20 Al Jolson Movies, Ranked Best to Worst

Based on the life of famous Broadway composer, George Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue showcases the life and times and struggles of Gershwin as he frenetically chases success and fame while sabotaging his romantic relationships. This biographical musical also involves elements of drama and romance as the turbulent professional life of Gershwin clashes with his romance with singer, Julie Adams, and socialite. Christine Gilbert.

Dixie is an actress who comes across Frank, a director, who promises her an opportunity in Hollywood. However, when Dixie arrives in California, she is disappointed to see that Frank has been fired from the studio.

Singer Jolson takes an early retirement as per his wife’s wish, but realizing the importance of music-performance in his life, she later leaves him. After his comeback in the 1940s, he turns more towards frivolous living. But at the beginning of WWII, Jolson starts traveling around to entertain military troops and meets Ellen Clark, an appealing nurse who brings new meaning to his life.

Set in 1920s New York City, the film revolves around the turbulent love life of an aspiring singer, who becomes a star after she is spotted by a successful Broadway minstrel performer and joins the famed Ziegfeld Follies.  Although he is also in love with her, she does not recognize it; instead falls for a charming con man. 

An egotistical singing star loses his voice, after which he retreats to the countryside. As he is looking for a way to make a comeback, he soon meets an aspiring playwright and her daughter.

Film director, Michael Linnett Connors, chooses Broadway singer Molly Adair, to be in his next film.  Although Molly is in love with Connors, thinking that he doesn’t reciprocate her feelings, she marries her co-star. Connors fires her out of misunderstanding, but his career eventually starts to decline with the beginning of the sound era.

Peaches, orphaned daughter of a horse-trainer father, has inherited his race-horse, Wonder Boy, with whom she shares a special bond. So, her presence is required at races for him to win. But those betting on other horses ensure that the child authorities take her custody. However, Mrs. Van Gordon rescues and takes her to race-track in time, inspiring Wonder Boy to win. 

Although he prefers to write songs, Stephen’s family wants him to accept a clerical job.  He soon manages to sell one of his songs ‘Oh! Susanna’ for fifteen dollars to a singer named EP Christy, but he also allows her to take credit as the writer.

Broadway star Al Howard’s irresponsible behavior costs him his work. His sister Molly unsuccessfully tries to find him job; then request friend Dorothy to team up with him, which fetches great success. Al decides to open his own club on Broadway for which he not only borrows money from a gangster, but also gets entangled with his wife, ignoring dedicated Dorothy’s warnings.

This drama film tells the story of Al Fuller, star of a traveling minstrel troupe. He falls for the beautiful Nora, who is the daughter of the owner of the troupe. However, Nora seems to have feelings for another man.

Jill is a chorus girl married to an alcoholic composer named Fred. She decides to leave Fred when he is discovered with another chorus girl Ruthie. However, a gambler soon starts pursuing her, and eventually forces himself on her. Prividi, the producer of the musical show in which she is working, shoots him, after which he is arrested.

A group of friends get a race horse after its owner decides to retire. Soon, they gather some money so that they can compete at the Hollywood Derby.

This documentary film provides us a tour of several places in Hollywood, including a movie studio, a famous shopping centre, as well as the Santa Anita racetrack.