The Jazz Singer

DVD Features:

Product Description:

The first feature film to utilize Synchronous Sound. The story is about Cantor Oland's son who goes into show business over his objections. Tunes include "Mammy," "Toot, Toot, Tootsie" and more. Academy Award Nominations: 2, including Best Adapted Writing. Academy Awards: Special Award for technical achievement.

Plot Synopsis:

The film that started a lasting craze -- the talking picture.
Al Jolson made his film debut -- and became a star -- playing the role of a cantor's son who'd rather be a singing sensation on Broadway than follow in his father's footsteps. But forsaking his religious duties may cost him his family's love.

Plot Keywords:

Adventure | Drama | Family Interaction | Musical | Tear Jerker | Vintage

Production Notes:

• THE JAZZ SINGER was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1996.
• Film debut for Al Jolson.
• Nugent Slaughter won an Academy Award for Engineering Effects, and Warner Brothers received a special award for producing this, the first talking picture.
• Though there were one or two sound pictures prior to THE JAZZ SINGER, this film effectively ended the era of silent movies. It did not have talking throughout, only a few musical and conversational sequences. But audiences loved it, and soon all the studios were rushing to convert to sound.

Cast and Crew: