The Singing Fool (1928): cast, story & where to watch
1928 · Film · ★ 7
Released in 1928, The Singing Fool is a drama and music film directed by Lloyd Bacon, running about 105 minutes.
What it’s about. After years of hopeful struggle, Al Stone (Jolson) is on his way. "I'm Sittin' on Top of the World", he sings to an appreciative speakeasy crowd. But, as Al discovers, getting there is one thing. Staying there is another. Singing waiter Stone gets his huge break on a magical night when his song wows a big-time producer and a gold-digging showgirl he fancies. Broadway success and marriage follow, but sure enough, hard times are on the way. Al's fickle wife abandons him, taking the beloved son he calls Sonny Boy with her. Heartbroken, Al becomes a devastated loner until friends from the speakeasy that launched his career rescue him from a life on the streets. Soon, Al is back in lights. But another crisis awaits: Sonny Boy is in the hospital and dying....
Who’s in it. The Singing Fool stars Al Jolson as Al Stone, Betty Bronson as Grace, Josephine Dunn as Molly Winton and Arthur Housman as Blackie Joe, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, The Singing Fool has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $5.9M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Singing Fool page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Singing Fool tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Singing Fool (1928)?
- In US, The Singing Fool is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Singing Fool worth watching?
- The Singing Fool holds an audience score of 7.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and music. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Singing Fool?
- The Singing Fool stars Al Jolson, Betty Bronson, Josephine Dunn, Arthur Housman and Reed Howes.
- When was The Singing Fool released?
- The Singing Fool was released in 1928, with a runtime of about 105 minutes.