Strange Fruit (2001) and the House I Live in

1945, G Directed by Joel Katz.

REVIEWED By Marjorie Baumgarten, Tue., Oct. 22, 2002

Billie Holiday's famous song about lynching (written by Bronx Jewish schoolteacher Abel Meeropol) is examined by contemporary artists and scholars, who comment on the history of black and Jewish relations in America. Filmmaker Joel Katz will be in attendance. Also included on the bill is the 10-minute Oscar-winning short, "The House I Live In," directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Frank Sinatra. In this sop to peacetime ecumenism, Sinatra forestalls some kids from beating up a Jewish boy and sings the movie's eponymous song (also written by Abel Meeropol).

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

Support the Chronicle  

READ MORE
More Films
Karate Kid: Legends
This franchise extension is a soulless slog

Richard Whittaker, May 30, 2025

Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted
A soulful look at a singular artist

Joe Gross, May 30, 2025

More by Marjorie Baumgarten
SXSW Film Review: <i>On Swift Horses</i>
SXSW Film Review: On Swift Horses
In 1950s America, identity is imposed rather than discovered

March 15, 2025

Opus
Maybe don't accept the invite to the remote compound teeming with cultlike vibes?

March 14, 2025

KEYWORDS FOR THIS FILM

Strange Fruit (2001) and the House I Live in, Joel Katz

MORE IN THE ARCHIVES
One click gets you all the newsletters listed below

Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events

Keep up with happenings around town

Kevin Curtin's bimonthly cannabis musings

Austin's queerest news and events

Eric Goodman's Austin FC column, other soccer news

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle