Tevya (1939)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Maurice Schwartz

Writers:

Sholom Aleichem (story)
Marcy Klauber (adaptation)

Release Date:

21 December 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The original, non-musical film version of the book which inspired "Fiddler on the Roof".

Plot Keywords:

Ukraine | Religion | Mother Daughter Relationship | Grandchild | Eviction

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Maurice Schwartz	...	Tevya 'Tevye'
Miriam Riselle	...	Chavah 'Khave'
Rebecca Weintraub	...	Goldie 'Golde'
Paula Lubelski	...	Zeitel 'Tseytl'
Leon Liebgold	...	Fedya 'Fedye' Galagen
Vicki Marcus	...	Shloimele
Betty Marcus	...	Perele
Julius Adler	...	Aleksei, the Priest
Daniel Makarenko	...	Mikita Galagen, Fedya's Father
Helen Grossman	...	Mrs. Galagen, Mikita's Wife
Morris Strassberg	...	Starosta
Al Harris	...	Zazuli 'Zuzuya'
Louis Weisberg	...	Shtarsina
Boas Young	...	Uradnick, the Officer

Also Known As:

Tevye (USA) (alternative spelling)
Tevye der Milkhiker

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Yiddish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #02645)

Filming Locations:

Biograph Studio, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Maymon Film Inc.

Trivia:

This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1991.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Almonds and Raisins (1984)

Close to the Original

"Tevye and His Daughters"is a rather disjointed novel that was printed over a 20 year period.Each chapter stands independently of the others,and reflects the then-current situation of the Jews living in rural Tsarist Russia.We see the breakdown of a patriarchal mode of life,changing in response to the demands of an evolving society which is emerging from feudalism,having effects on all social strata.

"Fiddler on the Roof",one of the American musical theater's most enduring masterpieces,is based on 4 chapters of the original novel.In addition,it has been somewhat homogenized for popular consumption for the local public."Tevye",on the other hand,is based on roughly 2.5 chapters,which are found later in the saga.In addition,some of the personal degradation and humiliation Tevye encounters in the source,are seen in this version.

Maurice Schwartz is the star of the film.(It also helps,I guess,when he directed it as well.Able to give himself the best role.)His portrayal is NOT the gruff,jovial peasant seen in the musical.His rendition of the title part is much more cerebral,chipper,and acerbic than we might expect from this character.Nonetheless,it is entirely valid in its way.Enjoy this picture as an alternative interpretation.