Jewish Identities in German Popular Entertainment, 1890–1933

This book explores how German Jews were instrumental in the birth of a rich world of popular culture.

Marline Otte (Author)

9780521856300, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 3 July 2006

334 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm, 0.66 kg

Review of the hardback: 'Her book is an important contribution to German history at large. … The book is not only noteworthy for cultural historians, its rich material and its fruitful approach also call for a revised reading of German theatre history and especially the avant-garde and its interplay with popular culture.' Journal of Theatre Research International

At the turn of the century, German popular entertainment was a realm of unprecedented opportunity for Jewish performers. This study explores the terms of their engagement and pays homage to the many ways in which German Jews were instrumental in the birth of an incomparably rich world of popular culture. It traces the kaleidoscope of challenges, opportunities and paradoxes Jewish men and women faced in their interactions with predominantly gentile audiences. Modern Germany was a society riddled by conflicts and contradictory impulses, continuously torn between desires to reject, control and celebrate individual and collective difference. This book demonstrates that an analysis of popular entertainment can be one of the most innovative ways to trace this complicated negotiation throughout a period of great social and political turmoil.

Part I. 'Ponim et Circenses': Jewish Identities in Circus Entertainment, 1870–1933: 1. The circus in time and space
2. Family bonds
3. Schein und Sein in the circus
4. Losing common ground
Part II. Comic Relief: Jewish Identities in Jargon Theater from 1890 to the 1920s: 5. Tongue in cheek
6. All in the family
7. A limited engagement
8. The gravity of laughter
Part III. The Loneliness of the Limelight: Jewish Identities in Revue Theater, 1898–1933: 9. The metropol: between culture and Kapital
10. Leading characters
11. Stardom and its discontents
12. The art of pleasing all.

Subject Areas: Popular culture [JFCA], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], European history [HBJD]