Boy grows up to become a successful doctor at the expense of family relationships.Boy grows up to become a successful doctor at the expense of family relationships.Boy grows up to become a successful doctor at the expense of family relationships.
Maurice Black
- Felix's Patient
- (uncredited)
Jesse De Vorska
- Mr. Horowitz - Hospital Patient
- (uncredited)
Harold Goodwin
- Intern at Hospital
- (uncredited)
Dorothy Gray
- Jessica - as a Girl
- (uncredited)
Julia Griffith
- Guest at Redemption Ceremony
- (uncredited)
Harry Holman
- Mr. Holman - Hospital Patient
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAfter David O. Selznick became RKO's head of production in late 1931, he put the melodrama Symphony of Six Million (1932) (originally titled "Night Bell" after the Fannie Hurst story it is based on) into production, overseen by Pandro S. Berman. Selznick insisted that the original screenplay be rewritten to reclaim the ethnic touches from Hurst's story. Selznick likely wanted the film to serve as a mirror on to Jewish life, both of immigrants and their assimilated children. He himself changed the name of the film (a reference to New York City's population) as it was "more dramatic and dignified" than Night Bell. He also directed RKO music department chief Max Steiner to use symphonic music for the score and to have music throughout the picture. This was innovative as "talkies" rarely had an extensive score.
- GoofsAs is often the case when showing a devout Jewish home, a menorah, the traditional candelabrum, is displayed. However, this is used only once a year, so for the rest of the year it is put away. Having it on show is like having a Christmas tree up all year round to show the family are Christians.
- Quotes
Dr. Schifflen: My boy, there are two kinds of men in our profession. Some are gifted with the spark of genius; some of us are... just doctors.
[walks to the door and opens it, then turns back toward Felix]
Dr. Schifflen: Felix Klauber, you're more capable than I, but if you don't go through with this operation, I will.
- ConnectionsFeatured in David O. Selznick: 'Your New Producer' (1935)
Featured review
Intriguing, beautifully made, with a miscast but game Dunne
The scenes on Manhattan's Lower East Side in the 1930s are very convincing. The Jewish family in which Ricardo Cortez is a prodigy are too. The mama, played by Anna Appel, presages Molly Goldberg: "Yoo-hoo, Mrs. Fishbein," she calls out. Everything about the milieu seems authentic. (I'm not saying a 1932 film was shot on location but the setting was lovingly recreated.) Cortez, without his Latin-lover makeup and mannerisms, is very believable. I like him always. His name here is Felix and, though he plays a more somber than usual character here, it fits: His nearly omnipresent grin can remind one of Felix the Cat.
Gregory Ratoff is excellent as the stubborn patriarch of the household.
I watched it essentially because of my enduring fondness for Irene Dunne. (Director Gregory La Cava was no slouch either. His movies, especially the early ones like this, are always worthwhile.) Dunne plays a character named Jessica. Forgive me if I'm wrong but this does not sound like a name one would have been likely to encounter in the Jewish "ghetto," as the characters keep calling the neighborhood. She plays a teacher of blind children who limps.
She has very little to do and she acquits herself well. It seems like a waste of her special talents, though, and somewhat intrusive miscasting.
Nevertheless, the movie is touching and at times amusing. It's a rarity in its (generally) direct portrayal of lower-class Jewish life at the early part of the last century.
Gregory Ratoff is excellent as the stubborn patriarch of the household.
I watched it essentially because of my enduring fondness for Irene Dunne. (Director Gregory La Cava was no slouch either. His movies, especially the early ones like this, are always worthwhile.) Dunne plays a character named Jessica. Forgive me if I'm wrong but this does not sound like a name one would have been likely to encounter in the Jewish "ghetto," as the characters keep calling the neighborhood. She plays a teacher of blind children who limps.
She has very little to do and she acquits herself well. It seems like a waste of her special talents, though, and somewhat intrusive miscasting.
Nevertheless, the movie is touching and at times amusing. It's a rarity in its (generally) direct portrayal of lower-class Jewish life at the early part of the last century.
helpful•101
- Handlinghandel
- Dec 13, 2007
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Fanny Hurst's Symphony for Six Million
- Filming locations
- Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(opening establishing shots)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $270,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 34 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
Top Gap
By what name was Symphony of Six Million (1932) officially released in India in English?
Answer