Climb upon my knee, Sonny Boy... So sings singing waiter turned Broadway star Al Jolson, and this may leave you in tears if you let it touch your heart. Jolson's real life persona is as far removed from his character here, his legendary ego still talked about to this day. Still considered one of the greatest entertainers of the twentieth century, Jolson has been the subject of two films and several stage shows. The story is a switch on typical mother love with Jolson's live for son Danny Lee even greater than the mother's.
Mostly sound, this has a lot if Jolson singing, and other than Judy Garland or Barbra Streisand, I can't think of any other singer who really feels the lyrics and brings the audience into their heart. The pathos of some of the plot developments may seem maudlin and manipulated by today's standards, but I was touched throughout. Jolson gets a truly hysterical entrance, eyeing the camera as if he is making live to it. Singing a variety of his biggest hits, Jolson gives one of the great Earlie sound film male performances, indicating to me that he really should have been nominated for that then brand new award now known as the Oscar.
Mostly sound, this has a lot if Jolson singing, and other than Judy Garland or Barbra Streisand, I can't think of any other singer who really feels the lyrics and brings the audience into their heart. The pathos of some of the plot developments may seem maudlin and manipulated by today's standards, but I was touched throughout. Jolson gets a truly hysterical entrance, eyeing the camera as if he is making live to it. Singing a variety of his biggest hits, Jolson gives one of the great Earlie sound film male performances, indicating to me that he really should have been nominated for that then brand new award now known as the Oscar.