Being a chosen person on Christmas isn’t so bad. Here are 30 movies that capture something about Jewish culture.
Gentleman's Agreement (1947)
Directed by: Elia Kazan
Gregory Peck is a journalist who goes undercover as a Jew to expose antisemitism in Gentleman's Agreement. This controversial film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, which was a nice "fuck you" to the Los Angeles County Club, who had refused producer Darryl Zanuck access after mistakenly thinking he was Jewish.
20th Century Fox
The Jazz Singer (1952)
Directed by: Michael Curtiz
The classic story of a man (Danny Thomas) in show business who breaks his rabbi father's heart by not following in his footsteps has been told many times. You can also check out the 1927 original (warning: an uncomfortable amount of blackface) or the 1980 remake (warning: an uncomfortable amount of Neil Diamond).
Warner Bros.
The Graduate (1967)
Directed by: Mike Nichols
There's more to The Graduate than Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman) getting seduced by Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) — but of course, that's the moment everyone remembers. There's something deeply satisfying about watching this awkward short Jewish kid try to navigate a very adult affair with an older woman.
United Artists
Funny Girl (1968)
Directed by: William Wyler
There are few Jewish heroines as iconic as Fanny Brice, portrayed perfectly by Barbra Streisand. (Accept no substitutes.) Babs' most famous role has her singing classics "People" and "Don't Rain on My Parade," while reminding everyone that there's more to fame than being a conventionally pretty face.
Columbia Pictures
