The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974)

The neglected younger son of a working class Jewish family in Montréal embarks on a series of get-rich-quick schemes to buy land surrounding a lake in a bid to gain respect.

Director:

Ted Kotcheff

Writers:

Mordecai Richler (screenplay), Mordecai Richler (novel)

Stars:

Richard Dreyfuss, Micheline Lanctôt, Jack Warden

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Dreyfuss	...	Duddy
Micheline Lanctôt	...	Yvette
Jack Warden	...	Max
Randy Quaid	...	Virgil
Joseph Wiseman	...	Uncle Benjy
Denholm Elliott	...	Friar
Henry Ramer	...	Dingleman
Joe Silver	...	Farber
Zvee Scooler	...	Grandfather
Robert Goodier	...	Calder
Alan Rosenthal	...	Lennie (as Allan Rosenthal)
Barry Baldaro	...	Paddy
Allan Kolman	...	Irwin (as Allan Migicovsky)
Barry Pascal	...	Bernie Farber
Susan Friedman	...	Linda

Storyline

The younger son of a working-class Jewish family in Montreal, Duddy Kravitz yearns to make a name for himself in society. This film chronicles his short and dubious rise to power, as well as his changing relationships with family and friends. Along the way the film explores the themes of anti-semitism and the responsibilities which come with adulthood.

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Plot Keywords:

adult child | man in a wheelchair | man and woman share a bed | man in a bathtub | man in a bed | 

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Taglines:

MORDECAI RICHLER'S great novel is now a movie starring "American Graffiti" star RICHARD DREYFUSS and Academy Award nominee RANDY QUAID

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Richard Dreyfuss was offered the role of 'Matt Hooper' in "Jaws", he turned Steven Spielberg down flat because he thought the offers would come flooding in after this film's release. When Dreyfuss saw himself up on the big screen as 'Duddy Kravitz', he was convinced his film career was finished. He then telephoned Spielberg and begged him to cast him as 'Hooper'. "Jaws" was released in the Summer of 1975 and became the first huge 'Summer blockbuster', making over $100 million!

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Goofs

Although film is set in early Fifties, in scene immediately following roulette game, logo on Pepsi-Cola sign outside café dates from much later - late Fifties or early Sixties.

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Quotes

Dingleman: Alright kid, just remember you'll never do it alone.
Duddy: Hey Dingleman, I'm gonna give you five minutes to get the hell off my land. I'm king of the castle around here Dingleman.

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Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Classics from the Vault: Great Performances That Oscar Ignored (2011)

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Soundtracks

Mademoiselle from Armentieres
(uncredited)
Arranged by Stanley Myers

User Reviews

Don't know about you, but I loved it.

The most jaw dropping aspect of this film is realizing that Richard Dreyfuss was ever that young! He is perfect in the part of a pushy young man trying to get rich quick anyway he can, after all, it is what he has been raised to believe was the only goal in life. Although Duddy is pushy and brash, he is still likable and you want him to succeed, after all, he is coming from the streets without the benefit of higher education, his father is a cab driver who spends most of his days hanging out in a café with his buddies. To them money IS the goal.

I have owned this film on Video Tape for many years, and must watch it annually and always find something that I missed before. I liked the street scenes of Montreal in the late 40's, and the beautiful Adirondaks in summer. If you enjoyed Avalon, you would enjoy this film.

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 April 1974 (Canada)

Also Known As:

L'apprentissage de Duddy Kravitz

Filming Locations:

Wilensky's - Fairmount Avenue, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD910,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Astral Bellevue Pathé, Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC), Duddy Kravitz Syndicate

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 94 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1