The Jazz Singer (1952 film)
The Jazz Singer is a 1952 remake of the famous 1927 talking picture The Jazz Singer. It starred Danny Thomas, Peggy Lee, and Eduard Franz, and was nominated for an Oscar for best musical score. The film follows about the same storyline as the version starring Al Jolson. It was also distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
| The Jazz Singer | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Curtiz |
| Produced by | Louis F. Edelman |
| Written by | Samson Raphaelson (play) Frank Davis Leonard Stern Lewis Meltzer |
| Starring | Danny Thomas Peggy Lee |
| Music by | Ray Heindorf Max Steiner |
| Cinematography | Carl E. Guthrie |
| Edited by | Alan Crosland, Jr. |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $2 million (US)[1] |
Plot summary
As Jerry Golding (a young Korean War veteran) scales the heights of show business, he breaks the heart of his father, who had hoped that Jerry would instead follow in the footsteps of six consecutive generations of cantors in their family. Sorrowfully, Cantor David Golding reads the Kaddish service, indicating that, so far as he is concerned, his son is dead. A tearful reconciliation occurs when Jerry dutifully returns to sing the "Kol Nidre" in his ailing father's absence.
Production
Eduard Franz, who played the role of the aged and ailing cantor battling his son, would go on to reprise his role in the television version of the story starring Jerry Lewis that would be broadcast just seven years later in 1959.
Main cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Danny Thomas | Jerry Golding |
| Peggy Lee | Judy Lane |
| Eduard Franz | Cantor David Golding |
| Mildred Dunnock | Mrs. Ruth Golding |
| Alex Gerry | Uncle Louis |
| Allyn Joslyn | George Miller |
| Tom Tully | McGurney |
References
- "The Top Box Office Hits of 1953", Variety, January 13, 1954
