The Jazz Singer (1980)
Reference View | Change View
- PG
- 1h 55min
- Drama, Music
- 19 Dec 1980 (USA)
- Movie
The son of a Jewish Cantor must defy the traditions of his religious father in order to pursue his dream of being a popular singer.
Directors:
Writers:
Awards:
- 3 wins & 10 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Neil Diamond | ... |
Jess Robin / Yussel Rabinovitch
|
|
| Laurence Olivier | ... |
Cantor Rabinovitch
|
|
| Lucie Arnaz | ... |
Molly Bell
|
|
| Catlin Adams | ... |
Rivka Rabinovitch
|
|
| Franklyn Ajaye | ... |
Bubba
|
|
| Paul Nicholas | ... |
Keith Lennox
|
|
| Sully Boyar | ... |
Eddie Gibbs
|
|
| Mike Kellin | ... |
Leo
|
|
| James Booth | ... |
Paul Rossini
|
|
 |
Luther Waters | ... |
Teddy
|
|
|
Oren Waters | ... |
Mel
|
|
|
Rod Gist | ... |
Timmy
|
| Walter Janovitz | ... |
Rabbi Birnbaum
(as Walter Janowitz)
|
|
| Janet Brandt | ... |
Aunt Tillie
|
|
| John Witherspoon | ... |
M.C. Cinderella Club
|
|
|
|
Dale Robinette | ... |
Tommy
|
| David Coburn | ... |
Bar Mitzvah Boy
|
|
|
|
Judy Gibson | ... |
Peg
|
| Hank Garrett | ... |
Police Sergeant
|
|
| Ernie Hudson | ... |
Heckler
|
|
| James Karen | ... |
Barney Callahan
|
|
|
|
Tim Herbert | ... |
Technician #1
|
|
|
Edward Jahnke | ... |
Guard
(as Ed Jahnke)
|
| Hugh Gillin | ... |
Texas Bartender
|
|
| Jill Jaress | ... |
Cowgirl
|
|
|
|
Victor Paul | ... |
Irate Driver
|
|
|
Uri Frenkel | ... |
The Cantor
(as Cantor Uri Frenkel)
|
|
|
Rex Cutter | ... |
Semi Driver
|
| Michael Pasternak | ... |
Zany Gray
(as Mike Pasternak)
|
|
| Sandy Helberg | ... |
Sound Engineer
|
|
| Brion James | ... |
Man in Bar
|
|
|
|
Douglas Nigh | ... |
Technician #2
|
|
|
Patrick Stansfield | ... |
Stage Manager
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Seymour Cassel | ... |
Unnamed
|
|
| Steve Dash | ... |
Policeman
|
|
| Billie Perkins | ... |
Waitress
|
|
|
|
Lev Liberman | ... |
Boots (uncredited)
|
|
|
Marcia Rea | ... |
Hebrew school teacher (uncredited)
|
Directed by
| Richard Fleischer | ||
| Sidney J. Furie | ... | (uncredited) |
Written by
| Samson Raphaelson | ... | (play) |
| Herbert Baker | ... | (screenplay) |
| Stephen H. Foreman | ... | (adaptation) |
Produced by
| Jerry Leider | ... | producer |
| Joel Morwood | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| Leonard Rosenman | ||
Cinematography by
| Isidore Mankofsky | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Maury Winetrobe | ||
Editorial Department
| Donah Bassett | ... | negative cutter |
| Derek Brechin | ... | assistant editor (as Derek G. Brechin) |
| Mark Eggenweiler | ... | assistant editor |
| Dennis E. Lew | ... | assistant editor |
| Eric A. Sears | ... | assistant editor |
| Alec Smight | ... | apprentice editor |
| Frank J. Urioste | ... | supervising editor |
Casting By
| Harriet B. Helberg | ||
Production Design by
| Harry Horner | ||
Art Direction by
| Spencer Deverell | ... | (as Spencer Deverill) |
Set Decoration by
| Robert De Vestel | ... | (as Robert de Vestel) |
| Ruby R. Levitt | ... | (as Ruby Levitt) |
Costume Design by
| Albert Wolsky | ||
Makeup Department
| Leonard Engelman | ... | makeup artist |
| Jerry Kerns | ... | hair stylist: Neil Diamond |
| Christine Lee | ... | hair stylist |
| B.J. Pardo | ... | hair designer: Lucie Arnaz |
| Daniel C. Striepeke | ... | makeup artist (as Dan Striepeke) |
Production Management
| E. Darrell Hallenbeck | ... | executive production manager |
| Burt Nodella | ... | production executive |
| Patrick Stansfield | ... | concert production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Alice Blanchard | ... | second assistant director |
| Jack Clinton | ... | second assistant director |
| John Eyler | ... | second assistant director |
| James Turley | ... | assistant director |
| Robert Webb | ... | assistant director (as Robert M. Webb) |
Art Department
| Leamon Adams | ... | lead man |
| Wilbur Finks | ... | lead man |
| Arthur Gelb | ... | graphic designer |
| Carmine Goglia | ... | stand-by painter |
| Christopher Horner | ... | set designer |
| David Kirschner | ... | logo designer |
| Mark Poll | ... | set designer |
| John J. Rutchland III | ... | construction coordinator |
| V.R. Bud Shelton | ... | property master (as Vincent 'Bud' Shelton) |
| Alan Sims | ... | assistant property master |
| Bill Gold | ... | poster designer (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Bill W. Benton | ... | sound assistant engineer (as Bill Benton) |
| David Bianco | ... | sound assistant engineer |
| Andy Bloch | ... | sound designer |
| Jack Crymes | ... | technical assistance |
| Mark Eshelman | ... | sound assistant engineer |
| Bob Gaudio | ... | sound supervisor |
| David Hawkins | ... | sound editor |
| Ron Hitchcock | ... | sound designer |
| Dennis Jones | ... | boom |
| Jack Kirschner | ... | sound editor |
| Gregg Landaker | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Steve Maslow | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Stan Miller | ... | concert and playback sound (as Stan R. Miller) |
| Robert Nichols II | ... | sound recordist |
| Tom Overton | ... | production sound mixer (as T.G. Overton) |
| James A. Sandweiss | ... | sound assistant engineer (as Jim Sandweiss) |
| Paul Sandweiss | ... | sound assistant engineer |
| Jack Schrader | ... | sound editor |
| William L. Stevenson | ... | supervising sound editor |
| John Taylor | ... | concert and playback sound |
| Elliot Tyson | ... | adr mixer |
| Bill Varney | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Ron Hitchcock | ... | re-recording mixer (uncredited) |
| Duncan McEwan | ... | sound recordist (uncredited) |
| Donald C. Rogers | ... | technical director of sound (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Lambert Powell | ... | special effects |
| Ken Speed | ... | special effects coordinator |
Stunts
| John Ashby | ... | stunts |
| Chris Howell | ... | stunt coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Larry Barbier | ... | still photographer (as Laurence L. Barbier) |
| Howard Block | ... | camera operator |
| Alfred Budniak | ... | best boy |
| James Chaisty | ... | electrician |
| James F. Cornick | ... | electrician |
| Don Duffield | ... | key grip |
| Jake Jarrell | ... | gaffer (as Jacob Jarrell) |
| Michael J. Krones | ... | concert lighting team |
| Marilyn Lowry | ... | concert lighting team |
| Owen Marsh | ... | camera operator |
| Bill Masten | ... | assistant camera (as William N. Masten) |
| Tom D. May | ... | second grip (as Tom May) / second grip |
| Benny McNulty | ... | best boy (as Bernard McNulty) |
| Douglas L. Pope | ... | concert lighting team |
| Herb Roberts | ... | camera operator (as Herbert C. Roberts) |
| Mike Tapp | ... | dolly grip |
| Rick Tschudin | ... | assistant camera (as Rich Tschudin) |
| Ronald Vidor | ... | Steadicam operator / camera operator |
| Jonathan West | ... | additional camera operator |
| Charles R. Young | ... | camera operator |
Casting Department
| Janice Spitzer | ... | extras casting (as Jan Spitzer) |
| Peter Spitzer | ... | extras casting |
| Bryan Buchanan | ... | extras casting (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Bruce Ericksen | ... | costumer: men |
| Peggy Thorin | ... | costumer: women (as Margaret Thorin) |
| James W. Tyson | ... | costumer: men |
| Bill Whitten | ... | wardrobe designer: Neil Diamond |
Location Management
| Matthew Nodella | ... | location manager |
| Clayton Townsend | ... | location assistant |
Music Department
| Andy Bloch | ... | music recording mixer: remote |
| Vince Charles | ... | musician: percussion/steel drums: with The Neil Diamond Band |
| King Errisson | ... | musician: percussion: with The Neil Diamond Band |
| Bob Gaudio | ... | music producer |
| Tom Hensley | ... | conductor / musician: keyboards, with The Neil Diamond Band |
| Ron Hitchcock | ... | music mixer |
| London Symphony Orchestra | ... | music performed by |
| Linda Press | ... | vocals: with The Neil Diamond Band |
| Reinie Press | ... | musician: bass: with The Neil Diamond Band |
| Doug Rhone | ... | music collaborator / musician: guitar, with The Neil Diamond Band |
| John Rosenberg | ... | music contractor |
| William Saracino | ... | supervising music editor |
| Marston Smith | ... | musician: cello |
| Dennis St. John | ... | musical director / musician: drums, with The Neil Diamond Band |
| John Michael Weaver | ... | assistant recording engineer (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Sonny P. Filippini | ... | script supervisor (as Sonny Filippini) |
| Sidney J. Furie | ... | script revision (uncredited) |
| Arthur Laurents | ... | script revision (uncredited) |
Transportation Department
| Steve Bonner | ... | driver |
| E.O. Braden | ... | transportation |
Additional Crew
| Lea Andrews | ... | production coordinator |
| Kathy Breen | ... | assistant to director |
| Barry Cardinael | ... | equipment manager |
| Harry Clein | ... | unit publicist |
| Sam Cole | ... | crew chief |
| Chris Coles | ... | coordinator: New York |
| Kimberley Coy | ... | unit publicist |
| Debbie Eisen | ... | production assistant |
| Wayne Fitzgerald | ... | title designer |
| Uri Frenkel | ... | technical advisor (as Cantor Uri Frenkel) |
| Harriet Greenberg | ... | assistant to producer |
| Carin I. Gronhagen | ... | assistant production controller |
| Beatrice E. Marks | ... | assistant: Bob Gaudio |
| Donald McKayle | ... | choreographer (as Don McKayle) |
| Terry Merchant | ... | equipment manager |
| Tom Mooney | ... | road manager |
| Jerry Murphy | ... | road manager |
| Joe Olshan | ... | production assistant |
| David Oliver Pfeil | ... | title designer (as David Oliver) |
| Victor T. Salant | ... | production controller |
| Gary Schilz | ... | production assistant |
| Bill Sheehan | ... | first aid nurse |
| Vincent Staraci | ... | production assistant |
| Walt Von Hauffe | ... | marketing coordinator |
| Alison Zanetos | ... | assistant: Mr. Diamond |
| David Oliver Pfeil | ... | title cinematographer (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Max Gordon | ... | acknowledgment: produced on the stage by |
| Sam Harris | ... | acknowledgment: produced on the stage in association with (as Sam H. Harris) |
| Albert Lewis | ... | acknowledgment: produced on the stage by |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Associated Film Distribution (AFD) (1980) (United States) (theatrical)
- City Film (1981) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Constantin Film (1981) (West Germany) (theatrical) (as Neue Constantin Film)
- Constantin-Film (1981) (Austria) (theatrical)
- Gaumont (1981) (France) (theatrical)
- Greater Union Organisation (GUO) (1981) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Sandrew Film & Teater AB (1981) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Sonoro Filme (1981) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Transeuropa (1981) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (1981) (United States) (video) (CED videodisc)
- Thorn-EMI Video (1981) (United Kingdom) (video)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment (2009) (United States) (DVD) (30th anniversary edition)
- CBS (1983) (United States) (tv) (broadcast premiere)
- Lumiere Home Video
- Lumiere Pictures (United States)
- Paramount Channel (2021) (France) (tv)
- Republic Pictures Home Video (1993) (United States) (VHS) (for Lumiere Pictures)
- Thorn EMI Video Australia
- Thorn-Emi Video (West Germany) (VHS)
- Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (1985) (Argentina) (VHS)
- VTI Home Vídeo (Brazil) (video)
- Warner Home Video
- White Pearl Classics (2021) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- White Pearl Classics (2022) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- White Pearl Classics (2022) (Germany) (DVD)
Special Effects
- Cinema Research (visual effects)
- Laserium (laser special effects)
Other Companies
- Aura Recording Studio (grateful acknowledgment)
- Bucks Steak House (grateful acknowledgment)
- Crystal Sound Recording (grateful acknowledgment)
- DeLuxe Laboratories (prints by)
- Extracast (extras casting)
- Imero Fiorentino Associates (concert lighting)
- Maarev Temple Assistant Choir (grateful acknowledgment)
- Mahoney / Wasserman (publicity)
- Nederland Organization of California (grateful acknowledgment)
- Nissan USA (grateful acknowledgment)
- Panavision (lenses and Panaflex camera)
- Pantages Theatre (grateful acknowledgment)
- Record Plant Scoring (remote recording facilities provided by)
- Rogers & Cowan/PMK (publicity)
- ShowBiz Enterprises (draperies)
- Stanal Sound (concert and playback sound by)
- The Klezmorim Band (grateful acknowledgment)
- Trans American Video Services (grateful acknowledgment)
- Trax Club NY (grateful acknowledgment)
- Warner Hollywood Studios (production services and equipment provided by)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Neil Diamond stars in this motion picture as Yussel Rabinovitch, a young Jewish cantor who strives to make a career outside the synagogue in popular music as Jess Robin. Against the wishes of his rigid father and his loving wife, Yussel travels from New York City to Los Angeles to play his music. Swept up by the excitement, he meets a spunky manager who believes in his talent and shares his dream. He grows apart from his family, and becomes confused about what he should ultimately do with his life.
Written by Ted Kula |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | His story will make you cry. His music will make you sing. His triumph will make you cheer. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
|
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix | |
| Filming Locations |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | The scene where Jess Robin (Neil Diamond) performs "You Baby Baby" in the Cinderella Club with an afro and black makeup on was actually done as a minor tribute to Al Jolson, who did The Jazz Singer (1927) in blackface. See more » |
| Goofs | Jess sings to an audience in California in the middle of the movie. At the movie's ending, he is singing to an audience in New York (it is assumed from the progression of the film) and it is quite obviously the same audience and venue. A number of audience members are present in both scenes. There is a woman with glasses wearing a vest and white shirt, a man in the middle of the audience with a checked cap, and a large man having a great time down front clapping very excitedly. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Jazz Singer/Seems Like Old Times/A Change of Seasons/Resurrection (1980). See more » |
| Soundtracks | You Baby See more » |
| Quotes |
Molly Bell:
I'm with Keith Lennox productions. Molly. Molly Bell. That's what they call me. My real name is a lot longer. Jess Robin: So is mine. Molly Bell: Belengocavela? Jess Robin: Rabinovitch? Molly Bell: Oh. That's not bad. See more » |