Laemmle’s List is a very personal documentary that adds a human component to the legacy of Universal Studios founder Carl Laemmle.

I was somewhat familiar with Carl Laemmle’s name going into my viewing of James L. Freedman‘s documentary in 2019. In watching the film, I found out about his contributions to saving Jewish lives during the Holocaust and wanted to learn more. There are not that many biographies out there on the Universal founder. As such, you can imagine my surprise when scanning the Miami Jewish Film Festival lineup and seeing a film called Laemmle’s List. My interest was piqued! On a sad note, I started watching the film within moments of learning about Bob Laemmle’s passing. Bob was a former president of the Laemmle Theatres chain–a chain that would not exist without Carl bringing Max and Kurt Laemmle to America. Kurt was filmmaker Deborah F. Blum’s grandfather.

Early in the film, Deborah F. Blum mentions learning about her family’s connection while on a trip to Universal Studios. Unfortunately, her mother shrugged off the question and it wouldn’t be until years later before beginning to learn more. Her quest to learn more about Carl Laemmle, also known as Uncle Carl, leads her to what we know as Laemmle’s list. Over many records have been lost but it is estimated that Laemmle saved over 300 people. He did as much as he could to save as many Jews as he could prior to his death in September 1939. Of course, other people had to sign affidavits on his behalf because the government didn’t think he could care for them. But no matter who signed, Laemmle was ultimately responsible. The Warner brothers could have done more but Laemmle went the furthest in rescuing Jews.

Throughout the film, we meet those who were saved by Laemmle or descend from people who were. Among them are the Bernheim, Bender, Schloss, and Einstein families. Some would find jobs working at Universal Studios or at Laemmle’s house. Ronald Bernheim’s father, Julius, worked as a manager for Universal. There are countless other people, of course, but the film mainly looks at three families in particular. Filmmakers can only do so much with a 91-minute runtime. The people that Blum does speak with are living in the Los Angeles vicinity. Of course, you would not know this by visiting the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. It’s certainly something important that is worth mentioning!

This film reminds me so much of Fioretta in many ways. While it doesn’t focus so much on the genealogical aspect of it all, it does focus on a quest to learn more about family roots and where we come from. The process of making the film leads the Blum family to Germany. This is where we get to see what remains of the Jewish neighborhoods, let alone the Laemmle legacy in Germany. Many shuls were destroyed during Kristallnacht in 1939. The fact that a synagogue structure survives in Ichenhausen is a miracle. I couldn’t help but tear up when co-director Warren I. Blum asked Ichenhausen mayor Robert Strobel if he could pray. The next thing you know, he starts putting on a tallis, wrapping tefillin, and reciting the Shema and V’ahavta. If this isn’t a proud Jewish moment on screen, I don’t know what is.

There are some creative choices here that might not work for all audiences. However, I found that it drew the filmmaker closer to her great-grandfather’s first cousin as well as her great-grandparents.

Many people know Carl Laemmle for founding Universal Studios but if it’s any luck, people will watch Laemmle’s List and appreciate him for being a mensch in his efforts to save lives during the Holocaust. Of all the founding studio moguls, Uncle Carl may just be the biggest hero of them all.

DIRECTORS: Deborah F. Blum & Warren I. Blum
SCREENWRITER: Deborah F. Blum
FEATURING: Deborah F. Blum, Warren I. Blum, Esther Iris Blum, Alyse Laemmle, Dharam Damama Khalsa, Lynn Bernheim, Ronald Bernheim, Dr. Michael Berenbaum, Sandy Einstein, Hiromi Nagayama, Fred Bender, Debbie Bender Richards, Ron Bender, Muriel Schloss, Karen Schloss Heimberg, Sandra Wilfert, Rainer Kapellen, Dr. Michael Niemetz, Roland Ray, Albin Eser, Ulrich Muller, Charlotte Mayenberger, Barbara Sandmaier, Robert Strobel

Laemmle’s List holds its Florida premiere during the 2025 Miami Jewish Film Festival as a Special Presentation. Grade: 4/5

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