Al Jolson

[robbourassaguitarist]

As a young guy, I worked with older musicians who as had seen Jolson shows. Everyone said the same thing. They had never seen a better entertainer.

[ilovejosephriviera]

Whoa, was he whistling ... for real? That's awesome.

[Jlird808]

The eye movements ARE a bit creepy though.....was that part of the character or story or something?

[4Topwood]

@Jlird808

Jolson was used to working onstage where facial expressions had to be exaggerated so the audience way in the back could see them.

[jillysworld]

ths is amazing..hand flute, over charged rythm.....love it.....go AL!! (thx 4 this post)

[CrazyHawasian]

...reminds me of robin williams...



[JPaulDiLucci]

this is the greatest upload of all times ... ever!!

[sexycodyboy]

This would cheer up depression dog

[mercifulmama]

This is probably where James Brown got his dance steps, James was great, but, he aint got nuttin on Al Jolson :)

They wouldn't even show Elvis movements below his waste, yet, Jolson makes Elvis look like he don't know how to move at all LOL :)

I LOVE Al, he has always been one of my top favorites.

[beatngo710]

I love his voice!!!!!

[n64wilbert]

CREEPY but catchy.

[jormoria]

i read somewhere that this film is based on the life of Lewis Robert Wasserman

[avalonmystic]

Who couldn't be extremely happy while watching this!

[PoutinePete]

REEFER MADNESS!!!

[DeathRiderHDG]

@PoutinePete oh i'm getting ready for that right now lol

[csears7]

just terrible ...

[cunningsophie]

al jolson beat elvis to the Pelvis.great stuff.genius!

[PEERLESSQUARTETTE]

THE BEST THERE EVER WAS, IS, OR WILL BE IN THE FUTURE !

[MADxx]

This is Sarah Palin official song. lol

[jacarto]

This man was so talented that he justified, himself, the birth of sonore movies.

[MrWenigzell]

The biggest thing in show business in the 20's, 30,s and reinvented again in the late 40's until his death. His inventiveness has affected many of the great entertainers after him. Listen to his recordings made later and you can hear the change in his voice, but he still had the magic...perhaps even more. As much as I love his music, I still think the best of the 20th century was Sammie Davis...he did it all. ...the consummate entertainer!

[Theholtoneuphonium]

2 people have no appreciation for great music

[NikiHR79]

"She used to spit on her own floor, I never understood that! It was best to just be polite and call the lawyer later."

[SimonP860]

This guy was THE premier entertainer of the 20's. A differnt time man.

[husbondensrost]

This is the original to everything. Comparing this to Elvis Presley, you'll see that he wasn't the first to move this hips, it all goes back to Jolson. Even Michael Jackson is no match for this guy. Al Jolson, the greatest entertainer of all time.

[PoutinePete]

This is just a little bit too creepy for me. Between his eye makeup, annoying whistling, dancing and that flapper/groupie chick (girl at front table) checking out his package - it's just all too weird. Maybe they all had Reefer Madness!

[makjac46]

@PoutinePete Is this funny? What a stupid comment, eye makeup because of poor contrast in early film, can you whistle that well? Better moves than Elvis and he could entertain without any special effects. Let Lady GaGa try to top that. And he probably didn't do drugs. Yes he did have a huge ego, but he COULD live up to it.

[ray8up]

Trippy!

[Ebonius]

I didn't know they had crack cocaine back in the 1920s.

[yuritim]

Toot Toot Obama Goodbye, Your Politics were a Big Lie, Toot Toot Obama Goodbye, AboveFilms will Cry!!!!

[kevykev38]

This is so Stupid. I hate whistling like this. And for all you stupid people that are comment and say "Why are you watching it? " I was told by a friend who knows i hate whistling like this to view it!

[eclovejoy]

Where can I find this video to download? My daughter would love to have it for a school project. Thank you for any help.

[abovefilms]

this guy sucks.

[EmMaNem1000]

he sings looks dances bad..the flappers are loving him!

[yuritim]

Goodbye Obama, Goodbye,

Your lame policies will die.

Goodbye Obama, Goodbye,

Your legacy has gone awry...

[abovefilms]

@yuritim wow. president obama OWNS you! lol. totally obsessed with the man. hope you have no sharp objects around to do harm to yourself once he wins re-election in 2012.

[goatface1000]

@yuritim You guys are so anti Obama it's only because he is black. I am leading a campaign against the American right. I am not a fan of Obama but I think he will win the next election. If you elect a right wing lunatic such as Palin then we will indulge in a bit of regime change and forcibly remove her.

[7Ritadogs]

he says 'get HOT'.

[paulj0557]

How can the film be going faster, but his voice be in pitch? Was it a matter of adding frames to the reel to maintain synchronicity after the fact because in the original takes it really was not in sync?

[paulj0557]

How can the film be going faster, but his voice be in pitch? Was it a matter of adding frames to the reel to maintain synchronicity?

[bertdanger]

Get high!

[louisa1832]

Thanks! I have always loved this movie and this performer.

[JiS01]

What a time to life in

[searcherboy]

Jolson and other entertainers of the day spent years performing in vaudeville theatres across North America. It was a harsh, gruelling apprenticeship - they learned what it took to grab the audience's attention from the first second and never let go. By necessity, they did it all - signing, dancing, comedy, pratfalls. That's how they developed their energy and confidence. It can look hammy now, but think of Jolson in front of a 1000 people, and how exciting it must have been to see him live.

[scyllaandcharybdis]

wheres the famous 'wait a minute, you ain't heard nothing yet!' line??? i've been looking everywhere for it... you'd think one of the most famous lines in cinematic history would be on youtube but i can't find it!!!

[Gumlegs]

In this film, it's just before the start of the vid posted here.

[spaces1968]

I know! I used that one in the past in my classes and was about to do the 20s again and wanted to make sure I could find the clip again. No dice. Favorite part: his eyes when he says "ow, ow" at about :20

[ORIOLES403]

that line is from the "jazz singer" where jolson adlibs this

[RMRproductions]

@scyllaandcharybdis Found it! Search: Toot, Toot, Tootsie! - Al Jolson spelled exactly like that.

[rustydog1236]

@scyllaandcharybdis He says it just before this clip starts; why they cut it out, I don't know!

[scyllaandcharybdis]

@rustydog1236 oh thank you!! yes its crazy that they would cut out the line...and even more crazy that i can't it any on youtube i know the footage definately exists cus i've seen it on tv years ago

[SneakyGuy55]

@scyllaandcharybdis Check SneakyGuy55's channel.

[scootergreen3]

Bravo!!!!!!!! I love this song and I am fairly young.

[scootergreen3]

Thats right! Thanks 2emeraldeyes.

Mikie D

[scootergreen3]

Wow, I love entertainment from back then. I wish it was that way now. This is way before my time, but when something is done well It doesn't matter. Mikie D

[2emeraldeyes]

To Scootergreen3-

Oh yeah, entertainment back then had that special something that has been lost somehow over time. The style, the class, the talent...on and on-

[friscolobo]

Jolson rules! He is great.

[LKayL1]

Great showman!

[monky999]

is this from "the jazz singer"?

[LKayL1]

Yes this was from the 1927 film "The Jazz Singer"!

[DB300000]

It's good to have this film clip back on you Tube again. But the old version with the flaws and age was better than this "enhanced" one. It had a sharper clarity. It certainly got my attention again of this great performer and all that followed in his wake.

[stuartandkai02]

HOW HOT WAS THAT, for those days he war REALLY raunchy, listen to the words of hid other work....NOTHING COULD BE FINER THAN TO BE IN CAROLINA IN THE MORNING..... His girlfriends name was....Caroline ;-)

[siberia1917]

there will never be another just the finest singer ever

[RolfLarsson]

"Finest singer ever"? Hah.

[rosieyposie7]

Yes, now go get your HEARINGfixed!

[reuvencat]

brilliant! just love it!

[urmaddad]

Great whistling!

[chrisz71]

how does he do that?