The Immortal Jolson

Duration: 800 ft.

Year Published: 1963

Complete Record: Jolson putting on makeup in front of mirror. performs on stage as many different characters. voice over describes him as the worlds greatest performer. He was a voice of Hollywood and the stars Shots of Al Jolson’s grave, monument and statue. Shots of him performing “my mammy” Stock footage of peasants, immigrants, New York city, and Jewish synagogue rituals. Washington D.C. city streets, old photographs of Al as a boy. Shots of New York City and Broadway with cable cars, horses and cars. photographs of him and his brother’s early acts, including black faced Al. Shots of old vaudeville acts including comedians and large dance numbers. Shots of black faced musical band. Gaby Deslys in Vera Violetta sign on Broadway. Girls hurry down spiral staircase. Jolson on stage performing in musical review becomes a hit overnight. Now sign says Gaby Deslys with Al Jolson in Vera Violetta. Montage of numerous pieces and signs in which Jolson is the star. Becomes king of Broadway. Jolson on the campaign trail with Warren Harding - he dances while the soon president plays the horn. Crowds wave American flags in excitement. Next Jolson is shown joking with some movie stars and playing golf. 1927 leaves Broadway to star in a motion picture with sound - The Jazz Singer. Shows clips from the Jazz Singer as well as a billboard advertisement for the talkie. montage of microphones and boom poles as the explosion of sound films. Jolson stars in others, shots of those, but poor actor. shows crowds in theater with Jolson now on screen not stage. Montage of him with his mother to him with beautiful stars, to him surrounded by enormous sets full of dancing extras in extravagant costumes. Large crane shot of room full of black faced angels with Jolson at the center of it all. career goes down a bit. shows Jolson kidding with friends. he gets married to big star ruby Keela, and they have some kids. He then stars with wife in film. Shots of dance numbers with men in tails and tops around her dancing in flowing white dress. Only film they are in together. Jolson sings to her. Jolson puts his knees into the sidewalk out front of the Chinese theater and then kids with cameras. Shots of him pool side kidding around. Al Jolson as first to perform for American troops overseas in W.W.II. Troops laugh and applaud his performances and singing. Jolson seen at a benefit for a charity and performs for new Hollywood players. He is seen with his new wife. His performance sparks them to make a movie about his life. A young actor sings to his prerecorded songs. In one scene in the film Jolson plays himself and does the dance number that no one else could do. Huge glitzy caravan of cars with Jolson at the center as his popularity rises again. Cameras flash as he blows kisses to crowds from a convertible car. Jolson seen with his two children in home movies, playing on rocking horse. Jolson now performs for troops in Korea. Troops cheer and applaud. Shows him with captains and officers, smiling and joking. Still zoom with news of his death. Footage from one of his original performances of My Mammy.