Research Consultant for Documentary Films

William Z. Spiegelman was the research editor or the special consultant for four short documentary films made by William Zimmerman for the Jewish National Fund.

"Land of Hope" (Palestine/USA, 1946)
Data on the film.
(Surviving print has no credits.)

"Behind the Blockade" (Israel/USA, 1947)
Copy uploaded to Youtube.
(Note: opening credits are partially cut off.)

Land and Life, June 1947.

"Behind the Blockade" is the name of a new color film produced by the Jewish National Fund. Like the "Land of Hope," the new film is based upon Palestine scenes and events depicting the heroic struggle of the Yishuv.

Narrated by John Carradine, the famous American Shakespearean actor, "Behind the Blockade" tells and shows the absorbing story of Jewish achievements in Palestine despite and behind the blockade of the British Navy and notwithstanding the barbed wire cantonments of the British Army. The narrative is greatly buttressed and enlivened by the Song of the Ma'apilim (so-called illegal immigrants) and the Haganah March exquisitely rendered by Richard Tucker, the famous Metropolitan Opera tenor, and a chorus under the direction of Max Helfman.

"Behind the Blockade" was produced under the direction of William Zimmermann. The script was written by Ruth Zimmermann. William Z. Spiegelman was research editor of the production.

The new color film will be shown in the United States, Palestine, South America, Europe, South Africa and Australia. JNF Councils and committees desiring to show "Behind the Blockade" should place their

bookings well in advance by communicating with the national JNF headquarters. A nominal rental fee will be charged.

"If I Forget Thee" (Israel/USA, 1949)
Data on the film.
Copy uploaded to YouTube.

"A State is Born" (Israel/USA, 1949)
Data on the film.
Copy uploaded to YouTube.