Neil Diamond | 80's Movie Guide

Taglines: Sometimes you have to risk it all... The Jazz Singer movie storyline. Neil Diamond stars in this motion picture as Yussel Rabinovitch, a young Jewish cantor who strives to make a career outside the synagogue in popular music as Jess Robin. Against the wishes of his rigid father and his loving wife, Yussel travels from New York City to Los Angeles to play his music. Swept up by the excitement, he meets a spunky manager who believes in his talent and shares his dream. He grows apart from his family, and becomes confused about what he should ultimately do with his life. The Jazz Singer is a 1980 American drama film and a remake of the 1927 classic The Jazz Singer, released by EMI Films. It starred Neil Diamond, Laurence Olivier and Lucie Arnaz and was co-directed by Richard Fleischer and Sidney J. Furie. Although the film was a critical flop, the soundtrack was enormously successful, eventually reaching multi-platinum status and becoming Diamond's most successful album to date. It resulted in three hit songs, "America", "Love on the Rocks" and "Hello Again". The Jazz Singer (1980) Directed by: Richard Fleischer Starring: Laurence Olivier, Neil Diamond, Lucie Arnaz, Catlin Adams, Franklyn Ajaye, Paul Nicholas, Mike Kellin, Luther Waters Screenplay by: Herbert Baker Production Design by: Harry Horner Cinematography by: Isidore Mankofsky Film Editing by: Maury Winetrobe Costume Design by: Albert Wolsky Set Decoration by: Robert De Vestel, Ruby R. Levitt Music by: Leonard Rosenman Distributed by: Associated Film Distribution Release Date: December 19, 1980