L'âme du ghetto

Original title: Symphony of Six Million

1932
Approved
1h 34m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Ricardo Cortez in L'âme du ghetto (1932)

A boy grows up to become a successful doctor at the expense of family relationships.A boy grows up to become a successful doctor at the expense of family relationships.A boy grows up to become a successful doctor at the expense of family relationships.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

472

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins total

User reviews20

Featured review

7/10

What a Great Movie

I was intrigued with the title of Six Million having a Jewish theme and what the connection would be since the movie was made in 1932. Once watching I was riveted to the story. The actors were custom made for their parts, hearing Oyfn Pripinchik being played throughout the movie made it heartwarming and endearing. A real Yiddishe Mama, an old fashioned papa (fabric cutter) and their children all living on the Lower East Side. The theme was that one of their son's wanted to be a doctor and took up a practice in their neighborhood caring for the poor (sometimes accepting no payment or very little) because it was rewarding for him. His brother saw it as wasting his talents and wanted him to become a Park Avenue big shot to make money. He did and lost his spirit. But wait til the middle and the end to see what happens. Have a box of tissues around. You will need it. Typical Fanny Hurst style.

gelashe
Oct 2, 2002
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Photos29

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
After David O. Selznick became RKO's head of production in late 1931, he put the melodrama L'âme du ghetto (1932) (originally titled "Night Bell" after the Fannie Hurst story it is based on) into production, overseen by Pandro S. Berman. Selznick insisted that the original screenplay be rewritten to reclaim the ethnic touches from Hurst's story. Selznick likely wanted the film to serve as a mirror on to Jewish life, both of immigrants and their assimilated children. He himself changed the name of the film (a reference to New York City's population) as it was "more dramatic and dignified" than Night Bell. He also directed RKO music department chief Max Steiner to use symphonic music for the score and to have music throughout the picture. This was innovative as "talkies" rarely had an extensive score.

Goofs
As is often the case when showing a devout Jewish home, a menorah, the traditional candelabrum, is displayed. However, this is used only once a year, so for the rest of the year it is put away. Having it on show is like having a Christmas tree up all year round to show that the family are Christians.

Quotes
Dr. Schifflen: My boy, there are two kinds of men in our profession. Some are gifted with the spark of genius; some of us are... just doctors.
[walks to the door and opens it, then turns back toward Felix]
Dr. Schifflen: Felix Klauber, you're more capable than I, but if you don't go through with this operation, I will.