The Jazz Singer thoughts

As a black American, I had no issues with Neil in blackface. As you said (and I've said on this forum before) it was not done to demean black people but a plot device to disguise himself to play in a black group in a black club.

My problem though is the rest of the scene in the black club. Okay, someone in the crowd identified Jess as a "white boy", but did that have to degenerate into an all-out riot that resulted in the police being called and arrests being made? My grandfather's brother worked at the Apollo when Buddy Holly played there, and his recollection was that Holley was well received - and certainly no riots..

Even Animal House managed to get humor in the all-black Dexter Lake Club scene without it resorting to the patrons rioting.

Other than that, I really enjoy this movie.

EDIT:

Some of the songs were played off the album during the movie and his raspy/guttural voice didn't sound so good at times.

I originally thought that when Diamond (Jess) performed Love on the Rocks for Keith Lennox, it was an album cut. Turns out he's actually singing that in real time as the scene is being filmed (the background music track is pre-recorded). He sounded exactly like he did on the album track - clearly this predates autotune and other enhancements.

I think his voice is fine as is - I just don't ever want to hear him sing things like Standards or Christmas songs, etc.

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