Tkies-kaf (1924 film)

An adaptation titled Dem Rebns Koyekh was made by an American team in 1933, adding new scenes and Yiddish audio narration by Joseph Buloff.

The film opens in the late 19th century, as the prophet Elijah (in the form of a Hasidic traveler) visits a rabbinic court in Vilna.

Yankev is tempted by sin by a fellow student (in the form of an evil angel), and witnesses a cabaret show full of showgirls, and later attends a party where he plays Blind man's buff with a group of girls and boys.

Borekh, angered by the news of his son's behavior, catches him in the middle of a dancing lesson, and attempts to arrange a marriage for him.

[1][4] Following the First World War and the newfound independence of Poland, Jewish cinema in the nation had been curtailed by sporadic pogroms and antisemetic policies by the new government.

He approached Leo Forbert, the owner of Meteor (Warsaw's largest photography studio), who was enthusiastic at the prospect of Jewish cinema; together they founded a film group dubbed "Leo-Film".

The film entered pre-production without a director; Turkow's cameraman (and cousin) Seweryn Steinwurcel was experienced with the technical elements of production, but was unable to give advice on the acting or movement.

Songwriter and film critic Andrzej Włast, writing in the monthly Ekran i Scena ('Scene and Stage'), praised it for its use of Jewish culture and dubbed it the "best movie that has been made so far in this country".

[13] Another reviewer, writer Leo Belmont was more critical, writing in weekly Kinema that the film's creators "unconsciously idealize superstition".

[14] In contrast, a review in the literary weekly Literarishe Bleter lambasted the film, calling it "garbage" and a "mishmash of real matters and total impossibilities, The Dybbuk and the Prophet Elijah", while also arguing that it would strengthen antisemitic prejudice.