Genna Cooke
Outline the changes that occur in the development
Of the American musical between
1927 and 1957
It was in 1927 that the jazz singer was the first film that was to use recorded song and dialogue. It was Al Jolson’s ad-libbing around songs that helped to make “talkies” so successful. The impromptu moments created by Jolson made audiences demand more of theses sound films. Jazz music was a major influence of the musicals of this time.
The next major musical to come out of the twenties was a collaboration of Florenz Ziegfeld, Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s theatrical talent. It was named ShowBoat. It was based on Edna Ferber's sprawling novel of life on the Mississippi and it delt with many issues that were normally not talked of. These subjects included racism and marital issues. ShowBoat opened at the Ziegfeld Theatre on December 27th 1927 and left audiences overwhelmed and wanting more. It ran for 572 performances.