Al Jolson's Grave

[Orrinb1]

Al Jolson was an extremely gifted entertainer. His vocal range was magnificent, so why not have a magnificent grave for such a great entertainer. The site is beautiful. Thanks for posting it.

[78smusicman]

Thanks for sharing

[londonanfieldfan]

Oh Mammy! Im coming home to Alabamy! Jolson, you are a legend!

[Tunnel51]

I'm shocked Jolson's grave is located so close to a highway. I wonder if that highway was there in 1950 when he died, im obviously not from the area.

[rippleway123]

What is that large white building at the back?

[death2ur]

@rippleway123 Sorry it's taken so long to respond. We were on an extended hiatus. The building behind Jolson's grave is a mausoleum. It contains the likes of Jack Benny and Aaron Spelling to name just a couple.

[rippleway123]

Thanks for sharing this, I'd seen photos of Jolson grave, but they don't give it the justice your film does. Thanks again.

[death2ur]

You are welcome. It is truly a magnificent monument.

[Wehategod]

What a Preformer and Entertainer. His Voice was so wonderful when i feel down i put on some Al Jolson and my frown gose to a Smile. Eddie Cantor and Jack benny do the same but AL makes me wish i was alive then and a Vadueville Preformer and a Good Singer

[carm4765]

Actually the cemetery itself put up most of the money for this gravesite.When they heard they were getting Jolson "The World's Greatest Entertainer" it was their idea to make it larger then Jolson's ego"as one NY Times reporter said.

The cemetery coughed up 75K. That was in 1950. Add in inflation etc etc, about a million dollars ( and they made sure it was visable from the Freeway).

[death2ur]

Thanks much for that information. I was not aware of that.

[carm4765]

Your welcome. You can probably find that NY Times article where the reporter say's that he now has "A monument as big as his ego". Keep in mind that he was an extremely selfish and cruel person. Read "Mistah Jolson" if you can get your hands on a copy. What he did to his brother was horrible. He paid him $25 a week to stay off broadway( when he was making 10K a week)! But, he really was "The World's Greatest Entertainer". On you Tube you should look up the Ceasar Irving interview.

[sayward12]

An African American man designed that monument.

I don't care if the likes of Amiri Baraka think he's great, at least Jolson's friends Eddie Cantor and Jack Benny (also buried at this cemetary) were a little bit more humble.

[143AC]

As part of Mr.Jolson's will..he wanted the cemitary owners

to have a loudspeak play his songs from his grave nonstop.

Luckily for all of us..they didn't adhear to his request.

[azrael37]

now that almost seems like desperate attempt to never be forgotten, either that or the dude had a really good opinion of himself

[thecuriousproject]

looks like a good place to take a piss

[JohnnyRock2000]

Holey moley, just about as ostentatious as you can be. I'm wondering if the building behind is a museum for Jolson. That grave must cost to maintain. Now-a-days there'd be about a million star of David's around the place.

[death2ur]

Actually, the building behind it is a mausoleum that houses the likes of David Janssen and Jack Benny. Right behind the building you'll find Michael Landon and Lorne Greene.

[stargate121]

I'd say Al was a little vain.

[Michaelbos]

Death, your name just must have read my mind. Black face emant tnothing in those days, " GET OVER IT"

[Michaelbos]

It was the way it was then, get over it

[death2ur]

There's an idea for ending racism - "get over it!" Wow, so simple. Why didn't the world think of it?!!

[death2ur]

Well said. Thanks for the comment. Most human beings are complex. It isn't alway "black and white."

[SirCyrano]

Jolson wasn't mocking black people with his blackface routines. Blackface was just a mask that allowed him to be more expressive. And though he could be a jerk, he was no racist: he championed black music and went out of his way to help blacks in the music industry. When Eubie Blake was refused at a restaurant, Jolson personally drove him to a deli and kept him company. I wish people could get over the blackface stigma and accept Jolson for what he was: a great performer.

[therealDC]

jolson lived in a different time to today, he meant no harm to people. it was just his act. thats one hell of a grave though.

[death2ur]

You're probably right, but intent isn't always necessary for their to be racism. Some times ignorance is even a bigger problem.

[mikedeviant]

If black people knew anything about history, they would have defaced his grave years ago. Fortunately for racist white people, black people have the IQ of tree stumps.

[death2ur]

You mean racist white people like yourself? Not resorting to violence makes you stupid? Most black people are aware of their history and it keeps repeating itself with intolerant bigots like yourself.

[mikedeviant]

death2ur: Try mentioning Al Jolson to a black college freshman. See if they know who he was.

[death2ur]

Are you well informed about black culture? I'd guess most college freshmen, white or black, don't know about Al Jolson. I'll bet you know who David Duke is though, right Mr. Klansman?

[ebonics4everyone]

Al Jolson was Jewish, dumbass. Jews can't join the KKK

[death2ur]

I was accusing "mikedeviant" of being in the KKK, not Al Jolson. Learn to read, fuckstain.

[mikedeviant]

death2ur: Liberalism is gay. People like you are killing it off like slow cancer. All you have are phony allegations and no substance.

[death2ur]

Being against racism makes me a liberal? When you say that black people "have the IQ's of tree stumps," that makes you one of Hitler's boys. That's no phony allegation. That's very obvious truth. That's enough substance to brand you a a KKK member. Also, using the term "gay" as a derogatory insult makes you a homophobe. You've had enough say.

[madamerotten]

Al Jolson was a precious gift to humanity. His music means more to me than anything else in this world. I wish I could have met him.

[maputo95]

Al Jolson brightens up my life with his popular melodies and his music lives on. His grave is a fitting memorial to 'the greatest entertainer. Ken.

[pronkfan789]

Thank you for sharing. My late dad's father and Jolson were 1st cousins. I have never been to California to see his tomb. :(

[musicom67]

But Jesus Christ! (or is it Holy Moses!), what a f*ckin tomb! Complete with waterfalls! Old Time Network Radio paid him well in the end. Kraft Music Hall was it?

[bigsithcity]

very well

[brodoogle]

Love Jolson? Look for Clive Baldwin on the WWW!!

[CarMan356]

What an amazing Grave! Quite fitting to "The World's Greatest Entertainer"! Nice footage.