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Hal Linden to Take Part in Sun Valley Jewish Film Festival
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Saturday, July 7, 2018
 

BY KAREN BOSSICK

Actor Hal Linden has had a rich career spanning the big band scene, Broadway, a hit TV show and dozens of films.

And at 87 he’s just made another feature film—a charming comedic drama about a teenager named Eli who learns of his grandfather’s part in the Holocaust while making him the subject of an animated art project for school.

“The Samuel Project” will be among three films shown free of charge during the 2018 Sun Valley Jewish Film Festival, which starts Monday, July 9, and runs through July 16 at the Community School Theatre. And Linden will be in attendance, fielding questions about the film and his career following the showing of “The Samuel Project” on Wednesday, July 11,

“It’s Hal’s brand new film,” said Linda Cooper, who founded the Sun Valley Jewish Film Festival six years ago. “I saw it after I had already picked another film, and I fell in love with it. I was lucky to get it. I thought wouldn’t it be great to see I he could come out, and I was delighted when he agreed to.”

Linden was born Harold Lipshitz, the son of a Lithuanian Jew who immigrated to the United States in 1910. He got his start as a big band saxophone and clarinet player musician and singer in the 1950s. After success on Broadway—most notably in “The Rothschilds”—he landed the title role in the TV comedy series Barney Miller, which earned him seven Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Award nominations.

In his latest film, he portrays a grandfather who recounts a story he hasn’t told in 75 years—that of  being saved from the Nazis by a young woman when he was a boy.

The film, shot in San Diego by Marc Fusco, reminds viewers that immigrants all have unique stories to tell, including stories about escaping persecution and life-or-death situations. And it asks what happens when such memories are not spoken about? How are the grandchildren and great grandchildren of those survivors affected today?

The 93-minute film has been selected as the audience favorite award by many film festivals

“It’s a sweet film about how a grandfather and his grandson from two different worlds and cultures learn to communicate with one another,” said Cooper.

This year’s film festival kicks off at 6 p.m. Monday, July 9, with “Sammy Davis Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me.” Like “The Samuel Project,” it has been voted the audience favorite by many film festivals.

The film, by Sam Pollard, tells the story of Davis, who was a member of the legendary Rat Pack, along with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.

Davis, who lived from 1925 through 1990, launched his career while still a boy starring in vaudeville with his father. He went on to have a hit song with “The Candy Man” and “I’ve Gotta Be Me.” And he filmed a memorable TV shot where he kissed Archie Bunker on the cheek in “All in the Family.”

But Sammy confronted racial prejudice throughout his life. He was required to stay in a rooming house in Las Vegas, while his white colleagues roomed at the hotels in which they were performing. He was not allowed a dressing room, as his white colleagues were.

Davis broke racial barriers, dating a young white actress named Kim Novak and later marrying a white Swedish-born actress May Britt.  And he paid a heavy price for doing so.

When fellow golfer Jack Benny asked him what his handicap was, Davis famously replied “Talk about handicap. I’m a one-eyed Negro Jew.”

“The film shows how he had difficulties fitting into both the black and white cultures,” said Cooper.

The last film, “The Last Suit,” will be show Monday, July 16. The klezmer-scored film follows an 88-year-old tailor named Abraham who has been moved out of his Buenos Aires residence into a retirement home. His children are even trying to convince him to amputate his disabled limb.

But Abraham, who survived the Holocaust, isn’t about to fade away quietly. And, so, he embarks on a journey back in time and half way around the world in a charming 86-minute film that reminds viewers  of the importance of family and friendship and of keeping a promise.

“It shows that no matter what age a person is, it’s never too late to seek and find fulfillment,” said Cooper.

Cooper started the film festival to show films that would offer viewers an understanding of Jewish culture.

The films have included in-depth looks at artists like Neil Diamond and Marvin Hamlisch and even a fun portrayal of sumo wrestlers. One film even had a local connection in a Hailey basketball player that played for Israel’s miracle basketball team.

Cooper watches a hundred films before passing her favorites off to a committee of 12 for their feedback in selecting three for the festival each year.

“I had no idea the festival was going to be so successful,” she said. “In the process, I’ve learned that we have a very intelligent audience here with a good sense of humor. And they like uplifting films. I never stop looking for films that they will enjoy. I’m already looking at films for next year.”

SHOWS AT A GLANCE:

Monday, July 9, 6 p.m.—“Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me”

Wednesday, July 11, 6 p.m.—“The Samuel Project” with a discussion by actor Hal Linden following the film

Monday, July 16, 6 p.m.—“The Last Suit”

All films will be shown at the Community School Theater. For more information, call the Wood River Jewish Community at 208-726-1183 or email wrjc@wrjc.org.

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