Dotsthavesp I wanted to but couldn't!

ClassyWas Excellent, smart action film.

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Fuzzy Wuzzy 1946's The Jolson Story (in all of its lush, Technicolor glory) may not have been an accurate depiction of entertainer Al Jolson's life, per se, but, in the long run, it was still quite an engaging production (in a kitsch sort of way).Corny, nostalgic and very sentimental, The Jolson Story is a film that is certainly true to form when it comes to the likes of being your typical 1940's Bio-picture.With its $3 million budget (which was obviously well-spent on its numerous, lavishly-staged musical numbers, and such), I give a lot of credit to actor Larry Parks who played Jolson (as an adult) in the story. Parks' exuberant and likable portrayal, along with his seamless lip-syncing of Jolson's songs, were, to me, what clearly helped carry The Jolson Story successfully along to its unbelievable "happy ending" nonsense.*Note* - Back in his heyday, Al Jolson was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer". At the peak of his career he was America's most famous and highest-paid entertainers, bar none.In 1950, at the age of 64, Al Jolson died from a massive heart attack.

Lechuguilla To his credit, innovative singer Al Jolson did indeed transform the tone of American pop songs in the early part of the twentieth century. He was quite a showman, with his natural improv skills and that pleasantly unique singing voice.But this biography is only quasi-factual. If you knew nothing about the man before watching the film, you would be hard pressed to figure out that some parts are fictional. "The Jolson Story" is chock full of inaccuracies. For one thing, his mother died when he was young; in this film, she plays a major role throughout his life. For another, "Steve Martin", a major character in the film, never existed. And his marriage to "Julie Benson" cinematically rewrites his real life. In fact, there never was a "Julie Benson". There were, indeed, three wives, not just one as implied in this film. Maybe back in the 1940s, films could get away with such misrepresentations. Sixty years later, viewers are not so easily fooled.I have no idea what the real Jolson was like as a person. In the film he comes across as ambitious, energetic, creative, and irritatingly ... hyper. Larry Parks gives a fine portrayal of Jolson, with his highly animated and expressive mannerisms and gestures.The film's tone is relentlessly positive and upbeat. The impression is thus conveyed that all one needs for Hollywood success is ambition, lucky breaks, and lots of talent. And maybe that's true. But nearly all great public figures must endure at least minimal hard times somewhere in their lives. I could have wished for some indication of that in this film to make the story more realistic and the man more human.For all that, "The Jolson Story" is still entertaining, in an old-fashioned sort of way. There are some great old songs, like "April Showers", "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby", and my personal favorite "California, Here I Come". Color cinematography is quite good, and includes some clever camera dissolves. In support roles, both William Demarest and Evelyn Keyes are fine. I did not care for the film's ending, with one character's motivational reversal.This is a big budget, talky film with lavish production design and a large cast. If one approaches "The Jolson Story" with the idea that it is fun entertainment only, and not to be taken too literally, it can be enjoyable. But it would be a mistake to use the film as a basis for taking an all-important pop quiz. For that, one would need a more accurate biographical guide.

writers_reign I'm slightly bemused to read several raves for this movie; I had assumed that a modern day audience would find the over the top Jolie style risible and I must conclude that the raves are the work of older viewers. By 1946 when the film was made even the guy in the street was beginning to figure out that Jolie was prime ham, a sort of singing Charles Laughton if you will with an ego the size of Texas. By 1946 the ex-band solo singer was well established and the likes of Crosby, Sinatra, Haymes etc mostly just stood in front of a microphone and sang seeing no need to flail the air or ham it up on one knee - on the other hand todays' vocalists are also incapable of standing still and just singing so maybe Jolie's histrionics does strike a chord. If you ARE prepared to suspend disbelief and admire corn and chuzpah in equal measures there the chances are you will enjoy this hoke which is about as accurate as a Mickey Mouse watch - Jolie's mother died when he was eight years old, Julie Benson (in real life Ruby Keeler who refused to lend her name to the film) was Jolie's Third and not First wife as is implied here, the character of Steve Martin was pure fiction etc. Larry Parks does do a fine job of miming and William Demarest is outstanding as a character who didn't exist. If you like your entertainers in yer face you'll love this given that Jolie makes Ethel Merman seem subtle.

Casablanca3784 I could sit and listen to Jolson music endlessly. First of all,he had to be the originator of soul music, sung right from the heart. We heard what he felt and then felt what he felt. Secondly,he was the only singer I ever heard whose voice sounded like a trumpet. Perfect pitch, clear,crisp and resounding. Hence, we put together those two attributes, add his showmanship, charm and charisma and we end up with the greatest single entertainer in the history of American show business. Larry Parks is truly astounding and gives a performance, including perfect lip synching, that should have earned him the Oscar. Politics came first, apparently. The film, even with its occasional flaws, was amazingly entertaining. From the first scene to when his Julie Benson walks out by realizing that she could have never taken the music out of Jolson and vice versa,the entire production was pure hypnotic joy. Unbeatable music, warmth, tenderness and humility run wild. A superb feast for the ears and eyes. A never-to-be-forgotten film.