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“It's questionable however whether the subject of the Jew as it is introduced will be palatable to the American Hebrew. That the Jew is given a partial halo (even in Russia) will not suffice. The subject matter is distasteful to Jews; it is the sort of kind applause thinly veneered for dramatic purposes that the enlightened Jew would prefer be left to its own unfolding—though that may only arrive during the course of the next few centuries. The burden the Jews have in America is what they make for themselves.”
Leo Ditrichstein's "The Wise Rabbi" reads like a legend. It is set in 1861, in Russia. The elderly Rabbi enters the gardens of the Chancellor of the Empire and learns the gardener was unsuccessful in his attempt to obtain him an interview with Prince Gortchakoff, the Chancellor. The gardener discovers that his young assistant is in love with his daughter, who is engaged to a man with 10 000 roubles. If the assistant can come up with such money, he can set claim to the girl. The assistant is sobbing when the rabbi returns. The rabbi attempts to offer words of advice, but the boy pushes him away citing that Jews are too smart and they crucified the Saviour. The rabbi then pulls out a note from the boy's grandfather, dated 1821, promising to pay the rabbi 200 roubles. The boy laughs at the rabbi, asking how could the rabbi expect to hold him responsible for something his grandfather did forty years ago. The rabbi counters, asking how the boy can hold him responsible for something his people did eighteen hundred and sixty-one years ago? The story continues and the rabbi agrees to pay the boy 10 000 roubles if he can secure a meeting for him with the prince. The rabbi is awarded "one word" with the prince, anymore and he will be driven out by the dogs. The Chancellor berails the Jews, set up what he believes they are and do not do, but is met with mute evidence each time by the rabbi, who expressively pantomimes his answers. The Chancellor states the text of an address he is to make that afternoon before a Conference, and demands the one word, pledging that shall the rabbi completely express his wish in that word, it will be granted. The rabbi says "Silence."
The sketch is extremely well liked at Hammerstein's, a poor house for any dramatic piece.
Thompson is an excellent actor, playing the rabbi exactly how he should be, in speech, action and character make-up. Maurice Morton, as the boy, is attractive. The sketch is excellent, but it is a pity that of his many works, this is the best and it offends the Hebrews, who so liberally patronize the theatre.
Source:
Variety 22:1 (03/11/1911)