The Jolson Story
The Jolson Story is a 1946 American biographical musical film, a highly fictionalized account of the life of singer Al Jolson. It stars Larry Parks as Jolson, Evelyn Keyes as Julie Benson (approximating Jolson's wife, Ruby Keeler), William Demarest as his performing partner and manager, Ludwig Donath and Tamara Shayne as his parents, and Scotty Beckett as the young Jolson. Some of the film's episodes are based on fact but the story is extremely simplified, with people disguised or combined into single characters.
Plot
Stage-struck Asa Yoelson wants to sing in burlesque performer Steve Martin's act. Cantor Yoelson, his father, refuses to consider it. After Asa runs away but is found in Baltimore, the Yoelsons grudgingly consent. Martin gives him billing, under a new name: Al Jolson. Jolson receives a job offer from minstrel-show master Lew Dockstader, and Martin releases Jolson.
More details
author | Harry Chandlee Sidney Buchman Stephen Longstreet |
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director | Alfred E. Green |
editor | William A. Lyon |
keywords | behind the scenes broadway show end feature film first love jazz singer lew dockstader love at first sight married movie star on tour only way open real life ruby keeler show business sing the jazz singer unemployed wed |
musicBy | Morris Stoloff |
producer | Sidney Skolsky |
productionCompany | Columbia Pictures |
publisher | Columbia Pictures |
theme | biographical jukebox musical musical |