| Show how I 1 broke into the movi movies es I 1 J copyright by hal C H er inan BY AL JOLSON DONT believe I 1 broke in the tha I 1 movies at all I 1 think I 1 sauntered into hito them through a front door that was left open by tile the warner brothers and there was a welcome mat in the hall I 1 at least I 1 did a lot of I look ing before leaping I 1 looked I 1 nto into the movies several times during the year that dimmed immediately preceded tho the development of pictures but I 1 be convinced that the silent screen was it a proper medium for me ma to use to reach an audience several producers produce rs and directors tried to persuade me but I 1 was always bubl dubious I 1 went so far as to make tests to plan a story hut but I 1 was still dubious and finally decided that the silver screen was for me im still spek about site silent tit pictures but the public has been k kind ind la in its approval of tile the jazz singer and the singing fool I 1 had resisted some tempting offers to try the silent picture and wa was on the road with ny my show ibi big hoy boy when uben the suggestion that I 1 make it a singing picture was first discussed we were in denser denier with the show and before we left there I 1 had thought the proposition over and decided to make the experiment warner brothers who had just then perfected the and who had approached me mill tile the proposal that thai at AI jolson I 1 make their first full length talking and singing picture were notified that I 1 would accept their offer to make one picture during the rest of the tour of bis boy we planned the story of the jazz singer and when the road show closed I 1 went to hollywood for the first tests I 1 was not easily won away from my intention to make the legitimate stage the only medium between the public and me but offered me an opportunity I 1 could not resist the success of the jazz singer Is motion picture history it did break loto into the movies with a loud bang and I 1 found a new and satisfactory way of reaching a vastly increased audience having made the break and having learned that the public approved of 0 the break it followed naturally that warner brothers wanted more pictures and that I 1 was willing to make them in a way I 1 have gone hollywood I 1 have a home there and will probably always spend a part or of my time and energy e n ergy making pictures I 1 looked a lorig longtime tIme before I 1 leaped but once the leap was made into the movies I 1 had no regrets service |
