The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974)

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 ... See full summary »

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:

There's a little bit of Duddy Kravitz in everyone.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

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

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

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

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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

Way better than I thought

I caught this film on cable the other night and decided to keep watching since it was set in locations where I grew up. I was not disappointed. The story (a poor Jewish kid who wants to make it big) is interesting and offers many comedic highlights. Richard Dreyfuss gives a passionate performance that simply makes the film. The third act however derails, not exactly knowing where its going with its main characters. But it's good.