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.

Director:

Richard Fleischer

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:

Sometimes you have to risk it all...

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 December 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cantaretul de jazz

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Though called "The Jazz Singer", ironically, this movie "doesn't feature any jazz", as reported by "Movie '81 Magazine" from Australia. Similarly, trade paper "Variety" stated that the movie's "title has nothing to do with music on display here."

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Goofs

Jess sings to an audience in California in the middle of the movie. At the end of the movie he is singing to an audience in New York (it is assumed from the progression of the film) and it is quite obviously the same audience and venue. A number of audience members are present in both scenes. There is a woman with glasses wearing a vest and white shirt, a man in the middle of the audience with a checked cap, and a large man having a great time down front clapping very excitedly.

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Quotes

Jess Robin: Leo, why don't you go ask Tillie to dance?
Leo: I'm resting.
Jess Robin: Just go ask her to dance, please.
Leo: There's no music.
Jess Robin: Leo, please! Go ask Tillie to dance!
Leo: I'll dance.

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Connections

Referenced in Memories of Videodisc (1986)

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Soundtracks

Adon Olom
Traditional Adaptation by Neil Diamond and Uri Frenkel
Adaptation © 1980 Stonebridge Music

User Reviews

A microcosm of a man in turmoil, facing a difficult choice...

Between his duties and responsibilities, and his dreams and love. For those who want to pick the movie apart, without looking inside the story it tells, skip this comment.

Given the choice between one's responsibility to family, parents, religion, tradition, and duty, or choosing love, dreams, goals, and the pursuit of happiness through following our heart, which choice would we make?

The movie tells a story of strength through failure, of living versus wasting away in a life spent pleasing others, and of giving our heart and our dreams sway over the path we take in life.