Hard to Find Jewish Films
October 19, 2011 by Robert J. Avrech 12 Comments
This post is brought to you by Direct.tv.
Fans of classic movies often have a hard time finding their favorite selections on television or in stores. While there are of course a few basic channels that will occasionally show older, classic films, tv schedules are generally aiming for the broadest possible appeal, and classic films don't always reach the widest audiences. This is why, if you have been having trouble finding programming that you like, you may want to look into something like direct tv choice extra, which can offer you additional channels, as well as special film networks. Some of these networks can be particularly appealing for fans of certain genres. For example, fans of classic Jewish films may have luck finding some of the following respected and historically important films on a network like TCM (Turner Classic Movies).
The Jazz Singer, The landmark 1927 movie starring Al Jolson that was Warner Brothers first sound film, an adaptation of a hit Broadway musical. This is a film that is greatly appreciated by fans of classic film—it features the Yom Kippur liturgy—but is rarely if ever shown on basic cable channels.
The Younger Generation, 1929, a silent film directed by the great Frank Capra. Story of a social-climbing Jewish man, played by Ricardo Cortez, b. Jacob Kranz, and his old-world parents who are heartbroken by their son's rejection of family and Judaism.
Still from Frank Capra's The Younger Generation. Ricardo Cortez is an ambitious businessman who is ashamed of his parents and their humble Jewish origins. With Rosa Rosanova, Lina Basquette and Jean Hersholt.
The Yellow Ticket, an obscure 1931 film directed by Raoul Walsh starring Laurence Olivier, Lionel Barrymore and Elissa Landy, the story of a young Jewish woman from a shtetl who must secure a Yellow Ticket in order to reach St. Petersburg to visit her dying father. But the Tsarist issued Yellow Ticket is only given to prostitutes. This film is rarely screened but is a must-see for those who are interested in the image of Jews in Hollywood movies.
Symphony of Six Million, 1932, again starring Ricardo Cortez, with Irene Dunne before she emerged as a brilliant screwball comedienne. Based on a novel by Fanny Hurst this is the story of a brilliant Jewish doctor—is there any other kind—who turns his back on his poor Jewish patients in favor of uptown society swells. The six million of the title refers to Manhattan's population at the time the film was produced. This film is notable for including a scene of the Pidyon Ha-Ben, Redemption of the First Born, the only time, to my knowledge, this ancient Jewish ritual has appeared in a Hollywood film.
Straight is the Way, 1934. Franchot Tone as tough Jewish kid who gets out of prison and tries to go straight on the crime-ridden Lower East Side. Look for the scene where Tone's mother lights the Shabbat candles.
The Juggler, 1953. One of the earliest Hollywood films shot in Israel starring Kirk Douglas, b. Issur Danielovitch, The Juggler is a powerful drama that, unfortunately, garners very little attention on basic cable. This is a lovely and wrenching film in that depicts the drama of a Holocaust survivor who moves to the newly formed state of Israel where he glimpses his wife and children—who were murdered by the Nazis.
These are just a few examples of some movies that, primarily because they are old and may lack the mass appeal of more modern Hollywood hits, don't often appear on basic television. It's important to remember that the founders of the American movie industry were poor Jewish immigrants who brought their memories and experiences to the fledging art form thereby paying homage to the struggle and identity of the 20th century Jew. If these are subjects with which you identify or in which you are interested or just plain curious, you may want to see about updating your television package, as this is one of the best ways to gain access to these wonderful of films.
Seraphic Secret will be offline until Sunday in order to celebrate the last days of Succot and Shabbat. We wish all our friends and relatives a chag sameach, joyous holiday and a Shabbat Shalom, peaceful Shabbat.
Filed Under: Hollywood, Jewish Hollywood, Ricardo Cortez, Silent Movies Tagged With: Frank Capra, Guest Post brought to you by Direct.tv, Raoul Walsh, Straight is the Way, Symphony of Six Million, The Jazz Singer, The Juggler, The Yellow Ticket, The Younger Generation
Moishe3rd says
I have undirected TV. Not many channels. But, after reading a reference to it somewhere or other, I did find "A Gentlemen's Agreement" on Youtube.
I had never heard of it before. I was impressed and amazed at how good it was and then, looking it up afterwards, how popular it was – Best Picture in 1947. (Gregory Peck is a reporter who pretends to be Jewish in order to cover a story on anti-Semitism.)
Batya says
We can't get those here in Israel.
Robert, I'm just wondering if you know anything about my grandfather's cousin who had been involved with films in Holywood in those days. His name was Harry Spiers/Spears. I don't know how he spelled it.
Robert J. Avrech says
Batya:
Sorry, have not come across your grandfather's cousin's name.
antoineclarke says
There was an engineer in an experimental TV show in 1931 (!) whose name was Harry Spears. Close enough?
realr says
I am not sure if you are aware of this, but on Directv is a special service called Jewish Life TV, channel 366. It requires a fairly new dish (oval) but I have had the service for 2 years, and JLTV is terrific.
They show archive Jewish movies from the 30s all the time. They also have an ongoing sitcom from the 50s called "The Goldbergs". This is among all sorts of Jewish programming. You will enjoy it.
http://www.jltv.tv/home.php
The channel is based in your town, Los Angeles. You might contact them anyway. They have several interview shows, serious and not so serious. One of my favorites is "James and Sunda", quite offbeat.
There is a very nice world music program called "The Beat" with Jewish groups from Israel, as well as old clips of Benny Goodman.
I have been following your blog for about a year. It is very enjoyable, you mix up political comments with Hollywood references, Bridget Bardot love letters, fashion, and your own thoughts about writing scripts.
FWIW I am living in Montana, in a small college town with one congregation. It is one size fits all so it has required having an open mind to adjust from the observances we each have from whatever town we originated. Great skiing, outdoors, lots of off-campus courses based on what the university is teaching, plus I can go online and read Seraphic Secrets.
Realr:
Thanks so much for the tip. I'll check it out.
We're happy to meet our readers. Thank you for stepping forward with a comment. It's wonderful that you have a Jewish congregation. One size fits all is certainly better than no size fits all.
I've heard that Montana is one of the most beautiful states and someday we hope to visit.
Do stay in touch.
Barry says
Robert– Four Daughters is a must for anyone, much less a man of your sensiitivity. All of the characters, Dick Foran's probably excepted, are Jewish of German origin, but played as middle Americans. And, it works. Jeffrey Lynn and John Garfield are both outstanding. Lynn a revelation. Hard to believe, but the least effective of the players is Claude Rains. In this film only. Not that he isn't pretty good, but we do expect him to be that at the least. A Michael Curtiz film of the first order. The sequels are just product.
Please read "subtlety" rather than what I put up. I am affter all an old man. Require some slack. Thanks.
Robert–Symphony of Six Million simplty doesn't work. Ricardo Cortez emotes all over the place, and most of the supporting characters are protrayed in the worst possible New York ghetto sterotype, with the exception of Irene Dunne. She doesn';t do anything to create a so-called jewish identity, and for me, that works. Hers is the only performance that makes it unscathed through the film. AS for the Yellow Ticket. Very interesting, but Elissa Landi, while attractive never, not in this film or any other, offers ubtley or nuance. Nor is she compeilling in an old movie star way. Both of these are interesting projects that remain unfullfilling. Star the stronger of the two. For Fannie Hurst's work Four Dauaghters is the must see film.
Barry:
I pretty much agree with you about the overall quality of "Symphony." But I'm interested in more than the aesthetics of these films. I'm fascinated by the images of Jews as seen through the Hollywood filter.
Elissa Landi never projected star quality. Quite true. She was, by nature, deeply cerebral and not made for a Hollywood career. After retiring she settled down to write several quite interesting novels, which I have read and admire.
I have not seen "Four Daughters," but I will seek it out now that you have recommended it so highly.
Rick McGinnis says
I have Warner's excellent deluxe reissue of The Jazz Singer on the shelf next to my desk, but the rest are new to me. Another reason why we need a "faster, please" attitude to streaming, which might encourage the studios holding these films in their archives to distribute them by the cheapest ever movie distribution model in history. The fact that this is even possible is one of the things that cured me of a lifelong Luddism.
Rick:
I love all the streaming services. It's a gift for film geeks like yours truly. Also, I don't feel the need to stock my shelves with hundreds of DVD's.
One of my earliest screenwriting mentors was Samson Raphelson who wrote "The Jazz Singer" and authored some of Lubitch's greatest films. Samson was quite old when we met, but his ability to evaluate dramatic craft was razor sharp. I learned an enormous amount from him.