The Jazz Singer

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The Jazz Singer

1927,

1h 37m,

Musical

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Watchlist

77%

52 Reviews

Tomatometer

56%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Young Jakie Rabinowitz (Bobby Gordon) loves jazz and ragtime, and wants to be a performer. But his father (Warner Oland) is a cantor, and he orders his son to carry on the family tradition. Jakie tries his hand anyway, only to be discovered by neighbor Moisha Yudelson (Otto Lederer) and kicked out of the house. A decade later, an older Jakie (Al Jolson) has followed his dream, changed his name and found love with performer Mary (May McAvoy), but he still wants to win his father over.

Jonas Mekas

Village Voice

Jul 27, 2021

The first sound film! One wishes that the 100,000th sound, movie ever made 'we are at least somewhere near that figure!) had such an. effective track.

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Wilella Waldorf

New York Post

Feb 25, 2021

Sitting through The Jazz Singer is very much like attending a very ordinary musical comedy with one star who happens to be good. The star cannot always be on the scene and the evening develops into a series of long waits.

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Edwin Schallert

Los Angeles Times

Feb 25, 2021

It is probably one of the greatest events in the world of entertainment in years.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Aug 30, 2024

6/10

Its sound prowess isn't enough to propel the dull melodrama about tradition, stardom and family reconciliation. [Full review in Spanish]

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Carl Sandburg

Chicago Daily News

Dec 14, 2021

Eugenie Besserer gives one of her inimitable impersonations, and May McAvoy is charming as always as the girl who takes an interest in the jazz singer and helps him along in his career.

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Edgar Waite

San Francisco Examiner

Feb 25, 2021

The Jazz Singer is unlike any picture seen here in the past... instead of contenting itself to be a mere motion picture, it introduces the Vitaphone in the role to which it surely must be destined that of giving life to the silent drama.

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Oct 19, 2018

An agonizing experience to watch. Not recommended.

Kylo S

Jan 15, 2018

1001 movies to see before you die.

Leia G

Jun 9, 2017

Why do people keep hating on this movie. I thought it was fantastic. It was emotional, it had fun little musical numbers l, and had agonizing decisions throughout the movie. Talkies started with a huge bang in my opinion.

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Luke S

May 1, 2017

This historic slice of early sound cinema tells a classic albeit basic tale of traditionalism versus innovation. Naturally, the odd sing-song is slotted in at every available opportunity - sometimes with an eye-popping whistle solo to boot. Al Jolson is a commanding performer and a large part of The Jazz Singer plays like a not-so-subtle showcase for the man's talents. However, the picture is best-known as one of the first feature length sound films and its cackling songs and surprise conversations aren't without their own distinct charm. Sadly, the mythology surrounding the film's early reception is somewhat more interesting than the movie itself, which trundles along a paint-by-numbers plot with a tacked-on ending. The Jazz Singer dazzles most in its aural and cultural juxtapositions; old versus new, or the brash shrill of Jewish cantor versus the care-free melodies of nightclub sing-song. Its lights go dim, however, when it wallows in woe-is-me procrastination and surface level melodrama.

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Leia S

Jul 20, 2012

This Movie Just Turned 90 Years Old This Year On 10/6/17.

Luke W

Aug 15, 2010

Worth watching for its historic significance. Worth watching simply for its historic significance, which is why I watched it. Was the first "talkie", though the amount of actual talking is limited. Most of the dialogue is still silent and is communicated via titles. The "talking" refers to the songs, and a few conversations. Made in 1927, its production values obviously pale into insignificance against modern standards. The story isn't too bad though, though linear and a tad predictable and trite. And, in case it comes up at Trivia Night, the famous first audible words uttered on film were "Wait a minute, wait a minute. You ain't heard nothin' yet!"

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Alan Crosland

Director

Al Jolson

Actor

May McAvoy

Actor

Warner Oland

Actor

Eugenie Besserer

Actor

Otto Lederer

Actor

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Synopsis

Young Jakie Rabinowitz (Bobby Gordon) loves jazz and ragtime, and wants to be a performer. But his father (Warner Oland) is a cantor, and he orders his son to carry on the family tradition. Jakie tries his hand anyway, only to be discovered by neighbor Moisha Yudelson (Otto Lederer) and kicked out of the house. A decade later, an older Jakie (Al Jolson) has followed his dream, changed his name and found love with performer Mary (May McAvoy), but he still wants to win his father over.

Director: Alan Crosland
Screenwriter: Samson Raphaelson
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 6, 1927, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 37m

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