Motel the Operator
1940, Yiddish. Directed by Joseph Seiden.
Motel, a poor laborer, loving husband and new father, leads cloakmakers in a strike for better working conditions. When he is severely injured by strikebreakers, his wife, Esther, and infant son are left destitute. Desperate to save her starving child, Esther gives him up for adoption to a wealthy couple, and then commits suicide. The richly-rendered beautiful Yiddish songs by Sholem Secunda featuring Cantor Leibele Waldman and Joel Feig's famous choir are a good example of the bittersweet melodrama in the finest tradition of the Yiddish theater.
- Runtime
- 1h 28m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- Yiddish
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch Motel the Operator
Motel the Operator is streaming on FILMBOX+ Now in India.
FILMBOX+ Now Amazon ChannelAvailability in India as of 10 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Cast & crew
- Joseph SeidenDirector
- Chaim TauberMotel Friedman
- Malvina RappelEsther Friedman
- Maurice KronerBenjamin Rosenwald
- Berthe HartRebecca Rosenwald
- Seymour RechtzeitJack Rosenwald
- Jacob ZangerJacob 'Joseph' Frumkin
- Yetta ZwerlingChane Belle 'Annabella' Frumkin
- Gertrude KrauseRuth Frumkin
- Herman RosenDoctor
- Izidor FrankelBoss
- Seymour RechzeitJacob 'Jack' Rosenwald
- Maurice KrohnerBenjamin Rosenwald
Details
- Released
- 15 January 1940
- Original title
- Motl der Operator
- Country
- United States of America
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
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Motel the Operator: quick answers
Is Motel the Operator worth watching?
Motel the Operator doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is Motel the Operator?
Motel the Operator runs 88 minutes (1h 28m).
Does Motel the Operator have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Motel the Operator. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Motel the Operator parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for Motel the Operator yet.
Which OTT platform is Motel the Operator on?
Motel the Operator is streaming on FILMBOX+ Now in India. (Checked 10 November 2026.)
What movies are like Motel the Operator?
If you liked Motel the Operator, try Eleanor the Great, In Dubious Battle, Salomé.
Who directed Motel the Operator?
Motel the Operator (1940) was directed by Joseph Seiden and stars Chaim Tauber, Malvina Rappel, Maurice Kroner.