The Jazz Singer (1927)
71%RT Audience Score: 56%
Awards & Nominations: 3 wins & 10 nominations
The Jazz Singer, the first sound film, is a true testament to the power of innovation and creativity in the world of entertainment. While some critics may find the film to be lacking in certain areas, such as long waits and a reliance on one star, it cannot be denied that the introduction of the Vitaphone and Al Jolson’s performance are nothing short of magnificent. The film’s ability to seamlessly blend music and dialogue is a true marvel, and it is no wonder that it is considered one of the greatest events in entertainment history. The Jazz Singer is a must-see for anyone interested in the evolution of film and the impact of sound on the art form.
The Jazz Singer is a classic film that paved the way for the talkies we know and love today. While some critics may find it lacking in certain areas, it’s hard not to appreciate the sheer impact it had on the entertainment industry. Plus, who can resist the charm of Al Jolson and his infectious voice? It’s a must-watch for any film buff or music lover, and a great reminder of how far we’ve come in the world of cinema.
Production Company(ies)
Nouvelles Éditions de Films,
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
MPAA / Certificate
PG
Year of Release
1980
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Stereo70 mm 6-Track
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 37m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 6, 1927 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 16, 2007
Genre(s)
Musical
Keyword(s)
starring Al Jolson, May McAvoy, Warner Oland, Eugenie Besserer, Otto Lederer, William Demarest, directed by Alan Crosland, written by Samson Raphaelson, musical, black and white, first sound film, Vitaphone, jazz, ragtime, performer, cantor, family tradition, rebellion, neighbor, love, career, Jewish, New York, 1920s, Talkie Revolution, historical significance, influential, racist, awkward acting, cliche storyline, silent film, sound film, title cards, clumsy flow, disjointed, racist, melodrama, family, career achievement, first feature-length film with synchronized sound
Worldwide gross: $27,118,000
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $101,918,640
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,007
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 11,114,355
US/Canada gross: $27,118,000
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
May McAvoy – Mary Dale
Warner Oland – Cantor Rabinowitz
Eugenie Besserer – Sara Rabinowitz
Otto Lederer – Moisha Yudelson
William Demarest – Steve Martinelli
Director – Alan Crosland
Writer – Samson Raphaelson
Director(s)
Alan Crosland
Writer(s)
Samson Raphaelson
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
3 wins & 10 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (51) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (40) | Rotten (11)
The first sound film! One wishes that the 100,000th sound, movie ever made ‘we are at least somewhere near that figure!) had such an. effective track.
July 27, 2021
Jonas Mekas
Village Voice
TOP CRITIC
Sitting through The Jazz Singer is very much like attending a very ordinary musical comedy with one star who happens to be good. The star cannot always be on the scene and the evening develops into a series of long waits.
February 25, 2021
Wilella Waldorf
New York Post
TOP CRITIC
It is probably one of the greatest events in the world of entertainment in years.
February 25, 2021
Edwin Schallert
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
The Jazz Singer would be a good picture without Vitaphone, but it wouldn’t be half as good as it is now.
February 25, 2021
Globe Staff
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
Undoubtedly the best thing Vitaphone has ever put on the screen.
February 25, 2021
Sid Silverman
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Coupled with the acting of Jolson. and the wonders of the Vitaphone, in which the synchronization is so good as to suggest further interesting developments in the way of talk pictures, [the film] provides about all the enjoyment that could be hoped for.
February 25, 2021
Ella H. McCormick
Detroit Free Press
TOP CRITIC
Eugenie Besserer gives one of her inimitable impersonations, and May McAvoy is charming as always as the girl who takes an interest in the jazz singer and helps him along in his career.
December 14, 2021
Carl Sandburg
Chicago Daily News
The Jazz Singer is unlike any picture seen here in the past… instead of contenting itself to be a mere motion picture, it introduces the Vitaphone in the role to which it surely must be destined that of giving life to the silent drama.
February 25, 2021
Edgar Waite
San Francisco Examiner
At present the Globe is the only theater in Kansas City equipped to present Vitaphone numbers. Until you have seen and heard this offering you are in no position to appreciate these words of ours.
February 25, 2021
KC Star Staff
Kansas City Star
While Al Jolson’s performance, his first as a screen star, is generally good, the high spots of the picture came with that familiar swaying, infectious Al Jolson voice; the inimitable Jolsonesque on the screen abetted by its master’s voice.
February 25, 2021
H.L. Danson
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Entertainment all the way through, the sort of box-office combination of tears and smiles that always will be sure-fire, The Jazz Singer is nothing short of a magnificent triumph for Warner Brothers, for the Vitaphone, [and] for Al Jolson.
February 25, 2021
MPW Staff
Moving Picture World
The story is good and the caste has been well selected. Al Jolson has a marvellous voice, and everyone will enjoy his performance. It is not possible, however, to form a definite judgment of talking films from The Jazz Singer.
February 24, 2021
Celia Simpson
The Spectator…
Plot
Neil Diamond stars in this motion picture as Yussel Rabinovitch, a young Jewish cantor who strives to make a career outside the synagogue in popular music as Jess Robin. Against the wishes of his rigid father and his loving wife, Yussel travels from New York City to Los Angeles to play his music. Swept up by the excitement, he meets a spunky manager who believes in his talent and shares his dream. He grows apart from his family, and becomes confused about what he should ultimately do with his life.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film stars Al Jolson, who was a popular singer and performer at the time.
Alan-Crosland.jpg
