The Museum of Family History 
 Great Artists Series
 presents

 The Immortal
  Al Jolson  

Home       |       Site Map       |      Exhibitions      |      About the Museum       |       Education      |      Contact Us       |       Links

 

       


Al Jolson in Blackface

 

In 1904, at the age of eighteen, Al Jolson and his brother Harry (along with Joe Palmer) were trying out an act in a New York burlesque house. The name of the act was "A Little Bit of Everything." It was in this act that he would have a go at being a comedian; however, it didn't work out very well at first.

They were booked for a week at a theatre on Fulton Street in downtown Brooklyn, New York. Another performer, named James Francis Dooley, who appeared in blackface, suggested to Al that he go on stage in blackface. The idea was that by doing the act in blackface, i.e. wearing burnt cork, it would give him some layer of protection from his fears as the blackface would allow him to 'hide' behind this colored mask.

He tried blackface the very next performance; it worked out for him very well as he felt more confident and enjoyed being on stage all the more.

left: Jolson in the 1928 film "The Singing Fool"
 

In today's sensibilities, using blackface is politically incorrect and offensive to many. It is no longer used by entertainers today.

Back in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, actors performing in blackface were more accepted by the general public, though Jolson was the first comedian to use blackface. He did this with a great deal of energy and spirit; he felt freer and more spontaneous behind the burnt cork than he ever did in 'whiteface.'

As time went on, though others may have used burnt cork, it was obvious that no one could do blackface like Jolson.

right: Jolson in blackface, cir 1909

 

On Broadway, especially at the Winter Garden Theatre, Jolson most often played a character named Gus, who often clowned around on stage using his unique comedic touches, and of course sang a few songs in each show he was in.

Jolson was interviewed on the radio during "The Barry Gray Show" on October 27, 1946. Comedian Henny Youngman, who attended this rare interview, asked Jolson, “Were you the first comedian that was doing blackface?”

 

left: a smiling Al Jolson in blackface, cir 1914
 
 

 

       
               
               
     

 

       
 

 

   

 

       

Back      Next
 

 

This exhibition was made possible in part with the cooperation of the International Al Jolson Society.

 

Copyright © 2008 Museum of Family History. All rights reserved. Image Use Policy