Jolson Sings Again

As a rule, sequels don't usually measure up to the original. Of course there are exceptions and this is one of them. Once again, Larry Parks does an amazing job of mouthing the words to Jolson's singing voice and sings a number of great standards. This time the plot focuses on Jolson's disillusionment with show business after his wife leaves him. Prompted by his agent (William Demarest), he agrees to be an entertainer during World War II and on one of his tours he meets a pretty nurse (Barbara Hale) whom he marries. High quality script has Jolson coming to Hollywood for a bio on his life and meeting Larry Parks (courtesy of trick photography). Song-filled gem is a worthy sequel and proved it by winning three Oscar nominations for writing, cinematography and musical scoring. Hale looks great and her pleasant personality adds sparkle to the film, while Parks is once again quite convincing in his colorful role.

The sequel to The Jolson Story with Larry Parks playing himself and meeting Al Jolson for the first time to do this film. Jolson also appears in a long shot of a ramp scene singing Swanee River, but most people didn't know this until years later. The story begins with a Hollywood producer wanting to do the story, and takes up where Jolson's first wife gets a divorce. The movie of his life is a big winner! Later, during WW II, Jolson goes overseas to entertain troops, catches malaria, and while in a hospital falls in love with his nurse; a kind and patient beautiful nurse, played by Barbara Hale. William Demarest plays Jolson's manager and press agent. Ludwig Donath plays cantor again, and momma is played by Tamara Shayne, who lend much humor to the story. Perfect for those who loved Jolson and his music! This production won 3 Oscar nominations for writing, cinematography and musical scoring. I give it 10/10

Larry Parks picks up, almost to the frame, from where he left off with the first part of this biopic of the celebrated singer. Lured back to the stage, his wife "Julie" has done a bunk. She doesn't want to compete with what she thinks will always be his first love, nor does she want to stop him - so off she flies and doesn't feature at all. Distraught? Well not really, no. He immediately embarks on resuscitating his career and goes from strength to strength thanks to the support of long-suffering manager "Steve" (William Demarest) and his now reconciled father (Ludwig Donath). Soon firmly re-established but really rather bored with it all arriving on a plate, he gets quite a sudden wake-up call entertaining the troops in Europe during the war before returning to turn his attentions to the talkies as the concept of "The Jazz Singer" is born. All of these shenanigans are taking their toll and suffering from exhaustion he is confined to bed where he meets the young "Ellen" (Barbara Hale) whose nursing skills soon blossom into something that might just give this man his long sought contentment. Though it takes the chronology to it's conclusion, it doesn't really add much to the character of Jolson as we reprise many of his more famous numbers and reiterate that this was one of the greatest celebrities in the USA. Parks and Hale deliver well enough, and it's an amiably enough strung together history that sounds fine but drags on for too long and rather lacks energy. Watchable, but a little lacklustre.

An oddly curious movie. "Jolson Sings Again" is the sequel to "The Jolson Story" (which I have not seen). Both of which star Larry Parks as Jolson) It doesn't matter if you've not seen the first, as the first part of Jolson's life is briefly touched upon, where this movie mainly concentrates on, yes, his later life. Here, he wonders how much his star has faded, and an old agent encourages him to go on USO tours around the world. Unfortunately, it's a bit too much for Al. and he winds up in the hospital. Fortunately for him, he meets a beautiful nurse and marries her. All the while, he wonders what's next for him, as some people in Hollywood have kicked him to the curb. Fortunately, a lucky booking at a benefit re-connects him to the guy who booked the USO tour, he's now a film producer, and he wants to produce... The Al Jolson Story! and here's the guy to play you.... Larry Parks! So yes, we get the ultra- amazing side screen effect of Larry Parks-As-Jolson meeting Younger- Larry-Parks! (Yes, Parks plays Parks). I don't think I've ever seen this technique used before in a biography. It's very startling. Anyways, Jolson gets a second life after the movie with a radio show, and that's when the show ends. There were little teasers towards the end that led me to beloeve they were setting up for a third one, but obviously that didn't happen. I dunno, you may have to REALLY love Jolson to like this (I myself, run hot and cold on him) and it's somewhat super glossy, but entertaining nevertheless.

Continuing where 'The Jolson Story' left off, this sequel explores a less exciting part of Al Jolson's life, however it is saved from dullness by a great gimmick in the final 25 minutes: depicting the making of 'The Jolson Story', which includes Jolson meeting Larry Parks. It is certainly inferior to the first film, but yet still entertaining whenever Parks performs one of Jolson's tunes…the songs are still great. Although he does not look or sound old enough, Parks still gives it his best too. The film definitely resurrects good memories of the original, without a strong yearning to see something better, which is a good thing. The characters, the acting, the originality, in fact, just about everything was better in 'The Jolson Story', however, even if not quite as involving or as well made, this still passes the test for an adequately amusing piece.