Review of The Jazz Singer (1927) by Riley H — 09 Jul 2009

This isn't quite the landmark it's made out to be. It isn't a complete talkie, as only the musical numbers have synched sound. Everything else about it is pretty middle of the road melodrama.

Maybe jazz meant something different back in those days, but the only thing I could think of during Jolson's numbers was â??somebody please find Louis Armstrong and save these people from themselves.

â?? Jolson was also way too old at this point to play this role; I kept staring at the wrinkles on his forehead. Sure, it's historically significant, but this is no masterpiece. Putting it on lists such as the AFI's leads me to believe this is one of the most overrated American movies of all time.

I give it 3/5 only because it's sort of important.