The Jazz Singer

Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
SAMSON RAPHAELSON
(Based on his story, “The Day of Atonement,” in Everybody’s Magazine , January, 1922.)
NEW YORK BRENTANO’S PUBLISHERS
Copyright, 1925, by SAMSON RAPHAELSON
All rights, including stage, motion picture, and amateur production, are reserved. No performance or public reading may be given without the written consent of the author, or his recognized agents. Application should be made to the author, in care of his publishers.
Printed in the United States of America
To Albert Lewis A gentleman from the East Side and a scholar from Broadway
I wish to express my gratitude to Albert Lewis, who directed and produced “The Jazz Singer” and who, in the long hours of many days and nights, gave values to the play and stage wisdom to me which I hope never to forget; to Stuart Sherman, who encouraged me when my faith lagged; and to the members of the cast, especially George Jessel and Sam Jaffe, for the many happy touches they have contributed.
Samson Raphaelson.
American life, in this year 1925, consists essentially of surfaces. You may point out New England communities and say here is depth, and I will answer, true, but New England is dead so far as the America of now is concerned. You may show me an integrity in the West where a century ago pioneers came, and I will answer, that integrity resides with the elders and not with the mightier young ones. He who wishes to picture today’s America must do it kaleidoscopically; he must show you a vivid contrast of surfaces, raucous, sentimental, egoistical, vulgar, ineffably busy—surfaces whirling in a dance which sometimes is a dance to Aphrodite and more frequently a dance to Jehovah.