Jolson Story

( 3 )

Overview

Though legendary entertainer Al Jolson was a highly visible presence on the U.S.O. circuit during World War II, he was generally regarded as a relic of an earlier time until his movie comeback in 1945's Rhapsody in Blue. Showing up 30 minutes into this biopic of George Gershwin, Jolson literally stopped the show with his robust rendition of "Swanee." Suddenly, every Hollywood studio was negotiating with Jolson to film his life story. Warner Bros., the studio that skyrocketed to the top ranks via the 1927 ...
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Overview

Though legendary entertainer Al Jolson was a highly visible presence on the U.S.O. circuit during World War II, he was generally regarded as a relic of an earlier time until his movie comeback in 1945's Rhapsody in Blue. Showing up 30 minutes into this biopic of George Gershwin, Jolson literally stopped the show with his robust rendition of "Swanee." Suddenly, every Hollywood studio was negotiating with Jolson to film his life story. Warner Bros., the studio that skyrocketed to the top ranks via the 1927 part-talkie Jolson vehicle The Jazz Singer, seemed to have the inside track, but it was Columbia's Harry Cohn who made the deal that Jolson couldn't refuse. An attractively appointed fabrication, the Technicolor The Jolson Story distorts and glosses over the particulars of Jolson's life, but the results are so darned entertaining that nobody really paid attention to its inaccuracies. The story begins in turn-of-the-century Washington, D.C., where young Asa Yoelson Scotty Beckett, son of an immigrant cantor Ludwig Donath, ignores his religious studies in favor of popular music. Asa is hired as an "extra added attraction" boy tenor by a vaudevillian; when his voice breaks, the boy wins over the audience with his whistling ability. Growing into manhood, Asa Yoelson -- now "Al Jolson", and now played by Larry Parks -- becomes fascinated with African-American jazz music. He breaks away from his initial vaudeville assignment by joining Lew Dockstader's John Alexander blackface minstrel troupe, then goes on to success as a "single." Ascending to Broadway, Jolson establishes a reputation as an inveterate ad-libber, as well as an indefatigable singing performer, frequently holding an audience in thrall until the wee hours of the morning. Along the way, he falls in love with singer Julie Benson Evelyn Keyes, a character based on Jolson's third wife Ruby Keeler, who refused permission to have her name used on screen. As Jolson attains superstardom, his ego assumes gargantuan proportions, alienating many of those around him, including his wife Julie. Anxious not to lose Julie, Jolson promises to change his ways. He even goes into retirement so as to spend more time with his wife. But when coerced into performing before a nightclub audience, Jolson is "hooked"once more -- whereupon the understanding Julie walks out of his life, realizing that she can never compete with Jolson's love for his audience. Like its subject, The Jolson Story delivered exactly what the audience wanted to hear. Faithful Columbia contractee Larry Parks was catapulted to stardom as Jolson, though in retrospect he seems a curious casting choice: his miming of Jolson's style is painstakingly accurate, but he seems too boyish and unwordly for the role. Jolson, then well into his sixties, had wanted to play himself on screen, but was talked out of it after a rather embarrassing screen test. He consoled himself by personally coaching Parks in the role his attitude toward the young performer alternated between avuncular and adversarial through the shooting, and by providing his own voice in the musical sequences. Jolson also appears in long-shot during the "Swanee" number, which like all the film's musical highlights was directed by cult favorite Joseph H. Lewis whose "dry run" for this assignment was the 1945 PRC production Minstrel Man. A wealth of Jolson standards are heard in The Jolson Story, including "You Made Me Love You," "I'm Sitting on Top of the World," "My Mammy," "There's a Rainbow Round My Shoulder," "Toot Toot Tootsie," "The Anniversary Waltz," "Rock-a-bye Your Baby," and "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy." The film was nominated for several Oscars, winning in the "best sound" and "best score" categories. A fantastic box-office success, The Jolson Story spawned a 1949 sequel, Jolson Sings Again. Ironically, despite Larry Parks' contributions to the film, it did little for that actor and instead reignited Jolson's celebrity during the last several years of his life.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler
The Jolson Story is one of the most entertaining Hollywood biopics about an entertainer -- but why is it? Like almost every other biopic of the period (and, for that matter, of almost any period), Jolson plays fast and loose with the facts. Also like many other entertainer bios, the story itself is far from fresh. The dialogue and character development is a notch above average, but neither is as outstanding as should be deserved by a film of this reputation. What Jolson does have that accounts for its magic is a landmark lead performance, the actual, unmistakable voice of the real Jolson and an abundance of the songs that this legendary entertainer made famous. Larry Parks is right on the money as Jolson; it's a great impression, with all of the mannerisms and brashness captured perfectly, but it's also a beautifully nuanced piece of acting. As Jolson, Parks displays a power and a charisma that was never in evidence to the same degree in any of his other portrayals. Yes, he's lip syncing to the real thing when singing rather than using his own voice, but it doesn't matter; he becomes Jolson in a way that is frighteningly accurate. Jolson's singing also adds immeasurably to the film. His voice is as pugnacious, determined, excited, enthralling and demanding as he himself is. And the songs are a time capsule in themselves. Some of them are great, some are hokey, but they all grab the listener and hold onto him in a strange way. Jolson manages to overcome its flaws and to emerge as one of the finest biopics ever.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 6/24/1994
  • UPC: 043396606869
  • Original Release: 1946

    • Rating:

  • Source: Sony Pictures
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Larry Parks Al Jolson
Evelyn Keyes Julie Benson
William Demarest Steve Martin
Bill Goodwin Tom Baron
Ludwig Donath Cantor Yoelson
Tamara Shayne Mrs. Yoelson
John Alexander Lew Dockstader
Jo Carroll Dennison Ann Murray
Ernest Cossart Father McGee
Scotty Beckett Al Jolson (younger)
William Forrest Dick Glenn
Ann E. Todd Ann Murray (younger)
Edwin Maxwell Oscar Hammerstein
Emmett Vogan Jonsey
Jessie Arnold Wardrobe Woman
Lillian Bond Woman
Eugene Borden Headwaiter
Donna Dax Girl Publicist
Franklin Farnum Man in Audience
Eddie Fetherstone Asst. Stage Manager
Buddy Gorman Call Boy
Major Sam Harris Nightclubber
Coulter Irwin Young Priest
Al Jolson Himself (Swanee sequence)
Charles Jordan Asst. Stage Manager
Eddie Kane Ziegfeld
Edward Keane Director
Mick Lally Lab Manager
Michael Lally Lab Manager
Pat Lane Cameraman
Jimmy Lloyd Roy Anderson
Arthur Loft Stage Manager
George Magrill Gaffer
Helen O'Hara Dancer-Actress
Eddie Rio MC
Adelle Roberts Ingenue
Fred Sears Cutter
Harry Shannon Riley, Policeman
Bob Stevens Henry
Pierre Watkin Architect
Eric Wilton Harry, Butler
Will Wright Sourpuss Movie Patron
Technical Credits
Alfred E. Green Director
Sidney Buchman Screenwriter
Clay Campbell Makeup
Harry Chandlee Screenwriter
Jack Cole Choreography
Louis Diage Set Decoration/Design
Stephen Goosson Art Director
Walter Holscher Art Director
William Kiernan Set Decoration/Design
Joseph L. Lewis Choreography
Stephen Longstreet Screenwriter
Jean Louis Costumes/Costume Designer
William Lyon Editor
Sidney Skolsky Producer
Andrew Solt Screenwriter
Morris W. Stoloff Score Composer, Musical Direction/Supervision
Joseph Walker Cinematographer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 3 )
Rating Distribution

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(3)

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Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    The Jolson Story wih Larry Parks

    I bought this dvd for my father and he liked it so much that he wanted me to buy the Jolson Sings Again dvd for him.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A WONDERFUL BIOGRAPHY

    IF YOU ENJOY QUALITY SONGS AND MUSIC THAT HAVE ARE TIMELESS. THIS IS A QUALITY DVD THAT YOU WILL TRULY ENJOY

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Jolson Story and Larry Parks are Wonderful

    I think the reviewer should view The Jolson Story again. He did not leave Steve Martin because he wanted to, he was forced by Steve to go with Dockstetter. To my knowledge, JAZZ was never referred to as African American Music, especially in the early days of the 20th Century. Just watch the Movie again and forget about what an egomaniac ''Jolson'' was, and what a wonderful job ''Larry Parks'' did playing him!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews