Category Archives: Jewish Hollywood

Hidden Hollywood: Seven Obscure Jewish Films

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: November 15, 2017

What’s a Jewish film? My definition is quite simple. It is a film that deals with Jewish subject matter. Thus, Woody Allen does not make Jewish films. In truth, Hollywood movies that do deal with Judaism are quite rare. Take a look at the subject headings in Netflix. There is no category for Jewish films. […]

Also posted in Hidden Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Israel, Jewish Holidays, Judaism, Kirk Douglas, Movie Posters, Movies | Tagged Al Jolson, Elissa Landy, Franchot Tone, Frank Capra, Hungry Hearts, Kirk Douglas, Straight is the Way, Symphony of Six Million, The Jazz Singer, The Juggler, The Yellow Ticket, The Younger Generation | 4 Responses

Hidden Hollywood: Issur Danielovitch AKA Kirk Douglas Can’t Get a Prom Date

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: February 6, 2017

In the beginning of his legendary career, Kirk Douglas (1916 – ) b. Issur Danielovitch, was almost typecast as a well-meaning but ineffectual husband in two fine films, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, 1946, and A Letter to Three Wives, 1949. But his career ascended into mega-stardom when he played cynical heroes motivated by rage: […]

Also posted in Hidden Hollywood, History, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Hollywood Still Photography, Jew-haters, Jew-hatred, Judaism, Kirk Douglas | Tagged Ann Sothern, Bryna Productions, Evelyn Keyes, Faye Dunaway, Gene Tierney, Jean Simmons, Joan Crawford, Kirk Douglas, Linda Darnell, Marilyn Maxwell, Marlene Dietrich, Patricia Neal, Rita Hayworth, The Ragman's Son | 12 Responses

Hidden Hollywood: Fay Wray, Beauty and the Beasts, Part III

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: October 31, 2016

In her disarmingly modest, and revealing autobiography, On the Other Hand, film actress Fay Wray (September 15, 1907–August 8, 2004), best known for her role as Ann Darrow in the classic film King Kong, unveils her life in a lovely, impressionist style that is at the same time sharply focused. As Seraphic Secret wrote in […]

Also posted in Actors, Books, Fay Wray, Hidden Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Jew-haters, Jew-hatred, Screenwriting | Tagged Bessie Lasky, Fay Wray, Gary Cooper, Jesse Lasky Jr., John Monk Saunders, King Kong, Wings | 10 Responses

The Jewish Left Lies About Tikkun Olam

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: August 24, 2016

Here at Seraphic Secret we pay particular attention to the use and abuse of language by the left. The left has always lied and twisted reality to conform to its utopian ideology. But Barack Obama and the leftist media have ushered in a new Orwellian age where their morally depraved rhetoric has gone mainstream. George […]

Also posted in Daf Yomi, Judaism, Talmud, Tikkun Olam, Torah | Tagged Abuse of Language, Curt Biren, Daf Yomi, George Orwell, Judaism, Marxism, The Jewish Left, Tikkun Olam | 6 Responses

Hidden Hollywood: Broncho Billy, Son of a Jewish Gun

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: July 25, 2016

In 1965, a frail old man in a wheelchair appeared in the no-budget western, The Bounty Killer. For those of us who love movies, especially westerns, this is a bittersweet moment. Because the man who invented the western movie hero makes his last appearance on the silver screen. That man was Broncho Billy Anderson. But Broncho […]

Also posted in Broncho Billy, Hidden Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Hollywood Still Photography, John Wayne, Movie Posters, Movies, Silent Movies | Tagged Charlie Chaplin, Essany, Francis X. Bushman, Marguerite Clayton, Max Aaronson, Mollie Louise Schabbleman, Westerns | 8 Responses

Friday Photos: True Hollywood Confessions

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: July 22, 2016

Also posted in Art, Design, Eve Arden, Family, Friday Fotos, Glamour, Great Dialogue, Hedy Lamarr, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Hollywood Still Photography, Israel, Jewish Holidays, Jewish Photography, Judaism, Painting, Photography, Quotes, True Hollywood Confessions | Tagged Agnes Martin, De Stijl, design, Ed Ruscha, Etrog, Eve Arden, Fernando Taborda, Furniture, Gerrit Rietveld, Hedy Lamarr, James M. Cain, James Nares, Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida, Louis Jacques-Mandé Daguerre, Mary Nolan, Mildred Pierce, Moira Dryer, Naum Gabo, Paulette Goddard, Piet Cohen, Robert Capa, Robert Doisneau, Robert Riggs, Sam Francis, Susan Hayward, William Klein | 19 Responses

Hidden Hollywood: Hebrew Hottie Risks Life for American Troops

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: July 20, 2016

In 1918 Theda Bara was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Leading in popularity and box office appeal was Mary Pickford. Charlie Chaplin came second. And not far behind these two giants of the silver screen, Theda Bara. She was the hottest sex symbol to hit the motion picture screen since, well, since the […]

Also posted in Hidden Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Hollywood Still Photography, Photography, Silent Movies, Theda Bara | Tagged A Fool There Was, Fort Sill, May Allison, Oklahoma, Theda Bara, Theodosia Burr Goodman, Vamp, Victor Benoit, War Bonds, World War I | 7 Responses

Hidden Hollywood: Latin Lover Ricardo Cortez is Kosher Butcher’s Son

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: July 6, 2016

Ricardo Cortez (1900-1977) was a handsome and talented leading man whose image, in the silent era, was that of a hot-blooded Latin lover. In truth, his name was Jacob Krantz, the son of a kosher butcher, born and raised in the mean streets of New York’s Lower East Side.

Also posted in Alma Rubens, Glamour, Greta Garbo, Hidden Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Hollywood Still Photography, Irene Dunne, Judaism, Movie Posters, Movies, Photography, Ricardo Cortez, Silent Movies | Tagged Alma Rubens, Bebe Daniels, D.W. Griffith, Greta Garbo, Irene Dunne, L.B. Mayer, Mae Clarke, Maltese Falcon, Pidyon Ha-Ben, Ricardo Cortez, Stanley Cortez, Symphony of Six Million, The Torrent, This Bright World Again | 3 Responses

John Wayne Casts a Giant Shadow

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: September 18, 2014

John Wayne’s commitment to Conservative values cemented his support of Israel. Indeed, there was a time when even Hollywood liberals supported Israel publicly, and through generous charitable contributions. Tragically, classic liberalism is dead, replaced by a postmodern Democrat party—progressivism—that is radically left and infused with the classic Jew-hatred of Marxist-Lenninism. In Scott Eyman’s compulsively readable biography […]

Also posted in Book Reviews, Books, Hollywood, John Wayne, Judaism, Zionism | Tagged Batjac, Cast A Giant Shadow, Haga, Issur Danielovitch, Kirk Douglas, Melville Shavelson, Mickey Marcus, Senta Berger, The Alamo | 14 Responses

Ava Gardner’s Secret About Her Secret Jew

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: December 5, 2013

In 1988, Ava Gardner sat down with British author Peter Evans to write a Hollywood memoir. But Evans quickly discovered that Ava was a hopeless alcoholic who, when drunk, told juicy tinsel town tales. But when Ava sobered up, she ordered Evans not to use any of “the good” material. Ava knew where all the […]

Also posted in Ava Gardner, History, Hollywood, Jew-haters | Tagged Artie Shaw, Ava Gardner, Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversations, Forvere Amber, Kathleen Windsor, Peter Evans | 27 Responses

Hard to Find Jewish Films

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: October 19, 2011

This post is brought to you by Direct.tv. Fans of classic movies often have a hard time finding their favorite selections on television or in stores. While there are of course a few basic channels that will occasionally show older, classic films, tv schedules are generally aiming for the broadest possible appeal, and classic films […]

Also posted in Hollywood, Ricardo Cortez, Silent Movies | Tagged Frank Capra, Guest Post brought to you by Direct.tv, Raoul Walsh, Straight is the Way, Symphony of Six Million, The Jazz Singer, The Juggler, The Yellow Ticket, The Younger Generation | 12 Responses

Who’s the Jewish Movie Star? Take 5: Answer

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: May 18, 2008

Florence Vidor and Ricardo Cortez in The Eagle of the Sea, 1926. The Jewish movie star is Ricardo Cortez (1899 – 1977) a handsome and talented leading man whose image, in the silent era, was sold to the public as a hot-blooded Latin lover. In truth, he was Jacob Krantz, born in Vienna, the son […]

Posted in Jewish Hollywood | 5 Responses

Who’s the Jewish Movie Star? Take 4: Answer

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: May 11, 2008

The Jewish movie star is Max Aaronson, who changed his name to Gilbert Anderson, and was known to millions of early movie goers as Broncho Billy Anderson . Yup, the first cowboy hero of the motion pictures was a Jewish kid from Little Rock, Arkansas. Not one correct guess from dozens of brave attempts from […]

Posted in Jewish Hollywood | 8 Responses

Who’s the Jewish Movie Star? Take 4

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: May 9, 2008

This great Jewish movie star wishes Israel a happy 60th Birthday. Who’s the Jewish movie star? Instead of posting your answer in the comments section, send your guess directly to robert.avrech@gmail.com. Good luck. Answer on Sunday. Karen and I wish all our friends a wonderful miracle in Shabbat . Here’s a photo from the editing […]

Posted in Jewish Hollywood | 5 Responses

Who’s the Jewish Movie Star? Take 3: Answer

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: May 4, 2008

Early studio portrait. The Jewish movie star is Sylvia Sydney. Real name Sophia Kosow, 1910 – 1999. As I suspected, the privacy of e-mailing answers resulted in greater participation. Mazal Tov to all those who guessed correctly. First in were movie-maven sisters: Buttercup and Tamster, who are three for three in our “Who’s the Jewish […]

Posted in Jewish Hollywood | 11 Responses

Who’s the Jewish Movie Star? Take 3

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: May 2, 2008

Who’s the Jewish Movie Star? She starred opposite such great actors as Spencer Tracy, Henry Fonda, Joel McCrea, Fredric March, George Raft and Cary Grant. Instead of posting your answer in the comments section, send your guess directly to robert.avrech@gmail.com. Good luck. Answer on Sunday. Karen and I wish all our friends a wonderful miracle […]

Posted in Jewish Hollywood | 6 Responses

Who’s the Jewish Movie Star? Take 2: Answer

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: April 28, 2008

Posted in Jewish Hollywood | 11 Responses

Who’s the Jewish Movie Star? Take 2

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: April 25, 2008

Posted in Jewish Hollywood | 6 Responses

Who’s Jewish Movie Star? Take 1: Answer

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: April 6, 2008

Lilyan Tashman 1899-1934. Congratulations to Tamster for guessing correctly.We will be blogging about this talented and unique Hollywood star in the near future.

Posted in Jewish Hollywood | 6 Responses

Who’s the Jewish Movie Star? Take 1

By Robert J. Avrech | Published: April 4, 2008

This Jewish movie star wishes you all a lovely and meaningful Rest in Shabbat. Can you identify the Hollywood star? She was born into an Orthodox family from Brooklyn. After working as a teen-age model she was featured in the Ziegfled Follies. Soon, Hollywood came calling and she was offered a series of feature roles. […]

Posted in Jewish Hollywood | 9 Responses

How I Married Karen

The new book
by Robert J. Avrech

Available in All Major Book Stores

Adobe Digital Edition's version is available through the Lulu store!
About Me
Robert J. Avrech
Los Angeles, California
I'm an Emmy Award winning screenwriter. I'm also an observant Jew, a religious Zionist, a conservative Republican, and a member of the NRA. I've been writing and producing in Hollywood for over twenty-five years. But the focus of my life is my family: my radiant wife, Karen—with whom I have been in love with since I was nine years-old—and my two daughters, who, thankfully, look like Karen. Not too long ago, we had three children. But our son, Ariel, died at the age of twenty-two from cancer. We miss him terribly. We think about him practically every minute of every day. People tell us that time heals, but Karen and I know this is not true. Time grinds away doing its terrible work. Ariel is gone. Yet absence becomes presence.

Ariel Chaim Avrech, ZT'L, May His Righteous Memory be a Blessing.
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Annual Ariel Avrech
Memorial Lectures
Young Israel of Century City
NOTE: Click on video titles inside the thumbnail images, below, to open that video in YouTube

Fifteenth: June 10, 2018
Jackie Danicki: “Confessions of a Convert: A Humbling, Joyful Journey to Judaism.”

Blog Post | Audio: (94 MB)

Fourteenth: June 11, 2017
Daniel Greenfield: “Fighting Anti-Semitism and Defending Israel in the Age of BDS.”

Blog Post | Audio: (100 MB)

Thirteenth: May 22, 2016Ben Shapiro: “How You Can Save Israel”

Blog Post | Audio: (70 MB)

Twelfth: June 7, 2015
Larry Elder: “The New Black Anti-Semitism”

Blog Post | Audio: (100 MB)

Eleventh: June 8, 2014
Michael Medved: “Shifting Alliances: Why Liberals No Longer Reliably Support Israel — And Conservatives Do.”

Blog Post | Audio: (97MB)

Tenth: June 9, 2013
David Horowitz: “The War Against Judaism on the University Campus.”

Blog Post | Audio: (16MB)

Ninth: June 3, 2012
Joel B. Pollak: “The Mainstream Media’s Betrayal of Israel.”

Blog Post | Audio: (15MB)

Eighth: June 5, 2011
Yossi Klein Halevi: “What is Expected of a Survivor People: Lessons My Father Taught Me.”

Blog Post | Audio: (18MB)

Seventh: June 13, 2010
Dennis Prager: “Happiness is a Mitzvah, Not an Emotion.”

Blog Post | Audio: (80MB)

Sixth: June 21, 2009
Rabbi Steven Pruzansky: “Conformity in Jewish Life: Vice, Virtue or Affectation?”

Blog Post | Audio: (64MB)

Fifth: June 15, 2008
Rabbi Dr. Gil S. Perl: “What Was the Rosh Yeshiva Reading: Intellectual Openness in 19th Century Lithuania.”

Blog Post | Audio: (70MB)
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