Jewish Luck (1925)

Jewish Luck revolves around Menakhem Mendl (one of Sholem Aleichem's characters), a daydreaming entrepreneur who specializes in doomed strike-it-rich schemes. Despite Jewish oppression in ... See full summary »

Director:

Alexis Granowsky (as Aleksandr Granovsky)

Writers:

Sholom Aleichem (novel), Isaak Babel (titles)

Stars:

Solomon Mikhoels, Moisei Goldblat, Tamara Adelgeym

Cast

Credited cast:
Solomon Mikhoels	...	Menachim Mendel
Moisei Goldblat	...	Zalman
Tamara Adelgeym	...	Belya Kimbach
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
S. Epstein
I. Rogaler

Storyline

Jewish Luck revolves around Menakhem Mendl (one of Sholem Aleichem's characters), a daydreaming entrepreneur who specializes in doomed strike-it-rich schemes. Despite Jewish oppression in Tsarist Russia, Mendl continues to pursue his dreams and his continued persistence transforms him from schlemiel to hero.

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Plot Keywords:

jewish culture | based on novel | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Details

Country:

Soviet Union

Release Date:

1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jewish Luck

Filming Locations:

Odessa, Ukraine

Company Credits

Production Co:

Goskino

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The final scene of Jidische Glickn was filmed on the Odessa Steps, also known as The Potemkin Steps from the film Battleship Potemkin (1925).

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Connections

Referenced in Balancing Acts: A Jewish Theater in the Soviet Union (2008)

User Reviews

Little masterpiece of Jewish comedy.

This film was called by one expert as "the greatest Jewish film ever

made." I am not sure what does this "Jewish film" mean. All films made by the Jews? Films by Mauritz Stiller, Woody Allen, films made in Israel, like "Avanti Popolo"? If it does, it is hard to agree with that opinion. But if the term "Jewish film" concerns movies that presents old Jewish traditions, this little masterpiece is propably the most entertaining and best-made. And far better than "Fiddler on the Roof", the most successful film of this sort.

Film was made in Soviet Union during the time when government policy still defenced different cultures, and I guess it could not have been made anywhere else in Europe: the atmosphere was too racist. The story has a cunning Jew trying to make a living. In a train he decides to become a match-maker. In a hilarious dream sequence he sees himself "saving the America" (that has too much grooms and no brides) by loading a big steamboat with young Russian brides. The comedy is quite funny. The last, slightly sentimental scene where the Jew walks away from the village alone, reminds me of similar scenes by Charles Chaplin and Jacques Tati.

For some idiotic reason this film was actually BANNED in Finland in the 20's! Can't understand why, because it has no violence, no sex and no communistic ideas.