The Singing Kid - Jolsonmania !

Studio	Warner Brothers
Running Time	83 minutes
Production	11th November 1935 - 28th January 1936
Release	3rd April 1936
Director	William Keighley
Music/Lyrics	Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg
Screenplay	Warren Duff, Pat C Flick
Choreographer	Bobby Connolly
Conductor	Leo F Forbstein
Major players
Al Jackson - Al Jolson Ruth Haines - Beverley Roberts Sybil Haines - Sybil Jason Davenport Rogers - Edward Everett Horton Joe Eddy - Allen Jenkins Bob Carey - Lyle Talbot
Jolson Songs
My Mammy Swanee Rockabye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody California Here I Come April Showers About a Quarter to Nine I Love to Sing-A Who the Swingin'est Man in Town Save Me Sister Here's Looking At You You're the Cure for What Ails Me
Background
Jolson appears not have enjoyed the making of this movie. He was required in one scene to sing in the street but his voice was drowned out by the noise. The director advised Al they would have to dub the song in the studio but Al wanted to the sing the song live. So the street had to be recreated on the studio lot.
Reviews
Al is singing as exuberantly as ever and trying with might and mammy to give zest to an indifferent score and a lifeless script. (Frank Nugent,New York Times)
Verdict
The best thing about The Singing Kid is probably the introductory medley of Jolson hits though I Love To Sing-A isn't a bad song, in fact its quite catchy though it doesn't for some reason seem right for Jolson. Al wasn't really a hep cool swing singer so to see him with Cab Calloway is strange though its true there is some energy in their numbers. Pity the script isn't better, its really very tired with a return to The Singing Fool young kid. Overall for me not one of the best Jolson musicals, his last starring role in a film before the biopics.