Al Jolson & Larry Parks Sing Together. A Tour de Force.

[Phaedrax2]

The voice of Al Jolson, the looks of Larry Parks, great songs, great orchestration - I think the film may do well........ ;-)

But serously, I never get tired of watching The Jolson Story & Jolson Sings Again, even though I have both films on DVD, if they are shown again on TV, I have to sit down and watch - my two most favourite films - EVER!

Thanks for the compilation - most interesting.

[2havago]

@Phaedrax2

My pleasure! Thank YOU.

[Rohboats]

@Phaedrax2 great shows and how good is Larry Parks???

[ensconse]

Parks didn't have a bad singing voice, in my opinion. But Al is Al......

[chrislark28]

I always suspected that, of the two, Jolson had the better voice -LOL!

Seriously, this is wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing.

[2havago]

@chrislark28

My pleasure ... :)



[bestmoviesever1]

Dose the full version of this song with larry parks own voice exist?

[2havago]

@bestmoviesever1

It is possible, but I have never heard one.

[JohnnyGNV]

VERY interesting the way you have displayed how it was done. But, when people say "Larry Parks is truly singing", that's a little misleading, for it is Al Jolson's singing voice and obviously, albeit a fine actor Larry Parks was not a singer. Many times in musicals both then and present day, the actor is "singing" the words and the voice is added later, either their own voice or quite often a studio singer's voice, and in this case, of course, the great AL JOLSON.

[2havago]

@JohnnyGNV

Interesting comments. Thank you.

[gavsmith1980]

presumably pitched up slightly in the finished shot because Al's voice was so deep in his later years.

[Babyhowdy233]

Ths is why Youtube is priceless, THANKS so much for sharing this!

[2havago]

@Babyhowdy233

To me, your comment is priceless! Thank YOU!!

[wadefite]

i was strumming alomg with this and realised they changed the key for the final performance

thanks for posting

[2havago]

@wadefite

Perhaps they stepped up the song a half tone/full tone(?) for the film?

[wadefite]

how did you get all the sound clips?

[2havago]

@wadefite

Purchased via Ebay, but you could try the IAJS audio department too! ... :))

[wadefite]

absolutely brilliant-larry parks movements and choreography excellent

very funny

i think this is my fav jolson song from the film

thanks you are a wonder

[jjaniero]

thank you, 2havago, this is why youtube was invented!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[2havago]

@jjaniero

Most appreciated! Thank YOU!!

[WhippJunior]

Before Elvis...Before Sinatra......Jolson!

[Michaelbos]

This was great to watch, too see how much work went into this musicals. Thanks for posting and sharing.

[2havago]

@Michaelbos

My pleasure! Thank YOU.

[StuartLou]

One of the greatest performances!!!! Larry Parks- the Best!!

[298625]

I never tire of watching this compilation. Pure delight!

[2havago]

@298625

I'm glad! ... Thank you Donnie ... :p

[95671]

you can still here bit of jolsie on minus jolson singing ;)

[2havago]

@95671

'N' Iffen you listen carefully, you can also hear my heart-a-beating ... :p

[canajaneh]

Just so you know, Larry Parks is not lip syncing. This clip shows how it was done. Larry Parks is singing, and when they recorded the scene, they played the Jolson recording extra loudly over Larry's voice so that Larry is actually singing at exactly the same moment as Jolson's recording. That's why it looks so realistic - because Larry Parks is really singing.

[EbonyBunny1]

@canajaneh I always said why don't they do it this way, I didn't know a movie was actually made this way. Why don't they use that technique today, it's so much more realistic.

[madamerotten]

This is really some great editing!

[2havago]

@madamerotten

Thank you! ... :p

[abraxasIX]

this is epic!!! what a GOOD footage!

so many emotions.... that pic at 2:35

but...

"rossy , you are my..." i don't wanna say it xD (sorry i can't help it hohoho)

[tonyny77]

I've seen the first of the Jolson story movies about 20 times, but saw the 2nd one just twice. One thing you have to appreciate: Larry Parks obviously needed to do a tremendous amount of lip-syncing. Of course, he had the luxury of doing re-takes until he got it just right. However, not once ... not for a second does the viewer ever get the impression that Parks' effort is anything less than a maximum effort. Not a blink of his eyes, even, lets you doubt the realism of Larry Parks' performance.

[singingkid]

Man, this video is exciting! Brilliant work, Pat! :))

[2havago]

@singingkid

Thanks Greg ... :p

[melodyworks]

great!

[2havago]

@SnoocheeBoochees

Thank you ... I have sent you a message :p

[2havago]

@SnoocheeBoochees

Oops, I could send it! You have a "Friends only" lock, re messages....

[erudite1100]

Fantastic, UK fan I am in another universe

[SlappyFrankenstein]

Jolson isn't in this---just Larry Parks. Where is Jolson, whose voice was much, much deeper?

[thephantom1946]

@SlappyFrankenstein This is Jolson's voice singing "Rosie" with Larry lip synching. Jolson sang all the songs in The Jolson Story and Jolson Sings Again, while Larry was playing Jolson in the films.

[thephantom1946]

As Jolson admirers know, HE was the original Worlds Greatest Entertainer. I have 11 LPs of his, and I have both The Jolson Story and Jolson Sings Again recorded on my DVR, plus his biography. Wonderful entertainment. He could hold an audience for hours.

[ellington56]

This is great!! I don't know how you produced it but well done!

[2havago]

@ellington56

Thank you.

[klg1956]

One of my best days in life was my father taking me to Hollywood where they were showing The Jolson Story and Jolson Sings Again at a theatre for a Columbia Pictures Re-Release for first time in full stereophonic sound on wide screen 70MM color. It was fantastic.I have the booklet under glass hanging on my wall. I'll never forget that day, it's the only time I can remember everybody standing up applauding at the end of the movie. Thank you for posting.

[2havago]

@klg1956

A very nice story! Thank YOU for sharing ... :p

[TheSaidEric]

I am from Scotland, guys, and I can honestly say that apart from Glenn Miller,Al Jolsen is my main man !!!!!!!

[bbxx44]

Great stuff. He was the best.

[2havago]

@bj001r9327

Like father like son, eh? ... Very nice ... :p

[liamthedream]

They should have a revival of the two Jolson Movies..."The Jolson Story' and "Jolson sings again". It would be interesting to see how they would go over with the present generation.

[LazlosPlane]

They would, unfortunately, be lamtasted, of course.

[liamthedream]

Maybe you're right but with all the Modern Technology they would probably do a good job on it.. It is somewhat historic, After all 51st Street in Mid-town Manhattan is also called Al Jolson Way.

[gabbysbuddy]

The original 1946 version had a STEREO soundtrack!

[theshadow1932]

He ought to have stayed in the shower.

[Hilaryfan92]

I love this movie and I'm only 18!

But it's such a fab film, you cna't help but like it!

<3

[95671]

pat havent spoke to you in a while how are things? still loving the film :D

[2havago]

Things are well, thank you (or should that be swell? ;) ... I still get inspired now and again to make a new video ... hope things are well for you ... :))

[zmikem53]

Very cool video.. Thanks for sharing.. Jolson had such a powerful distinctive voice.. I still listen to his music..

[298625]

It brings a smile. thanks.

[2havago]

My pleasure ... :)

[95671]

very goood :)