The Jolson Story

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The Jolson Story is a 1946 musical biography which purports to tell the life story of singer Al Jolson. It stars Larry Parks as Jolson, Evelyn Keyes as "Julie Benson" (approximating Jolson's wife, Ruby Keeler), William Demarest as his manager, Ludwig Donath and Tamara Shayne as his parents, and Scotty Beckett as the young Jolson.

The Columbia Pictures production was written by Sidney Buchman (uncredited), Harry Chandlee, Stephen Longstreet and Andrew Solt. The dramatic scenes were directed by Alfred E. Green, with the musical sequences directed by Joseph H. Lewis.

The film was a tremendous financial success, and won Academy Awards for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture and Best Sound, Recording, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Larry Parks), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (William Demarest), Best Cinematography, Color and Best Film Editing.

Plot

In a burlesque house, an entertainer named Steven Martin offers to play a song for his audience, if they agree to sing along. Only one person does sing, a young boy named Asa Yolson. Steve is bowled over by the boy's voice, but Asa realises he should be singing at the synagogue with his father, the rabbi. Asa is reluctant to explain where he was, but Steve Martin comes round and explains that he wants him to be in his act. The rabbi refuses to allow it.

Asa runs away to Baltimore, and is taken to a home for boys, where he explains why he has come. The owner, Father McGee, finds Steve Martin. When Asa's parents appear, he tells them that he will keep running away until they allow him to take part in showbusiness. They finally agree.

We see some of Asa's performances, and also some of the arguments between him and Steve, over creative differences. Asa wants to sing his songs in different ways. When his voice suddenly breaks, he starts whistling instead, but is unhappy and wants to go home. Steve says that they can work on stage together- previously Asa has only stood in the audience. Asa changes his mind, and his name- he performs under the alias of Al Jolson.

At a concert, an entertainer named Tom Baron passes out drunk, and Al goes on in his place. Two music entrepreneurs, Hammerstein and Doxteter are in the audience. Doxteter realises that it was really Al who was on stage, and offers to let him join his minstrel act. Al does not want to, but Steve arranges it anyway. Al is happy for a while, but becomes bored of singing the same song every night- wouldn't you? He has sung the same song for over a year! Doxteter attempts to pacify him by changing the style in which the song is sung, but one night, Jolson is out walking when he hears some jazz- he enjoys it so much that he forgets that he has a show that night. Doxteter fires him.

Al visits his parents, but does not stay long, because he receives a call from Tom, inviting him to take part in his show. Tom finally agrees to let him sing his own songs. We see him perform his signature tune, "Mammy". We then see several of his later performances. Al is finally able to get his way- he innovatively suggests extra lights in the audience, a runway going into the audience, and taking the show on tour.

At a concert, Al meets an up-and-coming dancer named Julie Benson. It is love at first sight, and only a few hours after meeting her, he proposes to her. She agrees, although she does not love him yet. They marry after Al has toured California, by which time Julie has fallen in love. But Julie is not as fond of showbusiness as he is- she wants to quit and settle down. Al finally comes to terms with this, and they move to the countryside.

But one night, they decide to celebrate he wedding anniversary of Al's parents. Al's father persuades him to sing for them, and then Tom suggests they go to a night-club and see an early floor show. Jolson is afraid of being recognised- it seems he truly loves Julie, and is willing to give up showbiz for her. His protests fall on deaf ears, and they go. But Al is recognised, and although he tries to fob the crowd off, it is no use- he has to sing. Julie realises he is happier than he has been in a long time, and decides to leave. She walks out of the picture, and out of his life.

A successul sequel, Jolson Sings Again, was released in 1949.

Trivia

The filming was already under way as a black-and-white feature when studio chief Harry Cohn, impressed by the scenes already filmed, decided to start the project all over as a Technicolor production.
Larry Parks's vocals were recorded by Al Jolson; Scotty Beckett's songs were recorded by Rudy Wissler.
Some of the plot details are fictionalized. There is no evidence that Jolson ever appeared as a child singer, and he was brought up by his sister (not his mother, who had died). Also, Jolson actually had three managers, who were combined into the William Demarest character. Ruby Keeler refused to allow her name to be used, so the writers used an alias.
A theatrical billboard in the film tells that Jolson's musical "Big Boy" was in the third year of its run. In reality, the show had two runs, one of six weeks (Jan 7 - Mar 14, 1925, 56 performances) and one of 15 weeks (Aug 24 - Dec 1925, 120 performances)
Al Jolson, determined to appear on screen somehow, persuaded the producer to film him instead of Larry Parks for the blackface "Swanee" number. Jolson is seen entirely in long shot; he performs on a theater runway.

Al Jolson never had a wife called Julie Benson- she is modelled on his fourth wife.

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Last updated on Wednesday February 27, 2008 at 10:18:45 PST (GMT -0800)
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