Very well executed

I have absolutely never seen anything like this movie before. You have to see this movie.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

Columbia had scored a significant financial and critical success with The Jolson Story in 1946 featuring actor Larry Parks miming successfully to Al Jolson's singing voice, the ageing entertainer re-recording all his great hits for the film. Then as now thoughts of a sequel were forthcoming but the story of Jolson's career had essentially been told in its entirety. This can be seen in the struggle the screenwriters had in creating a compelling narrative for the second film. The key plot points are fairly anaemic, including the end of one marriage, the gestation of another, a temporary retirement for Jolson and his re-discovery entertaining the troops in World War II. The final third of the film, in almost an act of desperation, is given over to the production of The Jolson Story, resulting in Larry Parks playing Jolson opposite Larry Parks playing himself. This includes one sequence where Parks playing Jolson stands on set urging Parks playing Parks who is in fact playing Jolson to successfully mime to the real Jolson's singing. Possibly the word meta was invented to describe just this kind of scenario.The lack of plot means that the audience is left mostly idling between musical numbers. The actors try hard; Parks in particular is very personable and captures some of the sheer stage presence and energy of the real Jolson. Barbara Hale has a thankless role as Jolson's new wife, mostly sitting admiring the prolonged performance scenes. Ludwig Donath is precise as Jolson's cantor father with concern for his son echoing through every scene even when he is conveying anger. Despite the presence of Technicolor the production looks a little cheap with a lot of fairly basic sets - the cinema foyer looks like a re-dress of something used in another film and the Alaskan army hut is two walls and a backdrop. Many scenes are conveyed through newspaper and other montages and there is never really much conviction to Jolson's international travels.The music is the main drawcard here and the real Jolson provides committed and passionate singing throughout. It is a pity that the surrounding fabric of the film could not better support his work

If you loved "The Jolson Story" or Al Jolson's music, disappointment awaits you in this dreadful, lifeless and dishonest sequel.This movie would have us believe that after his initial superstar success, his career fell apart, he married a nurse, and unhappily drifted into a sing-less retirement. The only good Jolson numbers in this one are lifted -- literally -- from the first movie. Truth says otherwise.Even without a Google search I know that Jolson's stardom remained, he married Ruby Keeler, Broadway's #1 female star, and they appeared together on stage and screen. Jolson was involved in this sequel, so I do not understand why he's untruthfully portrayed as a loser.

This is the follow-up movie to The Jolson Story. It brings Al Jolson back into the public eye again. The movie may not be the true story of Al Jolson's life, but it is so enjoyable that you will forget this once Jolson starts to sing. Larry Parks is very believable as the great singer and the moment where Jolson meets Larry Parks in the movie, is special. Larry does a wonderful job and he really does seem to sing himself, he certainly does not appear to be just miming the words. Ludwig Donath as his father and William Demarest as his manager and Barbara Hale as his wife, all combine to support Larry Parks in this very enjoyable musical of a great singer.

The sequel to The Jolson Story with Larry Parks playing himself and meeting Al Jolson for the first time to do this film. Jolson also appears in a long shot of a ramp scene singing Swanee River, but most people didn't know this until years later. The story begins with a Hollywood producer wanting to do the story, and takes up where Jolson's first wife gets a divorce. The movie of his life is a big winner! Later, during WW II, Jolson goes overseas to entertain troops, catches malaria, and while in a hospital falls in love with his nurse; a kind and patient beautiful nurse, played by Barbara Hale. William Demarest plays Jolson's manager and press agent. Ludwig Donath plays cantor again, and momma is played by Tamara Shayne, who lend much humor to the story. Perfect for those who loved Jolson and his music! This production won 3 Oscar nominations for writing, cinematography and musical scoring. I give it 10/10