Mammy features Al Jolson as the star of a travelling minstrel show, appearing in cities and towns across the U.S. Jolson falls in love with an actress in the troupe (Lois Moran), but she loves another (Lowell Sherman). Sherman is shot onstage as part of a comedy bit, and it is assumed that Jolson is guilty of putting the bullet in the gun.
Direction
Michael Curtiz before Casablanca, already technically skilled
Production
Elaborate minstrel show numbers with uncomfortable spectacle
Director
Michael Curtiz
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released months after The Jazz Singer made Jolson the biggest star in America, this represents Hollywood doubling down on blackface as commercial strategy.
This was Jolson's fourth film in blackface; he performed in blackface throughout his entire career, including radio performances where audiences couldn't even see the makeup.
US
