Al Jolson Blackface Minstrel Show

Al Jolson plays blackface minstrel performer EP Christy in "Swanee River" (1939). Jolson got his start in minstrel shows and was the most famous minstrel artist of his era. In this clip, Jolson sings Oh! Susanna and Swanee River. Read about the history of blackface and minstrel shows at http://black-face.com

• Category

  Film & Animation

[Matt Kogler]

People don't want to research him, they want to condemn him... It makes their pasty white asses feel better! Long live Jolson!

[David Bluhm]

I really am trying here . I'm trying as hard as I can to see this as so many here appear to. But every time I look back at the ridiculous getup he is wearing, the blatant mockery of black stereotypes, I see bigotry and prejudice. I also see brilliant performance and musicianship–but then, I see that in some rock music which is quite obviously misogynistic and sexist. Something being racist doesn't mean it can't be great art–but something being great art doesn't mean it can't be racist.

[MeisterPhilosopher]

Al Jolson was a great performer that can be said. Now is blackface acceptable? Of course not we moved on, but talent is talent.

[David Bluhm]

Holy shit, do people not realize that this is sarcasm? What fucking morons.

[IBetYouWillFemales]

I've always loved Al's blackface. I felt like instead of ridicule he really made these performances moving and poignant. Celebrating the african-american music and artists he loved so much. Always annoys me when same aged friends instantly jump on him without actually WATCHING these performances.

[Carole Donovan]

This is wonderful entertainment! Al Jolson really had a heart for the south and did many tributes to black Americans. My mother use to tell me about Minstrel shows traveling through her state and people dropping whatever they were doing to watch these shows. I gave a tribute to Al Jolson on one of my benefit music productions

and the audience seemed to enjoy it. America! God loves all of us no matter who we are, where we are from, or what color of skin we have been honored to be born with

[Alex Bernhardt]

thats right and ill have you know that al jolson had the utmost respect for the black community you dont see him billing up anything racial here

[Rollermacka]

I am not black but I think things like the Big Momma's House or Madea's franchises of movies are more racist than Al Jolson. Yes, Tyler Perry and Martin Lawrence are black men, but in a way they are playing into "stereotypes". You got to think if we how far we've progressed as a society since 1939, people may be saying Big Momma's House 2 is extremely offensive and how could it have ever been acceptable entertainment.

[crustyceant]

horribly racist but quite the stage performance i must say, choreographed dancing and perfectly in time music. crazy to see old footage like this how it was so widely accepted as the norm. america is a pretty gnarly place built on slavery and genocide, the laws change but the american government is still run by the same powerful bankers and businessmen that where calling the shots back then.fundamentalist christian nazis who want to suck out your brains. but al jolson was a hell of a performer.

[Vdogg2496]

this is based on the assumption that an average black man isnt a coon.....

[JPGberg]

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha I am laughing hysterically. It is so weird to see a "black guy" moving around all stiff and clumsy like white folk.