HALLELUJAH!  I'M A BUM

 During a 1933 hiatus from Warners, Al Jolson made one of the most intriguing cult films of all time, “Hallelujah, I'm a Bum!” This film is a bitterly fascinating oddity, and is unquestionably the finest acting performance in his career. Set in Depression-era New York, “Hallelujah!” centers on the happy go lucky Bumper (Al Jolson), the mayor of Central Park’s homeless community, who cheerfully accepts his lot in life, until he meets a beautiful amnesiac (Madge Evans). Bumper falls in love and decides to get a job to support her,  unaware that's she's the mistress of his friend, the Mayor of New York (Frank Morgan). With story by Ben Hecht, and a fine Rodgers and Hart score, the two standouts being the poignant “You are too Beautiful” and the whimsical title tune. The film is unusually stylish; songs are interspersed with a large amount of "rhythmic dialogue" not quite singing, not quite natural speech albeit weird. The film is often compared to Chaplin’s “City Lights.” Reportedly, when Jolson first read the script he asked, "'What do you mean giving me a script like this? In rhyme yet! You really think the public wants this kind of stuff?" Apparently they didn't the film was a flop at the box-office. It is odd how in historical retrospective, the film has taken on a glow of fascination. To historically appreciate the film, one needs to keep in mind the social climate in 1933, with 25% of the country unemployed and banks closing. Hoboes were looked upon with sympathy, because most could relate to their blameless plight. The script by S.N. Behrman illustrates not only is there dignity in being poor, but in this fantasy, that it's actually a superior way of life (Jolson's big number in the film is called "What Do You Want With Money?"). There's also a surprising amount of social commentary. One of the Park inhabitants, Egghead (Harry Langdon), is a socialist agitator, spouting propaganda about the "workers" and what will happen "when the revolution comes," and Bumper's lieutenant, Acorn (Edgar Conner) tells him that his favorite part of working is payday: he likes the money, "but you have to waste so much time to get it."

 “Hallelujah, I'm a Bum!” is directed by the legendary Lewis Milestone (The Front Page, Of Mice and Men, All Quiet On the Western Front). In one unintentionally surreal moment, (which brings down the house) the drunk Morgan is brought home by Jolson and says "There's no place like home ... there's no place like home," referencing in a convoluted way, the tag line from "The Wizard of Oz," Morgan’s most beloved role, made six years later! It is interesting to note that it is the only film Jolson ever made sans the black face makeup. You will be duly impressed immediately by Hallelujah! I’m a Bum’s whimsy- a truly stunning experience that is more impressive with time!