Don't get me wrong. This is still a good film. Pretty average for a bio-pic, and as with most sequels, it doesn't come up to the level of "The Jolson Story"...but it's still enjoyable and finishes a highly fabricated version of Jolson's life. Little did they know that had they delayed the film a year, they'd have told the Jolson story from start to finish.
The best scene of the film is when Jolson returns to Washington after his mother dies, and Jolson and his father have a brief heart-to-heart.
It is very true that Jolson became a tireless performance for the USO during World War II, and that is a big part of this picture. In fact, health issues related to his World War II and Korean War performances appear to have figured in his ultimate demise.
Larry parks continues his bravura performance as Al Jolson; William Demarest is again along as Jolson's manager, and although not in as many scenes this time around, it's still one of his best roles. Ludwig Donath is back again as Jolson's father, and again, it is a charming performance. Barbara Hale (of Perry Mason fame) is the love interest this time, and she was enjoyable on screen...Arkansas accent and all.
It is clever the way they meld the making of "The Jolson Story" within "Jolson Sings Again".
It's a decent followup to "The Jolson Story", but not quite as good as that original. It's too bad the film can't bring up the final year of Jolson's life, including his wonderful appearances with Bing Crosby.
Sadly, not long after this film was made, Larry Parks got caught up in the Blacklisting with the Red Scare and was only rarely seen after that. I guess the consolation was that his performances in the two Jolson films could probably not have been done better by anyone; truly fine performances that are near iconic.
The best scene of the film is when Jolson returns to Washington after his mother dies, and Jolson and his father have a brief heart-to-heart.
It is very true that Jolson became a tireless performance for the USO during World War II, and that is a big part of this picture. In fact, health issues related to his World War II and Korean War performances appear to have figured in his ultimate demise.
Larry parks continues his bravura performance as Al Jolson; William Demarest is again along as Jolson's manager, and although not in as many scenes this time around, it's still one of his best roles. Ludwig Donath is back again as Jolson's father, and again, it is a charming performance. Barbara Hale (of Perry Mason fame) is the love interest this time, and she was enjoyable on screen...Arkansas accent and all.
It is clever the way they meld the making of "The Jolson Story" within "Jolson Sings Again".
It's a decent followup to "The Jolson Story", but not quite as good as that original. It's too bad the film can't bring up the final year of Jolson's life, including his wonderful appearances with Bing Crosby.
Sadly, not long after this film was made, Larry Parks got caught up in the Blacklisting with the Red Scare and was only rarely seen after that. I guess the consolation was that his performances in the two Jolson films could probably not have been done better by anyone; truly fine performances that are near iconic.