The story unfolds when Jolson comes out of retirement and heads back to Broadway, only to find that the music styles of the day have changed, and Minstrel Jazz no longer pulls an audience. Discouraged, Jolson turns to his friend and manager, (William Demarest)who enlists him to entertain troops in the war. During this, Jolson falls ill and has to have a kidney out. He then meets, and marries a beautiful army nurse, (Barbara Hale) who encourages Jolson, to sing again.

Whilst entertaining a crowd, an old friend of Jolson's decides to make a movie about him. Jollie doesn't think too well of this, but agrees. (It is quite confusing watching Larry Parks playing Jolson, teaching Larry Parks, to play Jolson! And, to have the real Jolson as a cameo, watching all this!)

But, the film is completed,and on the opening night, Jolson (Larry Parks playing Jolson!) can't watch the film for he is nervous that this won't pull an audience. So, he stuffs himslef with popcorn and calm pills, and beomes sick! But, he pulls himself together for the finale of the film and he watches as the audience turns into an uproar of applauses. Jolson sang again!

Something which I find confusing is the finale of the film. Not 'Jolson Sings Again', but in Jolson Sings Again, when everybody is watching 'The Jolson Story.' The ending of the film they are watching, is different to the actual ending!

But, I'd buy this film if you have the first one, or even if you have not got it, buy them both!

You need this if you are a Jolson fan.
Review date: 2004-04-22 Rating: 10 out of 10

These two films are probably the most perfect screen bio/musicals ever. Massive 'feel good' factor, total disregard for the actual facts and lots of songs. In 'Jolson Sings Again' the Jolson character is given a line something like "Never mind the facts . . ." when briefing the scriptwriters of the "Jolson Story" and boy did they succeed! A look at the later biographies is revealing. The 'blackface' seems to offend some modern sensibilities but should be seen in the context of the era the film portrays I doubt if there will ever be an objective view on this nowadays.
As has been said before Larry Parks does an unbelievably fine job but the voice of the mature Jolson coming coming from the young Jolson in the early part of the film seems a bit odd. Mind you some of the early Jolson recordings seem a bit odd. There seem to be a few die-hard Jolson fans around I guess their enthusiasms must have started with this film - try it.

Jolson Story, The / Jolson Sings Again
Review date: 2004-03-18 Rating: 10 out of 10

I watched this movie years ago when I was a boy and wanted to own it on dvd. It is just as good as I remember, the songs and Larry Prks plays the part so well. My children watched also and although their nine and eleven they watch it whenever they get the chance and konw all the songs. they also want me to buy Al Jolson CD's.

Great music and great nostalgia ... a must-see
Review date: 2003-12-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

Like just about every other Hollywood "biography" of the period these two films manage to wander quite a bit from the truth. Who cares? The music is just wonderful and these flawlessly restored prints are marvellous. Great colour and great sound. I bought these two separately and felt they were worth every penny but having them rolled up into one collection is an even better deal. I can watch these over and over again and enjoy Larry Park's Oscar-nominated (and much deserved) performance time after time. Jolson re-recorded all his great hits for these films and the quality of his voice was actually said to have improved over his earlier recordings, despite singing 4 notes lower than when he performed them originally. These movies are all about the music and there's lots and lots of that to enjoy. The first of the films: "The Jolson Story" was the top selling film of 1946. No surprise. Do yourself a favour ... if you've any appetite at all for these great old songs buy this set and let any lack of accuracy in his life story roll off your back. This is pure musical entertainment at a very high level.

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