The Jolson Story (1946)

Sadly Over-hyped

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

The Jolson Story does for Al Jolson's life what 'Night and Day' did for Cole Porter's; it's a heavily romanticized fictional story with occasional bits of truth thrown in. Larry Parks does a fine job channeling the charisma that made Al Jolson one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Mr. Parks sang along to Jolson's records so it would look more realistic, like he was actually singing. The real Jolson sang the songs and it's a treat to hear, if not see him. Evelyn Keyes plays a character called Julie Benson as his wife. They had to do this because Jolson's real ex-wife Ruby Keeler would not give them permission to use her name. William Demarest is along for the ride as a man who supposedly gave Jolson his start in show business and later became like a second father too him...also fiction. Still the movie is very entertaining, the acting is good and it's well written. Especially enjoyable are the musical numbers. One scene that was factual is the real Jolson was known to stop a show and just sing for the audience's pleasure. It must have been something to see him live. I've read that his appearances on film pale in comparison to him singing in person. It's said he could electrify an audience so that each member felt he was singing just for them. Like so many other biographical movies...'The Jolson Story' is a very fictional story, still it is well worth seeing. Mr. Parks did deserve the Oscar nomination he received. The movie was a huge success at the box office and I can see why. It received Academy Awards for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture and Best Sound, Recording. The nominations it received: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Larry Parks), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (William Demarest), Best Cinematography, Color and Best Film Editing. A sequel with Mr. Parks came out three years later and is also a good film. I recommend this movie for a good time and don't be surprised if you start singing along with the sound track.

To his credit, innovative singer Al Jolson did indeed transform the tone of American pop songs in the early part of the twentieth century. He was quite a showman, with his natural improv skills and that pleasantly unique singing voice.But this biography is only quasi-factual. If you knew nothing about the man before watching the film, you would be hard pressed to figure out that some parts are fictional. "The Jolson Story" is chock full of inaccuracies. For one thing, his mother died when he was young; in this film, she plays a major role throughout his life. For another, "Steve Martin", a major character in the film, never existed. And his marriage to "Julie Benson" cinematically rewrites his real life. In fact, there never was a "Julie Benson". There were, indeed, three wives, not just one as implied in this film. Maybe back in the 1940s, films could get away with such misrepresentations. Sixty years later, viewers are not so easily fooled.I have no idea what the real Jolson was like as a person. In the film he comes across as ambitious, energetic, creative, and irritatingly ... hyper. Larry Parks gives a fine portrayal of Jolson, with his highly animated and expressive mannerisms and gestures.The film's tone is relentlessly positive and upbeat. The impression is thus conveyed that all one needs for Hollywood success is ambition, lucky breaks, and lots of talent. And maybe that's true. But nearly all great public figures must endure at least minimal hard times somewhere in their lives. I could have wished for some indication of that in this film to make the story more realistic and the man more human.For all that, "The Jolson Story" is still entertaining, in an old-fashioned sort of way. There are some great old songs, like "April Showers", "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby", and my personal favorite "California, Here I Come". Color cinematography is quite good, and includes some clever camera dissolves. In support roles, both William Demarest and Evelyn Keyes are fine. I did not care for the film's ending, with one character's motivational reversal.This is a big budget, talky film with lavish production design and a large cast. If one approaches "The Jolson Story" with the idea that it is fun entertainment only, and not to be taken too literally, it can be enjoyable. But it would be a mistake to use the film as a basis for taking an all-important pop quiz. For that, one would need a more accurate biographical guide.

I'm slightly bemused to read several raves for this movie; I had assumed that a modern day audience would find the over the top Jolie style risible and I must conclude that the raves are the work of older viewers. By 1946 when the film was made even the guy in the street was beginning to figure out that Jolie was prime ham, a sort of singing Charles Laughton if you will with an ego the size of Texas. By 1946 the ex-band solo singer was well established and the likes of Crosby, Sinatra, Haymes etc mostly just stood in front of a microphone and sang seeing no need to flail the air or ham it up on one knee - on the other hand todays' vocalists are also incapable of standing still and just singing so maybe Jolie's histrionics does strike a chord. If you ARE prepared to suspend disbelief and admire corn and chuzpah in equal measures there the chances are you will enjoy this hoke which is about as accurate as a Mickey Mouse watch - Jolie's mother died when he was eight years old, Julie Benson (in real life Ruby Keeler who refused to lend her name to the film) was Jolie's Third and not First wife as is implied here, the character of Steve Martin was pure fiction etc. Larry Parks does do a fine job of miming and William Demarest is outstanding as a character who didn't exist. If you like your entertainers in yer face you'll love this given that Jolie makes Ethel Merman seem subtle.

I could sit and listen to Jolson music endlessly. First of all,he had to be the originator of soul music, sung right from the heart. We heard what he felt and then felt what he felt. Secondly,he was the only singer I ever heard whose voice sounded like a trumpet. Perfect pitch, clear,crisp and resounding. Hence, we put together those two attributes, add his showmanship, charm and charisma and we end up with the greatest single entertainer in the history of American show business. Larry Parks is truly astounding and gives a performance, including perfect lip synching, that should have earned him the Oscar. Politics came first, apparently. The film, even with its occasional flaws, was amazingly entertaining. From the first scene to when his Julie Benson walks out by realizing that she could have never taken the music out of Jolson and vice versa,the entire production was pure hypnotic joy. Unbeatable music, warmth, tenderness and humility run wild. A superb feast for the ears and eyes. A never-to-be-forgotten film.