Jolson Sings Again (1949)
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63% of users liked it
(988 ratings)
This Technicolor follow-up to Columbia's 1946 blockbuster The Jolson Story again stars Larry Parks as legendary entertainer Al Jolson--and Jolson himself, as Parks' singing voice. The story concentrates on Jolson's tireless activities entertaining the troops during WW II. After VJ day,… More This Technicolor follow-up to Columbia's 1946 blockbuster The Jolson Story again stars Larry Parks as legendary entertainer Al Jolson--and Jolson himself, as Parks' singing voice. The story concentrates on Jolson's tireless activities entertaining the troops during WW II. After VJ day, Jolson finds that his services are no longer required. Fortunately, he stages a spectacular comeback, thanks in great part to the release of The Jolson Story! The film's Pirandellian overtones come to a head when Larry Parks as Jolson meets Larry Parks as Larry Parks. Also returning from The Jolson Story are William Demarest as the title character's manager Steve Martin, Bill Goodwyn as Broadway-producer Tom Baron, and Ludwig Donath and Tamara Shayne as Jolson's old-world parents. Barbara Hale appears as Jolson's wife (his third, though this fact is not dwelled upon), renamed Ellen Clark for the moment, while Myron McCormick plays a composite character based on several Hollywood executives (including, one supposes, Columbia mogul Harry Cohn). Song highlights include "After You've Gone", "You Made Me Love You", "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy", "Sonny Boy", "About a Quarter to Nine", "April Showers", "Back in Your Own Backyard", and, of course, "Mammy". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Henry Levin
- Written By
- Sidney Buchman
- Genres
- Musical & Performing Arts, Classics
- In Theaters
- Aug 17, 1949 Wide
- On DVD
- Oct 21, 2003
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This color sequel to the first biopic of Al Jolson (in 1946) is not as good as the original, but it's production vaues are good, scoring and cinematography were nominated for Oscars.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Without Jolson's voice on the soundtrack this film wouldn't have worked.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Downgraded follow up to The Jolson Story still boasts great Jolie songs.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Larry Parks
as Al Jolson
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Barbara Hale
as Ellen Clark
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William Demarest
as Steve Martin
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Ludwig Donath
as Cantor Yoelson
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Bill Goodwin
as Tom Baron
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Myron McCormick
as Ralph Bryant
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Tamara Shayne
as Mama Yoelson
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Eric Wilton
as Henry
- Gertrude Astor
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Peter Brocco
as Captain of Waiters
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Dick Cogan
as Soldier
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Ben Erway
as Writer
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Martin Garralaga
as Mr. Estrada
- Joe Gilbert
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Betty Hill
as Woman
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Al Jolson
as Himself [singing]
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Robert Emmett Keane
as Charlie
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Nelson Leigh
as Theater Manager
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Jock Mahoney
as Man
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Frank McLure
as Man
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Virginia Mullen
as Mrs. Bryant
- David Newell
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Marjorie Stapp
as Nurse
- David S. Horsley
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Helen Mowery
as Script Girl
- Charles T. Perry
- Richard H. Gordon
- Wanda Perry
- Charles Regan
- Michael Cisney