Film Forum

Theater and cultural historian Louise Hirschfeld Cullman will introduce the screening of John Brahm’s BROKEN BLOSSOMS (1936), a rare sound remake of D.W. Griffith’s silent masterpiece. The film, starring Dolly Haas and Emlyn Williams, features music by German-Jewish émigré composer Karol Rathaus, subject of a festival at the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College (February 21-24).

Prior to the screening, pianist Daniel Wnukowski will perform excerpts of Rathaus’ music. “A preeminent composer of the generation that came of age during and after WWI. The rise of the Nazism interrupted his illustrious career, forcing him out of Germany, and Rathaus ended up in New York, where he became the first professor of composition at the newly founded Queens College.” – Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College

Louise Hirschfeld Cullman has organized and created many exhibits including The Theatre of Max Reinhardt and The DeMille Dynasty, and worked in television production as a research consultant for major networks, museums and award-winning producers. She recently retired as president of The Al Hirschfeld Foundation – which continues to honor the legacy of her late husband. She is now married to businessman and philanthropist Lewis Cullman.

Special thanks to Lev Deych.

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