Al Jolson Rare Vintage Autographed Photo The Jazz Singer




Item History & Price

Information:
Reference Number: Avaluer:931671
Original Description:
Here is a rare vintage original autographed 5" by 7" photo of actor and singer Al Jolson, from the 1940s. Jolson (1886-1950, born Asa Yoelson in Seredzius, Russia, now Lithuania), starred in the first talking picture, Warner Brothers' The Jazz Singer, in 1927. He also starred in Swanee River (1940), appeared as himself in Hollywood Cavalcade (1939) and did the voice over for The Jolson Story (1946). Direct from a 1940s scrapbook. A rare autograph.
Will ship worldwide. I always combi...ne shipping on multiple orders.
Al Jolson was known in the industry as "The World's Greatest Entertainer, " for well over 40 years. After his death his influence continued unabated with such performers as Sammy Davis Jr., Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Jackie Wilson and Jerry Lee Lewis all mentioning him as an inspiration. Jolson was born Asa Yoelson in Lithuania to Cantor Moishe Yoelson, who emigrated alone to Washington, DC, to establish himself. After four years he sent for his family. Nine months later his wife, Naomi, died (apparently during childbirth), which devastated the eight-year-old Asa. Young Al would soon find his outlet in the theater. Soon he was singing with his older brother, Harry, for senators and soldiers. He entertained the troops that were headed for the Spanish-American War.
Jolson's career in vaudeville started with his brother in New York, but never really got off the ground. Different partners allowed Jolson to experiment, but it was as a solo act in San Francisco that he finally hit it big. He was signed eventually by Lew Dockstaders' Minstrels. It is important to note that, although performing in blackface, Dockstader's was not a minstrel show in the traditional sense of the "Tambo and Bones" variety of the previous century. It was a sophisticated, topical, Broadway-style revue. The myth lingers to this day that Jolson was a minstrel. He most certainly was not.
Jolson's stay in vaudeville was relatively short, as his talent was quickly recognized by the Shubert Brothers, who signed him to appear in the opening show of their new Winter Garden Theater on Broadway in April of 1912. Thus began what many consider to be the greatest career in the history of Broadway. Not a headliner initially, Jolson soon became "King of the Winter Garden, " with shows specifically written for him. "Winter Garden" and "Jolson" became synonymous for close to 20 years. During that time Jolson received reviews that have yet to be matched. Audiences shouted, pleaded and often would not allow the show to proceed, such was the power of his presence. At one performance in Boston, the usually staid and conservative Boston audience stopped the show for 45 minutes! He was said to have had an "electric' personality, along with the ability to make each member of the audience believe that he was singing only to them.
In 1927 Jolson starred in the New York-shot The Jazz Singer (1927) and the rest is film history. But just before it was theatrically released, producer, Warner' His appearance in that film, nowadays considered a somewhat creaky, stodgy and primitive museum piece, electrified audiences and caused a sensation. Jolson was bigger than ever and Hollywood came a-calling. However, Jolson on film was a pale version of Jolson on stage. His screen appearances, with some exceptions, are stiff and wooden. Though he continued into the 1930s to star on radio, he was no longer quite the star he had been.
During World War II, Jolson entertained troops in Africa and Sicily but was cut short by a bout of malaria and pneumonia. Always a favorite with audiences, he continued to entertain in the United States when he met his fourth wife, Erle Chenault Galbraith, an x-ray technician.
By the mid-'40s, though. his stardom had faded quite a bit. Columbia Pictures, inspired by the success of Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), decided that a Jolson biography might work as well. In 1946 it released The Jolson Story (1946), with song-and-dance man Larry Parks miming to Jolson's vocals. It was the surprise smash hit of the season and the highest grossing film of the year. Parks received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Jolson was now as big, or bigger, than ever. So successful was the film that Columbia made a sequel, Jolson Sings Again (1949), which remains one of a few biography sequels in film history (Funny Girl/Funny Lady - the story of fellow Winter Garden performer Fannie Brice is another rare example). It was also quite successful at the box office. So big had Jolson's star risen that in 1948, when Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Perry Como were at their peaks, Jolson was voted "The Most Popular Male Vocalist" by a Variety poll.
In 1950, against his doctor's orders, Jolson went to Korea to entertain his favorite audience, American troops. While there his health declined and shortly after his return to the U.S. he suffered a massive heart attack and died.



    Similar items


  • Al Jolson Rare Vintage Autographed Photo The Jazz Singer

    Al Jolson Rare Vintage Autographed Photo The Jazz Singer

  • Martha Vickers Very Rare Vintage Autographed Photo The Big Sleep 1944

    Martha Vickers Very Rare Vintage Autographed Photo The Big Sleep 1944

  • Actor & Singer Larry Parks As " Al Jolson ",  Signed Vintage Studio Photo.

    Actor & Singer Larry Parks As " Al Jolson ", Signed Vintage Studio Photo.

  • Rare Vintage Autographed Photos,  Huntz Hall & Gabriel Dell Of The Bowery Boys

    Rare Vintage Autographed Photos, Huntz Hall & Gabriel Dell Of The Bowery Boys

  • Gene Krupa Very Rare Vintage Autographed Photo Big Band 1940s

    Gene Krupa Very Rare Vintage Autographed Photo Big Band 1940s

  • Warren Hull Rare Early Vintage Autographed Photo The Spider

    Warren Hull Rare Early Vintage Autographed Photo The Spider ' S Web 1950s

  • Olivia De Havilland Rare Vintage Autographed Photo “gone With The Wind”

    Olivia De Havilland Rare Vintage Autographed Photo “gone With The Wind”

  • Virginia Weidler Very Rare Vintage Autographed Photo Philadelphia Story

    Virginia Weidler Very Rare Vintage Autographed Photo Philadelphia Story


    • You might also like


    • Star Wars - Vintage 8x10 Autographed By Alec Guinness And Mark Hamill - Scarce

      Star Wars - Vintage 8x10 Autographed By Alec Guinness And Mark Hamill - Scarce

    • Rare Mary Poppins Signed And Framed Sericel Julie Andrews Dick Van Dyke Disney

      Rare Mary Poppins Signed And Framed Sericel Julie Andrews Dick Van Dyke Disney

    • Peter Cushing - Grand Moff Tarkin,  " Star Wars " - Autographed 8x10 Photograph

      Peter Cushing - Grand Moff Tarkin, " Star Wars " - Autographed 8x10 Photograph

    • Anya Taylor Joy Sexy Autographed Signed 8x10 Photo 2020 - 9

      Anya Taylor Joy Sexy Autographed Signed 8x10 Photo 2020 - 9

    • Mitzi Gaynor South Pacific Show Business Leggy Hand Signed Autographed Photo

      Mitzi Gaynor South Pacific Show Business Leggy Hand Signed Autographed Photo

    • John James - Signed Autograph Movie Still - Dynasty

      John James - Signed Autograph Movie Still - Dynasty

    • Vintage Elizabeth Montgomery Hand Signed Autographed 4 X 6 Card In Person W/coa

      Vintage Elizabeth Montgomery Hand Signed Autographed 4 X 6 Card In Person W/coa

    • Steve Reeves Signed Autographed 8x10 Vintage Photo,  Morgan The Pirate

      Steve Reeves Signed Autographed 8x10 Vintage Photo, Morgan The Pirate

Avaluer          About Us          Privacy Policy          Contact Us          UP
© 2022, avaluer.net, Inc. or its affiliates