Bryant
Tamara Shayne	...	Moma Yoelson
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ray Carnay	...	Cantor Yoelson (singing voice)

Storyline

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".

---

Plot Keywords:

singer | surname in title | al jolson character | three word title | travel | 

---

Taglines:

A Worthy Successor to "Jolson Story"

---

Genres:

Biography | Music

---

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to an interview with Ray Henderson, one of the composers of "Sonny Boy", the song was written as a satire. They were tired of Al Jolson's "Mammy"-type songs and wanted to write one so syrupy and sentimental that he wouldn't sing it. He heard it, loved it, changed a few of the lyrics and made it his signature tune.

---

Goofs

The headline "Forced By Weather To Cut Radio Programs" appears first next to a story about Al Jolson going overseas to entertain the troops and then again, several years later, next to an article about Jolson's successful return to show business.

---

Quotes

Ellen Clark: [leaving room] My! We'll soon be smart as pigs!

---

Connections

Referenced in The Fisher King (1991)

---

Soundtracks

After You've Gone
(uncredited)
Music by Turner Layton
Lyrics by Henry Creamer
Sung by Al Jolson

User Reviews

My brief review of the film

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.

Details

Official Sites:

Jolson site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 August 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Eterna Canção

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sidney Buchman Enterprises, Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1