1974 Vintage HEBREW Israel MOVIE POSTER Film KAZABLAN Judaica JEWISH Golan GAON

Description

DESCRIPTION  :
Here for sale is the vintage ORIGINAL ISRAELI Designed , Published and Distributed THEATRE POSTER for the FIRST - PREMIERE release in 1974 of the world fame ISRAELI FILM - "KAZABLAN " . Named by critics as a kind of Israeli "West Side Story". Kazablan (Casablan or Kasablan in its first production; Hebrew: קזבלן) is an early Israeli Hebrew language play, staged first as a 1954 drama followed by a 1964 screen adaptation, later as a 1966 musical comedy, and still later produced as a 1974 musical comedy film. The name Kazablan comes from Casablanca, the birthplace of the main character.The musical's huge success made "young Jerusalem-born singer" Yehoram Gaon "not only...an overnight singing star, but also a figure of solidarity and pride for people of Sephardic origin, many of whom were entering a theatre for the first time." Gaon later reprised his role in the film version. Richly photographed and illustrated.  Originaly published by the Israeli distributers. A LARGE poster. Size around 40" x 28" . Very good condition. Folded twice. A few creases. . Should be very attractive framed behind glass ( Please watch the scan for a reliable AS IS scan ) . Poster will be sent rolled in a special protective rigid sealed tube.
PAYMENTS
:
Paypal & All credit cards.
SHIPPMENT
:
Shipp worldwide via registered airmail is $ 25 . Poster will be sent rolled in a special protective rigid sealed tube.
Handling around 5-10 days after payment.
Year: 1974 Director: Menahem Golan Stars: Yehoram Gaon, Efrat Lavi, Arieh Elias, Yehuda Efroni, Jetta Luka Genre: Musical, Comedy, Drama Review: When MGM released this Israeli movie musical in the United States in 1974, it was dismissed as a derivative film that unsuccesfully blended the rock musical with West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof. It is true that Kazablan suffers from an uneven tone and a lack of strong central story but it works better as a mood piece or social travelogue than a linear-constructed/ plot-driven piece. The director's tendency to wander almost randomly to the various characters, spectacular Israeli locations and secondary storylines contributes to the confusion but ironically results in one of the most interesting aspect of the film. The film opens with a fisherman playing an Everyman narrator introducing the villagers of our story, in a very similar way that Tevye the milkman opened in Fiddler on the Roof. Then we focus on Kazablan a Sephardic Jew from Morocco and an army veteran turned gang leader in the Israeli port of Jaffa who falls in love with Rachel, a young woman from a different social class and a Ashkenazi Jew. The relationship scandalizes the neighbors and infuriates Yanush, a middle-aged shoe store owner who wants Rachel for himself.  In the early part of the film there's a musical number titled “We Are All Jews” reminiscent of the "Tradition" number from Fiddler on the Roof that celebrates the diversity of Israeli Jews but not without pointing out that where there is diversity there is also discrimination. This is in fact the central conflict of the movie which involves the differences between the Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews. This film was directed with a good sense of pacing, imaginative visual style and unusual sensitivity by schlockmeister Menahem Golan. In fact, this is one of the best films he has ever directed himself. The songs by Dov Seltzer and Dan Almagor are catchy and at times even memorable; the highlights being Kazablan’s opening number “Man of Respect”, the big production number “Democracy” , "Hey What's Up?" in which Kazablan's gang perform an "Officer Krupkee"-like kind of number and the beautiful Brith Milah Pageant finale.  The gigantic production numbers and energetic choreography involving hundreds of dancers are mildly inspired and take advantage of the spectacular locations for maximum effect but at times appear repetitive. The minimal plot is serviceable but lacking focus. The acting is functional, but the characters are nearly all background to the spectacular Israeli locations which almost become the real star of the film. The only exception is the Israeli singer and actor Yaharom Gaon who plays the title role with gusto and has a spectacular singing voice. The female lead, Efrat Lavi is beautiful but has a very weak singing voice and minimal acting skills. Her solo at the end of the film is quite an embarasment and should have been kept in the editing room. Two versions were filmed: one in Hebrew, the other in English and the film was nominated in 1974 for two Golden Globe Awards, for Best Foreign Film and for Best Song "Rosa, Rosa".  Kazablan is a decent film that only aims at entertaining. It is also an unusually better than average Menahem Golan exercise and that alone is worth the price of admission. See it with no expectations and you will have a good time. Go expecting a landmark musical and you will curse me like a good Jewish mamma.***********  An adaptation of a popular Israeli stage musical. Kazablan is an army veteran turned gang leader in the Israeli port of Jaffa who masks his feelings of bitterness with a lot of bravado. He's sweet on Rachel, a young woman who lives with her father and stepmother. The budding relationship scandalizes the neighbors (not to mention Rachel's parents) and infuriates Yanush, a middle-aged shoe store owner who wants Rachel for himself. (Yanush feels he's entitled to marry Rachel since they're both Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern European origins, whereas Kazablan is a Sephardic Jew from Morocco.) The neighborhood has something else to worry about besides the antics of Kazablan and his gang: the city wants to tear down their crumbling homes. The residents pool their resources to save their houses, but the money that's collected is stolen. When he's jailed for the theft, Kazablan must find a way to clear himself. *********  A young veteran of Israel's War of Independence is denied the honor due to him because of his immigrant status. Born in Casablanca (hence his nickname Kazablan), he faces discrimination in all facets of life, but especially in his attempts to court an Ashkenazic girl, Rachel. A diverse cast of Israeli youths kicks up its heels, singing such infectious tunes as "Rosa, Rosa," which earned a 1974 Golden Globe award, in this Israeli "West Side Story." *********  Israel's hit musical becomes the film that breaks all box office records! Starring Yehoram Gaon as the bad boy hero with the heart of gold, and featuring over 1,000 actors, dancers and singers, this Israeli “WEST SIDE STORY” is a rocking, raucous musical with an irresistible beat! An army veteran turned gang leader, Kazablan (Yehoram Gaon) loves beautiful Rachel, but he is from the wrong side of the tracks. Now he's being falsely accused of stealing community funds by the very man who wants to steal his girl. A story of star-crossed lovers, street gangs, and cultural feuds set in the ancient port town of Jaffa, KAZABLAN is a film for the ages. *********
Director
:
Menachem Golan
Script
:
Menachem Golan. Haim Hefer
Cinematography
:
David Gurfinkel
Soundtrack
:
Dubi Zeltzer
Producer
:
Yoram Globus, Menachem Golan
Actors
:
Yehoram Gaon, Efrat Lavi,Arieh Elias Etti Grotes, Yehuda Efroni, Gita Luka Aliza Azikri, Yossi Graber, Misha Asherov Abraham Ronai,Ya'ackov Ben-Sira,Gabi Ohad Chaim Banai,Geula Yeffet,Yaacov Timan Miriam Oleinik,Zvi Borodo,Madeline Rahmimov Victor Atar,Moshe Hillel,Mutzi Aviv Nurit Amir,Aryeh Moskona,Gabi Shoshan Amos Tal-Shir,Menahem Einy,Shmuel Livneh Zeev Malichi,Liz Braun,David Dvir Rahamim Ron,Shlomo Vishinsky,Margalit Zanani ********  An Israeli musical directed by the dreaded Menahem Golan that manages to come off as an uncomfortable cross between
Jesus Christ Superstar, Fiddler on the Roof
and
West Side Story.
Probably the most interesting aspect of the film is the acknowledgment it makes of divisions in Israeli society, notably that between the 'white' or European Jews and the 'black' or non-European Jews. The analysis is somewhat blunted by making the outcast gang-leader a forgotten war hero (although it does make a valid point in a sense). The songs sound familiar. The dance routines are dismally repetitive. ********** "In one word: UNFORGETTABLE! One of my faves, I saw this movie in '77 at age 12. There are several stories presented in this movie: The neighbors of a culturally diverse ghetto in Jaffa strive to save thier homes from condemnation, the leader of a local band of 'bad boys' comes to shed his misunderstood character, and faces racial and social barriers when he, being a Morrocan, falls in love with a Polish girl of better means. Tremendous character development, beautiful music and 1,000 singers and dancers put this movie way ahead of its time."     ebay19