Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Taraparain Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

vincentlynch-moonoi Don't get me wrong. This is still a good film. Pretty average for a bio-pic, and as with most sequels, it doesn't come up to the level of "The Jolson Story"...but it's still enjoyable and finishes a highly fabricated version of Jolson's life. Little did they know that had they delayed the film a year, they'd have told the Jolson story from start to finish.The best scene of the film is when Jolson returns to Washington after his mother dies, and Jolson and his father have a brief heart-to-heart.It is very true that Jolson became a tireless performance for the USO during World War II, and that is a big part of this picture. In fact, health issues related to his World War II and Korean War performances appear to have figured in his ultimate demise.Larry parks continues his bravura performance as Al Jolson; William Demarest is again along as Jolson's manager, and although not in as many scenes this time around, it's still one of his best roles. Ludwig Donath is back again as Jolson's father, and again, it is a charming performance. Barbara Hale (of Perry Mason fame) is the love interest this time, and she was enjoyable on screen...Arkansas accent and all.It is clever the way they meld the making of "The Jolson Story" within "Jolson Sings Again".It's a decent followup to "The Jolson Story", but not quite as good as that original. It's too bad the film can't bring up the final year of Jolson's life, including his wonderful appearances with Bing Crosby.Sadly, not long after this film was made, Larry Parks got caught up in the Blacklisting with the Red Scare and was only rarely seen after that. I guess the consolation was that his performances in the two Jolson films could probably not have been done better by anyone; truly fine performances that are near iconic.

Steven Torrey Al Jolson was pathologically jealous of other performers; he would run water in his dressing room to drown out the applause other performers would receive. So the last 10 minutes of the movie really speaks to this pathology. Here is Al Jolson in the theatre lobby unable to watch Al Jolson (Larry Parks) performing in the movie THE JOLSON STORY. Al Jolson being pathologically jealous of Larry Parks playing Al Jolsosn That is the essence of Jolie. Many of his peers thought him petty, mean spirited, jealous of others, and simply put--unlikable. George Burns didn't speak well of him. But there is no denying his ability to entertain--that too is what his peers commented on as well. My favorite performance is Al Jolson singing "Beautiful Dreamer"--the last song he would record before he died in 1950. I almost prefer the Black-face Al Jolson to the White Al Jolson. So while the movie is a piece of non-sense--the last 10 minutes of the film actually captures the essence of Al Jolson. And each and every song is worth treading through the nonsense. And just in case someone doesn't know--Larry Parks is miming Al Jolson singing.

edwagreen Wonderful sequel to the 1946 film. Larry Parks, William Demarest and several others repeated their parts from the original.The film picks up exactly where the original had ended. Disgusted with his life, Jolson (Parks) walks out on his show business career and for several years travels, dabbles with horses and lives a real care-free life.With the death of his mother, (Tamara Shayne-who really doesn't look or act too Jewish at all), Jolson embarks on a tour for services until illness ends that.There is a nice performance by Barbara Hale (the future Della Street) as the southern nurse that he marries. Hale has just the right Arkansas twang in her speech to carry it off.When illness follows him, Jolson withdraws from entertaining fearing that his lung operation has affected his voice. He also feels that no one is really interested in him anymore. Unfortunately, the latter is true.It is only when his life story is made into a motion picture that he makes a genuine come back.Parks is absolutely amazing as Jolson. Though Al sang, Parks does a brilliant job of dubbing. His mannerisms are so easily identified as those of Al Jolson.Ludwig Donath plays Jolson's cantor father. O my, a cantor eating in a non-kosher restaurant. What were the Hollywood writers thinking?Just hearing Jolson belt out his usual great tunes is great in itself. Entertaining and wonderful to view.

shirleybruce This is the follow-up movie to The Jolson Story. It brings Al Jolson back into the public eye again. The movie may not be the true story of Al Jolson's life, but it is so enjoyable that you will forget this once Jolson starts to sing. Larry Parks is very believable as the great singer and the moment where Jolson meets Larry Parks in the movie, is special. Larry does a wonderful job and he really does seem to sing himself, he certainly does not appear to be just miming the words. Ludwig Donath as his father and William Demarest as his manager and Barbara Hale as his wife, all combine to support Larry Parks in this very enjoyable musical of a great singer.