The jazz singer
(DVD)

Title from container.

A photo-dramatic production of Samson Raphaelson's play.

Originally released as a motion picture in 1927.

Special features: Disc 1: New digital transfer and refurbished soundtrack; commentary by Ron Hutchinson, founder of The Vitaphone Projects and Nighthawks Bandleader Vince Giordano; vintage Al Jolson short films, radio show adapation and movie trailer gallery; classic homage cartoon "I love to singa" ; Disc 2: "The dawn of sound: how the movies learned to talk" new feature-length documentary; surviving sound excerpts from 1929's "Gold diggers of Broadway;" studio shorts from or celebrating the early sound era ; Disc 3: Over 3 1/2 hours worth of rare, historic Vitaphone comedy and music shorts starring the greats of Vaudeville and the early sound era, many recently recovered and restored after being lost.

Photography, Hal Mohr ; editor, Harold McCord ; musical score and Vitaphone orchestra director, Louis Silvers.

Al Jolson, Mary McAvoy, Warner Oland.

Jakie Rabinowitz is the son of a Jewish cantor. Turning his back on family tradition, Jakie transforms himself into cabaret-entertainer Jack Robin. When Jack comes home to visit his parents, he is warmly greeted by his mother, but is given the cold-shoulder by his father, who feels that Jack is a traitor to his heritage by singing jazz music. On the eve of his biggest show business triumph, Jack receives word that his father is dying. Out of respect, Jack foregoes his opening night to attend Atonement services at the temple and sings the Kol Nidre in his father's place.

Not rated.

DVD, region 1, full screen (1.33:1) presentation; Dolby Digital mono., dual-layer.

English dialogue, English, French, and Spanish subtitles; English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.