Al Jolson: The Voice That Changed Hollywood
How a Trailblazing Performer Shaped the Future of Film, Music, and American Entertainment
Today, I want to talk about a superstar and pioneer in the entertainment world - a man who deserves to be as revered as his friend Charlie Chaplin. Though he’s been gone for nearly three-quarters of a century, Al Jolson still occasionally appears on classic movie channels like Turner Classic Movies. His recordings and The Jolson Story (1946) are available online, but in my opinion, this limited visibility is far too little for a man who had such a profound influence on show business in the first half of the twentieth century.
Jolson didn’t just star in The Jazz Singer, the first talking picture; he made audiences believe in the future of sound in film. In his iconic monologue where he speaks to his mother, he captured hearts and helped convince moviegoers and studio executives alike that talking pictures were here to stay.
It was incredibly fortunate that The Jazz Singer was made in 1927. At that time, it would be nearly two years before all-talking films became the industry standard in the U.S. This was a crucial window of opportunity, one that would have closed if not seized. The transition to sound was expensive and risky, but during the booming economy of the late 1920s, studios were willing to take the leap. After the 1929 stock market crash, however, that kind of investment would have been unthinkable.
Had Jolson not succeeded when he did, the widespread adoption of sound might have been delayed until after the Great Depression, or even after World War II. By then, film would have been competing with the rise of television. Talking pictures only gained a 15-year head start because of Jolson's timing, which gave them the momentum to become a cultural mainstay. Moreover, many stage actors who were skeptical of silent film were only drawn to the medium once sound was introduced.
Yet, Jolson’s legacy goes far beyond The Jazz Singer. He made over 200 recordings between 1911 and 1950, starred in thirteen films (nine as the lead), and delivered unforgettable performances on Broadway. He was also a major radio personality throughout the 1930s and again in the late 1940s after The Jolson Story reignited interest in his career. He appeared regularly on the shows of Bob Hope, Jack Benny, and Bing Crosby, showcasing his incredible range as both a singer and a comedian.
When the U.S. entered World War I, Jolson was at the forefront of war bond drives, helping raise millions for the cause. Though he planned to go overseas in November 1918, the Armistice changed those plans. Decades later, during World War II, Jolson - then in his late 50s - was among the first entertainers to travel overseas with the USO. From 1942 to 1944, he performed for troops in Alaska, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
While in Italy, Jolson contracted malignant malaria and had to be evacuated to the U.S., where part of his lung was removed during emergency surgery. He remained in critical condition for months, and for a time it was uncertain whether he would live to record the vocals for The Jolson Story. But he did recover, recording the film’s songs and even dancing down the runway for the performance of “Swanee”, his final appearance in film.
The Jolson Story was a major hit and catapulted him back to the top, briefly eclipsing stars like Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, and his friend Bing Crosby. He was given his own radio program again, made a sequel (Jolson Sings Again, 1949), and even experimented with television.
When the Korean War began in June 1950, Jolson, despite doctors’ warnings, traveled to South Korea and performed 42 shows in just 14 days, many of them while battling bronchitis. A month after returning home, he died of a massive heart attack on October 23, 1950. For his bravery and dedication, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Harry S. Truman.
Jolson’s influence stretched far beyond his own generation. Rock and roll pioneers like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Bobby Darin all praised him. Aretha Franklin, Sammy Davis Jr., and David Bowie cited him as an inspiration. Judy Garland and Doris Day were also fans, with Garland even dedicating entire performances to his music in the 1950s and '60s.
I believe Al Jolson deserves a Lifetime Achievement Grammy to recognize his extraordinary contributions to the recording industry. Songwriters like George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, and Sigmund Romberg considered it a privilege to have their songs introduced by Jolson. He helped make classics like “Swanee” and “All Alone” household staples. The songwriting trio of Brown, De Sylva, and Henderson, known for hits like “Sonny Boy” and “Little Pal,” saw their songs brought to life by Jolson in emotional performances that left audiences in tears.
To keep his legacy alive, it’s time for a new biopic or even a cable miniseries like the one recently made for Cary Grant - something that delves deeper into the complexity of a man who lived to perform. Al Jolson was not just a great entertainer; he was a cultural innovator who helped shape the modern entertainment industry. It's time we remembered him accordingly.
