The Jewish War Veterans said today it would demonstrate tomorrow at the offices of the Columbia Broadcasting System because the local CBS-TV outlet plans to televise tomorrow night a taped version of “The Merchant of Venice. “
The JWV sent a telegram to Mayor Wagner today asserting that the planned telecast was “an affront to the many thousands of patriotic Americans who fought in our defense to protect our families and community against Old World prejudice and bigotry. ” The central character in the Shakespearean play, Shylock, has been used by anti-Semites in their efforts to defame Jews.
Ned Cramer, CBS producer, who was asked if there was any possibility of a cancelation, said “none whatsoever.” The play is one of a series of Shakespearian offerings produced by Joseph Papp for the Shakespeare Festival at Central Park. A delegation from the New York Board of Rabbis met with Papp and New York City Parks Commissioner Newbold Morris last Friday to urge that another Shakespearian play be televised. The producer declined to do so.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
