{"id":75602,"date":"2021-08-31T10:25:57","date_gmt":"2021-08-31T17:25:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=75602"},"modified":"2021-09-01T16:53:10","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T23:53:10","slug":"jolson-story-the-1946","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=75602","title":{"rendered":"Jolson Story, The (1946)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;If you don&#8217;t mind, I&#8217;ll sing &#8217;til you ask me to stop. You ain&#8217;t heard nothing yet!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Poster-212x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"212\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-75605\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Poster-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Poster-723x1024.png 723w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Poster-90x128.png 90w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Poster-768x1088.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Poster-191x270.png 191w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Poster.png 779w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 212px) 100vw, 212px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAs a child, Asa Yoelson (Scotty Beckett) loves to sing in his synagogue and is given his big break by a vaudeville performer (William Demarest) who hires him as part of his act. Once he&#8217;s grown up (Larry Parks), &#8220;Al Jolson&#8221; visits his loving Jewish parents (Ludwig Donath and Tamara Shayne) in between his thriving career as a popular entertainer and breakthrough movie star, and soon brings his prospective wife (Evelyn Keyes) home to meet them. But will Keyes&#8217; desire for a peaceful life conflict with Jolson&#8217;s need to sing?\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Biopics<\/li>\n<li>Evelyn Keyes Films<\/li>\n<li>Singers<\/li>\n<li>Vaudeville and Burlesque<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nThis whitewashed biopic of legendary performer Al Jolson was a box office hit, and helped spark a renewal of interest in Jolson&#8217;s talents. Jolson is portrayed as a highly gifted and innovative artist who knows that his novel ideas are worth sharing with the world, and works tirelessly to get his big break. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Parks.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Parks-1024x779.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"487\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75612\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Parks-1024x779.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Parks-300x228.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Parks-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Parks-768x584.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Parks-355x270.png 355w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Parks.png 1361w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Perhaps due to the fact that Jolson was still very-much alive (and involved) during the making of this film, all characters are portrayed in a favorable light (though some &#8212; like Demarest &#8212; are actually amalgams of various people Jolson knew and worked with). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Demarest.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Demarest-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Demarest-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Demarest-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Demarest-128x85.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Demarest-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Demarest-405x270.png 405w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Demarest.png 1531w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Keyes plays an aspiring dancer named &#8220;Julie Benson&#8221; since Ruby Keeler didn&#8217;t want her actual name involved (though the titles and key melodies from Keeler&#8217;s movies are all used):<\/p>\n<p> <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-1024x773.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"483\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-1024x773.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-300x226.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-768x580.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-358x270.png 358w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes.png 1346w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-42nd-Street.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-42nd-Street-1024x765.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"478\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-42nd-Street-1024x765.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-42nd-Street-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-42nd-Street-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-42nd-Street-768x574.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-42nd-Street-361x270.png 361w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-42nd-Street.png 1367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>As a heads up to viewers, much of Jolson&#8217;s earliest performing was done in blackface &#8212; though in conducting a little research, I was <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/f5Tm7bMUhUw\">intrigued to learn<\/a> that Jolson was actually a strong anti-racist advocate, insisting on equal pay for and treatment of Black performers, and responsible for bringing Black musical styles to white audiences. It&#8217;s too bad this aspect of his life isn&#8217;t given much screentime here (other than showing him briefly visiting a jazz club).<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, much of Jolson&#8217;s personal life &#8212; i.e., his first two wives &#8212; is missing from the movie as well, and his temporary early retirement and eventual divorce from Keeler\/Keyes is treated as merely a difference in desired lifestyles, with Keyes fully sympathetic of his wish to go back to performing. However, this type of &#8220;smoothing over&#8221; is par for the course in biopics. Given that Jolson dubbed all the songs, this movie remains a useful entry point for those interested in learning more about this mega-star of vaudeville and early Hollywood.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Joseph Walker&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Beckett.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Beckett-1024x780.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"488\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Beckett-1024x780.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Beckett-300x228.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Beckett-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Beckett-768x585.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Beckett-355x270.png 355w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Beckett.png 1349w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Family.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Family-1024x756.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"473\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75616\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Family-1024x756.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Family-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Family-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Family-768x567.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Family-366x270.png 366w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Family.png 1385w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-Parks.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-Parks-1024x772.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"483\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-Parks-1024x772.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-Parks-300x226.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-Parks-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-Parks-768x579.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-Parks-358x270.png 358w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jolson-Story-Keyes-Parks.png 1355w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo; you can skip this one unless you&#8217;re a Jolson fan. Listed as a film with Historical Importance and a Personal Recommendation in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0038661\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/reviews\/review\/8069\">DVD Talk Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/79869\/the-jolson-story\/#articles-reviews?articleId=178892\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;If you don&#8217;t mind, I&#8217;ll sing &#8217;til you ask me to stop. You ain&#8217;t heard nothing yet!&#8221; Synopsis: As a child, Asa Yoelson (Scotty Beckett) loves to sing in his synagogue and is given his big break by a vaudeville performer (William Demarest) who hires him as part of his act. Once he&#8217;s grown up (Larry Parks), &#8220;Al Jolson&#8221; visits his loving Jewish parents (Ludwig Donath and Tamara Shayne) in between his thriving career as a popular entertainer and breakthrough&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=75602\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75602","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75602","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=75602"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75602\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75669,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75602\/revisions\/75669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=75602"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=75602"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=75602"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}