The Jazz Singer (1927)

My Review

“The Jazz Singer” was the first Hollywood movie to feature sound recording, effectively ending the silent film era. Director Alan Crosland and screenwriter Alfred A. Cohn tell the story of a young Jewish man torn between his religious heritage and his dream of becoming a jazz performer. He defies his family wishes for him to become a cantor in the synagogue and pursues a career as a popular secular singer.

The cast includes Al Jolson as Jacob Rabinowitz, Warner Oland and Eugenie Besserer as his parents, Mary McAvoy, Otto Lederer, Richard Tucker, and Yossele Rosenblatt. “The Jazz Singer” was a the second highest grossing film of 1927 for producer Darryl F. Zanuck, The Vitaphone Corporation, and Warner Bros. Pictures.

It was primarily filmed at the original Warner Bros. Studios, now known as Sunset Bronson Studios at 5800 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. A few on-location shoots were in New York City, where the story is set. Producer Zanuck was awarded an Honorary Academy Award for being at the helm of the first sound picture, with a nomination for Best Writing (Adaptation) for Al Cohn. The film was based on the 1925 play of the same name by Samson Raphaelson.