'The Jazz Singer'

What was the appeal of "black face"? Was it was supposed to be funny? Or just another way to be racist?

I would assume it was comedic and I would further assume that it would be used in a comedic skit or some such. Instead, Al Jolson's singing to his poor ol' "mammy."

This is creepy. The "black face," Jolson's jutting eyes and the odd way they could dance back then with their hips being popped out of the socket.

That's it. I'm going to go Google "black face" now.