The Flying Matchmaker

The Flying Matchmaker
DVD cover
Directed by	Israel Becker
Written by	Israel Becker Avraham Goldfaden (operetta)
Produced by	Mordecai Navon
Starring	Mike Burstyn (double role) Raphael Klatchkin Jermain Unikovsky Shmuel Rodensky Elisheva Michaeli Rina Ganor Aharon Meskin
Cinematography	Adam Greenberg Romulo Grounni
Release date	1966 (1966)
Running time	120 minutes
Country	Israel
Languages	Yiddish Hebrew

The Flying Matchmaker (also: Two Kuni Lemel, Shnei Kuni Leml or שני קוני למל) is a 1966 Israeli film musical directed by Israel Becker. The story is based on the 1880 Yiddish play Di tsvey Kuni-lemels by Abraham Goldfaden. The film was the first major success on screen for lead actor Mike Burstyn who has a double role as Kuni Leml and his cousin Max, and also casts his father Pesach Burstein in a small role. The film was selected as the Israeli entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 39th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.

Plot

The local matchmaker (shadchan), Reb Kalman arranges a match for the daughter of a wealthy client, Reb Pinchas. The daughter is already romantically linked with her French teacher, Max. He arranges to show up in Kuni Lemel's place, disguised as Kuni Lemel, so he can marry Ganor. Confusion ensues as both Max and Kuni Lemel show up to court Ganor.

Cast

• Mike Burstyn as Max / Kuni Leml
• Raphael Klatchkin as Matchmaker
• Germaine Unikovsky as Matchmaker's Daughter (as Jermain Unikovsky)
• Shmuel Rodensky as Rebbe Pinchas
• Elisheva Michaeli as Rebbe Pinchas' Wife
• Rina Ganor as Rebbe Pinchas's Daughter
• Aharon Meskin as Kuni Leml's Father
• Ari Kutai as Max's Father

See also

• List of submissions to the 39th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
• List of Israeli submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film

External links

• Shnei Kuni Leml at IMDb