The Jazz Singer

“Well, my bizarre, insatiable, and downright dangerous sexual habits led me to write this song. Oh, Cracklin’ Rose, get on board. We’re gonna ride ’til there ain’t no more to go. We’re takin’ it slow. Let’s all do the best we can. And I can turn invincible if I really try-y hard!” Neil Diamond in black face is the whitest thing imaginable and he manages to briefly fool an all black crowd. Always cut with the Diamond. He comes off like an asshole in every scene.

As someone who respects artists who are true to their craft, and who know when to tip their hat to their forbears, (their "roots"), I have to say I'm thoroughly disappointed - almost disgusted - that Niel Diamond neglected to honour the populist legacy of the original by not using blackface. One can only imagine the improvement it would have brought to Niel's interpretation of the character - it certainly would've lent him more credibility, making him a more waifish type.

I tried to watch this for the next HDTGM episode but it's just boring, it's not fun in a bad way just dull

Cantor Olivier shouts, "I hef no son!" -- one of the highpoints of this mothballed sudser. This remake may actually contain more cliches than the 1927 version!

I truly don't get all the hate that was heaped on Diamond (Razzie for worst actor of the year?? WTF?) While the script's got problems (I can forgive its predictability, but there are some egregious contrivances: really? the first wife is just going to bow out?? & Arnaz isn't going to strangle Diamond after disappearing for 9 months? That Diamond's character would turn into some months-long drifter is also dopey), Diamond seems a natural here, never overdoing it. & his music is great as usual.

Everything about the film is exaggerated and unbelievable. Diamond has a crisis of faith, walks out of the studio and wanders from California to Texas and becomes a country singer for a year. Stuff like this is played as serious drama, but at best it's high camp. It's a bad film that can't even manage to be entertaining in its badness.

This remake is all about Neil Diamond and his music. It didn't matter that he is too old for the lead. Lucie Arnaz shines as the love interest.