The Jazz Singer (film)
a
WARNER BROTHERS
W-B
PRODUCTION
WARNER BROS. PICTURES, INC.
and
THE VITAPHONE CORPORATION
present
AL JOLSON
in
A PHOTO-DRAMATIC PRODUCTION
OF Samson Raphaelson'S PLAY
The JAZZ SINGER
with
MAY McAVOY
& WARNER OLAND
PASSED BY THE NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW·COPYRIGHT MCMXXVIII by WARNER BROS. PICTURES INC.
DIRECTED BY
Alan Crosland
Adaptation
ALFRED A. COHN
Photography
HAL MOHR
Titles
JACK JARMUTH
Edited by
HAROLD McCORD
Ass't. Director
GORDON HOLLINGSHEAD
Technicians
FRED JACKMAN
LEWIS GEIB
ESDRAS HARTLEY
F. N. MURPHY
"ALPHARETTA"
VICTOR VANCE
MUSICAL SCORE
and
VITAPHONE ORCHESTRA
Directed by
LOUIS SILVERS
The PLAYERS
Jakie Rabinowitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
AL JOLSON | |
Mary Dale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
MAY McAVOY | |
The Cantor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
WARNER OLAND | |
Sara Rabinowitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
EUGENIE BESSERER | |
Moisha Yudelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
OTTO LEDERER | |
Jakie Rabinowitz (at age 13) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
BOBBY GORDON | |
Harry Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
RICHARD TUCKER | |
Concert recital
CANTOR JOSEFF ROSENBLATT
In every living soul, a spirit cries for expression——perhaps this plaintive, wailing song of Jazz is, after all, the misunderstood utterance of a prayer.
The New York Ghetto—throbbing to that rhythm of music which is older than civilization.
Cantor Rabinowitz, chanter of hymns in the synagogue, stubbornly held to the ancient traditions of his race.
"Tonight Jakie is to sing Kol Nidre. He should be here!"
Sara Rabinowitz. God made her a woman and Love made her a Mother.
"Maybe our boy doesn't want to be a Cantor, Papa—"
"What has he to say? For five generations a Rabinowitz has been a Cantor——he must be one!"
"Ragtime Jakie is with us—give him a break."
)Jakie Rabinowitz
A peculiar sort of a gal.
With a heart that was mellow,
An all 'round good fellow,
Was my gal Sal.
She was always willing to share.
A wild sort of devil,
But dead on the level,
Was my gal Sal.
Moisha Yudleson, rigidly orthodox and a power in the affairs of the Ghetto.
"I have taught him all the hymns and prayers——he knows them as well as I do."
"Yes Papa—he knows all the songs—he has them in his head——but not in his heart."
"He will start the fasting of Yom Kippur without supper."
"In a saloon, who do you think I saw singing raggy time songs?"
"—your son Jakie!"
)Jakie Rabinowitz
See them shuffle along!
Go take your best gal, your real pal.
Go down to the levy, I said to the levy,
And join that shufflin' throng.
Hear that—
FAMILY ENTRANCE
"I'll teach him better than to debase the voice God gave him!"
"But Papa—our boy, he does not think like we do."
"First he will get a whipping!"
"If you whip me again, I'll run away——and never come back!"
"It is time to prepare for the services, Mama."
"Our boy has gone, and he is never coming back."
"My son was to stand at my side and sing tonight—but now I have no son."
Cantor Rabinowitz
Years later——and three thousand miles from home.
COFFEE
DAN'S
Coffee Dan's
SF
Jakie Rabinowitz had become Jack Robin——the Cantor's son, a jazz singer. But fame was still an uncaptured bubble——
- - - Al Jolson.
"Jack Robin will sing 'Dirty Hands, Dirty Face.' They say he's good—we shall see."
"Wish me luck, Pal—I'll certainly need it."
)Jakie Rabinowitz
Some folks have one, some folks have none,
And I was alone for years, but fate was kind,
Although he's not much higher than my knee,
Still he's the greatest thing on earth for me.
Leads the neighbors a chase.
But his smile is as cute as can be.
Always fighting the boys,
But his eyes, they're a vision to see.
Coming home from the setting sun,
From the gate he will start to run,
And then I'll kiss my boy.
Little devil, that's what they say,
But to me, he's an angel of joy.
Leads the neighbors a chase.
But his smile, his little smile, is as cute as can be.
Hahahaha, always fighting the boys,
But his eyes, his Mother's,
And they're a vision to see.
Coming home to the setting sun,
From the gate he'll start to run
And then, ohh, I'll kiss my boy.
Little devil, that's what they say,
But to me, he's an angel of joy.
Jakie Rabinowitz
Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You ain't heard nothing yet. Wait a minute, I tell you. You ain't heard nothing. You wanna hear "Toot, Toot, Tootsie"? All right, hold on, hold on.
Jakie Rabinowitz
Lou, listen, play "Toot, Toot, Tootsie". Three choruses, you understand? In the third chorus, I whistle. Now give it to them hard and heavy. Go right ahead.
)Jakie Rabinowitz
Toot Toot Tootsie, don't cry.
The little choo-choo train, that takes me
Away from you, you don't know
Just how sad it makes me.
Ow! ow! do it over again.
Watch for the mail,
I'll never fail,
And if you don't get a letter, then you'll know I'm in jail.
Excuse me, Tootsie, goodbye.
Jakie Rabinowitz
Get hot.
Jakie Rabinowitz
Goodbye, Tootsie, don't cry.
The little choo-choo train, that takes me
Away from you, you don't know
Just how sad it makes me.
Hey! hey! do it over again.
Watch for the mail,
I'll never fail,
If you don't get a letter, then you'll know I'm in jail.
Goodbye, Tootsie, goodbye!
"I caught your act in Salt Lake, Miss Dale——I think you're wonderful."
"There are lots of jazz singers, but you have a tear in your voice."
"I'm glad you think so—"
"Perhaps I can help you."
For those whose faces are turned toward the past, the years roll by unheeded——their lives unchanged.
Dear Mama:
I'm getting along great, making $25000 a week. A wonderful girl, Mary Dale, got me my big chance.
[...] write me ℅ State Theatre in Chicago. Last time you forgot and addressed me Jakie Rabinowitz. Jack Robin is my name now.
Your loving son,
Jakie.
"Read me again what he says about the girl."
"Maybe he's fallen in love with a shiksa."
"Maybe not—you know Rosie Levy on the theayter is Rosemarie Lee."
"The Cantor is angry today."
"I told you never to open his letters—we have no son!"
Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake, Denver, a split week in Omaha——Chicago and Mary's promise realized.
"This has been the happiest week in my life. I wish we could always be together—on the same bill."
"He's sure goofy about her!"
"He hasn't a chance with Mary."
355N KQ 16
NEWYORK NY 214P AUG 8 1927
MISS MARY DALE
CARE STATE THEATRE CHICAGO IL
WOULD YOU CONSIDER LEADING ROLE NEW MUSICAL PRODUCTION FOR NEWYORK RUN REHEARSALS BEFORE ONE WEEK ANSWER
"What a wonderful chance for you!"
"I—we all will be sorry to see you go."
"I'll miss you, too."
"I know you will succeed—and if ever I amount to anything, I'll owe it all to you."
"—and will you write—when I get to New York?"
Special Matinee
Last Chicago
CONCERT
CANTOR
ROSENBLATT
IN
SACRED SONGS
POPULAR PRICES
Cantor Rosenblatt
THE PALACE HOTEL
MEDFORD, ILLINOIS
August 7th '27.
Mary dear:
Just a line to remind you I am thinking of you.
Last night I went over big and nearly stopped the show.
"If they give that jazz singer my place on the bill again—I'll leave the show flat!"
"Let her rave! Jack deserves the best spot on the bill in any theatre!"
"You're not leaving on this train! Your booking has been cancelled!"
"You—you can't mean me—I've been going over big!"
"That's the word from New York—"
"What did I tell you?"
"Harry Lee arranged for your release so you could appear in a Broadway revue!"
"Don't fool me—I feel bad enough."
"Fooling nothing! The New York train's due now——here's your ticket!"
"NEW YORK!"
"BROADWAY!"
"HOME!"
"MOTHER!"
"I always knew you'd make a hit!"
The Cantor's sixtieth birthday———
"A prayer shawl—I got him the same thing."
"The chicken is from Levi and I made the wine, myself—"
"—and I brought the Cantor a present, too."
"A nice prayer shawl—just what he needs."
"Ain't you Jakie—Jakie Rabinowitz?"
"You're not Yudleson—the Kibitzer?"
"Mother—you haven't changed a bit in all these years."
"That I should live to see my baby again!"
"—I hurried to see you and Papa—and then I'm going to see about my new job."
"Diamonds! With stones in it! You didn't do any wrong, did you, Jakie?"
"Mama——you ain't heard nothing yet!"
"Didn't my picture hang there?"
"Yes, Jakie—but it fell and got broke."
"How is Papa?"
"My chance has come at last, Mama. I'm going to sing in a big show!"
"I'll sing you one of the songs I'm going to try out—"
)Jakie Rabinowitz
Nothing but blue skies do I see.
Oh-toe-toe! Blue birds singing a song,
Nothing but blue birds all day long.
Never saw things going so right.
Noticing the days hurrying by.
When you're in love, oh do they fly.
Blue days, day gaze, all of them gone.
Nothing but blue skies from now on.
Jakie Rabinowitz
You like that, Mama?
Sara Rabinowitz
Yes!
Jakie Rabinowitz
I'm glad of it. I'd rather please you than anybody I know of. Oh, darling, would you give me something?
Sara Rabinowitz
What?
Jakie Rabinowitz
You'll never guess. Shut your eyes, Mama. Shut them for little Jakie. Oh, I'm gonna steal something!
Sara Rabinowitz
Oh, Jakie, you're all right.
Jakie Rabinowitz
I'll give it back to you someday, too. You see if I don't. Mama, darling? If I'm a success in this show, well, we're gonna move from here.
Sara Rabinowitz
Oh, no.
Jakie Rabinowitz
Oh, yes. We're gonna move up in the Bronx. A lot of nice, green grass up there and a whole lot of people you know—there's the Ginsbergs, the Guttenbergs, and the Goldbergs. Oh, a whole lot of 'bergs. I don't know them all. And I'm gonna buy you a nice, black silk dress, Mama. Ah, you see, Mrs. Freedman, the butcher's wife, she'll be jealous of you.
Sara Rabinowitz
Oh, no, no, she won't.
Jakie Rabinowitz
Yes, she will. You'll see if she isn't. And I'm gonna get you a nice pink dress that'll go with your brown eyes.
Sara Rabinowitz
Oh, no, Jakie, no. I—I—
Jakie Rabinowitz
What do you mean, "no?" Who is telling you? What do you mean, "no?" Yes, you'll wear pink, or else—or else you'll wear pink. And darling, oh, I'm gonna take you to Coney Island.
Sara Rabinowitz
Yeah?
Jakie Rabinowitz
Yes. We're gonna ride on the Shoot the Chute. And, you know, in the dark mill?
Sara Rabinowitz
Yeah?
Jakie Rabinowitz
Ever been in the dark mill?
Sara Rabinowitz
Oh, no, I wouldn't.
Jakie Rabinowitz
Well, with me it's all right. I'll kiss you and hug you. You'll see if I don't. Now, Mama. Mama, stop now. You're getting kittenish. Mama, listen, I'm gonna sing this like I will if I go on the stage, you know, with this show. I'm gonna sing it jazzy. Now, get this.
)Jakie Rabinowitz
Nothing but little blue skies do I see.
Do-do-do-do-do. Blue birds singing a song.
Nothing but little blue birds all day long.
Jakie Rabinowitz
You like that slapping business?
Jakie Rabinowitz
Never saw things going so right.
Noticing the days hurrying by.
When you're in love, oh do they fly.
Blue days, all of them gone—
Cantor Rabinowitz
Stop!
"Papa, have you no word for your son?"
"You dare to bring your jazz songs into my house!"
"I taught you to sing the songs of Israel—to take my place in the synagogue!"
"You're of the old world! If you were born here, you'd feel the same as I do——"
"—tradition is all right, but this is another day! I'll live my life as I see fit!"
"You talk that way to a Cantor——it's sacrilege!"
"Don't forget, Papa, it's your birthday——and Jakie's come home."
"And I didn't forget it was your birthday, Papa."
"Many happy returns of the day, 'Cantor Rabinowitz'——"
"—you see, I remember how we used to say it, when I was a little boy."
"See, Papa, a nice new prayer shawl—just what you needed."
"I'm doing fine, Papa, and I'm going in a big Broadway show."
"A singer in a theatre—you from five generations of Cantors!"
"You taught me that music is the voice of God! It is as honorable to sing in the theatre as in the synagogue!"
"My songs mean as much to my audience as yours to your congregation!"
"Leave my house! I never want to see you again—you jazz singer!"
"I came home with a heart full of love, but you don't want to understand."
"Some day you'll understand, the same as Mama does."
"He came back once, Papa, but——he'll never come back again."
Rehearsals were rounding the "April Follies" into——good form.
"Now let's put some life into it—and don't be afraid of bustin' anything!"
"I hope this 'discovery' of yours, Mary, is as good as you think he is."
"Don't worry about him. If it's music—he can sing it."
"They didn't tell me you were here."
"—and you're dancing in the show?"
"They say they're going to star me."
"——but I have more confidence, now that you're here."
"Then it's you I have to thank for being here."
"Mary's recommended you very highly, but, after all, you've got a hard spot to fill."
Grief, stalking the world, had paused at the house of Rabinowitz.
'APRIL FOLLIES' WITH MARY DALE AND
JACK ROBIN OPENS TOMORROW NIGHT
"If Jakie knew his father was so sick—he would come."
"But you're the one who is going to be the real hit—I feel it, I know it!"
"Can't you read?"
No Admittance
"Who's smoking?"
"I want to see Jakie Rabinowitz, the ector."
"Excuse, please——I mean Jack Robin."
"He's one of those I-knew-you-when guys—says his name is Noodleson."
"Tomorrow, the Day of Atonement—they want you should sing in the synagogue, Jakie."
"But my father—he doesn't want me to sing, does he?"
"Jakie, my boy, I didn't want to tell you so sudden—"
"—but your father—he is very sick—since the day you were there."
"But Jakie, your singing would be like sunshine to your Papa."
"You don't understand—he ordered me out of the house."
"Jakie, remember——a son's a son no matter if his Papa throws him out a hundred times!"
"Our show opens tomorrow night—it's the chance I've dreamed of for years!"
"They ask me to take my father's place—because he is sick."
"But that's impossible—we open tomorrow night."
"Would you be the first Rabinowitz in five generations to fail your God?"
"We in the show business have our religion, too—on every day—the show must go on!"
"Dress rehearsal tomorrow at one o'clock. Come full of pep!"
The eve of the Day of Atonement.
"For the first time, we have no Cantor on the Day of Atonement."
"My heart is breaking, Mama. I cannot sing."
"My son came to me in my dreams——he sang Kol Nidre so beautifully."
"If he would only sing like that tonight—surely he would be forgiven."
"I should positively sing Kol Nidre."
"Sooner he should sing it, I'll sing it myself."
"You sing it? You couldn't even talk it!"
"A fine Chairman you are—to let the sun be setting—with no Cantor!"
"I should stop the sun from setting!"
The final dress rehearsal——
"The show, so far, is weak—it's all up to that jazz singer to put it over!"
"You're not very enthusiastic."
"Sure I am—you look wonderful!"
"There's only one thing on my mind—to make good tonight!"
"I'm going to put everything I've got into my songs."
"I'm afraid you're worrying—about your father."
"I'd love to sing for my people——but I belong here."
"—but there's something, after all, in my heart—maybe it's the call of the ages—— the cry of my race."
"I think I understand, Jack—but no matter how strong the call, this is your life."
"The Day of Atonement is the most solemn of our holy days——and the songs of Israel are tearing at my heart."
"Your career is the place God has put you. Don't forget that, Jack."
"You're right. My career means more to me than anything else in the world."
"More than me?"
"Then don't let anything stand in your way—not even your parents, not me, not anything!"
"No one can see him now. It's almost time for his entrance."
"But his Papa is sick—maybe dying—I've got to see him!"
"It's that man who was here yesterday and he has an old lady with him."
"Jakie—this ain't you?"
"He talks like Jakie—but he looks like his shadow."
"Your Papa is so sick—his face so pale——he calls for you."
"Better get ready, Jack——it's your spot next."
"In his dreams he hears you singing."
"In two hours the sun will be out of the sky—Atonement begins——come home, Jakie."
"Mother, I can't—I can't!"
"Maybe your Papa is dying—maybe he won't ever hear you sing again."
"Hurry Jack! This dress rehearsal's just as important as the show tonight!"
)Jakie Rabinowitz
Breaking your heart as I did.
Now that I'm grown up, I've come back to say
Things that I felt as a kid, Dear.
I still have you, somehow you're just the same.
Mother divine, with your arms around me,
I know I'm not to blame.
That's when my pals all want me.
When things go wrong and they don't want me,
Mother, I still have you.
I still have you. Somehow, you're just the same.
Mother divine, with your arms about me,
I know I'm not to blame.
That's when my pals, they haunt me.
And when things go wrong and they don't want me,
Mother, I still have you.
"Just like his Papa—with the cry in his voice."
"Here he belongs. If God wanted him in His house, He would have kept him there."
"He's not my boy anymore—he belongs to the whole world now."
"You were wonderful, Jack!"
"Your mother has gone—"
"But she is reconciled and understands your place is here."
"He's asleep."
"Jakie, you've come to sing?"
"No, Mama—I came to see Papa."
"I just want to see him—I'll not waken him."
"I'll be very quiet—please let me see him."
"You'll soon be all right again, Papa."
"My son—I love you—"
"Everything possible has been done for him. He is in the hands of his God."
"I knew you'd come. The choir is waiting."
"Maybe if you sing—your Papa will get well—"
"You're not thinking of quitting us, are you, Jack?"
"You'll queer yourself on Broadway—you'll never get another job."
"It's a choice between giving up the biggest chance of my life—and breaking my mother's heart—"
"—I have no right to do either!"
"Were you lying when you said your career came before everything?"
"You must sing tonight."
"I haven't sung Kol Nidre since I was a little boy."
"What a little boy learns—he never forgets."
"Don't be a fool, Jack!"
"Do what is in your heart, Jakie—if you sing and God is not in your voice—your father will know."
"You're a jazz singer at heart!"
Presents
"APRIL FOLLIES"
A Musical Comedy
— Starring —
MARY DALE
— and —
JACK ROBIN
Book by MURRAY ROTH
Lyrics by GRANT CLARK
Music by LOUIS SILVERS
Dances Arranged by ERNEST BELCHER
The Cast
(In Order of Their Appearances)
"They say he's great—"
"Ladies and Gentlemen, there will be no performance this evening——"
Jakie Rabinowitz
"Mama, we have our son again."
"—a jazz singer—singing to his God."
The season passes—and time heals—the show goes on.
WINTER GARDEN
JACK ROBIN
THE JAZZ SINGER
)Jakie Rabinowitz
The sun shines east, the sun shines west,
But I know where the sun shines best.
My heartstrings are tangled around Alabammy.
I'm coming, sorry I made you wait.
I'm coming, I hope and trust I'm not late.
I'd walk a million miles for one of your smiles,
My Mammy, oh-oh-oh.
The sun shines east, the sun shines west,
But I know where the sun shines best.
It's on my Mammy I'm talking about, nobody else's.
My heartstrings are tangled around Alabammy.
Mammy, I'm coming!
I hope I didn't make you wait!
Oh God, I hope I'm not late!
Mammy, don't you know me? It's your little baby!
I'd walk a million miles for one of your smiles,
My Ma-mammy!
The End
W-B
A WARNER BROTHERS
PRODUCTION
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929.
Copyright law abroad tends to consider the following people authors of a film:
- The principal director
- The screenwriter, and/or other writers of dialogue
- The composer/lyricist (if the film is accompanied by sound)
- The cinematographer
- By extension, the authors of any works that may serve as the basis for a film's plot
The longest-living of these authors died in 1983, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 40 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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