My Yiddishe Momme Mccoy

Bob Giges, director of Bach Lives!...At David Cope's House (see review in this issue), interviews his Jewish grandmother in this engaging video portrait. Arriving from Vienna, at the turn of the century, at the age of three, Belle Denmer grew up within the context of being an Orthodox Jew. At the age of 15, Belle took a job as a stenographer, and fell in love with her boss: an Irish-Catholic named Bernie McCoy. In the 90-year-old "Momme McCoy's" own words, viewers hear the story of that unusual couple, who did indeed marry, and shared a wonderful marriage for some 50 years. No doubt about it, Belle was a spark in her day, and she shares some beautifully diverse songs throughout the video (ranging from sacred Jewish prayers to rather bawdy WWI-era parodies of popular songs.) Recommended. (See BACH LIVES!...AT DAVID COPE'S HOUSE for availability.)