Although Al Jolson never appeared on commercial television, he was actively looking into a program at the time of his death. To this day, his movies continue to be shown on broadcast and cable TV, making his works available to those who never saw him in life. On this page, find out which movies are on the schedule for broadcast soon, and use the links to request material from media outlets.
We are seeing nothing on the schedules for the coming month. Sorry! Will post something as soon as it surfaces.
Several of the Cable networks are worthy of your input to continue or initiate programming of Al Jolson material.
By far, the largest collection of Jolson movies is held by Turner Broadcasting. Many of the early movies have aired on the network, as well as the Plantation Act short. Feel free to drop them a note, thanking them for their past attentions, and requesting future screenings of Jolson movies.
Cinemax does not have a lot of Jolson films, but they do appear to have both The Jolson Story and Jolson Sings Again. A note to them to request screenings of these films may not hurt, either.
Both Bravo USA and Bravo Canada have aired the wonderful South Bank Show, the closest thing yet to a television biography of Al Jolson. They have also shown The Jazz Singer! Click on either network's name to request a screening of that show.
The A&E Biography show has indicated interest in an Al Jolson biography, but has not promised anything. Continued input to them may help promote a Biography of the World's Greatest Entertainer. Click the "Programming" button at the bottom of the page linked to for your suggestion.
The new MSNBC Cable show, Headliners and Legends, has expressed an interest in a program devoted to Al Jolson who was, after all, an NBC radio headliner in the 1940s, and clearly a legend. Drop them a note and encourage them in the effort!
The Encore Channel has played both The Jolson Story and Jolson Sings Again, so we know they have them! Why not drop the network a line, thank them for showing the films, and ask for future screenings?
When you write any of these folks, a copy to webmaster@jolson.org would be appreciated; and let us know if you receive any reply!
Keep tabs of the appearances of Al Jolson on television, by way of the TV Now website. Just one click and you can see an automated list of scheduled Jolson sightings (if any) for the next month! If you don't see any, write some of those folks above, or your local station, and ask why not!
By far, the largest collection of Jolson movies is held by Turner Broadcasting. Many of the early movies have aired on the network, as well as the Plantation Act short. Feel free to drop them a note, thanking them for their past attentions, and requesting future screenings of Jolson movies.
Cinemax does not have a lot of Jolson films, but they do appear to have both The Jolson Story and Jolson Sings Again. A note to them to request screenings of these films may not hurt, either.
Both Bravo USA and Bravo Canada have aired the wonderful South Bank Show, the closest thing yet to a television biography of Al Jolson. They have also shown The Jazz Singer! Click on either network's name to request a screening of that show.
The A&E Biography show has indicated interest in an Al Jolson biography, but has not promised anything. Continued input to them may help promote a Biography of the World's Greatest Entertainer. Click the "Programming" button at the bottom of the page linked to for your suggestion.
The new MSNBC Cable show, Headliners and Legends, has expressed an interest in a program devoted to Al Jolson who was, after all, an NBC radio headliner in the 1940s, and clearly a legend. Drop them a note and encourage them in the effort!
The Encore Channel has played both The Jolson Story and Jolson Sings Again, so we know they have them! Why not drop the network a line, thank them for showing the films, and ask for future screenings?
