Zeus

The Heart Of New York (1932)

• Director
  • Mervyn LeRoy
• Writers
  • David Freedman(play "Mendel, Inc.")
  • Arthur Caesar(adaptation)
  • Houston Branch(adaptation)
• Stars
  • Joe Smith
  • Charles Dale
  • George Sidney

  Joe Smith and Charlie Dale, the Jewish-dialect comedy team famous for their "Dr. Kronkheit" sketch, provide comic relief in Heart of New York, a filmization of Smith and Dale's Broadway hit Mendel Inc. The team costars with another Hebraic comedian, George Sidney, who portrays good-natured plumber Mendel Maranta. Mendel goes into business for himself after inventing a revolutionary washing machine, accruing wealth beyond his wildest dreams. The ex-plumber learns all too soon that money and happiness are not necessarily hand-in-hand commodities, especially in dealing with the romantic misadventures of daughter Marion Byron. Smith and Dale portray Schnapps and Strudel, a pair of bickering professional matchmakers. The team never became full-fledged movie stars, but Heart of New York showcases their talents to excellent advantage.