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Al Jolson was known in the industry as "The World's Greatest Entertainer," for well over 40 years. During that time such performers as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and many others spoke of Jolson in this way. After his death his influence continued unabated with such performers as Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Jackie Wilson and Jerry Lee Lewis, all mentioning Jolson as an inspiration. Al Jolson was born Asa Yoelson in Lithuania to Cantor Moishe Yoelson who emigrated alone to Washington DC. to establish himself. After four years he called for his family. Nine months later his wife, Naomi, died (apparently in childbirth) which devastated the 8 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 is was as a single in San Francisco that Jolson finally hit it big. He was signed eventually by Lew Dockstaders' Minstrels. It is important to note that, although performing in blackface, Docstader'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. It is not so.
Jolson's stay in vaudeville was relatively short as his talent, recognized by the Shubert Brothers, was signed by them to appear in the opening show of their new Winter Garden Theater on Broadway in April of 1912. Thus began the greatest career in the illustrious 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. This lasted 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 Jolson's presence. At one performance in Boston, the usual staid and conservative 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 Jazz Singer (1927) and the rest is film history. His appearance in that film, now at best a museum piece, electrified audiences and caused a sensation. Jolson was bigger than ever and the lure of Hollywood beckoned.
Jolson on film was a pale ghost of the stage Jolson. 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 WW II Jolson entertained troops in Africa and Sicily but was cut short by a bout of malaria and pneumonia. Always a favorite audience, he continued to entertain in the States when he met his fourth wife, Erle Galbraith, an x-ray technician.
His stardom somewhat fading, Columbia Pictures, inspired by the success of "Yankee Doodle Dandy," decided a Jolson biography might work as well. In 1946 Columbia released The Jolson Story (1946), starring Larry Parks miming to Jolson's vocals. It was the surprise smash hit of the season, 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 decided to make a sequel, Jolson Sings Again (1949), which remains the only biography sequel in film history. It was also quite successful at the box office. So big had Jolson's star risen that in 1948, when Crosby, Sinatra, and Como were at their peak, Jolson was voted "The Most Popular Male Vocalist" by a Variety poll.
In 1950 and against 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.
Jolson's legacy has suffered enormously since the 1960s. Few under the age of 50 even know his name and those who do were taught that he was a "white man who made millions making fun of black people." In an age of political correctness, blackface is seen as a racial slur and so all who ever employed it bigots. This is, of course, specious reasoning. In fact, blackface had long lost its pejorative racial implications by the turn of the century and became a convention of theater. Many stars, including Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Eddie Cantor, George Burns, and many black stars of the time, used blackface. There was no bigotry attached to it. And so, the man who was the king of Broadway for nearly 40 years, is now largely forgotten or misunderstood, and there is no plaque or statue or even sign anywhere on Broadway to honor him.
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IMDb mini-biography by
Joseph Ciolino
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Spouse
Erle Chennault Galbraith (24 March 1945 - 23 October 1950) (his death) 2 children
Ruby Keeler (21 September 1928 - 26 December 1939) (divorced) 1 adopted child
Ethel Delmar (18 August 1922 - 19 April 1926) (divorced)
Henrietta Keller (20 September 1907 - 26 June 1919) (divorced)
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Trivia
His life story is told in the stage show "Jolson" on the West End stage starring Brian Conley.
Interred at Hillside Memorial Park, Culver City, California, USA.
Adopted children (with Erle): Asa Jr (b.1948), Alicia (b.1949) Adopted son (with Ruby): Al Jr (b.1935)
His life story told in 1999 musical "Jolson & Co", premiered off Broadway; York Theater Company production.
Wrote the theme song for the 1920 Harding-Coolidge Republican campaign, "Harding, You're the Man for Us!"
Died while playing cards in his suite at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.
Brother of Vaudville entertainer Harry Jolson [1884-1952]
Host of NBC Radio's "The Shell Chateau Hour" (1935).
In a recently released 1918 draft card, Jolson gives his name as "Albert Jolson."
Has one of the most elaborate burial sites in the USA. It is so large that it can be seen from the 405 (San Diego Freeway) in Culver City. The memorial which is central to the entire park consists of a large canopy supported by six enormous white stone columns with a series of terraced blue tiled cascading waterfalls. Beneath the canopy is Mr. Jolson's black marble sarcophagus and to the side a three foot bronzed statue of the entertainer which is in his famous kneeling position - the "Mammy pose". The ceiling of the canopy has a large mosaic of Moses holding the Ten Commandments. Cascading next to the waterfalls various flowers, shrubs and trees enhance this already magnificent burial site. There is also a marble meditation bench where you can sit and take in the breathtaking splendor of the Jolson memorial as well as the beautifully manicured grounds of Hillside Memorial Park.
First music artist to sell over 10 million copies
Played a critical part in the film careers of James Cagney and Joan Blondell. Jolson owned the rights to Marie Baumer's play, "Penny Arcade" and insisted that Warner Brothers retain the two lead actors in the film version, retitled Sinners' Holiday (1930). Ironically, Cagney would never meet his benefactor, although he later starred with his then-wife, Ruby Keeler in Footlight Parade (1933).
Personal quotes:
"You ain't heard nothing yet"
"I'll tell you when I'm going to play the palace. That's when Eddie Cantor and George Burns and Groucho Marx and Jack Benny are on the bill. I'm going to buy out the whole house, and sit in the middle of the orchestra and say: Slaves, entertain the king!"
(Reported last words): "Oh, God, this is it! I'm going!"
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