Synopsis
Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story explores the connection between Jewish Americans and baseball, our nation’s most iconic institution. More than a film about sports, it is a story of immigration, assimilation, bigotry, heroism, the passing on of traditions, and the shattering of stereotypes
“You should be an attorney or a doctor, but not a ballplayer,” one former major leaguer remembers, describing the prejudices that he and other Jewish athletes faced. But despite the stereotypes, and in the face of hostility from fans and even violence from opposing players, there have been standout Jewish players in every decade from the 1860s to the present. Jews and Baseball is the first major documentary to tell their stories.
Interviews include fans, writers, executives, and especially players – including Al Rosen, Kevin Youkilis, Shawn Green, Norm Sherry, Ron Blomberg, Bob Feller, Yogi Berra, and a rare interview with the legendary Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax. Fans Ron Howard and Larry King speak of the meaning of Jewish ballplayers in their own lives, while historians and even two baseball-loving rabbis relate the stories of Jewish players to the turbulent history of the last century. These powerful personal and historical stories are interwoven with an extraordinary collection of rare archival footage and photos, and a musical score ranging from Benny Goodman to Yo-Yo Ma to Rush.
Dustin Hoffman narrates this engaging story of great drama, unforgettable games, and the broad sweep of American history.
Theatrical Trailer
Directed by
PETER MILLER
Produced by
WILL HECHTER
PETER MILLER
Executive Producer
WILL HECHTER
Narrated by
DUSTIN HOFFMAN
Edited by
AMY LINTON
Writer
IRA BERKOW
Original Music
MICHAEL ROTH
Cinematographers
ANTONIO ROSSI
STEPHEN MCCARTHY
ALLEN MOORE
Co-Executive Producers
LINDA SELIG
LYNDA WALKER
Associate Producers
CAROLINE BERLER
AMY LINTON
ANNE-MARIE SMITH
Sound Recordist
PETER MILLER
Additional Sound
CAROLINE BERLER
RYAN BRONZ
DANIEL BROOKS
JON CIANFRANI
GARRETT GUIDERA
JUDY HOFFMAN
MICHAEL JONES
MICHAEL DYLAN RASTRICK
BRENDAN RUSSELL
RENÉE SILVERMAN
Associate Editor
BRANDON ARNOLD
Additional Camera
ARTHUR YEE
NICK DE PENCIER
Public Relations
MARTY APPEL
Transcripts
MARCI JUETT
MEDIA TRANSCRIPTS, INC.
DC Research
ELISABETH HARTJENS, IMAGEFINDERS
Additional Research
KATE KEEGAN
JONATHAN SHAFER
Production Assistants
MATHEUS PARIZI CARVALHO
MANOL GUEORGUIEV
GABE PALEY
CHRIS PEJOVICH
MICHAEL JORDI VALDÉS
Post-Production Facility
NORTH AVENUE POST
On-line Editors
KYLE TEKIELA
Sound Edit and Mix
KENNETH LOVELL
Post-Production Supervisor
ANDREW SATINOFF
Narration Recorded at
POP SOUND, SANTA MONICA
STEPHEN DICKSON, Engineer, NICK BOZZONE, Assistant Engineer
Video Duplication
GLUE EDIT AND DESIGN
National Archives Transfers
HENNINGER MEDIA SERVICES
Legal
CASEY CHISICK
LORNE SALTMAN
CASSELS BROCK & BLACKWELL LLP
LAW OFFICE OF VALERIE MARCUS, LLC
Auditors
GOLDSTEIN PALOC LLP
Main Title Design
MARK COHEN / WIT AMERICA
Web Design
PERRY SANDERS
Original Music by
MICHAEL ROTH
BATYA MACADAM-SOMERS – violin
DUNCAN MOORE – percussion
DAVE POLLOCK – trombone
KARL SOUKUP – trumpet
PETER SPRAGUE – guitar
ASHLEY WALTERS – cello
Very Special Thanks to
JOHN REILLY
JOHN REKEVICS
Music Preparation
CYNTHIA SIMONIAN
Recorded and produced at SPRAGUELAND STUDIOS, Encinitas, California
PETER SPRAGUE and MICHAEL ROTH, producers
SEVENTH ART RELEASING
Major Funding Contributed By
APOTEX FOUNDATION
HONEY AND BARRY SHERMAN
CHARLES & ANDREA BRONFMAN FOUNDATION
BLANCHE & IRVING LAURIE FOUNDATION
ELISE & ALAN MECKLINGER
DAN FINKLEMAN
SAM FINKLEMAN
GREENBERG PHILANTHROPIC FUND
THE SONSHINE FAMILY FOUNDATION, FRAN & ED SONSHINE
ARTHUR M. BLANK FAMILY FOUNDATION
BERTRAM A. AND RONALD M. DRUKER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
SLOANE & MARC FREEMAN
MARY JO GREENBERG
TRACY & JEFF KOWAL
ESTHER & JONATHAN SHIELDS
GREENBERG TRAURIG LLP
NANCY & ARN TELLEM
“Stirring, revelatory and affectionate. Jews and Baseball knocks it out of the park.”Newsday
