Al Jolson (Billy Rose Theatre Collection: NYPL)

Name: AL JOLSON (1886-1950)

Born: ASA YOELSON, LITHUANIA

Occupation: SINGER AND ACTOR, SPECIALTY IN BLACKFACE.

Al Jolson in Blackface (Billy Rose Theatre Collection: NYPL)

Jolson was considered the “The World’s Greatest Entertainer” at his prime.  Arriving in America at the age of five, Jolson father was a Rabbi and Cantor at the Talmud Torah Synagogue in Washington D.C..  Al and his brother Hirsch became fascinated by show business and the brothers would sing on the streets for money in 1897.  After getting picked up for various jobs throughout the business, And ultimately returning to vaudeville to perform with his brother for the William Morris Agency, Jolson decided to turn to blackface, which boosted his career.  He Soon managed to become one of the most popular singers in America through his blackface.  In 1918, Jolson’s stardom skyrocketed after starring in Sinbad, in which both George Gershwin added songs.  Gershwin added “Swannee “and Jolson added “My Mammy”, ultimately making the music the most successful Broadway play of 1918 and 1919.  In Jolson’s next play, he would receive a five minute standing ovation and and take thirty-seven curtain calls the opening night, despite his terrific stage fright.  Charles Darnton of the New York Evening World said, “Everything he touches turns to fun.  To watch him is to marvel as his humorous vitality.  he is the old time minstrel man turned to modern account.  with a song, a word, or even a suggestion he calls for spontaneous laughter.  And here you have the definition of a born comedian”.

Al Jolson: Blackface in "My Mammy" (Billy Rose Theatre Collection: NYPL)

His biggest claim to fame, Jolson starred in the first motion picture with synchronized sound, called The Jazz Singer.  The story, oddly close to Jolson’s own life, revolves around Jackie Rabinowitz, the son of  a Jewish cantor who loves modern music more than his father’s. He runs away from home to become a successful performer.  On the opening night of his first Broadway show, which happens to be the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, Jack Robin learns that his father is sick and he must choose between visiting his father on the sacred Jewish holiday and his Broadway show.  He chooses to perform at the evening service for his father instead of on Broadway, the show premiers the next night, and Jack become a huge success.  Immigrants of the time identified with this story because it depicted the struggle man Jewish immigrants had to face when the moved to America; watching their children assimilate and stray away from the traditional Jewish culture and values.

Al Jolson: Blackface on Playbill (Billy Rose Theatre Collection: NYPL)

His film appearances include A Plantation Act, The Jazz Singer, The Singing Fool, Say It with Songs, Mammy, Big Boy, Hallelujah, I’m a Bum, Wonder Bar, Go Into Your Dance, The Singing Kid, Rose of Washington Square, Hollywood Cavalcade, and Swanee River.  His theatre includes, La Belle Paree, Vera Violetta, The Whirl of Society, The Honeymoon Express, Children of the Ghetto, Robinson Crusoe, Jr., Sinbad, Bombo, Big Boy, The Wonder Bar, and Hold on to Your Hats.  Numerous modern artists and singers admire and have been influenced by Jolson including, Irving Berlin, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Tony Bennett, Niel Diamond, Jerry Lewis, Eddie Fisher, Bobby Darin, Mario Lanza, Rod Stewart, and Bob Dylan.

Al Jolson Singing “Mammy” in The Jazz Singer in blackface:

Al Jolson singing “About A Quarter to Nine”.  Stay tuned to see the minstrel show at 3:06.