The Horrifying True Story and Tragic Ending of Al Jolson: The World’s Greatest Entertainer

[@MikeSooch]

I felt like I was hearing a dry Wikipedia entry on Jolson, accompanied by poorly curated photos. There was nothing either horrifying or tragic about this story.

[@MattIsTheCat]

Well, Wikipedia does at least has rules of no bias. So I geuss it is good there is no emotional influence on the facts.

[@thekinarbo]

@@MattIsTheCat Wikipedia is most definitely leftwing and it locks articles that are clearly disinformation.

[@orchids959]

Delivered by a robo-voice.

[@JohnPiperBoots]

“Old Folks at Home,” also known as “Way Down Upon the Swanee River,” is a song written by Stephen Foster in 1851. The song expresses a deep longing for home and the comfort of familiar surroundings. The lyrics describe the beauty and tranquility of the Suwannee River in Florida, and the singer’s desire to return to it ... a universal expression of nostalgia and yearning for one’s roots and childhood. Al Jolson, born Asa Yoelson, was a Lithuanian-born American singer, actor, and vaudevillian. He was one of the most famous and highest-paid stars of the early 20th century, often referred to as "The World’s Greatest Entertainer". Jolson is best known for his dynamic singing style and his role in the first talking picture, The Jazz Singer (1927). Jolson’s performances, including his rendition of “Old Folks at Home,” were characterized by their emotional intensity and theatricality. His powerful voice and emotive delivery certainly left a lasting impact on many listeners. VOTE TRUMP November 5 2024 MAGA!!!!

[@shenizhalil3175]

Don’t get me started, that was then , this guy was the best of the best , of that time . But let’s not forget his voice , his ability as an entertainer. The first the best, always ❤

[@Facts-Over-Feelings]

RACIST ANTI BLACK USING BLACK FACE TO DEHUMANIZE A WHOLE PEOPLE.

[@c.7093]

Racism at its finest

[@chynnadoll3277]

Why? Why was he such a great entertainer? What am I missing? He couldn’t have sung without appearing in blackface?

[@JohnPiperBoots]

“Old Folks at Home,” also known as “Way Down Upon the Swanee River,” is a song written by Stephen Foster in 1851. The song expresses a deep longing for home and the comfort of familiar surroundings. The lyrics describe the beauty and tranquility of the Suwannee River in Florida, and the singer’s desire to return to it ... a universal expression of nostalgia and yearning for one’s roots and childhood. Al Jolson, born Asa Yoelson, was a Lithuanian-born American singer, actor, and vaudevillian. He was one of the most famous and highest-paid stars of the early 20th century, often referred to as "The World’s Greatest Entertainer". Jolson is best known for his dynamic singing style and his role in the first talking picture, The Jazz Singer (1927). Jolson’s performances, including his rendition of “Old Folks at Home,” were characterized by their emotional intensity and theatricality. His powerful voice and emotive delivery certainly left a lasting impact on many listeners. VOTE TRUMP November 5 2024 MAGA!!!!

[@LazlosPlane]

He did NOT "outline his lips in white." It just gets worse and worse. What research did you do in research this video?

[@Lampshade51]

Jolson's real reputation was made by his live stage performances, which by all accounts, were mesmerizing. Films, records and radio never really captured his magic, which may be part of the reason why so many people today can't understand what the fuss was all about.

[@margaretthomas8899]

Existing documentation and personal remenicies suggest AL JOLSON live was the best of him, but the millions and millions who have enjoyed him every other way as well, confirm to them it makes no difference!

[@heatherallingham7120]

"Horrifying"? How? "Tragic"? In what way? And wasn't he the first singer in a talkie? Sheesh!

[@LazlosPlane]

His ending was neither tragic nor horrifying.

[@Facts-Over-Feelings]

RACIST ANTI BLACK USING BLACK FACE TO DEHUMANIZE A WHOLE PEOPLE.

[@skotmiller8465]

A heart attack during a card game-THERE, I saved you 11 minutes of boring narration.

[@georgetheofanous6792]

The title of this video is egregiously misleading. There was nothing in it "tragic", and the research was less than elementary. I can't believe I got sucked into watching it.

[@louisvaccaro5865]

they will say anything on the internet!!!! dont believe them.

[@63mckenzie]

What is a horrific story is the incident between Jolson and an unknown teenage chorine called Ruby Stevens. As Stevens came off stage Jolson made a pass at her which she rejected. Enraged Jolson stubbed out his cigar on the girl's chest. The chorine later changed her name to Barbara Stanwyck and carried the scar for the rest of her life.

[@astarteswillum5259]

He also beat his wife.

[@zaftra]

is this true or just and early metoo.

[@63mckenzie]

@@zaftra Stanwyck had the scars for life. He was a nasty individual.

[@zaftra]

@@63mckenzie I googled, couldn't find anything about it.

[@63mckenzie]

@@zaftra It's in Stanwyck's bios

[@michaelmichniak127]

Come on, you did not mention The Jazz Singer, the first talking movie!

[@GeminiNightOwl]

Lights of New York was the first all-talking feature released in July, 1928. The Jazz Singer was synchronized dialogue. Big difference. Not that I didn't love the Jazz Singer or Jolson...

[@c.7093]

EVER ! IMITATATING MELANATED PPL

[@robertklose2140]

Interesting. If only the photos corresponded to the narrative

[@JackMills-dd3ij]

A Great Singer and amazing personality. Many people think him and a racist. How wrong could they be.. Jolson helped many black song writer's and musicians, and as a Jew knew racism.

[@chynnadoll3277]

And if a black person chose to perform dressed as a jew? Are you kidding me?

[@pianoredux7516]

Many mispronunciations by the voiceover here, not just the name Asa.

[@tompaste387]

These voiceovers are usually AI which explains the pronunciation of most simple words

[@russianprincess3673]

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE ❤️HE WAS SPECIAL & UNIQUE YULIYA BEAUTIFUL RICH WHITE SNOW BUNNY ✝️🇷🇺✝️✝️🇷🇺

[@carmenohio8735]

It’s amazing how you claim to know so much about him, but you can’t even pronounce his first name correctly. You’d only have to do 30 seconds of research to know that, or watch 2 minutes of The Jolson Story

[@Mr.Rocklight]

Love Asa Youlson ❤

[@thomasfambrot2879]

I LOVED the movie based on his life

[@tomreedyjr3631]

Parks was good...

[@MikeSooch]

A wonderful movie, and Larry Parks was great, but it took great liberties with the facts.

[@sheldonrudolph482]

Ruby Keeler, Jolson's third wife, actually hailed from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

[@pezeron24]

Not exactly a "horrifying story". This video's title sounds like a cheap tabloid's headline...

[@stephaniestanley8041]

My uncle Ed Manchow was a photojournalist during the Korean war. He covered and shot Jolson's performances. He told me he was a great singer and entertainer. I think only Garland was a greater performer.

[@janefearns3960]

Jolson died in 1950. The war started 1950

[@demef758]

​@@janefearns3960 That war started on June 25, 1950. He died on October 23.1950. Do the math. From Wikipedia: On September 17, 1950, a dispatch from 8th Army Headquarters, Korea, announced, "Al Jolson, the first top-flight entertainer to reach the war-front, landed here today by plane from Los Angeles...." Jolson traveled to Korea at his own expense. "And a lean, smiling Jolson drove himself without letup through 42 shows in 16 days." Those shows were the reason Jolson had to fly back home: they sucked the last vestiges of life out of him. Three weeks later, he was dead. Larry Parks said afterwards that Al Jolson "was a casualty of the Korean War."

[@lornainlondon4527]

WHERE WAS IT HORRIFYING & WHERE WAS IT TRAGIC????? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@c.7093]

Tragic to the melanated ppl that he imitated

[@SmithMrCorona]

An old rich guy dies... and that's tragic? Why was it so tragic? WHERE IS THE TRAGEDY?!

[@tedrobinson372]

With the tragic end of Jolson, there is no one to sing Mammy.

[@MichaelOfRohan]

You might read a book before you open your mouth. He was a godsend for black entertainment. Jazz couldnt have succeeded if it werent for a flow of white money, and you have him to thank for that. He demanded black castmembers. Not even jimmy fallon has that big of balls.

[@frankieseidl]

INTERESTING!@@MichaelOfRohan

[@georgiadawg9064]

I agree

[@MichaelOfRohan]

@georgiadawg9064 thats why youre 11 and the rest of the world knows how to spell dog.

[@jeff2536]

Al Jolson was so very good he played himself in what was a al Jolson biography in the moive The Jazz Singer.

[@lmj929]

It's not Assa, but Aysa

[@BELCAN57]

And "Mo- Sha" not Mosh.

[@aidjunkie5335]

Donning black face is not always racist, indeed a few days before joining my university as a freshman I was performing with an Al Jolson tribute act in a local bar. Unfortunately it was full of students, not wanting them to think I was a ‘whitey; looking down on other people, I was forced to wear black face for my entire four years at University so as not be accused of being a racist. This spiralled down into me joining local black gangs to keep up the pretence and now I’m serving a life stretch for a drive by shooting after hitching a ride home with some boys from the hood. Ironically I still remain to this day, a huge Jolson fan.

[@ian_b]

Sadly, this was all too common.

[@chynnadoll3277]

Then why is it denigrated then? It is racist.

[@Mr.Rocklight]

❤ with the Voice ❤

[@johncastiello8367]

This is the worst of the so-called biographies you never mentioned the jazz singer and the musicals that he performed in 11:54 1930s on film.

[@aljolson6613]

You got it right in your mind , not in mine , brilliant entertainer

[@debbiethompson14]

Like any good 👻man He exploited black style and black music and black dance!!! I tell you if it wasn't for our Imagination and creativity, they wouldn't have any Imagination or creativity at all.

[@blotfd]

jews are White??? maybe when it's convenient

[@selene8572]

Jolson was not a racist. He was very close to New York's African American community, both a patron of African American art and a proponent for civil rights. At the time, the African American community saw him as one of the few performers who could get their music onto the national stage, and they celebrated him for it... which is where things again get a bit sticky. One of the reasons Jolson started performing in blackface was to avoid discrimination against himself. He used the makeup to disguise his Jewish heritage and the exaggerated southern accent to disguise his native one. One of the reasons he was such a proponent of African American culture and rights was because he saw parallels between how they were still being treated in the US and how his people had been treated in Europe. In addition, the reason Jolson was one of the few national outlets for African American music was because it wouldn't be until after the Harlem Renaissance that African American performers like Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway were allowed onto the national stage.

[@milogang3440]

​​@@selene8572doesn't excuse it bro all that yapping for no nothing .

[@musicurio]

was he ever involded in early sound films? (I think we all know the answer - but no mention?) POOR STUFF

[@James-re6co]

He's got a weird vampire face thing going on.

[@averagevotersmith3326]

@4:21 …. Jolson began donning Blackface. Black face gave Jolson ‘newfound artistic freedom’. Behind the Blackface Jolson found solace and regained the confidence he had lost since his mother’s passing.

[@milogang3440]

And a reason hes not liked by blacks

[@chynnadoll3277]

What the hell are you talking about??

[@nicholasvertucci2054]

"Jazz Singer"? Not important enough to mention, apparently.

[@williammitchell9974]

Why No Mention Of Thee Jazz Singer? Very Poor

[@BillDavies-ej6ye]

Which explains the mispronunciation of Jolson's first name, Asa.

[@ViralTuber]

7:28 For the record, almost every man who gets married is marring a woman who's "more than half his age". (since that would include all women starting just over half his age, up through and including all women who are way older than him ...even women up to "infinity" years old) If I marry a 500-year-old woman, then I'm marring a woman who's more than half my age. Whereas me marrying a woman who's "nearly half my age", or "half my age", or "less than half my age", would all be very unusual.

[@ceceliapassarella8485]

I always wondered why he had no biological children I mean Ruby Keeler did have children after her divorce from him

[@user-lx8ky9yf3b]

How about the Jazz singer movie . The first talkie

[@Silvertone58]

Hey he died doing what he enjoyed and didn’t suffer much. Not so tragic.

[@bowler8]

The movie didnt have his mother die so soon

[@OmarJano]

X-ray tech in Georgia! Wow!

[@LazlosPlane]

Probably the most poorly researched video ever made. Did you lose a bet?

[@chamberpot969]

How I love ya, how I love ya.....Premier minstrel.

[@williamwoody7607]

The g in poignant is silent.

[@dinarichter8706]

His Name was Asa not Ahsa!

[@MaureenDeVries-wd9mh]

Isn't Al Lithuanian?

[@chynnadoll3277]

Why does he always get a pass for appearing in blackface? Serious question. All I ever see is “Jolson was the ultimate entertainer” and “what a performer!”, etc., etc… Don’t give me this crap about how he was promoting black performers. He was in minstrel shows. Isn’t that the epitome of racism?

[@JohnPiperBoots]

“Old Folks at Home,” also known as “Way Down Upon the Swanee River,” is a song written by Stephen Foster in 1851. The song expresses a deep longing for home and the comfort of familiar surroundings. The lyrics describe the beauty and tranquility of the Suwannee River in Florida, and the singer’s desire to return to it ... a universal expression of nostalgia and yearning for one’s roots and childhood. Al Jolson, born Asa Yoelson, was a Lithuanian-born American singer, actor, and vaudevillian. He was one of the most famous and highest-paid stars of the early 20th century, often referred to as "The World’s Greatest Entertainer". Jolson is best known for his dynamic singing style and his role in the first talking picture, The Jazz Singer (1927). Jolson’s performances, including his rendition of “Old Folks at Home,” were characterized by their emotional intensity and theatricality. His powerful voice and emotive delivery certainly left a lasting impact on many listeners. VOTE TRUMP November 5 2024 MAGA!!!!

[@chynnadoll3277]

@JohnPiperBoots : Well at least you're voting for Trump 👍. I appreciate your heartfelt explanation, but it really doesn't answer my question. I've seen "The Jazz Singer" (the one you're referring to) and I still don't get it. Thank you for replying though 🌹🌹.

[@CrystalClearskies-cb9ji]

His father wasn’t a Rabbi he was a Cantor

[@RayPointerChannel]

Asa is pronounced "Aye-Say."

[@LazlosPlane]

"A"-sa. Not, "Ah-sa"

[@josephciolino5493]

STAY AWAY. -- DO NOT WATCH THIS TERRIBLE VIDEO. Be afraid be VERY afraid. Totally misleading title. It was nothing either tragic or horrifying about Jolson’s life or death. And that is beside the multitude of inaccuracies and miss information contained herein. Just stay away.

[@lemonruffin]

405 FREEWAY LA --- HILLSIDE MEMORIAL --- CAN SEE JOLSON'S GRAVE FROM FREEWAY

[@chrisyarbrough785]

I'll bet he didn't play for the Tuskegee airmen

[@robertklose2140]

Who knows? Maybe he did.

[@KenDatMo]

He may or may not have. He would NOT have refused to play for them. The fact is Jolson premiered many songs composed by the top black composers of the 20's and 30's, and the hits he made, made those composers successful. More than that, the stories are many regarding Jolson walking into a restaurant with those same composers, and telling the owner "if my friends aren't welcome, then Jolson isn't welcome." He opened a lot of doors for blacks in music and entertainment. Those are facts. Viewing performing in "blackface" only through today's lenses does not provide the full story of how and what people had to do to get into show business. Lord knows the man had his faults. Being racist, most certainly by today's standards, was not necessarily one of them.

[@robertklose2140]

@@KenDatMo Well said. Thank you.

[@LazlosPlane]

Oh, my God you know NOTHING about the minstrel show that Jolson joined. That's singular, "Minstrel" that was Dockstader's Minstrels,, who did NOT rely on songs of the Civil War era. How absurd. It was not the typical "Tambo and Bones," show. Good Lord.

[@buddhistsympathizer1136]

Downvoting because of the inappropriate clickbait title

[@LP-jn4tw]

ServicePEOPLE, not servicemen. Hell of alot of women in the armed forces also, y'know.

[@Psychiatrick]

I am "thinking" "servicemen" might be in reference to those who fight ... of course, some women were near the front lines but not going on bombing runs, in the trenches, womaning a battleship turret, driving submarines. Sure, some lost their lives but not from direct battle confrontation ...

[@azmike3572]

@@Psychiatrick Also, many women flew B-17s from America to Europe.

[@DW-nb2zc]

Stop

[@frankieseidl]

My great Aunt was a Navy Captain in the late 1980's, not many women were. She considered herself included in the word servicemen. She was always the smartest person in a room full of smart people. Miss her.

[@gregdrmax]

Horrifying? That word "lured" me in to watching this. Waste of time. Won't happen again.

[@audreydaleski1067]

She had to walk away from his temper...

[@margaretthomas8899]

He was 8 when she passed.

[@dshe8637]

His wife, not his mother. He was a violent, abusive bully

[@margaretthomas8899]

@@dshe8637 His possesivenes not any thing else! She had the hots for a younger man, and was carrying on with him, when married to Al

[@dshe8637]

@@margaretthomas8899 He had four marriages. His wives divorced HIM because of his behaviour, except his last wife who was forty years younger than him.

[@dshe8637]

@@margaretthomas8899 And abusive possessiveness is not ok

[@ZDVictim]

donning, not dawning...

[@alineharam]

AI VOICE. Click bait, do not waste your time.

[@LazlosPlane]

So many errors!!!

[@LazlosPlane]

$1.99? You overpaid.

[@masontatum5101]

Is there anything good about this man I mean he painting his face black as an insult for black people please can someone explain the good side of this man cause I really want to like this dude deep down

[@michaelvaristo989]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery means that someone who copies someone admires that person and wants to be more like him or her.

[@azmike3572]

Please remember the times.

[@BELCAN57]

Read a biography. He championed the career of Black vaudeville entertainers.

[@robertmcewen4764]

You had to have seen him live. Those who did swore that his stage presence was electrifying. Nobody ever regarded him as a “nice guy” but Frank Sinatra and John Lennon had tempers that alienated a lot of people, too. Performers as diverse as Eddie Cantor, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Eddie Fisher, Connie Francis, Wayne Newton and Jackie Wilson all credited Jolson with having a huge impact on their performing styles. Until the day he died in 1950 he was regarded universally and indisputably as the world’s greatest entertainer. As for blackface, Jolson personally supported the careers and opened doors for Eunice Blake, Cab Calloway and many other black performers. But, to each his (or her) own. No one can persuade or convince you to appreciate Jolson if his talents are lost on you. In my case, I will never understand the appeal of rap, hip-hop, acid rock or glitter rock, no matter how popular stars of those genres become.

[@margaretthomas8899]

@@robertmcewen4764 Very few now, have, or can remember experiencing Al Jolson live, I knew 2, and of course have heard celebrities like George Burns, Jack Benny, and others. What was left behind, movies, radio, records, some live footage, varies, but there is still plenty of indication of what he would have been like live, and there has been enough attraction in it all, purchase of his music, movies etc etc, plus you tube posts interest etc etc. What I have, read, heard, particularly by those who experienced it, not somebody who wrote it in a book, taken from what somebody else wrote, what made Jolie so good, or appealing live, was that he had the ability to make it feel like he was making it all up, then and there, just as the mood suited him, giving it all a spontaneous, authentic, personal, natural, believable, personal connection with everybody in an audience . His singing, comedy, and other talents were significant with in themselves, but it was how he tied it all together that was the icing on the cake!

[@audreydaleski1067]

Ruby keeler maried him.

[@wayne2allyn]

Henrietta keller 1st, ruby keeler 3rd.

[@67VW]

Classic Hollywood clickbait

[@georgewatson1203]

what a load of bollocks .

[@dianas3627]

Thanks for the video.Sorry to say I found his act meaningless and not a talent,all a bit pointless,understanding it was a different time then.I am wanting to like him but struggling with his bad temper and attitude,maybe losing his dear mother at a young age affected his personality.

[@wayne2allyn]

His time was the 1st 3 decades, not today. He was, for over 20 years, the most popular and highest paid entertainer. Yes, ego was a part. He was on his own from his early years, having to work n forge his way in life initially with an older brother.

[@margaretthomas8899]

What do you mean by your wanting to like him?

[@janefearns3960]

Mikesooch. U have no imagination or empathy

[@lewisc215]

BS

[@eugeniasyro5774]

He wasn't funny and he couldn't sing or act.

[@margaretthomas8899]

i hope your plea to be accepted in THE NOW, is accepted?

[@JC57515]

He could sing

[@dshe8637]

He was an abusive, violent, privileged, racist bully

[@margaretthomas8899]

Prove it?

[@tomreedyjr3631]

@@margaretthomas8899 he was a bully. Berkeley wrote in his autobiography that Jolson would keep EVERYONE on the stage while he continued to sing and raid the stage..

[@margaretthomas8899]

@@tomreedyjr3631 Berkley who?

[@tomreedyjr3631]

@@margaretthomas8899 Milton Berle.damn spell check....

[@margaretthomas8899]

@@tomreedyjr3631 Milton Berle started various expanded discriminatory descriptions of Al Jolson, I.E stealing other people's material [ Berle himself has a bigger reputation of doing that more than anybody ] In the earlier days of show biz everybody did it, not so much when later bodies, song writers etc had laws come in to control things better, but it still went, and goes on. COPYING Is basically OK .or accepted by most, because in show biz, taking, sharing, benefits all! As for bullying, have a listen to some of The Friar's Roasts, after Jolie passed, and often M C'd by Berle himself. Milton Berle was in nappies [ very young ] when Al Jolson was dominating Show Biz, like most everybody then Al Jolson was his idol, particularly those with ambitions to make it in Show biz. Naturally as time passed, and Al Jolson himself did, Berle, and others found it more a need to be accepted by later generations, it pays, keeps them in jobs. So why not attack the biggest Entertainment star of the past. the man, he describes as not the nicest person who ever lived but always The World's Greatest Entertainer! There is much more about what Berle thought of Jolson, interviews etc with him via www.jolson.org. Go there and in search type in Milton Berle.