The Mayor of Hell (1933): Yiddish scene

Yiddish scene from "The Mayor of Hell" (1933), a Warner Brothers film with James Cagney. Papa Horowitz sends his no-good kid to reform school - it's a bargain!

[@XTendoKlaws]

"Izzy my boy. You know why I'm letting you go? Because I wasn't able to do nothing with you. You know your mama couldn't come to court today, because she's lying sick in bed. I just hope to God that when you'll come out of there, it'll be as a better boy, and you'll have learnt how to respect your papa and mama." - My translation of the Yiddish

[@hartzell7407]

That's a more accurate translation than others that I have seen.

[@Arkelk2010]

Thank you. I caught the love and frustration from the acting, but I am glad to know what was actually said.

[@XTendoKlaws]

Thanks all for your comments, I'm glad I could give people better access to the beauty of the Yiddish language. See how different he is in his English! Very touching scene

[@thetooginator153]

Thank you for the translation! I hope Google Translate adds Yiddish some day.

[@elenatramsti5176]

Thanks for the translation. It really helps. It makes the scene even more touching. The boy didn't say a word but he did a great acting job as of course the father did.

[@mhaj3963]

"How much does it cost?" 'It's free - the tax-payer picks up the bill." "Send him."

[@johnroscoe2406]

sigh you people never let the most asinine of opportunities slip by do you

[@mhaj3963]

​@@johnroscoe2406haha who is "You people"? If you knew what 'your people' had done to 'my people' and how 'my people' helped 'your people' in the past, perhaps 'my people' are asinine.

[@Thomas.Bolleiro]

Liberal america at work

[@lawrencelewis8105]

In this movie, Cagney drives an Auburn convertible which was his own car. I've seen it at a car show in Michigan and it is beautiful!

[@evesicular]

רירנדיק! So moving, great characterizations. I wonder what became of the actor playing the son. He is amazing without one word and what a face

[@carlnapp4412]

Priceless!

[@trudigoodman4825]

Look at his scene in another Cagney Movie. Taxi.

[@diddymuck]

"Its over, my son. Well, I can’t cope with you any more, I’ll have to leave it up to God now. Your mother is lying ill in bed and can’t do any more. I pray to God that you become a good boy who will learn to respect your mum and dad.” (approximate)

[@sirmount2636]

Very sobering moment for a comedic scene.

[@avrohomappelbaum7354]

A sheyn'm dank Reb Yid far'n dem translation! : )

[@diddymuck]

@@avrohomappelbaum7354 is that good?

[@avrohomappelbaum7354]

@@diddymuck I'm no expert but it sounded right to me.

[@Arkelk2010]

Thank you.

[@pearlshifer1776]

made me cry...

[@edwinkirkland8856]

Warner's best never again

[@markpage9886]

He kissed him and he cried...moved me.

[@jackiechaney8268]

They died way too soon because they didn't take care of themselves smoked and drank not enough sleep and most likely didn't eat healthy

[@susanb2015]

Smoking and drinking is the Devil's poison.

[@charleswinokoor6023]

I’m pretty sure he says “a Cossack like this” referring to the two cops in the courtroom. Cossacks, as you know, were responsible for Russian pogroms against Jewish peasants.

[@KairuHakubi]

"were" he says. they just don't call 'em that anymore.

[@RootlessNZ]

@@KairuHakubi What's in a name?

[@zehavitstern]

A dank, Alec! דאס איז ווונדערלעך! טאקע א מציאה

[@steveweinstein3222]

Heartbreaking

[@franzbranntewein1534]

Fortunately the cops didn't understand him.

[@SignorNessuno65]

I saw "Mayor of Hell" and thought it was a documentary about Barandon Johnson and Chicago!

[@Donald-wv1cm]

This is Professor Irwin Corey.

[@hershlhartman4184]

Excellent colloquial Yiddish, except, in the final sentence: "respektirn" should've been "derekh erets hobn" for "have respect."

[@haroldgoodman130]

respektiren if perfectly fine Yiddish. maybe not yivo but it is how people actually spoke. and of course hobn derekh erets is common too. i met you at some yiddish functions and glad that you are doing well and here. zayt gezunt reb hershl

[@hershlhartman4184]

@@haroldgoodman130 zayt mir oykh gezunt un shtark.

[@shanekilpatrick3378]

No translation was really needed. I could tell in the Father’s emotional voice, what was generally said. 😢

[@largemarge1603]

Which actor is george soros?

[@robertmiles1603]

looks a bit like kirk douglas and dick miller. well not handsome and in shape like the former was