Al Jolson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Al Jolson (May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was a Lithuanian singer, comedian and actor. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer".He was born in the Russian Empire (the part of which is now in Lithuania) and emigrated to America at the age of five with his Jewish parents. His performing style was brash and extroverted, and he popularized a large number of songs that benefited from his "shamelessly sentimental, melodramatic approach". Numerous well-known singers were influenced by his music, including Bing Crosby Judy Garland, rock and country entertainer Jerry Lee Lewis, and Bob Dylan, who once referred to him as "somebody whose life I can feel". Broadway critic Gilbert Seldes compared him to "the Great God Pan," claiming that Jolson represented "the concentration of our national health and gaiety." In the 1930s, he was America's most famous and highest paid entertainer. Between 1911 and 1928, Jolson had nine sell-out Winter Garden shows in a row, more than 80 hit records, and 16 national and international tours. Although he's best remembered today as the star in the first (full length) talking movie, The Jazz Singer in 1927, he later starred in a series of successful musical films throughout the 1930s. After a period of inactivity, his stardom returned with the 1946 Oscar-winning biographical film, The Jolson Story. Larry Parks played Jolson with the songs dubbed in with Jolson’s real voice. A sequel, ...
The Jazz Singer (1927)
A young Jewish man is torn between tradition and individuality when his old-fashioned family objects to his career as a jazz singer. This is the first full length feature film to use synchronized sound, and is the original film musical. (more)
A young Jewish man is torn between tradition and individuality when his old-fashioned family objects to his career as a jazz singer. This is the first full length feature film to use synchronized sound, and is the original film musical. (more)
The Singing Fool (1928)
After years of hopeful struggle, Al Stone (Jolson) is on his way. "I'm Sittin' on Top of the World", he sings to an appreciative speakeasy crowd. But, as Al discovers, getting there is one thing. Staying there is another. Singing waiter Stone gets his huge break on ... (more)
After years of hopeful struggle, Al Stone (Jolson) is on his way. "I'm Sittin' on Top of the World", he sings to an appreciative speakeasy crowd. But, as Al discovers, getting there is one thing. Staying there is another. Singing waiter Stone gets his huge break on ... (more)
A Plantation Act (1926)
Al Jolson's first sound film. Dressed in overalls and wearing black-face makeup, he sings three of his hit songs: "When the Red, Red, Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along ", "April Showers", and "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody ". (more)
Al Jolson's first sound film. Dressed in overalls and wearing black-face makeup, he sings three of his hit songs: "When the Red, Red, Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along ", "April Showers", and "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody ". (more)
The Singing Kid (1936)
Neurotic Broadway star Al Jackson faces professional ruin when he loses his voice. While recuperating in the country, he falls in love with farm girl Ruth Haines, the pretty aunt of precocious little Sybil Haines. (more)
Neurotic Broadway star Al Jackson faces professional ruin when he loses his voice. While recuperating in the country, he falls in love with farm girl Ruth Haines, the pretty aunt of precocious little Sybil Haines. (more)
Big Boy (1930)
Gus, the trusty family retainer, has hopes of riding his boss' horse, Big Boy, to victory at the Kentucky Derby. (more)
Gus, the trusty family retainer, has hopes of riding his boss' horse, Big Boy, to victory at the Kentucky Derby. (more)
A Day at Santa Anita (1937)
Orphaned horse-trainer's little daughter has reciprocated bond with horse, which needs her presence to win races. (more)
Orphaned horse-trainer's little daughter has reciprocated bond with horse, which needs her presence to win races. (more)
Show-Business at War (1943)
A multi-studio effort to show the newsreel audience the progress of the Hollywood war effort. (more)
A multi-studio effort to show the newsreel audience the progress of the Hollywood war effort. (more)
Hollywood Handicap (1938)
A group of stable hands is given a race horse when its owner retires from the business. They raise money to run the horse in the Hollywood Derby at Santa Anita race track. Many Hollywood personalities attend the event. (more)
A group of stable hands is given a race horse when its owner retires from the business. They raise money to run the horse in the Hollywood Derby at Santa Anita race track. Many Hollywood personalities attend the event. (more)
Showbiz Goes to War (1982)
While a few Hollywood celebrities such as James Stewart and Clark Gable saw combat during World War II, the majority used their talents to rally the American public through bond sales, morale-boosting USO tours, patriotic war dramas and escapist film fare. Comedian ... (more)
While a few Hollywood celebrities such as James Stewart and Clark Gable saw combat during World War II, the majority used their talents to rally the American public through bond sales, morale-boosting USO tours, patriotic war dramas and escapist film fare. Comedian ... (more)
The Golden Twenties (1950)
Feature-length compilation of 1920s newsreel footage, with commentary about news, sports, lifestyles, and historical figures. (more)
Feature-length compilation of 1920s newsreel footage, with commentary about news, sports, lifestyles, and historical figures. (more)
Purple Heart Diary (1951)
A trio of singers is entertaining wounded soldiers of WWII. They encourage a mutilated soldier in his love to a nurse. (more)
A trio of singers is entertaining wounded soldiers of WWII. They encourage a mutilated soldier in his love to a nurse. (more)
Hollywood Cavalcade (1939)
Starting in 1913 movie director Connors discovers singer Molly Adair. As she becomes a star she marries an actor, so Connors fires them. She asks for him as director of her next film. Many silent stars shown making the transition to sound. (more)
Starting in 1913 movie director Connors discovers singer Molly Adair. As she becomes a star she marries an actor, so Connors fires them. She asks for him as director of her next film. Many silent stars shown making the transition to sound. (more)
New York Nights (1929)
Show girl Jill Deverne is married to song writer Fred Deverne, and everyone is involved in the Broadway night life and endless parties. Jill is being pursued by a gangster, and she leaves her husband after he spends the night with a floozie. Jill ends up as the ... (more)
Show girl Jill Deverne is married to song writer Fred Deverne, and everyone is involved in the Broadway night life and endless parties. Jill is being pursued by a gangster, and she leaves her husband after he spends the night with a floozie. Jill ends up as the ... (more)
Go Into Your Dance
(1935)
An irresponsible Broadway star gets mixed up with gambling and gangsters. (more)
An irresponsible Broadway star gets mixed up with gambling and gangsters. (more)
Swanee River (1939)
Swanee River is a 1940 American biopic about Stephen Foster, a songwriter from Pittsburgh who falls in love with the South, marries a Southern girl, then is accused of sympathizing when the Civil War breaks out. Typical of 20th Century Fox biopics of the time, the ... (more)
Swanee River is a 1940 American biopic about Stephen Foster, a songwriter from Pittsburgh who falls in love with the South, marries a Southern girl, then is accused of sympathizing when the Civil War breaks out. Typical of 20th Century Fox biopics of the time, the ... (more)
Jolson Sings Again (1949)
In this sequel to The Jolson Story, we pick up the singer's career just as he has returned to the stage after a premature retirement. But his wife has left him and the appeal of the spotlight isn't what it used to be. This time Jolson trades in the stage for life ... (more)
In this sequel to The Jolson Story, we pick up the singer's career just as he has returned to the stage after a premature retirement. But his wife has left him and the appeal of the spotlight isn't what it used to be. This time Jolson trades in the stage for life ... (more)
Rhapsody in Blue (1945)
Fictionalized biography of George Gershwin and his fight to bring serious music to Broadway. (more)
Fictionalized biography of George Gershwin and his fight to bring serious music to Broadway. (more)
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975)
Period music, film clips and newsreel footage combined into a visual exploration of the American entertainment industry during the Great Depression. (more)
Period music, film clips and newsreel footage combined into a visual exploration of the American entertainment industry during the Great Depression. (more)
Rose of Washington Square (1939)
Rose Sargent, a Roaring '20s singer, becomes a Ziegfeld Follies star as her criminal husband gets deeper in trouble. (more)
Rose Sargent, a Roaring '20s singer, becomes a Ziegfeld Follies star as her criminal husband gets deeper in trouble. (more)
Myrna Loy: So Nice to Come Home To (1990)
This tribute to Myrna Loy is organized chronologically with a few photographs, many film clips, a handful of personal appearances, and a detailed commentary delivered on camera by Kathleen Turner. Turner walks us through Loy's career as a dancer and an actress ... (more)
This tribute to Myrna Loy is organized chronologically with a few photographs, many film clips, a handful of personal appearances, and a detailed commentary delivered on camera by Kathleen Turner. Turner walks us through Loy's career as a dancer and an actress ... (more)