Jolson Sings Again (1949)

65% of users liked it
(978 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, Jolson finds… 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 36 min.
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

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.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Without Jolson's voice on the soundtrack this film wouldn't have worked.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Downgraded follow up to The Jolson Story still boasts great Jolie songs.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

No Featured Audience Ratings Found…

Cast

            Larry Parks as Al Jolson

            Barbara Hale as Ellen Clark

            William Demarest as Steve Martin

            Ludwig Donath as Cantor Yoelson

            Bill Goodwin as Tom Baron

            Myron McCormick as Ralph Bryant

            Tamara Shayne as Mama Yoelson

            Eric Wilton as Henry

            Gertrude Astor
            
            Peter Brocco as Captain of Waiters

            Dick Cogan as Soldier

            Ben Erway as Writer

            Martin Garralaga as Mr. Estrada

            Joe Gilbert
            
            Betty Hill as Woman

            Al Jolson as Himself [singing]

            Robert Emmett Keane as Charlie

            Nelson Leigh as Theater Manager

            Jock Mahoney as Man

            Frank McLure as Man

            Virginia Mullen as Mrs. Bryant

            David Newell
            
            Marjorie Stapp as Nurse

            David S. Horsley
            
            Helen Mowery as Script Girl

            Charles T. Perry
            
            Richard H. Gordon
            
            Wanda Perry
            
            Charles Regan
            
            Michael Cisney
            
See full cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started