New Pictures: Oct. 17, 1927

The Jazz Singer. Two seasons ago Manhattan and other cities witnessed approvingly the theatrical tale of a Jewish boy who wanted to go on the stage instead of into his church. His orthodox old father fumed gently, having trained him for a cantor. But circumstance and the boy's yearning for the footlights made him in the end a singer of jazz for the world that lives at night. George Jessel, a jazz singer from revue and vaudeville, played the part and made his name as a straight actor. But in making the picture Mr. Jessel was passed over in favor of the man whom so many worship as their greatest entertainer, Al Jolson. It is Mr. Jolson's first picture and as such of great import to the history of the current theatre. In no other way but pictures can his genius be preserved; and in this he is favored with the double preservative of picture and mechanical voice reproduction. The Vitaphone permits him to talk and sing his way through the sentimental mazes of the movie adaptation. He is a good actor; but he is a very great singer of popular songs. In cities where the Vitaphone can be installed and reproduce his voice this picture will eminently repay attendance. It is doubtful if the straight picture version in smaller theatres will carry much interest down the byways where they crave Bebe Daniels but never heard the name of Jolson.