In this landmark film, Al Jolson plays an aspiring entertainer whose desire for a show business career puts him at odds with his father, a conservative rabbi. Based on the hit 1925 Broadway show starring George Jessel, The Jazz Singer was initially conceived as a silent film, with a synchronized score and sound effects. When Jolson was signed, synchronized singing sequences were added to the plan. Then during his first vocal performance, Jolson improvised the now-immortal words “Wait a minute, wait a minute, you ain’t heard nothin’ yet!” and history was made.

Though the film contains only two minutes of synchronized dialogue and uses title cards for the remainder, those two minutes caused a sensation, as at the time U.S. audiences had heard spoken dialogue in only a few short sound films. After its opening at the Warner Theater in New York City on October 6, 1927, the film became a national phenomenon, paving the way for the installation of sound equipment in theaters throughout the country. The Jazz Singer received a Special Award from the Academy as “the pioneer outstanding talking picture, which has revolutionized the industry.”

Cast Al Jolson (Jakie Rabinowitz/Jack Robin), May McAvoy (Mary Dale), Warner Oland (Cantor Rabinowitz), Eugenie Besserer (Sara Rabinowitz), Bobby Gordon (Jakie at age 13), Otto Lederer (Moisha Yudelson), Richard Tucker (Harry Lee), Cantor Josef Rosenblatt (Himself).

Directed by Alan Crosland. Adaptation by Alfred Cohn. Based on the short story “The Day of Atonement” and play The Jazz Singer, both by Samson Raphaelson. Titles by Jack Jarmuth. Cinematography Hal Mohr. Film Editing Harold McCord. Music Louis Silvers. Sound George R. Groves. A Warner Bros. Vitaphone Talking Picture. Warner Bros. Pictures. 1927. 35mm. 90 mins. Digital version courtesy of Warner Bros.

Academy Award® nominee: Writing – Adaptation (Cohn)

Special Award: To Warner Bros., for producing "The Jazz Singer," the pioneer outstanding talking picture, which has revolutionized the industry.