The Flying Matchmaker
The Flying Matchmaker (also: Two Kuni Lemel, Shnei Kuni Leml or שני קוני למל) is a 1966 Israeli film musical directed by Israel Becker. The story is based on the 1880 Yiddish play Di tsvey Kuni-lemels by Abraham Goldfaden. The film was the first major success on screen for lead actor Mike Burstyn who has a double role as Kuni Leml and his cousin Max, and also casts his father Pesach Burstein in a small role. The film was selected as the Israeli entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 39th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.[1]
| The Flying Matchmaker | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Israel Becker |
| Produced by | Mordecai Navon |
| Written by | Israel Becker Avraham Goldfaden (operetta) |
| Starring | Mike Burstyn (dual role) Raphael Klatchkin Jermain Unikovsky Shmuel Rodensky Elisheva Michaeli Rina Ganor Aharon Meskin |
| Cinematography | Adam Greenberg Romulo Grounni |
Release date |
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Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | Israel |
| Language | Yiddish Hebrew |
Plot
The local matchmaker (shadchan), Reb Kalman arranges a match for the daughter of a wealthy client, Reb Pinchas. The daughter is already romantically linked with her French teacher, Max. He arranges to show up in Kuni Lemel's place, disguised as Kuni Lemel, so he can marry Ganor. Confusion ensues as both Max and Kuni Lemel show up to court Ganor.
Cast
- Mike Burstyn as Max / Kuni Leml
- Raphael Klatchkin as Matchmaker
- Germaine Unikovsky as Matchmaker's Daughter (as Jermain Unikovsky)
- Shmuel Rodensky as Rebbe Pinchas
- Elisheva Michaeli as Rebbe Pinchas' Wife
- Rina Ganor as Rebbe Pinchas's Daughter
- Aharon Meskin as Kuni Leml's Father
- Ari Kutai as Max's Father
See also
- List of submissions to the 39th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of Israeli submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
References
- Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences