Coming to DVD shelves next month  is a rare, seldom-seen NBC-TV adaptation of the classic Jewish family drama THE JAZZ SINGER. Probably best remembered as a  big-screen vehicle for the likes of AL JOLSON (1927), DANNY THOMAS (1952) and NEIL DIAMOND (1980), this obscure 1959 television production stars JERRY LEWIS, ANNA MARIA ALBERGHETTI, MOLLY PICON, JOEY FAYE, DEL MOORE, BARRY GORDON, EDUARD FRANZ and ALAN REED. Originally aired as an episode of Lincoln Mercury Startime, this remastered and restored version may be watched in color or as a B&W kinescope.

Delightfully dreadful and a genuine piece of television history, this version of THE JAZZ SINGER is the kind of programming that is sorely missed today. At a recent press conference, LEWIS talked to television reporters about what he feels is the reason they don’t make ‘em like this anymore. (CLICK ON THE MEDIA BAR FOR AUDIO)

THE JAZZ SINGER is slated for DVD release 2/7