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THE JAZZ SINGER – Louis Silvers
GREATEST SCORES OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
Original Review by Craig Lysy
The genesis of The Jazz Singer film lay with writer Samson Raphaelson, who after seeing 30-year-old Al Jolson perform decided to wrote a short story called “Day of Atonement” about a Jew named Jackie Rabinowitz, based on Jolson’s life. He then adapted the story into a successful play titled “The Jazz Singer”, which became a sensation in 1925. Warner Brothers executives rolled the dice and bought the film rights; along with the Vitaphone Corporation they would finance the film with a $422,000 budget, Darryl F. Zanuck would manage production, Alan Crosland would direct, and Alfred A. Cohn would write the screenplay. Sam Warner, nicknamed “Father of the Talkies,” made the creative decision to synchronize the film’s music. Later, he insisted that Al Jolson’s ad-libbed speech (about two minutes) also be included in the movie. Tragically Warner did not live to see his pioneering efforts come to fruition as he died the day before opening night. For the cast, Al Jolson would star as Jakie Rabinowitz, joined by Warner Oland as Canto Rabinowitz, Eugenie Besserer as Sara Rabinowitz, and May McAvoy as Mary Dale. Read more…
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