The Jazz Singer (1980 film)
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| The Jazz Singer | |
|---|---|
 original movie poster for The Jazz Singer |
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| Directed by | Richard Fleischer Sidney J. Furie |
| Produced by | Jerry Leider |
| Written by | Herbert Baker |
| Starring | Neil Diamond Laurence Olivier Lucie Arnaz |
| Music by | Gilbert Bécaud Neil Diamond Leonard Rosenman Richard Bennett Alan E. Lindgren |
| Cinematography | Isidore Mankofsky |
| Editing by | Frank J. Urioste Maury Winetrobe |
| Distributed by | Associated Film Distribution |
| Release date(s) | December 19, 1980 |
| Running time | 115 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The Jazz Singer was a 1980 musical remake of the 1927 classic, The Jazz Singer. It starred Neil Diamond, Lucie Arnaz and Laurence Olivier, and was co-directed by Richard Fleischer and Sidney J. Furie. Ironically, Neil Diamond was nominated for both the Best Actor and Worst Actor awards for his role, though he only won the latter.
Although the film wasn't a big hit, the soundtrack was enormously successful, eventually reaching platinum.
Taglines:
- His story will make you cry. His music will make you sing. His triumph will make you cheer.
- Sometimes you have to risk it all...
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[edit] Plot summary
Yussel Rabinovitch is a young Jewish cantor performing at the synagogue of his imperious father. Yussel is married and has settled down to a life of religious devotion to the teaching of his faith. But on the side, he writes songs for a black singing group, and when a member of the quartet takes ill, Yussel covers for him at one of their gigs by wearing blackface. The nightclub engagement is such a success that Yussel abandons his family — and his father's synagogue — and leaves his New York City home for Los Angeles, hoping to break into the music business. Almost immediately, he is spotted by spunky agent Molly Bell, who books him as an opening act for a touring comic. Yussel hits it big but his father resents Yussel's forsaking their traditional Jewish ways. His father disowns him, rending his garments and bellowing, "I have no son!"
[edit] Main cast
- Neil Diamond - Yussel Rabinovitch
- 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
[edit] Awards and nominations
- Nominated: Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Neil Diamond)
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture (Lucie Arnaz)
- Nominated: Best Original Song ("Love on the Rocks" {Neil Diamond- Gilbert Becaud})
- ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
- Won: Most Performed Feature Film Standards (Neil Diamond for "America")
- Won: Worst Actor (Neil Diamond)
- Won: Worst Supporting Actor (Laurence Olivier)
- Nominated: Worst Picture
- Nominated: Worst Director (Sidney J. Furie and Richard Fleischer)
- Nominated: Worst "Original" Song ("You, Baby, Baby!")
