Shlepperman vs. Kitzel: Commentary on Jews in America?

[LLeff]

Was just thinking today (as I am wont to do sometimes) that the characters of Shlepperman and Kitzel can be interpreted as two different stages of Jewish assimilation in America.

Shlepperman is more the immigrant, self-consciously Jewish, trying to make his way in this country. He tries many vocations, opening nightclubs, tea rooms, restaurants, gas stations at the bottom of the ocean, and auditioning to be Jack's singer. His temporary West coast replacement, Patsy Flick, even speaks some Yiddish on the program.

Kitzel is still Yiddishkeit, but is in a higher state of assimilation. His son goes to a Catholic college, he says he's going to visit his relations in Ireland, he has a relative that everyone calls Tex (albeit because he's in the textile business). Kitzel's laughs often come from the juxtaposition of something very non-Jewish with his character. (Then again, Shlepperman did play Santa Claus on one episode.)

Kitzel's first appearance as a hot dog salesman is almost the exact same bit that was once done with Shlepperman's character, with the added call of "Peekle in the meedle mit de mustard on top..."

I'd be interested to hear other's thoughts on this.

[kurt]

Schlepperman, to me, doesn't sound like such a vicious stereotype, but that perception is a matter for the affected group to decide. He appeared once with Benny on TV (the Jayne Mansfield program), but wasn't referred to by name.


Jewish stereotypes have been said to disappear with World War II, but in fact, they kept on going with the Goldbergs on TV, and Mrs. Nussbaum hit her peak in 1947 along with the rest of Allen's Alley.

But you're correct in that the characters represent two different stages of assimilation.

The characters also had the effect of making Jack appear less Jewish somehow, since they retained their Lower East Side accents and Jack had the flat Midwestern voice.

Mr. Kitzel's son went to Southern Methodist, didn't he? That way, the joke wasn't underlined so much.

Kitzel first appeared at the time when Mrs. Nussbaum was at her peak of popularity, and I think she was one of the reasons for his appearance.

[LLeff]

Schlepperman, to me, doesn't sound like such a vicious stereotype, but that perception is a matter for the affected group to decide. He appeared once with Benny on TV (the Jayne Mansfield program), but wasn't referred to by name.

I don't consider S(c)hlepperman to be a vicious stereotype, and I'm Jewish. However, others may think differently. Sam Hearn had the flexibility to play many roles, and his rube character eventually showed up again on the Benny show in the late 1940s.

Jewish stereotypes have been said to disappear with World War II, but in fact, they kept on going with the Goldbergs on TV, and Mrs. Nussbaum hit her peak in 1947 along with the rest of Allen's Alley.

And in a sense, they continue today with shows like "Seinfeld".

The characters also had the effect of making Jack appear less Jewish somehow, since they retained their Lower East Side accents and Jack had the flat Midwestern voice.

Very true. I wonder if that was intentional.

Mr. Kitzel's son went to Southern Methodist, didn't he? That way, the joke wasn't underlined so much.

You're absolutely right. I thought of that after I posted, and knew someone would catch it.

[BobR]

In a previous post,I always thought that Sam Hearn was the more talented than Artie Auerbach (Kitzel). He presented more dialects of other nationalities ie the Swedish farmer from Calabassas and others.Auerbach seemed more typecast in the Yiddish characterizations. Nevertheless, they were both very talented.

[benny-allen fan]

quoting a post: "Schlepperman, to me, doesn't sound like a vicious stereotype, but that perception is a matter for the affected group to decide". end of quote; well, i agree with half of that statement. while it is up to the Jewish people to declare that they might be offended by Schlepperman, Nussbaum, or Kitzel, however, they should not have the right to deprive entertainment from others who ARE NOT offended by it. they should simply not listen to Jack or Fred's radio shows if they're easily offended and hyper-sensitive toward ethnic humor. personally, people who think like that make me feel like a heel or a creep because i don't find anything offensive about the show or with any certain episode.

[Guest]

This brings up an interesting topic. Did you know that the Mr. Kitzel character first appeared and was a semi regular on the Abbott and Costello show. I have heard at least 4 episodes between 1943 and 1944 that feature the same Mr. Kitzel character. The bits he is in are very similar to the bits on the Benny Show. Does anyone know the story of why the character switched shows? Are there any other parallels between the two shows?