Jolson Makes his Mark in Concrete! - stock video

This segment opens with a fantastic art deco sign announcing the footprint ceremony of Al Jolson outside Sid Grauman's Chinese Theatre. A man gets the cement ready as Al and Sid look on. Jolson jokes around for the large crowd and commences to sign his name in the cement. After washing his hands, Al prepares to not only put his feet in the cement, but his famous knees as well. It was on his knees that America fell in love with Jolson while singing Mammy in early talking picture The Jazz Singer, so it's on his knees he'll make an imprint in cement. After mistakenly making three knee impressions, the cement is fixed. Always the wisecracker, Al goes from washing his hands to splashing water all over Sid Grauman.