Talk:Al Jolson

Birth date

It's been flitting between 26 May and 28 May for the past couple of years. Then in August 2019 an unregistered user decided to give us both his Julian and Gregorian dates. But based on what? Absolutely nothing, as far as I can tell.

To my knowledge, it has never been clear whether Jolson's birthdate of 26 May (not 28 May) was in Julian or Gregorian, and until and unless some source turns up which clarifies it one way or another, it should remain as undecided. I'll make the change. -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 05:38, 22 August 2021 (UTC)

His birth record (which can be found here: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99GQ-2PXY?i=1078) includes his birth date according to the Hebrew calendar, Sivan 6 5646. Sivan 6 5646 converts to June 09, 1886 in the Gregorian calendar. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Msmlschr (talk • contribs) 16:02, 9 October 2022 (UTC)

Sorry for the delayed response. That genealogical site is edited by the general community and therefore not a reliable source for Wikipedia purposes. As to the specific date mentioned, how does this compare with what we already say in the article: "Jolson did not know his date of birth, as birth records were not kept at that time in that region, and he gave his birth year as 1885"? -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 00:35, 15 June 2023 (UTC)

Sorry for the delayed response to your response. If you open the link (an account is required), it directs to a scan of a metrical book from Sredniki containing the birth record on of Eizer Yoelson, the son of Moshe Rubin and Nechoma Yoelson, born on May 28 1886. In the Gregorian calendar, this date is June 9 1886. While it is conceivable that Jolson was unsure of his exact date of birth, it is obviously false that birth records were not kept. Msmlschr (talk) 21:05, 31 July 2023 (UTC)

Talis

I'm not sure if this is a spelling error by the author of the article or the original source of the quote, or if it is neither and simply an alternate spelling of "tallit" (Jewish prayer shawl). The linked Wikipedia article lists no alternate spelling of "talis" and there is no "[sic]" within the quote. Either the linked article should be edited to include the alternate spelling, or the quote should be edited to reflect the proper spelling, or "[sic]" should be added to the quote. 66.91.36.8 (talk) 00:21, 27 December 2021 (UTC)

Both are correct spellings. Drcchutch (talk) 16:37, 13 January 2026 (UTC)

I'm afraid to type it in myself--add to Jolson's filmography the Warner Brothers 2-reeler A DAY AT SANTA ANITA(1937),where Jolson and Ruby Keeler appeared as themselves in new footage.

And Jolson was indeed in the Gershwin bio RHAPSODY IN BLUE,singing "Swanee" in new footage.The clip can be found easily on You Tube. Gershwin simply approached Jolson at a party with the song,and he bought it on the spot. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.23.5.10 (talk) 15:53, 18 August 2025 (UTC)

Neutrality

This article is very informative, but it is also has a clear political position. Jolson is not best remembered for the Jazz Singer. He is best remembered for performing in blackface. The whole first section of the article appears to be an attempt to minimise that history. Drcchutch (talk) 16:40, 13 January 2026 (UTC)

correct; I came here to say the same thing but Drcchutch has already said it well. This article needs some work. Jerimee (talk) 11:57, 17 June 2026 (UTC)