Mortimer Griffin and Shalinsky

Mortimer Griffin and Shalinsky
Directed by	Mort Ransen
Written by	Mort Ransen and Mordecai Richler
Release date(s)	1985
Running time	24 min.
Country	Canada
Language	English

'Mortimer Griffin and Shalinsky is a 1985 short film written by Academy Award winning screenwriter Mordecai Richler about an eccentric Jewish intellectual that accuses his teacher of hiding his Jewish identity.

Summary

Shalinsky, a cavalier university student, is convinced that professor Mortimer Griffin is guilty of changing his name, suspecting the instructor of hiding his Jewish identity.

After listening attentively to Griffin’s analysis of Kafka’s Metamorphosis, all the other students file out of the classroom, but Shalinsky lingers to compliment his teacher. After offering words of praise, between puffs of his cigarette, he asks pointedly, “Why did you change your name? You’re a Jew.”

Shalinsky’s motives for posing the question aren’t entirely innocent. But Griffin’s offended reaction leads the headstrong wise guy to badger the truth out of his clean-cut, mild-mannered teacher. What started as a gentle debate rapidly escalates to reveal a boiling rage in a seemingly normal guy. As the plot unwinds, a series of unpredictable events lead to an intriguing conclusion.

Reception

See also

Other Jewish comedic-dramas:

• The Witch from Melchet Street
• Autumn Sun
• Saint Clara
• You Don't Say
• Alan and Naomi
• Left Luggage

References

• "Mortimer Griffin and Shalinsky (1985)". IMDB. 2008. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0227079/. Retrieved 4 August. 

• "Mortimer Griffin and Shalinsky". The Jewish Channel. 2008. http://www.tjctv.com/movies/mortimer-griffin-and-shalinsky/. Retrieved 4 August. 

External links

• The Jewish Channel's review
• Distributor's website
• Mortimer Griffin and Shalinsky at the Internet Movie Database