Al Jolson "The Jazz Singer" - an Historic Milestone and a Typhoon of Tears

I turn 62 in just over a month. I grew up watching all sorts of films, even silent movies, but particularly ones with lots of singing and dancing, thanks to the influence of my father and what was available to watch on television at the time. Surprisingly, it was some years before I saw the film Singing in the Rain. In that phenomenal Gene Kelly, Debby Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor movie, the main characters are or become actors in silent productions. Then, part-way through the movie, a "talking picture" is released by a competitor studio, The Jazz Singer (1927), but creates nary a ripple in the pond of that studio. It's just another gimmick, isn't it?

The Actors are all Dead

By no means. Just moments ago I finished watching Al Jolson, Warner Oland (Charlie Chan), Otto Lederer, and Eugenie Besserer perform in perhaps the most historical films ever released-not to mention a phenomenal experience. What acting, what power! Isn't it odd that two 1920's movies, Metropolis and The Jazz Singer remain such powerfully moving performances, even a century after they were made? What they didn't have, they didn't need. No amount of technology, psychedelic plot, designer dressing or lack thereof, dirty language, or sales hype could create such compelling emotional impact. I was forced to speak of the experience.

It's Free

The crazy thing is-you can obtain a copy free of any charge for viewing in your own home. Do you care to watch it? Here it is. Oh, it will take some time to download, even with a high-speed connection, as it is nearly 703 megabytes in size. If you are able to download it and choose to do so, and if you have an open mind that does not require color, or high-speed action, you are likely to find it entrancing. Just the performances by Al Jolson are worth it. However, if you appreciate the influence of your mother in your life, you will find it even ten times as special.