Indeed, many of us feel the same way. Please do check out the other videos on this channel, and subscribe, if you've not already. See more about Jolson on the website, www.jolson.org. Thanks.,

Glad you enjoyed, Kathy. You can subscribe to my channel and see the other 138 Jolson video podcasts online, and visit the Jolson website at www.jolson.org for more on the man's legacy. Right now, in mid-May 2020, there is a Virtual Jolson Festival posted with information and entertainment about the World's Greatest Entertainer.

Indeed they were. Thanks for your comments and thoughts. Please do subscribe to this channel if you've not already, check out more material at the website, www.jolson.org, and consider joining the International Al Jolson Society for even more material and access to Jolson's legacy.

I quite agree! Thanks for your comments

The original work, "The Day of Atonement," was a short story written by Samson Raphaelson, after he had seen Al Jolson perform onstage. That work was adapted into a stage play, called "The Jazz Singer," because of the style of music that Jack Robin sang, as opposed to the liturgical music of his family. The play starred George Jessel. The rights to the play were obtained by Warner Brothers, and, ultimately, Al Jolson was selected to star in the film, which was the first feature film with synchronized dialog and singing. A hundred years ago, the definition of "jazz" singing was a bit broader than we use the term today. See more about Al Jolson, "The Jazz Singer," and even read the original story on the website of the International Al Jolson Society - www.jolson.org

Thanks. Check out more on Mr. Jolson at the website, www.jolson.org

@@MarcLeavey thank you fella this put me in a good mood

@@leemathias5879 I'm glad, and have the same reaction! Please do check out the other videos on this channel, and subscribe, if you've not already. See more about Jolson on the website, www.jolson.org. Thanks.,

Thanks for your comments. But please don't confuse the personality with the script, Jolson was much more than could be confined by radio writing. His several radio programs demonstrated that. As well, dubbed tapping, and I am not clear that Ruby's were not her own given her style, was common even in the movies, and persists to this date. Radio even boasted Bergen and McCarthy, a ventriloquist on the radio! That was the entertainment of the day. Please try to view it in context.

@@MarcLeavey *Jolson was Jolson* and nothing more...if he truly were such an 'enduring Icon of great popularity and talent' then his career would not have stalled and 'fizzled' as it did at the end of the 1930's...he could not make the transition to films with scripts, and could not 'act' at all. (you seem under the impression I know nothing of 'show business' and you are mistaken in that assumption) My step-father 'Gerry Gerardo' made his first appearances on "The Breakfast Club" in 1932 (sing & play acoustic-guitar) and spent the rest of his life to '78 as an 'Entertainer' all over the U.S. as well as Las Vegas from 1948 on to the '70's (he was making $350 a week at the old 'El Rancho' in the lounge while 'Liberace' was in the main-showroom at $5-thousand...it's a myth he was paid $50k) 'Dad' knew 'Jolson' from his days in Chicago while he was under contract to 'NBC'...and everyone in show-business knew he was a 'complete ego-maniac' that couldn't bear the thought of anyone else on the same stage at the same time as "The Great Jolson!" (sitting in the audience listening to applause for his then-wife Keeler on-stage was so unbearable for him he had to stand and start singing with her! He was 'Jerry Lewis' before 'Lewis' in terms of his insatiable *EGO*) Was Jolson a 'Giant' in his early 'vaudeville' days? Yeah...no question of that! But, he was a 'one trick pony' as well who simply could not or would not adapt beyond anything he was comfortable with in performing. (my 'Steppa' was more or less the same way in terms of performing...all of the 'Lounges' 'Night Clubs' 'Supper Clubs' began to die-out by the early '60's and that left only Las Vegas for him to work at...'modern entertainment' and 'rock' and the fact that TV and 'air-conditioning' at home meant you didn't have to 'go out' anymore...and the rapid decay of 'downtown' areas in every major City in the U.S. doomed all the places that had been in business since the '20's) So...yeah...I know something about 'show-business'.

@@gerrynightingale9045 Thanks for your response. I appreciate your background, and that of your family. Jolson was a complex personality, as are many entertainers, even today. Some have idolized him, while others despised him. I certainly invite your input on any of the Jolson Facebook pages, where others can reflect on this with you as well.

@@MarcLeavey Naw...I had enough of the 'Biz' growing-up and 'Al' (while a great 'success story of 'only in America!' Jolson holds little interest for me) 'Nathan Birnbaum'/ George Burns explained all of that 'turn of the century' era very well..."I was with the 'Pee-Wee Quartet' for a very simple reason when I was a 'little momser' in the 1900's...the answer is "I liked to eat and so did the rest of my family!" ("I was 'little' even for a 'little guy' and in those days in New York jobs for Jews were almost 'not there' so we created our own jobs from nothing! I'd stand on a street-corner with the other boys and try to hustle pennies by making faces or trying to dance a little and tell a story in a 'sing-song' voice while doing it and people liked it! They liked me acting like a 'miniature adult' which was good because I couldn't do anything else...so at 5 and 6-years-old I became a 'Pro' very quickly because those pennies added-up and I could make enough to get a 'Nathan's Famous' or maybe two because they were a nickle then and I'd run home as fast as I could with a bag under my shirt because the bigger kids would take them if they saw you with one...that's how I started in 'show-business'")

@@gerrynightingale9045 I understand. Thanks for your thoughts.

Words said by a man who, by his own words, admired him and stood in his shadow.

Jolson's behavior was likely similar to so many others in show business then, and even today. But his voice was like none other. Thanks for your comments.

Excelent Al Jolson Unforgetable

Dont take everything you read and are media brainwashed by litterally.

Where is blackface here?

​@@margaretthomas8899not here, but he did it alot, including in The Jazz Singer. He also defended his use of black face claiming he was "helping black artists" with it.