The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974)

In a bid to gain respect, 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.

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:

"If you're so smart, how come you're not rich?" Duddy Kravitz is going to find the answer. His way. The hard way.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the opening scene, the school cadets march behind a Union Flag which dates the story at prior to 1965 [when the Maple Leaf replaced the British flag].

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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

Duddy: That's funny, last time I spoke to you, you couldn't raise four thousand dollars, remember sonny?

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Connections

References Adventure Island (1947)

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Soundtracks

Mademoiselle from Armentieres
(uncredited)
Arranged by Stanley Myers

User Reviews

annoying character still compelling

Duddy Kravitz (Richard Dreyfuss) is a hustling young Jewish man living in a working class Montreal neighborhood. His older brother medical student Lenny is the favorite of his father Max (Jack Warden) and his rich uncle Benjy. His grandfather's mantra is "a man without land is nobody" and sees every man in the family including himself as failures. He works a summer job at a Jewish resort hotel. He falls for the French Canadian maid named Yvette (Micheline Lanctôt). The other waiters from McGill University led by Irwin look down on the lower class Duddy. While on a picnic with Yvette, he decides to buy the land around a beautiful lake and build his own hotel resort. She would need to front the deal since the owners would probably be unwilling to sell to a Jew.

Duddy is a money grubbing Jew character and he's somewhat annoying. His obsession is also understandable and fascinating. It's wrapped up with daddy issues. I don't root for his quest but it is still compelling. This is a nice slice of an era as well as an interesting coming of age story. The production is adequate and Dreyfuss delivers a good performance.

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