Academy Spotlights “The Jazz Singer”

Beverly Hills, CA — “The Jazz Singer,” the 1927 breakthrough film that featured synchronized sound in both musical numbers and talking segments, will be celebrated in an 80th anniversary screening on Friday, October 5, at 8 p.m. at the Academy of Motion Picture of Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. A newly restored and remastered digital version, made by Warner Bros. from the earliest surviving nitrate film elements and original Vitaphone sound-on-disc recordings, will be presented by the Academy in association with the American Cinematheque and Warner Home Video. Film critic Leonard Maltin will host the program.

Based on the hit Broadway show starring George Jessel, “The Jazz Singer” was initially conceived as a silent film with a synchronized score and sound effects. When Al Jolson signed on to star in the film, synchronized singing sequences were added to the plan. It was during his first vocal performance that Jolson improvised the now-immortal words “Wait a minute, wait a minute, you ain’t heard nothin’ yet!”

The film contains only two minutes of synchronized dialogue but they caused a sensation, as until that time U.S. audiences had only heard spoken dialogue in a few short sound films. In fact those two minutes helped pave the way for the installation of sound equipment in theaters throughout the United States.

“The Jazz Singer” received a Special Academy Award® at the first Academy Awards® ceremony as “the pioneer outstanding talking picture, which has revolutionized the industry.” The film also received an Oscar® nomination for Writing – Adaptation (Alfred Cohn).

An 80th Anniversary screening of “The Jazz Singer” is presented in association with The American Cinematheque which continues the celebration with a weekend of programming, including screenings and live performances. For more information visit AmericanCinematheque.com.

Tickets to “The Jazz Singer” are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members. Tickets may be purchased online at www.oscars.org until noon PDT on the day of the event. There are no minimum order requirements and no transaction or processing fees. Tickets may also be purchased by mail or in person at the Academy box office during regular business hours.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For additional information, call (310) 247-3600.