The World of Sholom Aleichem
“Based on the Writer Whose Stories Inspired The Fiddler on the Roof”
Synopsis
This omnibus release consists of three playlets filmed and aired during television's Golden Age, and starring some of the legends of film and television. The collection originally ran as a two-hour segment on December 14, 1959, on the anthology series The Play of the Week, broadcast locally in New York City via the independent radio station WNTA. Each "tale" in the anthology was adapted from a single tale by the inimitable Sholom Aleichem, regarded by many as the "Yiddish Mark Twain". Included are: "A Tale of Chelm" starring Zero Mostel and Nancy Walker in the story of a bookseller attempting to buy a goat; "Bontche Schweig" about a poor man (Jack Gilford) whose recent arrival in Heaven makes the angels cry; and "The High School" about a Jewish merchant (Morris Carnovsky) persuaded by his wife (Gertrude Berg) to let their son attend a particular high school despite the enforcement of quotas for Jewish students.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Gertrude Berg
Hannah
Sam Levene
Mendele
Zero Mostel
Melamed / Maxel
Morris Carnovsky
Aaron Katz / Presiding Angel
Lee Grant
The Goatseller / Avenging Angel
Nancy Walker
Rifkele
Jack Gilford
Bontsche Shveig / Angel
Charlotte Rae
The Angel Rochele
Elsa Freed
Henry Lascoe
Dodi the Innkeeper
Conrad Bromberg
(as Conrad Josephs)
Frederick Rolf
Rabbi David / Prosecuting Angel
Dora Weissman
Carl Reindel
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Don Richardson
- Screenplay & Story
- Arnold Perl, Bob Rafelson, Sholom Aleichem, Y.L. Peretz
- Original Score
- Serge Hovey, Robert de Cormier
- Original Title
- The World of Sholom Aleichem
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 38m
- Production Studios
- Talent Associates
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Don Richardson
Arnold Perl, Bob Rafelson, Sholom Aleichem, Y.L. Peretz
Serge Hovey, Robert de Cormier
Lewis Freedman, Henry T. Weinstein
Department Leadership Roster
Arnold Perl
Writer
Lewis Freedman
Producer
Henry T. Weinstein
Producer
Michael Travis
Costume Design
Serge Hovey
Original Music Composer
Robert de Cormier
Original Music Composer
Don Richardson
Director
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The World of Sholom Aleichem.
Similar Titles to The World of Sholom Aleichem
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
7.6
6.9
8.2
7.4
7.3
9.8
6.0
5.6
6.5
6.8
7.7
7.2
8.0
8.0
6.8
More Like The World of Sholom Aleichem
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About The World of Sholom Aleichem
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The World of Sholom Aleichem about?
This omnibus release consists of three playlets filmed and aired during television's Golden Age, and starring some of the legends of film and television. The collection originally ran as a two-hour segment on December 14, 1959, on the anthology series The Play of the Week, broadcast locally in New York City via the independent radio station WNTA. Each "tale" in the anthology was adapted from a single tale by the inimitable Sholom Aleichem, regarded by many as the "Yiddish Mark Twain". Included are: "A Tale of Chelm" starring Zero Mostel and Nancy Walker in the story of a bookseller attempting to buy a goat; "Bontche Schweig" about a poor man (Jack Gilford) whose recent arrival in Heaven makes the angels cry; and "The High School" about a Jewish merchant (Morris Carnovsky) persuaded by his wife (Gertrude Berg) to let their son attend a particular high school despite the enforcement of quotas for Jewish students.
Who directed The World of Sholom Aleichem?
The World of Sholom Aleichem was directed by Don Richardson.
Who stars in The World of Sholom Aleichem?
The principal cast of The World of Sholom Aleichem includes Gertrude Berg, Sam Levene, Zero Mostel, Morris Carnovsky, Lee Grant.
When was The World of Sholom Aleichem released and how long is it?
The World of Sholom Aleichem was released in 1959 with a total runtime of 1h 38m.
Who composed the musical score for The World of Sholom Aleichem?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The World of Sholom Aleichem was composed by Serge Hovey, Robert de Cormier.