Mammy
Mammy features Al Jolson as the star of a travelling minstrel show, appearing in cities and towns across the U.S. Jolson falls in love with an actress in the troupe (Lois Moran), but she loves another (Lowell Sherman). Sherman is shot onstage as part of a comedy bit, and it is assumed that Jolson is guilty of putting the bullet in the gun.
Insights
Plot Summary
A popular vaudeville performer, Al Jolson, finds himself in the deep South, where he is mistaken for a fugitive. He attempts to maintain his innocence while also dealing with romantic entanglements and the prejudices of the time.
Critical Reception
While Al Jolson's star power was still considerable, "Mammy" received mixed reviews, with some critics praising his performance and the musical numbers, while others found the plot to be melodramatic and problematic by modern standards. The film was not as commercially successful as some of Jolson's earlier works.
What Reviewers Say
- Al Jolson delivers a charismatic, albeit dated, performance.
- The musical sequences offer moments of entertainment.
- The film's racial depictions and plot elements are considered highly problematic today.
Google audience: Audience reception data for this film is not readily available through typical modern platforms.
Fun Fact
This film marked Al Jolson's first all-talking musical role after his groundbreaking success in 'The Jazz Singer'.
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