Al Jolson sings Dark Eyes (Ochi Chornya).mpg

From the Movie "Wonder Bar." Adapted from Jolson's Broadway hit of the same name, it was the first film in which Jolson had to share top billing. He plays the owner of a night club named ... you guessed it, The Wonder Bar.Since he was born in Russia, I assume his Russian pronunciation is correct. And yes, this is also the film with the infamous "Goin' To Heaven On A mule" number choreographed by Busby Berkeley.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jolson
• Dark Eyes
• Ochi Chornya
• Wonder Bar.

[diarci]

Foreign to what? Jolson was born in Lithuania and spoke Russian as a native tongue.

[f40676]

Хорошо спел! Душевно!

[mazaika1]

@gatabella3

I think it was sung in that way in old Russia.

Shalyapin sung it with-A.

Still Al Jolson's pronanciation is not perfect, but it's not because of E-A business.

[gatabella3]

I could never understand why the foreigners always pronounce some words of this song ending with -A. They are Ochi chyornyE, ochi strastnyE, ochi zhguchiE y prekrasnyE (Black eyes, passionate eyes, fiery eyes and beautiful eyes).

[gatabella3]

@jkiselis Believe me, his pronunciation is far from being perfect!

[IGOROZKARSKY]

AL JOLSON, LIKE AMERICAS BLUE

YODLER, JIMMIE RODGERS, ONE

OF THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL.

[jkiselis]

What a great recording Al was actually born in Lithuania which was part of the Russian empire and his pronunciation is perfect. This is a very good rendition although not complete.

[Jolson1950]

Jolson was in excellent voice for this movie

[ruthy102]

What a voice, never to be heard again. Thanks so much for posting.

[HerrNookenstien]

Neat cap, thanks for posting! Can't get enough of this song :)