You can't keep a good man down, and Al Jolson certainly proves that in "The Jolson Story," a somewhat fictionalized account of the great entertainer's life. The film stars Larry Parks as Jolson and Evelyn Keyes as Julie Benson, since Ruby Keeler would not allow her name to be used in the film. Happy marriage, that. Jolson does his own singing, but I'll get to that later.
Larry Parks, who was later blacklisted, is excellent as Jolson, if better looking, and Evelyn Keyes is delightful as Julie. Parks worked tirelessly at getting the lipsynching and Jolson's mannerisms perfect. Other excellent performances include Ludwig Donath as Jolson's father and William Demarest as his partner and later agent. In real life, Jolson started out singing with his brother and was never a child singer as shown in the film. Also, in the movie, he has a mother -- in real life, his mother died when he was young. It's one of the reasons why his rendition of "Mammy" is so poignant. When Jolson spoke the words, "Look at me mammy, don't you know me? I'm your baby" - it came from the heart because when his mother lay dying, she didn't know who he was.
The star of this film is the singing. If there was ever a question as to why Jolson was such a great star - a man who commanded standing ovations in the middle of a show, and someone whom the audience begged not to leave the stage - you know why after listening to that voice and feeling that dynamism and energy. He really was a tremendous singer and performer. He was an inspiration to such talents as Judy Garland, Sammy Davis Jr., Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Jackie Wilson and Jerry Lee Lewis.
"The Jolson Story" revived Jolson's career, and as a result, he made public appearances to promote the film, was received by Harry and Mrs. Truman, got a radio show, and entertained troops in Korea (as he had the troops in WWII), flying there at his own expense. A new film for him, Stars & Stripes Forever, about the USO, was in preproduction when he died suddenly of a heart attack.
In recent years, his reputation has suffered because he wore blackface, but this convention was not considered to be maligning blacks. In fact, stars such as Eddie Cantor, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Doris Day, Betty Grable and many black stars Jolson's used blackface. There was no bigotry meant.
Al Jolson used to say "You ain't heard nothing' yet." Yes, we have - we've heard one of the greatest singers and entertainers who ever lived. The sad thing is, now that we've heard it, we probably won't hear the likes of it again.
Larry Parks, who was later blacklisted, is excellent as Jolson, if better looking, and Evelyn Keyes is delightful as Julie. Parks worked tirelessly at getting the lipsynching and Jolson's mannerisms perfect. Other excellent performances include Ludwig Donath as Jolson's father and William Demarest as his partner and later agent. In real life, Jolson started out singing with his brother and was never a child singer as shown in the film. Also, in the movie, he has a mother -- in real life, his mother died when he was young. It's one of the reasons why his rendition of "Mammy" is so poignant. When Jolson spoke the words, "Look at me mammy, don't you know me? I'm your baby" - it came from the heart because when his mother lay dying, she didn't know who he was.
The star of this film is the singing. If there was ever a question as to why Jolson was such a great star - a man who commanded standing ovations in the middle of a show, and someone whom the audience begged not to leave the stage - you know why after listening to that voice and feeling that dynamism and energy. He really was a tremendous singer and performer. He was an inspiration to such talents as Judy Garland, Sammy Davis Jr., Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Jackie Wilson and Jerry Lee Lewis.
"The Jolson Story" revived Jolson's career, and as a result, he made public appearances to promote the film, was received by Harry and Mrs. Truman, got a radio show, and entertained troops in Korea (as he had the troops in WWII), flying there at his own expense. A new film for him, Stars & Stripes Forever, about the USO, was in preproduction when he died suddenly of a heart attack.
In recent years, his reputation has suffered because he wore blackface, but this convention was not considered to be maligning blacks. In fact, stars such as Eddie Cantor, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Doris Day, Betty Grable and many black stars Jolson's used blackface. There was no bigotry meant.
Al Jolson used to say "You ain't heard nothing' yet." Yes, we have - we've heard one of the greatest singers and entertainers who ever lived. The sad thing is, now that we've heard it, we probably won't hear the likes of it again.