The Jazz Singer

In this controversial backstage story, the struggle between a venerable Cantor and his son playout against the backdrop of 1920s New York jazz. At the height of his career, the Cantor's son is about to star on Broadway when he is suddenly called upon to decide whether he shall sacrifice himself, his career, stardom, the girl he loves, for the duty towards his father and his religion. A major hit of the 1925 season, "The Jazz Singer" was hailed by critics as "tense and stirring." It would go on to run for over 300 performances and was the basis for the first talking motion picture starring Al Jolson who was the inspiration for the original story. Samson Raphaelson was a major playwright, novelist and screenwriter of the Twentieth Century having written the screenplays for such diverse films as "The Shop Around the Corner," "Heaven Can Wait," Alfred Hitchcock's "Suspicion," and the Judy Garland musical "The Harvey Girls."