Jazz Singer, The (DVD)

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A star dancer named Mary Dale (May McAvoy) befriends Jack, and helps him with his career, which almost takes off were it not for a concluding conflict that finds Jack having to choose between his budding stardom and his religious faith.

Here's the thing, though. We like to think of "The Jazz Singer" as the first talkie, but Hollywood wasn't quite ready to embrace dialogue entirely. So the film still uses written intertitle cards for most of the talking and narration. Luckily, the filmmakers chose to leave in some of Jolson's ad-libbing, and when audiences heard it, there was no going back. They had to have all-talking pictures.

The story moves crisply along, with little waste. Yes, it's corny and melodramatic, with an exaggerated acting style left over from the stage; you live with that. But you can't take away from the music, Jolson singing some of his most-memorable songs: "My Gal Sal" (Bobby Gordon as the young Jakie), "Dirty Hands, Dirty Face," "Toot Toot Tootsie," "Blue Skies," "Mother of Mine," the liturgical prayer "Kol Nidre," and the big finale, "My Mammy."

Trivia note: More people--men and women--probably wore more goofy hats in 1927 than at any time in world history. They are kind of fun, actually.

Video:
Warner Bros. restored and remastered the film from the best sources they could find, and the results look exceptionally good given the film's age, this its eightieth anniversary. The 1.33:1 ratio black-and-white picture holds up remarkably well, with contrasts perhaps a trifle lighter than they might be, yet good just the same. The definition is sharp, and the screen is clear of almost any grain or age marks. As I mentioned at the beginning, good black-and-white photography hasn't changed much over the years, so enjoy.

Audio:
Although you'll notice some expected and understandable background noise from the soundtrack, you'll also find that as the movie goes on, you don't notice it. Remember, WB used phonographic equipment to record and play the sound initially, then a few years afterward added it to the film strip. The midrange is what counts, and here you'll find an ideal clarity and natural balance. You'll also note the limitations on bass and upper treble, but stick around and you'll hear the lower treble coming through fine. Of importance, too, the background music sounds splendid.

Extras:
Disc one of this Three-Disc Deluxe Edition contains the feature film and an assortment of worthy bonus items. First, there's an audio commentary by Ron Hutchison, founder of the Vitaphone Projects, and Nighthawks bandleader Vince Giordano, who has worked with music of the 1920s for many years. Together, they offer an amiable discussion of the film's history and stars. Next, there are several vintage Warner Bros. short subjects, including Jolson (again in blackface) in "A Plantation Act," which delighted movie audiences in 1926; followed by a radio adaptation of the movie and a classic cartoon, "I Love to Singa." In addition, there are twenty-six scene selections; a Jolson movie trailer gallery; English as the only spoken language; English, French, and Spanish subtitles; and English captions for the hearing impaired.

But wait a minute, folks, wait a minute; you ain't seen nuthin' yet. Disc two provides a newly made, feature-length documentary, "The Dawn of Sound: How the Movies Learned to Talk," eighty-five minutes long and divided into eighteen chapters. Then, there are sound excerpts from 1929's "Gold Diggers of Broadway," plus five more WB studio shorts celebrating the early sound era. And on disc three we get several dozen rare, historic Vitaphone comedy and music shorts, many of them, as the cover note tells us, "recently recovered and restored after being thought lost forever." Among them you'll find entertainers like Baby Rose Marie, the Foy Family, and, my favorite, Burns and Allen in "Lambchops."

Finally, the box contains separate packets of studio stills and movie memorabilia, including a reproduction of the movie's original theater bill and various related items, complete with an apology for the blackface tradition of the day.

Parting Thoughts:
The movie's story line, characterizations, and acting styles may seem stilted, but there's no taking away from the movie's heart and Jolson's singing. Whether you're a film historian, an old-time movie buff, or just an ordinary music fan, "The Jazz Singer" remains a classic of its kind.

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