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THE CANTOR’S SON (Dem Khazn’s Zindl) (1937)

Can

A showcase for the marvelous vocal talent of renowned cantor Moishe Oysher, this musical drama is based on his life. He plays Shloime, a cantor’s son, who ran away from his home in Belz when he was a boy, joining a troupe of traveling Jewish actors who take him to America. Fifteen years later he is working as a janitor when a female singer discovers that he has a wonderful voice. She leads him to fame on the stage and falls in love with him. When Shloime learns that his parents wish him to return to Europe for their golden wedding anniversary, he goes home and is reunited with his childhood sweetheart. Shloime must decide his future course—remaining in Europe as a cantor or returning to America.

In Yiddish with subtitles. 1 hr. 30 min. AGE: 14 to Adult

F

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (1971)

Gen

Tevye, a poor Jewish farmer in a small Ukrainian village at the turn of the century, must deal with his three marriageable daughters and fight to preserve his Jewish heritage against growing odds. This musical is based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem and stars Topol, Norma Crane and Molly Picon.

3 hrs. AGE: 12 to Adult

F

FUNNY GIRL (1968)

Fun

Barbra Streisand won an Oscar for her performance in this musical about the early stage career of Jewish comedienne Fanny Brice. We see Brice’s theatrical beginnings as a roller-skating chorus girl in a music hall, when no one believed she could ever be a star as she didn’t have "classic" good looks. Within a year, Fanny becomes a hit in comic roles for Florenz Ziegfield in his Follies. She falls madly in love with a handsome non-Jewish gambler, Nick Arnstein, which leads to a tumultuous marriage. Memorable songs include "People" and "Don’t Rain on My Parade."

2 hrs. 35 min. Rated G. AGE: 10 to Adult

F

HIS WIFE’S LOVER (Zayn Vaybs Lubovnik) (1931)

His

Yiddish musical comedy about a handsome actor who makes a wager with his uncle, betting that there are honest women in the world—when his uncle claims there are none. The actor disguises himself as a crotchety old millionaire and marries a beautiful young woman. Then he tests the woman’s fidelity by changing back to his regular appearance and visiting her with the intent to seduce her. In the process, he falls in love with her himself. Stars Ludwig Satz.

In Yiddish with subtitles. B&W. 1 hr. 17 min. AGE: 14 to Adult

JHVC

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THE JAZZ SINGER (1927)

Jaz

The Jazz Singer was the first feature film to contain sound sequences. Its premiere spelled the end for silent movies. This break with the past for the glamour of the present is the theme of the film itself in which the traditions of Old World Judaism run headlong into modern culture. Al Jolson plays Jakie Rabinowitz, a young man who adores jazz—"the sacred music" of a new America. But Jakie's intense desire to sing jazz conflicts with his father's wish that his son follow in his footsteps as a cantor. With audiences clamoring for his talent, Jakie must choose between honoring his parents and the American dream. Jolson's songs, including "Toot, Toot, Tootsie," and "Dirty Hands, Dirty Face," attest to his enormous talent and appeal.

B&W. 1 hr. 29 min. AGE: 12 to Adult

F

THE JAZZ SINGER (1952)

Jaz

Starring Danny Kaye and Peggy Lee, this was the first remake of the classic Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson. The story is about Jerry, a young man who comes from generations of cantors and is expected to take over from his father as cantor of their synagogue. Jerry, however, has just returned from the Korean War and has dreams of making it in show business—along with his singer girlfriend. Includes the songs "I’m Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover," Cole Porter’s "Just One of Those Things," and Rodgers and Hart’s "Lover." Note: As much a "period piece" of the 1950’s as the original was of the 1920’s.

1 hr. 47 min. AGE: 12 to Adult

F

THE JAZZ SINGER (1980)

Jaz

The second and least successful remake of the classic Al Jolson film about a cantor’s son who rejects his father’s profession to become a singer of jazz music. Neil Diamond stars as Jess, the cantor’s son who forsakes his community and turns his back on his marriage—sacrificing all for his ambition. He teams up with his new manager, Molly (played by Lucie Arnaz), and heads for the spotlight, aiming to be a rock star. A romance begins between them which is problematic, as Molly is not Jewish. Also stars Laurence Olivier (in one of his weakest roles) as Diamond’s cantor father. Includes the hit song "Coming to America."

1 hr. 55 min. AGE: 13 to Adult

F

KAZABLAN (1972)

Kaz

Popular Israeli musical known as the Israeli West Side Story. The film follows a Sephardic gang leader, Kazablan, from Morocco, who falls in love with Rachel—a beautiful, cultured Ashkenazic girl in 1960’s Jaffa. Both Rachel’s father and the community disapprove of the "mixed" dating between the two. Meanwhile, Yanosh, an older Ashkenazic man who is also in love with Rachel, is jealous and frames Kazablan as the thief who stole the village’s money. The community learns to look beyond cultural prejudices and to work together to save their village. The film includes lively, upbeat songs and over 1,000 dancers, actors and singers. Stars Yehoram Gaon and Efrat Lavie. Note: Includes one scene of "backside nudity."

2 hrs. 3 min. AGE: 12 to Adult

F

MAMELE (Little Mother) (1938)

Mam

Yiddish musical starring Molly Picon as Khavtshi, the youngest daughter of a widower who takes care of the house and family of seven. She does her best to please them all and to be their "little mother"—but her efforts are met with indifference and scorn, and they all take advantage of her generous nature. Eventually Khavtshi is pushed to her limit and runs away from home, only to discover love where she least expected to find it.

In Yiddish with subtitles. B&W. 1 hr. 30 min. AGE: 13 to Adult

492.4

MASTER DREAMER (1986)

Mas

A dramatized musical of Eliezer Ben-Yehudah's life and his dream of bringing Hebrew to Eretz Yisrael. The film shows how he changed Biblical Hebrew into the modern Hebrew language. Study guide available.

In Hebrew with subtitles. 1 hr. AGE: 13 to Adult

F

YENTL (1983)

Yen

Dramatization of a short novel by Isaac Bashevis Singer. Yentl, a smart and independent young Jewish woman in 1904 Eastern Europe, wants to study Talmud and Jewish law. Since this study was restricted to boys, Yentl masquerades as a boy and enters the Yeshiva. There she falls in love and gets involved in the middle of an impossible love triangle. This musical stars Barbra Streisand (who sings all songs), Mandy Patinkin and Amy Irving.

2 hrs. 14 min. AGE: 12 to Adult

F

YIDL MITN FIDL (Yidl With A Fiddle)

Yid

The classic Yiddish language musical comedy. Molly Picon plays a shtetl girl who, disguised as a boy, goes off with her father and a band of traveling musicians into the Polish countryside. Made in pre-war Poland, the film provides a warm rendering of Eastern European Jewish life.

Yiddish with subtitles. B&W. 1 hr. 32 min. AGE: All Ages