The pawnbroker [videorecording DVD] / Republic Pictures ; Ely Landau and Herbert R. Steinmann present ; an Ely Landau production ; produced by Roger Lewis, Philip Langner ; screenplay, Morton Fine, David Friedkin ; directed by Sidney Lumet.
Based on the novel by Edward Lewis Wallant. Rod Steiger (Sol Nazerman), Brock Peters (Rodriguez), Jaime Sanchez (Jesus Ortiz), Thelma Oliver (Ortiz' girl), Juano Hernandez (Mr. Smith), Marketa Kimbrell (Tessie), Raymond St. Jacques (Tangee), Nancy R. Pollock (Bertha), Geraldine Fitzgerald (Marilyn Birchfield). Originally produced as an American motion picture in 1964.
Contents:
That age-old charm -- Main title -- Hard man, not a talker -- Professor once -- Just a handout -- Gift from a friend -- "Teach me gold" -- Avoiding October -- Smart boy like that -- Partners in love and misery -- Miss Birchfield's lunch date -- "You people?" -- "Good boy" -- Coward's survival -- Bitterness vs. loneliness -- Only other absolute -- If if if -- Look at something pretty -- Money from filth -- Fear rushing in -- People on the train -- "You're nothing like me" -- Worried about Ortiz -- "So kill me!" -- Wrong sacrifice -- End credits.
Summary:
A long time ago, Sol Nazerman was a professor. He had a wife, children. Then the Germans came. Sol survived the concentration camp, his family did not. Now, as the pawnbroker in a shop owned by a racketeer, he grows increasingly bitter and callous, withdrawing still further from the world around him. His eager assistant Jesus looks to him as both a teacher and a father figure, but Sol eschews involvement or compassion. This detachment leads to a tragedy, which awakens Sol's humanity, wherein he can finally acknowledge his burden of grief and guilt.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.