This is so well researched! And of course the granddaddy of chazzanim-turned-pop-turned back is 1940's Yiddish film Overture to Glory with Moishe Oysher. His final rendition of Kol Nidrei is worth the price of admission and turns the Jazz Singer's ending on its ear - talk about a cautionary tale.
This is amazing, Matt! How did you unearth every single appearance of a cantor character across film and tv? Did you live on the IMDb for several months? ;)
Not really a character, but Sholom Katz's beautiful rendition of Kel Moleh Rachamim at the end of The Garden of the Finzi-Continis made a strong impact.
This is so well researched! And of course the granddaddy of chazzanim-turned-pop-turned back is 1940's Yiddish film Overture to Glory with Moishe Oysher. His final rendition of Kol Nidrei is worth the price of admission and turns the Jazz Singer's ending on its ear - talk about a cautionary tale.
Thanks! I left out the Yiddish language ones - for another article!
Clearly. I haven’t seen enough of the right movies.
I'm not sure all of these are the "right" movies. But they certainly had cantors!
This is amazing, Matt! How did you unearth every single appearance of a cantor character across film and tv? Did you live on the IMDb for several months? ;)
No I polled my cantorial colleagues! But this was a popular post. If you want to go deep in on cinematic cantors, read Jeffrey Shandler (though I think he misses Alice B Tolkas): https://www.sjsu.edu/people/victoria.harrison/courses/JWSS111/s1/Jeff-Shandler-Jews-God--Videotape----Cantors.pdf
Ah, okay! I think you guys should have a symposium about this! Thanks for the link. :)
Not really a character, but Sholom Katz's beautiful rendition of Kel Moleh Rachamim at the end of The Garden of the Finzi-Continis made a strong impact.
Sholom Katz was quite a chazn. I have not done European cinema but am noting for a future article. Thanks!