SHAKESPEARE

Alternative title

Yedishe Kening Lear. Der

Synopsis

Feature film based on the play by Jacob Gordin. A feast is given by a wealthy Jewish merchant, David Moishele, in mid-19th century Vilna, where he is surrounded by his family, friends and servants. As he divides his wealth before going to live out his days in Jerusalem, the story of King Lear is read to him as a warning by his virtuous daughter who denies her father’s authority and becomes a student in St Petersburg. The scheming husbands of the daughters among whom Moishele divides his kingdom are a Hasid, an Orthodox Jewish businesman and a apikoyres, a secular Jew. The play, unlike King Lear, has a happy ending with Moishele being reconciled with his children.

Language

Yiddish

Country

United States

Medium

Film

Technical information

Black-and-white / Sound

Year of release

1935

Duration

86 mins

Credits

Director

Harry Thomashefsky

Producer

Jack Reiger; Johnnie Walker

Cinematographer

Joseph Freeman

Screenplay

Abraham Armband

Cast

Maurice Krohner	David Moishele (Lear)
Esther Adler	Gittelle (Cordelia)
Eddie Pascal	Shomoi
Fannie Levenstein	Hanna, his wife

Additional Details

Production type

Fiction Films

Plays

King Lear

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes

The print at the National Center for Jewish Film has English subtitles.

Production Company

Name

Lear Pictures

Archive

Name

Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting & Recorded Sound Division

Web

http://catalog.loc.gov/ External site opens in new window

Phone

(20) 707-8572

Fax

(20) 707-237’1

Address

Motion Picture & Television Reading Room
James Madison Building, LM 336
101 Independence Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C.
20540-4690
United States

Distributor

Name

National Center for Jewish Film

Email

jewishfilm@brandeis.edu

Web

http://www.brandeis.edu/jewishfilm/Catalogue/catalogue.htm External site opens in new window

Phone

(781) 899 7044

Fax

(781) 736 2070

Address

Brandeis University Lown 102, MS053
Waltham
MA 02454
United States