Review of The Jazz Singer (1927) by Mitchell C — 17 Oct 2007
Seminal film that broke cinema out of the Silent Era.
Certainly not the best film of 1927 (that honor goes to Murnau's "Sunrise")or the 1920s, but a vitally important film nonetheless for its groundbreaking synchronization of film and sound. "Singer" contains the first instance of dialogue captured on film.
The plot is essentially a melodrama about conformity, social acceptance, and family pressures. Don't be fooled also by claims that this is the first "talkie." In actuality, there are only about three scenes with actual talking, excluding several musical numbers.
Nonetheless, "Singer" is well-made, and sports a great, medium-transcending performance by Al Jolson.
This review of The Jazz Singer (1927) was written by Mitchell C on 17 Oct 2007.
The Jazz Singer has generally received mixed reviews.
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