This musical captures on stage the story of America's greatest entertainer during his years as a star in the 1920s and his comeback in the 1940s. While Al Jolson recalls colorful moments from his life during an interview, two actors play all of the other characters, including some show business luminaries and his wives, Ruby Keeler among them. The vivid memories his mother, vaudeville, Broadway, feature films and five marriages together with unforgettable renditions of "Swanee," "You Made Me Love You," "Sonny Boy," "California Here I Come," "April Showers," "Mammy" and other Jolson standards made this sparkling bio musical a hit Off-Broadway and in London.
Al Jolson, star of the world's first talking picture and self-proclaimed world's greatest entertainer, blazed many trails through show business. He was also the first to appear on American television and the first to release a long-playing record in Britain.
With a sure eye for the revealing anecdote, Goldman chronicles each step of Al Jolson's colorful life: his early struggles with his brother, Harry, on the vaudeville and burlesque circuit; his rise to stardom on Broadway, which prompted a Variety writer to proclaim, "The Shuberts may run the Winter Garden, but Al Jolson owns it"; his glory at the pinnacle of national fame, which came with his appearances in the movies The Jazz Singer (the first "talking picture") and The Singing Fool; his subsequent decline and brief resurgence after the film biography The Jolson Story was released in 1946; and his final round of appearances in 1950, entertaining American troops in Korea just before his death. Goldman explores the complexities of the Jolson personality, as revealed in his four stormy marriages and his relations with his family, business associates, friends, and enemies.
Provides a sketch of the life and a comprehensive record of the career of "The World's Greatest Entertainer" (c.1886-1950). Following a 37- page biography and an 8-page chronology, are chapters devoted to Jolson's stage, film, recording, and broadcast career. Each of these chapters contains annotated entries for Jolson's performances. A bibliography includes entries for books, periodicals, and newspaper articles. Appendices list stage shows based on Jolson's life, along with newsreels, cartoons, awards, and endorsements related to his career. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.
From 1905 to the crash of 1929, Sam Shubert (1874-1905) and his brothers Lee (1874-1953) and J. J. (1878-1963), despite poor beginnings and near-illiteracy, created a theater monopoly unrivaled in history. Their ruthless business tactics and showmanship made 42nd Street the heart of American popular theater and won them the most sought-after stars of the day, including Al Jolson, Carmen Miranda, Eddie Cantor, Fanny Brice, Mae West, and Fred Astaire.
Irresistible and authoritative, The Movie Musical! is an in-depth look at the singing, dancing, happy-making world of Hollywood musicals, beautifully illustrated in color and black-and-white--an essential text for anyone who's ever laughed, cried, or sung along at the movies. Leading film historian Jeanine Basinger reveals, with her trademark wit and zest, the whole story of the Hollywood musical--in the most telling, most incisive, most detailed, most gorgeously illustrated book of her long and remarkable career. From Fred Astaire, whom she adores, to La La Land, which she deplores, Basinger examines a dazzling array of stars, strategies, talents, and innovations in the history of musical cinema. Whether analyzing a classic Gene Kelly routine, relishing a Nelson-Jeanette operetta, or touting a dynamic hip hop number (in the underrated Idlewild), she is a canny and charismatic guide to the many ways that song and dance have been seen--and heard--on film. With extensive portraits of everyone from Al Jolson, the Jazz Singer; to Doris Day, whose iconic sunniness has overshadowed her dramatic talents; from Deanna Durbin, that lovable teen-star of the '30s and '40s; to Shirley T. and Judy G.; from Bing to Frank to Elvis; from Ann Miller to Ann-Margret; from Disney to Chicago . . . focusing on many beloved, iconic films (Top Hat; Singin' in the Rain; Meet Me in St. Louis; The Sound of Music) as well as unduly obscure gems (Eddie Cantor's Whoopee!; Murder at the Vanities; Sun Valley Serenade; One from the Heart), this book is astute, informative, and pure pleasure to read.
Bundle containing: The Turner Chronicles by Mark Eller The Mark of a Druid by Rhonda Carpenter God Wars by Mark Eller & EA Draper Lure by Brian Rathbone
