Watching BBC4's documentary on Broadway in the 1920's, I was surprised to discover that not only did Al Jolson perform in blackface, allowing him the freedom to emote and give his all to the songs, but he also at one point in his career wrapped himself from head to foot in bandages in order to perform his tribute song to his 'Mummy'.

Al's strength of feeling for his ma was illustrated by the sentiment that he was willing to walk a million miles in the tight, chafing material just for a glimpse of a single one of the old woman's grateful facial acknowledgements.

There was not a dry eye in the house.