Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- sincere
- nostalgic
- melodramatic
- classic cinema viewing
- film history study
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as an important early sound musical with Al Jolson's charismatic performance, though its melodramatic storytelling and dated racial material complicate its legacy.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jakie rejects five generations of cantorial tradition in favor of jazz, ragtime, and a Broadway career.
Jakie leaves the Rabinowitz household, adopts the name Jack Robin, and must reconcile his career with his parents.
Warner Bros. and Vitaphone use synchronized sound and musical performance as defining attractions in a landmark 1927 production.
The film builds around Jolson's live-performance persona, Broadway aspirations, and staged jazz and ragtime numbers.
Films like The Jazz Singer, and why
42nd Street
early backstage musical centered on an entertainer balancing artistic ambition, family expectations, and romance
A Star Is Born
classic musical melodrama about show-business aspiration, performance, and personal sacrifice
The Broadway Melody
black-and-white musical drama connecting family conflict, cultural identity, and a performer's public career
Movie Details
- Director
- Alan Crosland
- Release Date
- 1927-10-06
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (259)
Cast
- Al Jolson
- May McAvoy
- Warner Oland
- Eugenie Besserer
- Otto Lederer
- Robert Gordon
- Richard Tucker
- Yossele Rosenblatt
- William Demarest
- John Miljan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Jazz Singer about?
- A cantor’s rebellious son pursues jazz stardom while struggling to preserve his bond with the Jewish family tradition he left behind.
- What is The Jazz Singer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Jazz Singer as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Jazz Singer violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Jazz Singer.
- What did critics think of The Jazz Singer?
- Critics broadly regard it as an important early sound musical with Al Jolson's charismatic performance, though its melodramatic storytelling and dated racial material complicate its legacy.
- Which films are like The Jazz Singer?
- Films with a similar feel include 42nd Street, A Star Is Born, and The Broadway Melody.
- How long is The Jazz Singer?
- The Jazz Singer runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Jazz Singer?
- In United States, The Jazz Singer streams on Artiflix.
