Speakers: Trudy Gold

The Jewish mother has been depicted as myth, matriarch and even monstrous. As one trawls through Hollywood, British films and even BT commercials what emerges is an extraordinary stereotype – overprotective, demanding, feeding, generally sexless, over emotional, materialistic and aspirational for her husband and children. This presentation featured archetypal Jewish mothers from the first talkie, The Jazz Singer, in the twenties to more recent films such as Suzie Gold via Exodus, Over Brooklyn the Bridge, Goodbye Columbus, New York Stories, The Bar Mitzvah Boy and many more. Are these creations affectionate reminiscences of Jewish sons or just downright malicious – and if so, why do we still laugh?