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TIME: Almanac of the 20th Century
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TIME, Almanac of the 20th Century.ISO
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1920
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20singer
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1994-02-27
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<text>
<title>
(1920s) The Jazz Singer
</title>
<history>
TIME--The Weekly Newsmagazine--1920s Highlights
Cinema
</history>
<article>
<source>Time Magazine</source>
<hdr>
The Jazz Singer
</hdr>
<body>
<p>(OCTOBER 17, 1927)
</p>
<p> The Jazz Singer. Two seasons ago Manhattan and other cities
witnessed approvingly the theatrical tale of a Jewish boy who
wanted to go on the stage instead of into his church. His
orthodox old father fumed gently, having trained him for a
cantor. But circumstance and the boy's yearning for the
footlights made him in the end a singer of jazz for the world
that lives at night. George Jessel, a jazz singer from revue and
vaudeville, played the part and made his name as a straight
actor. But in making the picture Mr. Jessel was passed over in
favor of the man whom so many worship as their greatest
entertainer, Al Jolson. It is Mr. Jolson's first picture and as
such of great import to the history of the current theatre. In
no other way but pictures can his genius be preserved; and in
this he is favored with the double preservative of picture and
mechanical voice reproduction. The Vitaphone permits him to talk
and sing his way through the sentimental mazes of the movie
adaptation. He is a good actor; but he is a very great singer
of popular songs. In cities where the Vitaphone can be installed
and reproduce his voice this picture will eminently repay
attendance.</p>
</body>
</article>
</text>