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      The Singing Fool

      1928 1h 45m Musical List
      Reviews 43% Audience Score 50+ Ratings A singing waiter (Al Jolson) loves two women (Betty Bronson, Josephine Dunn), takes Broadway and sings "Sonny Boy" to his dying son. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Robert Herring Guardian This is now the third production on Vitaphone that London has seen; it is time now that the novelty has been demonstrated that something intelligent and entertaining were done with it. Feb 25, 2021 Full Review Robert E. Sherwood LIFE The Singing Fool" represents the supreme triumph (to date) of the talkie. Oct 4, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Al Jolson stars in blackface and it is a followup to The Jazz Singer. It is credited with helping to cement the popularity of American films of both sound and musical genre. Not until Snow White would any sound era film be more financially successful than this. It was the most successful Warner Bros release until Sergeant York in 1941. For many audiences this was most peoples first experience with a talking film. The film also made Davey Lee, 3 1/2 at the time, the most popular child star since Jackie Coogan. Sonny Boy was one of the top 100 songs in film history. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member The best movie song ever sung: Sonny Boy! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Surprisingly enjoyable Al Jolson vehicle, much better than his highly-acclaimed predecessor The Jazz Singer and also a bigger hit (it was the highest-grossing film until 1937); introduced several song hits including "It All Depends on You," "I'm Sittin' On Top of the World," "There's a Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder," and "Sonny Boy," which was the fourth biggest-selling song of the 1920s. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member One star for historical significance - this was one of the first full-length talkies, although frankly you kind of wish they'd not bothered. Al Jolson is dire, an overbearing 'personality', a terrible actor and in this, delivers a performance of such unadulterated schmaltz that it had me reaching for a sickbag. Just awful. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Singing Fool

      The Singing Fool (1928) The Singing Fool (1928) The Singing Fool (1928) The Singing Fool (1928) The Singing Fool (1928) The Singing Fool (1928) View more photos

      Movie Info

      Synopsis A singing waiter (Al Jolson) loves two women (Betty Bronson, Josephine Dunn), takes Broadway and sings "Sonny Boy" to his dying son.
      Director
      Lloyd Bacon
      Screenwriter
      C. Graham Baker
      Production Co
      Warner Bros.
      Genre
      Musical
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Jul 13, 2018
      Runtime
      1h 45m