The Real Al Jolson

Al Jolson, without his famous make-up, in the 1935 musical film "Go Into Your Dance".


Original B&W photo.

 

Al Jolson

Al Jolson, in full stage make-up. As far as I can ascertain, this is a publicity still for "The Jazz Singer", generally considered the first "talkie"feature film, in 1927.

Nowadays, Jolson's act would be considered racist, and rightly so, but Jolson himself could not be described as such and, by the time he was a star, had gained a reputation for fighting racial prejudice. He continued that fight for the rest of his life.


Original B&W photo.