The Jazz Singer

The Jazz Singer, a schmaltzy 1927 classic starring legendary entertainer Al Jolson, was the first feature-length film (short subjects preceded it) to offer synchronized dialogue and songs, sparking the “talkie revolution” that completely transformed the movie business. Although primarily a stage performer who was at his best in front of a live audience, Jolson adapted readily to the medium, here playing newly minted singing star Jack Robin, a.k.a. Jakie Rabinowitz, the son of a Jewish cantor (an oddly cast but very effective Warner Oland) disappointed that his scion has turned away from the family tradition to pursue a “vulgar” career on the stage. It's Eugenie Besserer, playing Jakie's heartbroken mother, to whom Jolson directs his unforgettable, often-excerpted performance of the song “My Mammy” in the film's most moving sequence (which is also controversial, due to Jolson's appearance in blackface). The Jazz Singer has been meticulously restored from original nitrate film elements, but what really distinguishes this three-disc set are the extras, which include an informative audio commentary by Vitaphone expert Ron Hutchinson and Nighthawks bandleader Vince Giordano, a newly-commissioned feature-length documentary entitled “The Dawn of Sound,” and nearly four hours worth of rare comedy and music short subjects filmed using the early Vitaphone sound process and starring performers then known for their work in vaudeville and on the legitimate stage. Throw in some snazzy print materials—including behind-the-scenes photo cards, a souvenir program, and a booklet with reproductions of vintage documents—and The Jazz Singer boxed set adds up to one fine showcase for a landmark film. Highly recommended. (E. Hulse)[Blu-ray Review—Jan. 29, 2013—Warner, 3 discs, 96 min., not rated, $35.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1927's The Jazz Singer features a fine transfer and a DTS-HD mono soundtrack. Extras include audio commentary by film historian Roy Hutchison and bandleader Vince Giordano, 25 rare historic Vitaphone comedy and musical shorts (215 min.), “The Dawn of Sound: How Movies Learned to Talk” documentary (85 min.), five studio shorts on the early sound era (85 min.), the 1937 short “A Day at Santa Anita” (18 min.), excerpts from 1929's Gold Diggers of Broadway (16 min.), the short “An Intimate Dinner in Celebration of Warner Bros.' Silver Jubilee” (12 min.), the 1926 Al Jolson short “A Plantation Act” (10 min.), the 1938 Buster Keaton-directed short “Hollywood Handicap” (10 min.), the 1936 cartoon short “I Love to Singa” (8 min.), a 1947 Lux Radio Broadcast featuring Jolson, a trailer, and an 88-page illustrated booklet. Bottom line: a landmark classic arrives on Blu-ray with a fantastic extras package.]