The Museum of Family History  
 Great Artists Series
 
presents

 The Immortal
  Al Jolson  

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

 

 


The Early Years 

   



 



enter
 


Al Jolson was known as the world's greatest entertainer....
He was a master showman who performed
for adoring crowds for more than fifty years.
His performances on stage were magical;
His private life was complex and tormented.


The Museum of Family History honors one of
the most gifted performers ever to grace the
 American stage. His contributions to American culture
were immense; his cumulative work has left an
indelible mark in the annals of music lore.


In this exhibition, you can read (and hear) about the fascinating
life of the one and only Al Jolson, from the time he immigrated
with his mother and siblings to America in 1894, through his
tumultuous childhood and adolescent years. You can trace his
career in show business from start to end, learning not only about
his professional life, but his personal life as well...


 

You may use the pictorial index  found within the left and right columns
 to locate a specific  web page you wish to view;
simply left-click on any of the framed photographs.
Alternatively, you may enter the exhibition by clicking
on the "enter" link located below the photograph above.



Where you see a icon, there is an audio clip to be heard on the page;
Where you see a icon, you can enjoy viewing a video clip.**
 

* It is recommended that you turn on your speakers before
entering a page with either of these designations.


The speed of download of any audio or video clip will depend
on various factors, e.g. connectivity. Please be patient.
Downloading clips will be problematic if you
are viewing this exhibition using a land line.


** Some computers may not be able to play some or all of the video clips.
The clips will play the best if played using Apple's QuickTime Player.
To freely download Apple's QuickTime media player, click here.
I f you only have Windows Media Player, you might need version  7 or later
to be able to play all the clips made available in this exhibition.







Al Jolson with Jack Warner, President of Warner Brothers Studio, 1929.



Warner Brothers produced the movie "The Jazz Singer" with Jolson
in the lead two years before the above photograph was taken.
"The Jazz Singer" was the  first full-length
Hollywood feature film with sound ever made....





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

 

   


Jolie and his Friends 


 
 
 



The Yoelsons 

 

 

 

   
Jolson and Jesse
l
 
 
 

Jolson in Blackface 
 
       
"The Jolson Story" 
 
 

Jolson on Stage  
 
       
Entertaining the Troops
 
 
 

"The Jazz Singer" 

 
       



The Jewish Side of Jolson 
 

 
 
Jolson's Four Wives 
       
Tribute and Memoriam
 
 
 


The Silver Screen 

 
 

 

   




Al Jolson gives a
virtual performance at the
Museum of Family History's
Music Pavilion
 
(from 1948)

 

 





The Radio Years 


 
       
The Jolson Legacy 


Please join our Facebook page, "The Immortal Al Jolson."
 

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