The Jazz Singer

The Jazz Singer is a musical film starring Al Jolson. It was the first feature-length film with synchronized dialogue sequences, and as such, heralded the end of silent films. The film is still a subject of discussion for including scenes of Al Jolson applying and performing in black face.A 1980 remake of The Jazz Singer starring Neil Diamond earned Diamond a nomination for a Golden Globe Best Actor Award.

Plot Synopsis

A Synagogue Cantor named Rabinowitz is upset when his son decides not to follow in the family tradition and serve in the faith. After a terrible argument the son, Jackie, leaves home for good. Later, under the stage name of Jack Robin, he gets the opportunity to begin a stage career with a little help from a new found friend. As his success builds, he learns that his father is on his deathbed. Torn between his family, faith and new-found career, he returns home to take his father's place on a holy day ceremony. Following his stand-in for his father's last performance, Jackie returns to the performance halls to fulfill his dreams as a jazz singer.

Controversy

The use of black face as a central part of this film generated quite a bit of criticism and controversy. However, far from developing any racial joke or innuendo, the use of black face in The Jazz Singer is used to contrast the background from which the central character comes from with the entertainment industry in which he attempts to adapt. Critics of the film are highly polarized on this usage, with some saying that it really didn't deal with any issues, only provoking the distinction between the races further.