The Jazz Singer (1927)

Neil Diamond’s The Jazz Singer isn’t a great movie, but Neil does give it his all and the soundtrack is great. This version of The Jazz Singer has neither of those bonuses. Ostensibly considered the first sound picture, it doesn’t even have much actual synchronized sound other than a couple of songs and lines of dialogue. What it does have is black face, over emoting, and Al Jolson’s ‘singing’. I find the general story appealing, the internal conflict between following tradition or following your heart. I’ll just have to search for a better version.

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Adaptation