Word: jolson
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After having been skilfully battered into the most odious of film categories, the movie biography has had its face lifted by Columbia in "The Jolson Story," and emerges almost unrecognizable and completely vindicated. Jolson himself recorded the songs, and he still packs more life, rhythm, and excitement, note for note, than any other singer around. Combined with Larry Parks' delivery, which old-time Broadwayites claim to be phenomenally like that of the man who was the biggest boxoffice draw of his times, Jolson's voice accounts for the excellence of about half the picture...
...Jolson Story (Columbia...
...Floaters-famed entertainers with no radio shows of their own (Al Jolson, Tallulah Bankhead, Bea Lillie) who don't mind picking up a few grand on someone else's. Jolson is currently the most-hitched-to star in radio. He recently upped Bing Crosby's Hooper 4.9 points, boosted Eddie Cantor's a full 5. Offered a show of his own, Jolson declined: he can make too much money guesting-with no worries over script and sponsor. At week's end, Jolson signed for ten appearances on the Crosby show next fall-$50,000 guaranteed...
...Fabulous Dorseys (Charles R. Rogers; United Artists), a not so fabulously good movie, is another in the biographical series on U.S. musicmakers (Till the Clouds Roll By, Night & Day, The Jolson Story, etc.). As the Dorsey parents, Sara Allgood and Arthur Shields turn empty roles into sincere performances, and brothers Jimmy and Tommy manage to impersonate themselves without noticeable strain. But there is no mention of the expensive Frank Sinatra, who once sang for Tommy (1939-42). And the famed Dorsey feud, which absorbs a good deal of the story, finally becomes as tedious...
Bing Crosby Show (Wed. 10 p.m., ABC). The Old Master entertains Older Master Al Jolson...