The Singing Blacksmith

Overview

Moishe Oysher, the renowned cantor and star of Yiddish radio, stars in Edgar G. Ulmer’s musical version of David Pinski’s play Yankl der Shmid. Singing, dancing, and flashing his eyes, Oysher gives his most robust performance as a passionate shtetl blacksmith who must struggle against temptation to become a mensch. Recently rediscovered footage makes this the most complete extant version of Ulmer’s lively folk operetta, replete with an example of Yiddish swing.

Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer

Top cast

M

Moise Oysher

Yankel

M

Miriam Riselle

Tamara

F

Florence Weiss

Rivke

Anna Appel

Chaya Peshe

M

Michael Goldstein

Raffuel

L

Lea Noemi

Mariashe

M

Max Vodnoy

Simche

Y

Yudel Duldinsky

Reb' Aaron

L

Lube Wesely

Frumeh

B

Ben-Zvi Baratoff

Bendet

Herschel Bernardi

Yankel, as a boy

R

Rai Schneier

Rivke's Mother

L

Luba Rymer

Sprintze Gnesye

B

Benjamin Fishbein

Frolke

R

R. Wendroff

Ella

R

R. Shanock

Leah

S

Sophie Bressler

Maid

L

Libby Charney

First Girl

J

Janet Deutschmann

Second Girl

C

Clara Deutschmann

Chaike

Details