The Jazz Singer (1980)

The son of a Jewish Cantor must defy the traditions of his religious father in order to pursue his dream of being a popular singer.

Directors:

Richard Fleischer, Sidney J. Furie (uncredited)

Writers:

Samson Raphaelson (play), Herbert Baker (screenplay)

Stars:

Laurence Olivier, Neil Diamond, Lucie Arnaz

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Neil Diamond	...	Jess Robin / Yussel Rabinovitch
Laurence Olivier	...	Cantor Rabinovitch
Lucie Arnaz	...	Molly Bell
Catlin Adams	...	Rivka Rabinovitch
Franklyn Ajaye	...	Bubba
Paul Nicholas	...	Keith Lennox
Sully Boyar	...	Eddie Gibbs
Mike Kellin	...	Leo
James Booth	...	Paul Rossini
Luther Waters	...	Teddy
Oren Waters	...	Mel
Rod Gist	...	Timmy
Walter Janovitz	...	Rabbi Birnbaum (as Walter Janowitz)
Janet Brandt	...	Aunt Tillie
John Witherspoon	...	M.C. Cinderella Club

Storyline

Neil Diamond stars in this motion picture as Yussel Rabinovitch, a young Jewish cantor who strives to make a career outside the synagogue in popular music as Jess Robin. Against the wishes of his rigid father and his loving wife, Yussel travels from New York City to Los Angeles to play his music. Swept up by the excitement, he meets a spunky manager who believes in his talent and shares his dream. He grows apart from his family, and becomes confused about what he should ultimately do with his life.

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Plot Keywords:

jewish | tradition | star | singer | pop singer | 

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Taglines:

His story will make you cry. His music will make you sing. His triumph will make you cheer.

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sound mixer Tom Overton said of this movie's sound recording and four 24-track music recording machines: "People are too sophisticated today to sit through a movie filmed to playback music. They want to hear what they see, and that's the way we're doing it. Neil Diamond's songs and score sound just great. We're a hell of a way from those dear old Vitaphone days to which we all owe so much."

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Goofs

When Jesse's father visits him in California and gets out of the cab watch the female roller skater bouncing the huge ball on the walk in the background. She falls flat on her face.

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Quotes

Molly Bell: [Eddie gets in his Rolls Royce, she pops up from the back] Pretend you don't know me.
Eddie Gibbs: Don't tell me Mr. Wonderful is back?
Molly Bell: And just in time for Zany's Autumn Special in New York.
Eddie Gibbs: Are you kidding? He walked out on Zany last year. The answer is no.
Molly Bell: One song, Eddie, that's all I'm asking.
Eddie Gibbs: No!
Molly Bell: You owe him!
Eddie Gibbs: He took a hike. Who remembers him?
Molly Bell: His album went gold.
Eddie Gibbs: A year ago.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in The Blind Date of Coffin Joe (2008)

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Soundtracks

On the Robert E. Lee
Words and Music by Neil Diamond and Gilbert Bécaud
© 1980 Stonebridge Music and EMA Suisse

User Reviews

This performance should have made Lucie Arnaz a star.

Yeah, Neil Diamond wasn't really much of an actor here, but Lucie Arnaz was great. Not only fun and charming, but she really showed she could act. Great screen presence-- you just wanted to hang out with her!

I wish more people had seen her in this.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 December 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Jazz Singer

Filming Locations:

Pantages Theatre, 6223 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$27,118,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$27,118,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

EMI Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby DTS-ES (DVD version) Dolby Digital EX (DVD version) 70 mm 6-Track

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1