'The Apartment': Why this 1960 film about adultery is a comedy icon today
Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman (https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jordan-hoffman/) and host Amanda Borschel-Dan (https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/), where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use.
This week's featured Schmooze film is "The Apartment," a 1960 iconic work of dark comedy by famed filmmaker Billy Wilder.
Starring Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray, the film takes us to the massive offices of an insurance conglomerate where Lemmon is attempting to climb the corporate ladder. A bit of a "shnook," he finds himself lending out his Upper West Side apartment to a group of four adulterous bosses for their flings.
At the same time, a quiet, amiable connection is made between Lemmon and MacLaine, an elevator girl, who, it turns out, is also one of the bosses' girls.
The movie was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won five Oscars. Its resonance lingers and comedian Chris Rock recently gave it a nod in a lengthy The New York Times interview.
Let’s hear who gave this film an “oy,” “meh” or the prized “not bad” this week on The Reel Schmooze.
The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
8 Oct 2026
'The Stamp Thief': Will a rag-tag team of LA Jews get lucky in Poland?
Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman (https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jordan-hoffman/) and host Amanda Borschel-Dan (https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/), where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use.
This week's featured Schmooze film is a rollicking Holocaust-themed documentary called "The Stamp Thief."
“Seinfeld” producer Gary Gilbert leads a gang of curious individuals on the trail of a trove of stamps stolen from Jews in the Holocaust and reportedly buried in a small town in Poland.
Gilbert's neighbor, documentary film director Dan Sturman first serves as the voice of reason, but is soon caught up in the saga and begins plotting alongside his neighbor.
Eventually, the team hatches a surreal plan to make a fake movie to get into the basement that they believe the stamp stash is stored in.
Let’s hear who gave this film an “oy,” “meh” or the prized “not bad” this week on The Reel Schmooze.
The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
1 Oct 2026
'Ushpizin': An unforgettable homage to the most beautiful etrog of all
Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman (https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jordan-hoffman/) and host Amanda Borschel-Dan (https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/), where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use.
Last week, Borschel-Dan threw down a challenge: Can anyone suggest a Sukkot-themed film?
Dozens of loyal listeners wrote in with 2004's "Ushpizin," directed by Gidi Dar.
The unforgettable Israeli film -- which both of our Schmoozers had actually seen decades ago and blanked on -- explores the life of an unlucky ultra-Orthodox couple about to celebrate the Sukkot holiday.
The couple, played by Shuly Rand (who also wrote the script) and his then-wife Michal Bat Sheva Rand, is fairly new to religion, but extremely devout. And so when their last shekel is spent, they pray fervently for a miracle. As they say, God works in mysterious ways, and so when their prayers are answered, a pair of reprobates made sure to stir the pot.
Let’s hear who gave this film an “oy,” “meh” or the prized “not bad” this week on The Reel Schmooze.
The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
17 ratings
Spotify
3.4 / 5
5 ratings
Contact The Reel Schmooze
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
