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The Jazz Singer

  • 19801980
  • PGPG
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
The Jazz Singer (1980)
Home Video Trailer from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer3:36
2 Videos
13 Photos
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Romance
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Richard Fleischer
    • Sidney J. Furie(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Samson Raphaelson(play)
    • Herbert Baker(screenplay)
    • Stephen H. Foreman(adaptation)
  • Stars
    • Laurence Olivier
    • Neil Diamond
    • Lucie Arnaz
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Richard Fleischer
    • Sidney J. Furie(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Samson Raphaelson(play)
    • Herbert Baker(screenplay)
    • Stephen H. Foreman(adaptation)
  • Stars
    • Laurence Olivier
    • Neil Diamond
    • Lucie Arnaz
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 73User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
    • 37Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 10 nominations

    Videos2

    The Jazz Singer
    Trailer 3:36
    The Jazz Singer
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 14
    Video 28:39
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 14

    Photos13

    Insert
    The Jazz Singer (1980)
    The Jazz Singer (1980)
    The Jazz Singer (1980)
    The Jazz Singer (1980)
    The Jazz Singer (1980)
    The Jazz Singer (1980)
    The Jazz Singer (1980)
    The Jazz Singer (1980)
    The Jazz Singer (1980)
    The Jazz Singer (1980)
    The Jazz Singer (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Laurence Olivier
    Laurence Olivier
    • Cantor Rabinovitchas Cantor Rabinovitch
    Neil Diamond
    Neil Diamond
    • Jess Robinas Jess Robin…
    Lucie Arnaz
    Lucie Arnaz
    • Molly Bellas Molly Bell
    Catlin Adams
    Catlin Adams
    • Rivka Rabinovitchas Rivka Rabinovitch
    Franklyn Ajaye
    Franklyn Ajaye
    • Bubbaas Bubba
    Paul Nicholas
    Paul Nicholas
    • Keith Lennoxas Keith Lennox
    Sully Boyar
    Sully Boyar
    • Eddie Gibbsas Eddie Gibbs
    Mike Kellin
    Mike Kellin
    • Leoas Leo
    James Booth
    James Booth
    • Paul Rossinias Paul Rossini
    Luther Waters
    • Teddyas Teddy
    Oren Waters
    • Melas Mel
    Rod Gist
    • Timmyas Timmy
    Walter Janovitz
    Walter Janovitz
    • Rabbi Birnbaumas Rabbi Birnbaum
    • (as Walter Janowitz)
    Janet Brandt
    Janet Brandt
    • Aunt Tillieas Aunt Tillie
    John Witherspoon
    John Witherspoon
    • M.C. Cinderella Clubas M.C. Cinderella Club
    Dale Robinette
    • Tommyas Tommy
    David Coburn
    David Coburn
    • Bar Mitzvah Boyas Bar Mitzvah Boy
    Judy Gibson
    • Pegas Peg
    • Directors
      • Richard Fleischer
      • Sidney J. Furie(uncredited)
    • Writers
      • Samson Raphaelson(play)
      • Herbert Baker(screenplay)
      • Stephen H. Foreman(adaptation)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After the movie was finished, Sir Laurence Olivier went to New York City for a short time, and had dinner in a restaurant with friends. During the dinner, he recalled to his friends something he said about the movie while Sidney J. Furie was still directing: "This piss is shit." Olivier later said a reporter must have been at the table next to his, because the next day the New York Daily News reported what he said (though with both vulgar words changed to cleaner derogatory words). This news soon spread completely across the country, and with threats of lawsuits in the air, Olivier quickly made a statement to the press claiming that in the end, the movie had been made well, and that he totally supported it. Olivier also wrote a handwritten ten-page letter to director Richard Fleischer, not only apologizing for the restaurant incident, but also indirectly giving an explanation as to why he was making so many movies strictly for the money.
    • Goofs
      Jess sings to an audience in California in the middle of the movie. At the movie's ending, 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.
    • Quotes

      Molly Bell: I'm with Keith Lennox productions. Molly. Molly Bell. That's what they call me. My real name is a lot longer.

      Jess Robin: So is mine.

      Molly Bell: Belengocavela?

      Jess Robin: Rabinovitch?

      Molly Bell: Oh. That's not bad.

    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: The Jazz Singer/Seems Like Old Times/A Change of Seasons/Resurrection (1980)
    • Soundtracks
      You Baby
      Words and Music by Neil Diamond

      © 1978 Stonebridge Music

    User reviews73

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    I'm in shock
    I love Neil Diamond. I had always heard of this film, but never knew what it was about, what type of reviews it got... anything. So I Netflixed it this weekend, and I loved it. There were even times where I got choked up in parts.

    So I came on here, saw the negative overall reviews, and was SHOCKED when I learned Neil won the Razzie Award for Worst Actor for this. I thought he did a very fine job. The story unfolded very nicely, the love story was genuine... I would say this film was even better than the "music" genre film Dreamgirls.

    Sure it had it's glitches here and there, but for the most part I was very pleased.
    helpful•31
    12
    • ForTommy2Lookie
    • Oct 20, 2007

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 19, 1980 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der Jazz-Sänger
    • Filming locations
      • Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • EMI Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $27,118,000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $27,118,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
      • 70 mm 6-Track
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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