Jolson Story, The / Jolson Sings Again [1946]

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Primary Contributor : Larry Parks
Primary Contributor : Barbara Hale

Product Details

Director : Henry Levin
Actor : Larry Parks, Barbara Hale, William Demarest, Ludwig Donath, Bill Goodwin
Format : PAL
Binding : DVD
EAN : 5035822122710
Number of Discs : 1
Product Group : DVD
Region Code : 2
Release Date : 2003-11-03
Running Time : 217minutes
Studio : Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

ASIN : B0000C24V6

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Customer Reviews

Jolsen Story And Sequel (2006-05-21)

Much is made of the factual inaccuracies of this story. In fact if you have the good fortune to read the excellent book JOLIE -THE STORY OF AL JOLSEN by Michael Freedland, the truth is not as far away as you may think. First of all the man had to have an ego do what he was doing, cope with the fame and up to a point survive. He had certain character traits that others had, a temper, meanness followed by generosity and so on that were minimised and ignored for the most part by the film. You can only tell so much of a story and maintain the interest of the watcher. Personalities devolve in to composite characters and so on. Like for most mature vocalists, the music has to be several steps lower as the range changes with age. As with Sinatra and others this was a bonus and Jolsen's voice became richer and developed a beauty that many would envy. I saw a comment about Larry Parks as the younger Jolsen having too rich a sound for Jolsen at that age. So what!!! Rather that than a bad impressionist or an adjusted old record for a soundtrack. Jolies voice is thrilling by anyone's standard.Larry Parks worked very hard to demonstrate the power of Jolsen. He sang at the top of his voice to unbearable loud Jolen tracks so that you could see that he was 'working'; veins bulging; eyes poppin'. Something I have laughed about in other films where they just move their lips and totally fail to convince.According to Jolsen; apparently he was pleased with what Parks did except for one sequence on the runway Parks could not mimic the Jolsen dance convincely (for Jolie). In fact in long shot the 'dancer' is Jolie! He used to jest that when he died they would bury Larry Parks he was so convincing.This is still one of the finest biographical musicals ever made. A box officer winner the time and enjoyable in the extreme now.Incidentally in another place, great play was made of his ex-wife Ruby Keeler being air-brushed out of the film. She would not let it happen and allegedly never watched the film when it was made.Watch this film, see between the lines; you will appreciate that most of the story is there somewhere.A lot closer than the producers of the immensely enjoyable Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller stories ever got to the truth!! Those films wereimmensely enjoyable too.You must not shrink from buying these films if you have any sort of soul.

#Climb upon my knee, Sonny Boy,# To watch this video! (2004-07-18)

Larry Parks repeats his unforgettable performance as Al Jolson, the world's greatest entertainer. This musical extravaganza is the follow up to 'The Jolson Story' which is equally better to this.

The story unfolds when Jolson comes out of retirement and heads back to Broadway, only to find that the music styles of the day have changed, and Minstrel Jazz no longer pulls an audience. Discouraged, Jolson turns to his friend and manager, (William Demarest)who enlists him to entertain troops in the war. During this, Jolson falls ill and has to have a kidney out. He then meets, and marries a beautiful army nurse, (Barbara Hale) who encourages Jolson, to sing again.

Whilst entertaining a crowd, an old friend of Jolson's decides to make a movie about him. Jollie doesn't think too well of this, but agrees. (It is quite confusing watching Larry Parks playing Jolson, teaching Larry Parks, to play Jolson! And, to have the real Jolson as a cameo, watching all this!)

But, the film is completed,and on the opening night, Jolson (Larry Parks playing Jolson!) can't watch the film for he is nervous that this won't pull an audience. So, he stuffs himslef with popcorn and calm pills, and beomes sick! But, he pulls himself together for the finale of the film and he watches as the audience turns into an uproar of applauses. Jolson sang again!

Something which I find confusing is the finale of the film. Not 'Jolson Sings Again', but in Jolson Sings Again, when everybody is watching 'The Jolson Story.' The ending of the film they are watching, is different to the actual ending!

But, I'd buy this film if you have the first one, or even if you have not got it, buy them both!

You need this if you are a Jolson fan. (2004-04-22)

These two films are probably the most perfect screen bio/musicals ever. Massive 'feel good' factor, total disregard for the actual facts and lots of songs. In 'Jolson Sings Again' the Jolson character is given a line something like "Never mind the facts . . ." when briefing the scriptwriters of the "Jolson Story" and boy did they succeed! A look at the later biographies is revealing. The 'blackface' seems to offend some modern sensibilities but should be seen in the context of the era the film portrays I doubt if there will ever be an objective view on this nowadays.As has been said before Larry Parks does an unbelievably fine job but the voice of the mature Jolson coming coming from the young Jolson in the early part of the film seems a bit odd. Mind you some of the early Jolson recordings seem a bit odd. There seem to be a few die-hard Jolson fans around I guess their enthusiasms must have started with this film - try it.

Jolson Story, The / Jolson Sings Again (2004-03-18)

I watched this movie years ago when I was a boy and wanted to own it on dvd. It is just as good as I remember, the songs and Larry Prks plays the part so well. My children watched also and although their nine and eleven they watch it whenever they get the chance and konw all the songs. they also want me to buy Al Jolson CD's.

Great music and great nostalgia ... a must-see (2003-12-25)

Like just about every other Hollywood "biography" of the period these two films manage to wander quite a bit from the truth. Who cares? The music is just wonderful and these flawlessly restored prints are marvellous. Great colour and great sound. I bought these two separately and felt they were worth every penny but having them rolled up into one collection is an even better deal. I can watch these over and over again and enjoy Larry Park's Oscar-nominated (and much deserved) performance time after time. Jolson re-recorded all his great hits for these films and the quality of his voice was actually said to have improved over his earlier recordings, despite singing 4 notes lower than when he performed them originally. These movies are all about the music and there's lots and lots of that to enjoy. The first of the films: "The Jolson Story" was the top selling film of 1946. No surprise. Do yourself a favour ... if you've any appetite at all for these great old songs buy this set and let any lack of accuracy in his life story roll off your back. This is pure musical entertainment at a very high level.

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