Draft:Uncle Moses
| Uncle Moses | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Sidney M. Goldin Aubrey Scotto |
| Written by | Maurice Schwartz (screenplay) |
| Based on | Uncle Moses by Sholem Asch |
| Produced by | Yiddish Talking Pictures, Inc. |
| Starring | Maurice Schwartz Judith Abarbanel Zvee Scooler |
| Edited by | Bob Snody |
Production companies | Yiddish Talking Pictures, Inc. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 98 min |
| Country | United States |
| Languages | Yiddish English |
Uncle Moses (Yiddish: אָנקעל מאָזעס) is a 1932 American Yiddish drama film directed by Sidney M. Goldin and Aubrey Scotto. The film is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Yiddish writer Sholem Asch.
Plot
Set in New York City’s Lower East Side, the film follows "Uncle" Moses Melnick (Maurice Schwartz), a former peddler turned wealthy garment factory owner. He employs many of his landsleit (fellow Jewish immigrants from Kuźmina) but exerts control over them in a paternalistic and domineering manner, aided by his nephew and fixer, Sam (Sam Gertler).
Uncle Moses becomes infatuated with teenaged Masha (Judith Abarbanell), the daughter of one of his employees, after she confronts him about her father’s mistreatment. To win her over, he lavishes Masha and her parents with expensive gifts. Though reluctant, Masha ultimately agrees to marry him.
As Moses focuses on Masha, Charlie (Zvee Scooler), a young Marxist and Masha’s admirer, organizes a strike at the factory. Sam suppresses the strike violently, and a settlement is eventually reached with the workers.
After their marriage, Masha gives birth to a son but grows increasingly unhappy. Moses grants her a divorce, allowing her and the child to return to Europe. With Sam now in control of the factory, a frail and lonely Moses spends his days reminiscing and singing with the workers, mirroring the life of his own father.
Cast
- Maurice Schwartz as Uncle Moses
- Judith Abarbanell as Masha
- Zvee Scooler as Charlie
- Sam Gertler as Sam
- Mark Scweid as Aaron Melnick
- Sally Schor as Rosie Melnick
- Rubin Goldberg as Alter Melnick
Production
The story originally appeared serialized in The Forward and was published as a book in 1918[1]. It was adapted for stage by Schwartz for the Yiddish Art Theater's 1930-1931 season (one of ten Yiddish Art Theater's productions based on Asch stories)[1], and the screenplay was largely unchanged from the stage production[2]. The dialog is mostly in Yiddish, though English is used throughout, reflecting the reality of the Jewish immigrant experience in New York City.
With the exception of the opening tracking shot down Orchard Street, the film was entirely photographed at Metropolitan Studios in Fort Lee, NJ[2]. Rubin Goldberg, who portrays Uncle Moses's father, produced the film.
Reception & Legacy
Uncle Moses was released in three theaters in New York City in April of 1932 and was generally well received by contemporary audiences. Der Tog described it as "the first good Yiddish talkie"[2]. Subsequent evaluations of the film note its importance as the first Yiddish sound film to deal with contemporaneous social themes [3].
The film was restored by the National Center for Jewish Film in 1998.
References
- ^ a b Siegel, Ben (1976). The Controversial Sholem Asch. Bowling Green, Ohio: Bowling Green University Popular Press. p. 45. ISBN 0-87972-076-X.
- ^ a b c Hoberman, J (1991). Bridge of Light: Yiddish Film Between Two Worlds. New York: Schocken Books Inc. pp. 161–167. ISBN 0-8052-4107-8.
- ^ Goldman, Eric A. (1983). Visions, Images, and Dreams: Yiddish Film Past and Present. Ann Arbor, Michigan: UMI Research Press. pp. 67–68. ISBN 0-8357-1515-9.