The Jolson Story

( 3 )

Overview

The 1946 musical biography The Jolson Story comes to DVD from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. Presented with a full-frame transfer in the original Technicolor. The Dolby Digital Mono soundtrack is in English. Subtitles are available in English and Japanese. This is a completely adequate presentation of an Academy award-winning classic film.
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More About This Product

Overview

The 1946 musical biography The Jolson Story comes to DVD from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. Presented with a full-frame transfer in the original Technicolor. The Dolby Digital Mono soundtrack is in English. Subtitles are available in English and Japanese. This is a completely adequate presentation of an Academy award-winning classic film.
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Special Features

Closed Caption; Trailers
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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: 10/21/2003
  • UPC: 043396009011
  • Original Release: 1946

    • Rating:

  • Source: Sony Pictures
  • Region Code: 1
  • Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
  • Sound: Dolby Digital Mono
  • Language: English
  • Time: 2:10:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 11,957

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
Mike 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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Scene Index

Side #1 --
1. Start ("Let Me Sing and I'm Happy") [:11]
2. Ave Maria [11:41]
3. When You Were Sweet Sixteen [3:27]
4. After the Ball [1:22]
5. By the Light of the Silvery Moon [:45]
6. Blue Ball [2:39]
7. Ma Blushin' Rosie [9:16]
8. I Want a Girl Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad [7:26]
9. My Mommy [11:53]
10. I'm Sitting on Top of the World [5:17]
11. You Made Me Love You [3:17]
12. Swanee [1:58]
13. Toot Toot Tootsie Goodbye [1:22]
14. The Spaniard Who Blighted [1:52]
15. April Showers [7:16]
16. California Here I Come [2:54]
17. Liza [8:36]
18. There's a Rainbow Round My Shoulder [4:28]
19. Medley [5:54]
20. About A Quarter to Nine [4:00]
21. The Anniversary Song [14:34]
22. Waiting for the The Robert E. Lee [4:51]
23. Rock-a-Bye Your Baby [7:06]
24. April Showers [1:46]
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Menu

Side #1 --
   Play Movie
   Subtitles
      English
      Japanese
      Subtitles Off
   Scene Selections
   Trailers
      Lost Horizon
      Pal Joey
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 3 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(3)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

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2 Star

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1 Star

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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