When Jews Were Funny (2013)

  • 18A
  • 11/14/2013 (CA)
  • Documentary
  • 1h 29m

Overview

From the 1930's to the 1970's, pretty well every comedian or comic you might see on TV or the movies was Jewish. Jews came to dominate the world of western‐society comedy on radio, stage and screen alike.Why did Jews dominate comedy in this period? And why did that domination end? Were Jews just funnier back then? And if so, did that extend to your average Jew on the street? In this 90 minute documentary acclaimed director Alan Zweig will examine these questions and many others in this exploration of 20th century humour, cultural decay, and a search for a missing heritage.

Alan Zweig

Director, Screenplay

Cast

Shecky Greene's headshot

Shecky Greene

Howie Mandel's headshot

Howie Mandel

Shelley Berman's headshot

Shelley Berman

Norm Crosby's headshot

Norm Crosby

Jack Carter's headshot

Jack Carter

David Steinberg's headshot

David Steinberg

Andy Kindler's headshot

Andy Kindler

Himself
Elon Gold's headshot

Elon Gold

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