Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for The Jazz Singer

The Jazz Singer

Seen it?

1927 | 96 min | Drama, Music

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (78% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it made about 6 times its budget, though it had a lukewarm 6.1 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved TÁR or tick, tick... BOOM!, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 36 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1927: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

A young Jewish man is torn between tradition and individuality when his old-fashioned family objects to his career as a jazz singer. This is the first full length feature film to use synchronized sound, and is the original film musical.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesBelow par

    6.1 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $3 million worldwide on a $422K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 218K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Alan Crosland

  • Al JolsonJakie Rabinowitz
  • May McAvoyMary Dale
  • Warner OlandCantor Rabinowitz
  • Eugenie BessererSara Rabinowitz
  • Otto LedererMoisha Yudelson
  • Robert GordonYoung Jakie Rabinowitz
  • Richard TuckerHarry Lee
  • Yossele RosenblattCantor Rosenblatt
  • William DemarestBuster Billings (uncredited)
  • John MiljanHost (uncredited)