IMDb >
The Jazz Singer (1980)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe Jazz Singer (1980) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos (see all 2) |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
19 December 1980 (USA)
more
Tagline:
His story will make you cry. His music will make you sing. His triumph will make you cheer. more
Plot:
The son of a Jewish Cantor must defy his father in order to pursue his dream of being a pop singer. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Golden Globes.
Another 3 wins
&
4 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
Norah Jones 'sad for Amy Winehouse'
(From digitalspy. 9 November 2009, 7:06 AM, PST)
Jamie Cullum: 'Stars like my covers'
(From digitalspy. 9 November 2009, 5:35 AM, PST)
(From digitalspy. 9 November 2009, 7:06 AM, PST)
Jamie Cullum: 'Stars like my covers'
(From digitalspy. 9 November 2009, 5:35 AM, PST)
User Comments:
What's the Deal? Need more NEIL!
more (52 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Neil Diamond | ... | Jess Robin |
 | Laurence Olivier | ... | Cantor Rabinovitch |
 | Lucie Arnaz | ... | Molly Bell |
| Catlin Adams | ... | Rivka Rabinovitch |
| Franklyn Ajaye | ... | Bubba |
 | Paul Nicholas | ... | Keith Lennox |
| Sully Boyar | ... | Eddie Gibbs |
| Mike Kellin | ... | Leo |
| James Booth | ... | Paul Rossini |
| Luther Waters | ... | Teddy |
| Oren Waters | ... | Mel |
| Rod Gist | ... | Timmy |
| Walter Janovitz | ... | Rabbi Birnbaum (as Walter Janowitz) |
| Janet Brandt | ... | Aunt Tillie |
 | John Witherspoon | ... | M.C. Cinderella Club |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
115 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Near the end of the shoot, Neil Diamond was having trouble with the scene where he storms into the recording booth in a rage and has a heated argument with the Lucie Arnaz character. During a break, Richard Fleischer looked into the glass of the recording stage and saw Diamond going berserk, smashing everything in sight. Fleischer quickly yelled action, Diamond burst into the recording booth in an absolute fury, and pulled off the scene. After yelling cut, Fleischer asked him just what happened. Diamond explained that he felt so bad he wasn't able to pull off the scene, he asked his band to play something that would make him mad - which was a Barry Manilow number.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Jess' father comes to visit him in California and they walk into the apartment, Jess never shuts the door completely. Later when Molly comes home, we hear the sound of the door opening.
more
Quotes:
Molly Bell:
I'm with Keith Lennox productions. Molly. Molly Bell. That's what they call me. My real name is a lot longer.
Yussel Rabinovitch: So's mine.
Molly Bell: Belengocavela?
Yussel Rabinovitch: Rabinovitch?
Molly Bell: Oh. That's not bad.
more
Yussel Rabinovitch: So's mine.
Molly Bell: Belengocavela?
Yussel Rabinovitch: Rabinovitch?
Molly Bell: Oh. That's not bad.
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in "The Simpsons: Like Father, Like Clown (#3.6)" (1991)
more
Soundtrack:
Hine Mah Tove
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (52 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Jazz Singer (1980) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Jazz Singer | The Jazz Singer | Madonna: Truth or Dare | Purple Rain | Sunshine |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
Okay... all these submissions below? Ignore them. Here's the real scoop.
The biggest problem most folks have with this film is that they're comparing the two male leads' acting ability. BIG MISTAKE.
One is Neil Diamond-- one of the greatest singers of all time. The other is Sir Laurence Olivier-- one of the greatest ACTORS of all time. Think of it this way: if Sir Larry accompanied Neil in a recording of "Cherry, Cherry"-- people would rave about Neil's performance, but then spend an hour going on about how much Olivier sucks.
The fact is this: neither of them suck. Everything is great! Neil Diamond is a fine actor. (Not an AMAZING actor, mind you... but a fine actor.) He'd even beaten out Dustin Hoffman for the role of Lenny Bruce in "Lenny", but turned it down... leaving the door open for Hoffman.
I made the mistake of reading all of the below jeers and whines about Neil Diamond's "terrible acting performance" in this movie. I then watched it over at my girlfriend's house with very low expectations. But I was very impressed, and greatly enjoyed the film. Granted, there are some times when Neil's performance isn't exactly as dramatic as it should be... (i.e., when his father shrieks "I HAVE NO SON!!", Neil doesn't exactly seem to be heartbroken.) But then, there are times when he manifests a great deal of emotional power... especially in the scenes where he gets angry.
Okay, so I'm a huge Neil Diamond fan, yes. I love his music, and I think it's cool that he's had a lead in a major motion picture. BUT-- from an acting perspective, he has my respect. From one actor to another. (YES, I consider him an "actor" too... and so does the IMDb.)
I only have two complaints: one is that this is the only movie he's been in until Saving Silverman-- where he had just a cameo. That sucks. I want to see Neil in more movies.
The other complaint is what everyone else doesn't like: "The Jazz Singer". AL JOLSON sung Jazz. NEIL DIAMOND sings Pop. Soooooo... couldn't it have been called "The Pop Singer", and had an addition in the credits that read, "Based on 'The Jazz Singer' by Al Jolson" or something?
Anyway... the music is great, (even "Love on the Rocks"-- and I'm not a big ballad fan... as they depress me. But I can't dislike a Neil song.) the movie is a great story, and the acting is FINE. Watch it. If you're a fan of Neil's, or even just a fan of 20+ year old movies that have good stories.... check out "The Jazz Singer".
--and by the way.... neil diamond rules. thank you.