A young Jewish man is torn between tradition and individuality when his old-fashioned family objects to his career as a jazz singer. This is the first full length feature film to use synchronized sound, and is the original film musical.
Production
First sync sound feature—literally changed everything overnight.
Acting
Al Jolson's chaotic 'wait for it' energy before musical numbers.
Direction
Alan Crosland winging it with technology that barely worked.
Director
Alan Crosland
Al Jolson
Jakie Rabinowitz
May McAvoy
Mary Dale
Warner Oland
Cantor Rabinowitz
Eugenie Besserer
Sara Rabinowitz
Otto Lederer
Moisha Yudelson
Robert Gordon
Young Jakie Rabinowitz
Richard Tucker
Harry Lee
William Demarest
Buster Billings (uncredited)
John Miljan
Host (uncredited)
Roscoe Karns
Agent (uncredited)
Anders Randolf
Dillings (uncredited)
Walter Rodgers
Make-Up Man (uncredited)
Will Walling
Doctor (uncredited)
Ena Gregory
(uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Only about 15 minutes of the film has synchronized sound—the rest is basically a silent movie with title cards.
Warner Bros. nearly went bankrupt betting on Vitaphone; this single film saved the studio and killed silent cinema in two years.
US
