Shaike Levi


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Yeshayahu "Shaike" Levi (Hebrew: ישעיהו "שייקה" לוי‎, also 'Yishayahu'; born 1939, in Cairo, Egypt) is an Israeli singer, comedian and actor. He is best known for his membership in the Gashash HaHiver comedy trio.

Levi immigrated to Israel along with his mother and spent his adolescent years in a Kibbutz. Following military service in entertainment units he joined HaTarnegolim and afterwards joined the Gashash HaHiver trio (formed by Avraham Deshe) together with Gavri Banai and Yisrael Poliakov, in late 1963. The team raised eleven comedy acts and participated in eleven films along with numerous festivals, musical recordings and television performances during a time span of 40 years.[1] In 2000, the Gashash HaHiver trio which were long considered an inalienable asset of Israeli entertainment history was awarded the Israel Prize for lifetime achievements.[2]

Levi also portrayed small roles in Ephraim Kishon's films Sallah Shabati and Ervinka and headed Israel's EMI Institution (Artists of Israel) between 1996-1999. In 1996 he came out with a biographical book titled 'Sipurim Im Rotev' (lit. 'Stories With Sauce').

Between 2003-2007 he portrayed Elvis Ben-David in Israeli productions based on the adaptation of the Colombian telenovela Betty la fea ("Betty the Ugly") and also appeared in a solo stage act (Yeshayahu Chapter 2) and participated in a children's musical tape (Bamboni Ein Kamoni).

Contents

Biography

Early years

Shaike Levi was born in 1939 in Cairo, Egypt under the name Yeshayahu to parents Mazal and Moshe Levi.[3] He immigrated with his mother from Egypt in 1944; his father had already passed away. The family settled in Tel Aviv but Levi spent his adolescent years on the kibbutzim of Ein Hayam and afterwards in Givat Brenner.[4] In 1956-1957 he led the singing group the "Givat Brenner Foursome" alongside Daniel Vardon (who later died in the Six Day War), which was actually made up of more than four members as there was a custom of letting "whoever was around" to join the singing.[5]

During Shaike's military service he served in the IDF troupe at the Gadna and then at the Central Command Troupe. Shortly after his discharge in 1960, he joined the band "The Small Hours Club" in Safed. Levi was accepted to the Cameri Theater and played a small role in a play called "The Twelfth Night" but when Naomi Polani constructed HaTarnegolim (Hebrew: התרנגולים‎ lit. The Roosters) band, Levi preferred it over the Cameri. Levi says that he hadn't studied acting or voice coaching and that Naomi Polani was like a school to the group.[3]

In 1962 Levi acted in his first movie role as an 'enemy pilot' in the film Sinaia (Hebrew: סיניה‎), which was based on an actual event from the days of Suez Crisis where a Bedouin baby was brought to Israel by an army medic after her mother had been accidentally injured by Israeli forces during the fighting.[6] Among the film's cast was Dina Doron who in 2008 appeared in Adam Sandler's feature film You Don't Mess with the Zohan as Zohan's mother.

Gashash HaHiver early days

In late 1963 Levi left The Roosters – together with two other "Roosters", Gavri Banai and Yisrael Poliakov – at the request of Avraham Deshe (Pashanel), in order to start the Gashash HaHiver trio. Levi reccolects the success of the Gesher HaYarkon trio and that, while they were not certain that they could duplicate the success of the Tarnegolim, Pashanel was sure and payed their salaries throughout the long preparation months.[3]

Their first act, titled Simhat Zkenti (Hebrew: שמחת זקנתי‎, slang for "[makes] my old lady happy") was more succesful than anticipated with 350 performances across Israel by the end of 1965. The show, which was very Mizrahit in nature, had an initial unresponsive welcome by the Kibbutz movement. Levi recalls Shaike Ophir being strict on the group emphasizing every 'Heth' ('Hebrew: ח‎') and 'Ayin' ('Hebrew: ע‎') like he would and attributes their acceptance by the Kibbutzim to their director Nissim Aloni.[3]

In 1964 he performed in Ephraim Kishon's critically acclaimed film Sallah Shabati (Hebrew: סלאח שבתי‎) alongside notable actors and performers such as Chaim Topol, Gila Almagor, Zaharira Harifai, and Arik Einstein. The film was a satirical portrayal of the poor conditions and the integration of the Jewish refugees from Arab lands living in the maabara. Levi also had a role in another Kishon film – Ervinka (Hebrew: ארבינקא‎, Starred by Chaim Topol), incorrigible layabout becomes involved in robbery of the Israeli lottery under the cover of making a documentary – in 1967.

Late 60s

Between 1966–1970, Levi made four films under Uri Zohar together with fellow Gashah HaHiver performers, Gavri Banai and Yisrael Poliakov: Moishe Ventilator (1966) (Hebrew: מוישה וונטילטור‎, also 'Moishe Air-Condition'),[7][8] a parody featuring Yaakov Bodo, Shaike Ophir and Uri Zohar about a frugal private who's cost cutting ideas include cutting on maps in the operation room;[9] HaShehuna Shelanu (1968) (Hebrew: השכונה שלנו‎, lit. 'Our Neighborhood', also 'Fish, Football and Girls'), a Bourekas film with Israeli actors such as Shaike Ophir, Gabi Amrani, Yona Atari, Tsippi Shavit, Gadi Yagil among others; Kol Mamzer Melekh (1968) (Hebrew: כל ממזר מלך‎, lit. 'Every Bastard is King') with Yehoram Gaon as a chatty driver who gets tangled in the Six Day War and ends up stopping an Egyptian armored division by himself;[10][11] and Hitromamut (1970) (Hebrew: התרוממות‎, also 'Take Off'), which depicted three married men who fulfil a sexual fantasy but quickly turn to envious and guilty feelings. Hitromamut, which included Josie Katz and Liora Rivlin among others, was noted for break-through methods in low budget production and for being filmed in 16 mm and then enlarged to 35 mm.[12] During this time the "Gashash" also participated in Menahem Golan's melodrama film Fortuna (1966) (Hebrew: פורטונה‎, also 'The Girl from the Dead Sea') which starred French actor Pierre Brasseur[13] and also in Rafi Nusbaum's film HaMatara Tiran (1968) (Hebrew: המטרה טיראן‎, lit 'Objective Tiran') about a group of soldiers who's objective is to destroy a Soviet radar station in the Straits of Tiran.[11]

Height of success in film (70s–80s)

Between 1976–1986 the Gashash HaHiver members performed in three Assi Dayan films: the a cult movie Givat Halfon Eina Ona (1976) (Hebrew: גבעת חלפון אינה עונה‎, lit. 'Halfon Hill Doesn't Answer'), a good-hearted satire about an army reserves company, watching the Egyptian border in Sinai; Shlager (1979) (Hebrew: שלאגר‎, also 'The Hit'), a musical comedy which featured the The Frekha Song (written by Assi Dayan, composed by Tzvika Pik and sung by Ofra Haza) and notable Israeli performers Tzvika Pik, Efraim Shamir, Rivka Michaeli, Doval'e Glickman and Yaron London (as himself) among others; HaKrav Al HaVaad (1986) (Hebrew: הקרב על הוועד‎, also 'Battle of the Charmanship' or 'House Committee Rivalry'), a humoristic depiction of Israeli politics taking place in a condominium. During these years, Levi performed in two other films: Hamesh Meot Ellef Shachor (1977) (Hebrew: חמש מאות אלף שחור‎, lit. 'Five Hundred Thousand Black'), starring Ze'ev Revach, Jacques Cohen, and Yosef Shiloakh and was directed by Shaike Ophir;[14][15] and in Kohav Hashahar (1980) (Hebrew: כוכב השחר‎, also 'Morning Star') (without fellow Gashash HaHiver members), a film which focused on life in Yafo and featured Arieh Elias, Noam Kaniel, Asher Tzarfati, Yosef Shiloach, and Arab-Israeli soccer player Rifat Turk among others.[16]

Personal works (1990s)

From 1993 to 1999 Levi headed Israel's EMI Institution (Artists of Israel) and in 1996 he came out with a biographical book titled Sipurim Im Rotev (Hebrew: סיפורים עם רוטב‎ lit. 'Stories With Sauce'), which included songs and cooking recipes.[4] In 1999 he released his first solo album, self-titled "Shaike Levi"[17].

Israel Prize (2000)

In 2000, after close to 40 years of running shows together, Levi was awarded alongside Gavri Banai and Yisrael Poliakov (Gashash HaHiver trio) the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement and contribution to the state and society. Among the contribotors to the "Gashash" success were the trio's producer (Avraham Pashanel) and directors (Shaike Ophir, Nissim Aloni, Yossi Banai and Moti Kirschenbaum), as well as musical directors (Arie Lavnon and after him Itshak Garciani) and content contributors (Music: Yair Rosenblum, Kobi Oshrat, Ariel Zilber, Mati Caspi, and Naomi Shemer, Writers: Shaike Ophir, Nissim Aloni, Yossi Banai, Moti Kirschenbaum, Danni Reve, and Yonatan Geffen).[18]

From the thousands of shows by the "Gashash" Levi recalls a performance in Carnegie Hall in New York which received warm reviews in the New York Times as well as a certain performance in front of injured soldiers in hospitals where a soldier's mother noted "you're not allowed to laugh; your sutures will open!" to her son who hasn't smiled or laughed in a while.[3]

Ugly Esti (2003-)

In 2003, Levi was cast as 'Elvis Ben-David' in the television series Esti Hamechoeret (Hebrew: אסתי המכוערת‎, lit. Ugly Esti), an Israeli adaptation of the Colombian telenovela Betty la fea ("Betty the Ugly", see also Ugly Betty). His successful and charismatic appearance promoted further productions which were based on the "Elvis" character: Elvis, Rosental, VeHaIsha Hamistorit (2005) (Hebrew: אלביס, רוזנטל, והאשה המסתורית‎, lit. Elvis, Rosenthal, and the Mystery Woman) and Elvis (2006). During this period Levi came out with a solo stage act titled Yeshayahu Chapter 2 (in 2005).[3]

In 2007, Levi participated in a children's musical tape – Bamboni Ein Kamoni (Hebrew: במבוני אין כמוני‎).[19] In an interview for Maariv's internet site NRG he jokingly noted that this performance to a very young crowd is a long term investment and that in 20 years they would be the people who would purchase tickets to his shows.[20]

Conflict with Channel 1

Levi has been in conflict with Israeli broadcasting authority over high per-minute payment demands by Israel's public Channel 1 for usage of HaGashash HaHiver early recording materials. Levi notes that in those days it was the only channel and they would perform there for free on the condition that it was a single-use recording. Noting a document ratifying his statement to Moshe Gavish (chairman of the authority) – signed by various relevant television managers Arnon Zucherman, Moti Kirschenbaum, Rafi Ginat and others – he demanded that the content be transferred to the "Gashash" Members and producer as it was their intellectual property.[21]

Works

Filmography

  • Sinaia (1962) (Hebrew: סיניה‎) - as Enemy Pilot
  • Sallah Shabati (1964) (Hebrew: סאלח שבתי‎) - as Shimon Shabati
  • Moishe Ventilator (1966) (Hebrew: מוישה ונטילטור‎)
  • Fortuna (1966) (Hebrew: פורטונה‎)
  • Ervinka (1967) (Hebrew: ארבינקא‎) - as Friedrich
  • HaShehuna Shelanu (1968) (Hebrew: השכונה שלנו‎)
  • HaMatara Tiran (1968) (Hebrew: המטרה טיראן‎)
  • Kol Mamzer Melekh (1968) (Hebrew: כל ממזר מלך‎)
  • Hitromamut (1970) (Hebrew: התרוממות‎)
  • Givat Halfon Eina Ona (1976) (Hebrew: גבעת חלפון אינה עונה‎) - as Mr. Hasson
  • Hamesh Meot Ellef Shachor (1977) (Hebrew: חמש מאות אלף שחור‎)
  • Shlager** (1979) (Hebrew: שלאגר‎)
  • Kohav Hashahar (1980) (Hebrew: כוכב השחר‎)
  • HaKrav Al HaVa'ad (1986) (Hebrew: הקרב על הוועד‎)
  • Esti Ha'mechoeret** (TV series, 2003) (Hebrew: אסתי המכוערת‎) - as Elvis Ben-David
  • Elvis, Rosental, VeHaIsha Hamistorit** (TV series, 2005) (Hebrew: אלביס, רוזנטל, והאשה המסתורית‎) - as Elvis Ben David
  • Elvis** (TV series, 2006) (Hebrew: אלביס‎) - as Elvis Ben David
** also a performer on the soundtrack.

Notable stage acts

  • HaTarnegolim (1960–1963)
  • HaGashash HaHiver (1963–2000)
  • Yeshayahu Chapter 2 (2005)

HaGashash HaHiver shows

  • "Simhat Zkenti" (Nov. 1964) (Hebrew: שמחת זקנתי‎) Directed by Shaike Ophir
  • "Plan Daled" (April 1966) (Hebrew: תוכנית ד‎) Directed by Shaike Ophir
  • "Sinema Gashash" (June 1967) (Hebrew: סינימה גשש‎) Directed by Nissim Aloni
  • "Quintette for Shuwarma" (July 1969) (Hebrew: קנטטה לשווארמה‎) Directed by Nissim Aloni
  • "Cassius Clay vs. Khalphon" (1971) (Hebrew: קסיוס קליי נגד חלפון‎) Directed by Yossi Banai
  • "Offside Story" (1974) (Hebrew: אופסייד סטורי‎) Directed by Yossi Banai
  • "Ovdim Aleinu Avoda Ivrit" (1977) (Hebrew: עובדים עלינו עבודה עברית‎) Directed by Yossi Banai
  • "Kreker vs. Kreker" (1980) (Hebrew: קרקר נגד קרקר‎) Directed by Yossi Banai
  • "Beavur Khoken Dollarim" (1985) (Hebrew: בעבור חוקן דולרים‎) Directed by Moti Kirschenbaum (written by Danni Reve)
  • "Koson Ruakh" (1991) (Hebrew: כוסות רוח‎) Directed by Yossi Banai
  • "Gashah and goodbye" (2000) (Hebrew: גשש ולהתראות‎)

References.[1][18]

Discography

  • Soundtracks and collections by the Gashash Hahiver
  • Shaike Levi (solo album - 1999)

Author

  • 'Sipurim Im Rotev' (Hebrew: סיפורים עם רוטב‎ lit. 'Stories With Sauce') (1996)

References

  1. ^ a b Gashahs HaHiver - There was an engine, on Globes
  2. ^ From Mourning to Celebration, Global Jewish Agenda magazine (Jewish Agency for Israel), May 11, 2000
  3. ^ a b c d e f Yeshayahu Chapter 2 on yap.co.il
  4. ^ a b Shaike Levi on Century Guide to the Hebrew Thetre.
  5. ^ Givat Brenner Foursome - The Beggining, on 'Tales of Givat Brenner'
  6. ^ Heros of the light literature in the Sinai Operation], by Eli Eshed
  7. ^ Moishe Ventilator on habama.co.il
  8. ^ Moishe Ventilator on IMDB
  9. ^ Moishe Ventilator on tapuz.co.il
  10. ^ Kol Mamzer Melekh on third-ear.com
  11. ^ a b Eternal Six Days: The Six Day Was in literature and popular culture on notes.co.il
  12. ^ Take Off, on habama.co.il
  13. ^ Fortunaon edb.co.il
  14. ^ Hamesh Meot Ellef Shachor on bbm.co.il
  15. ^ Hamesh Meot Ellef Shachor on edb.co.il
  16. ^ Morning Star on bbm.co.il
  17. ^ Shaike Levi on israel-music.com
  18. ^ a b Resume for HaGashash HaHiver, Receivers of the Israeli award for 5760_(Hebrew_year), Israeli Ministry of Education
  19. ^ Bamboni Ein Kamoni on bidurit.com
  20. ^ King, short interview on NRG.co.il
  21. ^ Shaike Levi's ownership rights, Haaretz

External links

  • Trailer for Kohav Hashahar (1980).
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