The Jazz Singer (1980)

The 1927 film The Jazz Singer starred Al Jolson and went down in history as the first full-length “talking” motion picture. This remake casts Neil Diamond in the Al Jolson role of the synagogue cantor whose father (Laurence Olivier) wants him to follow in the family tradition of strict religious observance. Neil, however, has other plans and wants to become a rock star. He takes off to L.A., abandoning his wife (Catlin Adams) and hooking up with music agent Molly (Lucie Arnaz).

It’s a fascinating film because of the way it presents Neil Diamond. Is he credible as a rock star? Not really, but he does have undeniable on-stage charisma. It's not a musical in the Singing in the Rain sense, but it does feature lots of him singing on stage.

My DVD is incredibly grainy and low-res. Probably the film has been remastered since, but the version I have is almost unwatchable.