The Jewish Melody

When realtor Samuel P. Boguslaffsky, a millionaire and the president of the local synagogue, returns home to New York from Florida, he calls cantor David Rosenschein, whose son Moishe is to marry Sam's daughter Freda, to visit after supper. Despite his wife Pessah's view that Sam is the family's "guardian angel," David is upset because he feels that Sam has "bought" Moishe for his daughter by paying for Moishe to study music in Italy with the renowned Professor Luigi Marbini and by helping the Rosenscheins buy a home in Flatbush. Sam tells David that he is searching for a fifth wife and explains that three of his previous wives have died and one left with their baby daughter, then confesses that he wants David's daughter Esta for his bride. When David takes exception and points out that Esta is only a child, Sam threatens not to renew his contract as cantor, which expires in two weeks. David objects forcefully and leaves in a huff. When Sam discovers Freda in an embrace with his chauffeur Martin, whom she really loves, he indignantly fires Martin, who rebukes him. Meanwhile in Venice, Moishe has fallen in love with Rosita, the daughter of his teacher, but he is troubled because they are of different faiths. When Sam hears rumors about Moishe and Rosita, David contends that Moishe would never marry outside the faith and agrees to write to him to return. After Sam gives Esta a necklace as a present, David angrily tears it from her neck and falls stricken. The doctor warns David that he must have rest and quiet, and tells him that he will never sing again. Deeply upset, David hopes that Moishe will continue in his place. When Moishe receives a cablegram about his father's condition, he leaves for New York and promises to send for Rosita. Moishe admits to David that the rumors about his romance with Rosita are true, but vows that he'd sooner die than give up his faith. Freda is sent by Sam to see Moishe, and they are cold to each other until they learn that they each love someone else. Later, Luigi finds out from Rosita that Moishe's father will not allow him to return to Italy, so he brings her to America. Sam, meanwhile, arranges a double wedding for Moishe and Freda and himself and Esta, who is heartened when her meek cousin Mendel, who loves her, vows to knock out Sam's teeth. On the wedding day, Martin, a bit intoxicated, comes to fight Moishe, but Moishe confesses that he loves some one other than Freda, and they get drunk together. After most of the wedding party leave for the synagogue, Luigi comes to the apartment and meets Pessah's brother Groinem. During their conversation, Luigi recognizes Sam's name. He then goes to the synagague with Rosita and reveals that she is Sam's daughter by his third wife, whom Luigi married after her divorce from Sam. When David learns that Rosita, thus, is Jewish and that Freda does not want to marry Moishe, he accepts the situation and blesses Moishe and Rosita. Moishe has Groinem bring Martin to marry Freda, and Genendel, Groinem's klutzy daughter, reminds him that Mendel loves Esta. Moishe then brings those two together, and Genendel, who has wanted to marry someone all along, vows to get Sam. Although at first Sam is taken aback because of Genendel's unsightly face, after a drink, he agrees to marry her.