There is a huge problem with any remake of "The Jazz Singer". Back in 1927 when it debuted, the plot was already old fashioned. Sure, it did well--but it was because folks were wowed by it being a talking picture*. Now, in 1959, the story seems even more old fashioned and more difficult to believe. After all, in 1959 America, Cantor Rabinowitz seems ridiculous in the way he reacts to his won, Joey (Jerry Lewis) wanting to become an entertainer--and his yelling "...better I should be dead than my son sing jazz in my house!!". If you think the story doesn't work well in 1959, try watching the 1980 version---it's an unintentional comedy!!
The film begins with Joey already being a nightclub star. However, when he returns home, fireworks occur and dad tosses his son out...and the audience is perplexed. Soon after, the old man has a heart attack and is on the verge of death--but Joey HAS to go on and his father is a butt-head anyway. What will he do?!
This television version of the story at least has some good actors. Eduard Franz plays the awful father, Molly Picon the mother, Alan Reed (Fred Flintstone's voice) the uncle and Barry Gordon plays the father's young apprentice. It also was recently restored--with a great picture but poor sound (it's very muffled). Overall, I think this is a show strictly for the curious and the die-hard Lewis fans. It's not bad but I just wish they'd picked a more timely and less boring subject.
*Over and over, I've heard folks refer to the 1927 "Jazz Singer" as a talking picture. This isn't exactly the case--it's a partial talking picture. Most of the movie is silent except for the songs and a tiny bit of dialog.