JOLSON SINGS AGAIN

Jolson Sings Again
Columbia, 1949, Color, 96 minutes, ***½
Released August, 1949

The original film, The Jolson Story was such a huge success that a sequel was inevitable. And this is one of those rare cases where the sequel is just about as good as the original. Very entertaining film with some great singing by one of the most beloved singing stars of all time. Larry Parks is outstanding as Jolson!

"This is the rest of the story of Jolson -- the man who loved to sing... who loved only that -- until he met and married a girl named Julie.
But the love to sing remained stronger -- and so obscured his life with Julie that one day she told him - a man with two loves can't keep both.
He chose her and and quit the show world.
Then one evening -- long afterwards - at a night club party - the crowd recognized him and yelled for a song.
And as he sang, Julie saw the old spell come over him - and knew that singing was all he really wanted.
And while he was still singing -- she got up quietly - walked out of that night club -- and out of his life."

Written and Produced by: Sidney Buchman
Directed by: Henry Levin
Assistant Director: Milton Feldman
Screenplay: Sidney Buchman
Musical Score: George Duning
Orchestrations: Larry Russell
Musical Director: Morris Stoloff
Songs Staged by: Audrene Brier
Music Advisor: Saul Chaplin
Set Director: Walter Holscher
Set Decorator: William Kiernan
Gowns by: Jean Louis
Makeup by: Clay Campbell
Hair Styles by: Helen Hunt
Recording: Dialogue: George Cooper, Music: Philip Faulkner
Re-recording: Richard Olson
Director of Photography: William Snyder
Montage Director: Lawrence W. Butler
Color by Technicolor
Technicolor Color Director: Natalie Kalmus
Associate: Francis Cugat
Film Editor: William Lyon

Awards: Academy Award nominations for Best Story and Screenplay (Sidney Buchman), Best Color Cinematography (William Snyder) and Best Score - Musical (Morris Stoloff and George Duning)

Cast: Larry Parks [Al Jolson], Barbara Hale [Ellen Clark], William Demarest [Steve Martin], Ludwig Donath [Cantor Yoelson], Bill Goodwin [Tom Baron], Myron McCormick [Ralph Bryant], Tamara Shayne [Mama Yoelson], Eric Wilton [Henry], Robert Emmett Keane [Charlie], Frank McLure [Man], Jock Mahoney [Man], Betty Hill [Woman], Marjorie Stapp [Nurse], Nelson Leigh [Theater Manager], Virginia Mullen [Mrs. Bryant], Philip Faulkner Jr. [Sound Mixer], Morris Stoloff [Orchestra Leader], Helen Mowery [Script Girl], Michael Cisney [Writer], Ben Erway [Writer], Martin Garralaga [Mr. Estrada], Dick Cogan [Soldier], Peter Brocco [Captain of Waiters], Al Jolson [singing voice of Al Jolson]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture: Rock-A-Bye Your Baby (With a Dixie Melody) (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:01] Rock-A-Bye Your Baby (With a Dixie Melody) (excerpt sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [0:06] Is It True What They Say About Dixie? (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [0:08] For Me and My Gal (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [0:16] Jewish Hymn (sung by Cantor Yoelson); [0:23] Back in Your Own Backyard (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [0:28] Medley / Monatage: I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover / When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob Bobbin' Along / Give My Regards to Broadway / Chinatown, My Chinatown / I'm Just Wild About Harry (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [0:41] Baby Face (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [0:45] After You've Gone (excerpt sung by Al Jolson behind montage); [0:59] I Only Have Eyes for You (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [1:04] Sonny Boy (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [1:16] Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks at recording session); [1:17] Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye (excerpt sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [1:20] California Here I Come / You Made Me Love You (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [1:24] Let Me Sing and I'm Happy (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [1:25] Ma Blushin' Rosie (Ma Rosie Sweet) (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [1:26] My Mammy (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [1:27] Montage / medley: Swanee / The Spaniard That Blighted My Life (with Chorus) / California Here I Come / About a Quarter to Nine / Anniversary Song / Waiting for the Robert E. Lee / April Showers (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [1:31] Pretty Baby / Carolina in the Morning (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks); [1:33] Rock-A-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody (sung by Al Jolson dubbing for Larry Parks)