Hester Street (1975)
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- PG
- 1h 29min
- Drama, Romance
- 15 Oct 1975 (France)
- Movie
In 1896, a Russian Jewish woman immigrates to New York's Lower East Side to reunite with her Americanized husband, but has difficulty assimilating.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Steven Keats | ... |
Jake
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| Carol Kane | ... |
Gitl
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Mel Howard | ... |
Bernstein
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Dorrie Kavanaugh | ... |
Mamie
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| Doris Roberts | ... |
Mrs. Kavarsky
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| Stephen Strimpell | ... |
Joe Peltner
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| Lauren Friedman | ... |
Fanny
(as Lauren Frost)
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Paul Freedman | ... |
Joey
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Martin Garner | ... |
Boss
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Leib Lensky | ... |
Peddler
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| Zane Lasky | ... |
Greenhorn
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| Zvee Scooler | ... |
Rabbi
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Eda Reiss Merin | ... |
Rabbi's Wife
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| Robert Lesser | ... |
Lawyer
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| Joanna Merlin | ... |
Jake's Landlady
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Claudia Silver | ... |
Feigie
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| Ed Crowley | ... |
Inspector
(as Edward Crowley)
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| Philip Sterling | ... |
Mr. Lipman
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Sol Frieder | ... |
Scribe
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Joel Wolfe | ... |
Kaminsky
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Mordecai Lawner | ... |
Waiter
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| Lin Shaye | ... |
Whore
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| Anna Berger | ... |
Poultry Woman
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Bert Salzman | ... |
Zalman
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Billy Natbony | ... |
(uncredited)
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Directed by
| Joan Micklin Silver | ||
Written by
| Joan Micklin Silver | ... | (screenplay) |
| Abraham Cahan | ... | (novella "Yekl") |
Produced by
| David Appleton | ... | associate producer |
| Raphael D. Silver | ... | producer |
Cinematography by
| Kenneth Van Sickle | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Katherine Wenning | ||
Editorial Department
| Hal Levinsohn | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Jay Wolf | ||
Production Design by
| Stuart Wurtzel | ||
Art Direction by
| Edward Haynes | ||
Costume Design by
| Robert J. Pusilo | ... | (as Robert Pusilo) |
Makeup Department
| Steve Atha | ... | hair stylist |
Production Management
| David Appleton | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Jack Baran | ... | assistant director |
| Mik Cribben | ... | assistant director |
Art Department
| Neil DeLuca | ... | assistant props (as Neal DeLuca) |
| Taylor Pape | ... | assistant props |
| Joe Petruccio Jr. | ... | property master (as Joe Petruccio) / set builder (as Joe Petruccio) |
| Eddie Heath | ... | set design (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Bill Daly | ... | sound recordist (as William Daly) |
| Jack Fitzstephens | ... | sound editor |
| Peter Stein | ... | boom operator |
| Dick Vorisek | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Maurice Schell | ... | sound consultant (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Sal Barone | ... | key grip |
| David Boehm | ... | assistant camera |
| Jim Reilly | ... | assistant camera |
| Joe Rivers | ... | best boy |
| Carl Teitelbaum | ... | gaffer |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| David Charles | ... | wardrobe |
| Eddie Heath | ... | wardrobe (uncredited) |
Music Department
| William Bolcom | ... | composer: additional music / music adaptation |
| Herbert L. Clarke | ... | composer: source music |
| Gerard Schwarz | ... | soloist: cornet |
| John Moses | ... | musician: clarinet (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Sharon Sachs | ... | script clerk |
Additional Crew
| Deirdre Baran | ... | production secretary |
| Rick Fernicola | ... | production assistant |
| Michael Gorrin | ... | dialogue coach |
| Maris Johnson | ... | production assistant |
| Mary Kelly | ... | production assistant |
| Julio Neri | ... | production assistant |
| Martin Nicholson | ... | production assistant |
| Art Ostrin | ... | dance coach |
| Keith Rocke | ... | production assistant |
| Paul Sparks | ... | production assistant |
| Fawn Yacker | ... | production assistant |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Midwest Films (1975) (United States) (theatrical)
- Cohen Media Group (2021) (United States) (theatrical) (new 4K restoration)
- Connoisseur Film Ltd. (1975) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- MK2 Diffusion (1975) (France) (theatrical)
- Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (1976) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Cohen Media Group (2022) (United States) (Blu-ray) (new 4K restoration)
- Norma-Vigo (1977) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (1978) (United States) (tv)
- Vestron Video (1984) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- First Run Features (1999) (United States) (VHS)
- Home Vision Entertainment (HVE) (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Scorpion Releasing (2015) (United States) (DVD)
- Scorpion Releasing (2015) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Splendor Films (2023) (France) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Everard Films (1977) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Prokino Filmverleih (1976) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Buksfilm (2024) (Poland) (video) (VOD)
- Flicksium (2021) (United States)
- Video Classics (1985) (Australia) (video)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Image Sound Service (sound post-production)
- Film Opticals (opticals)
- QQ Titles (titles)
- The Jewish Museum, New York (special thanks)
- Movielab (processing)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In 1896, Russian Jew Yankel Bogovnik has been in the United States for three years and settled where many of his background have: Hester Street, on New York City's Lower East Side. He has assimilated to American life - learned English, anglicized his name to Jake, and shaved off his beard. He is working at a $12/week job as a seamster, saving up his earnings to be can bring his wife Gitl and their son Yossele to America from Russia. Although he has fallen in love with dancer Mamie Fein, he's overjoyed when he learns that Gitl and Yossele are coming to America. His happiness at their arrival is damped when he sees that Gitl isn't "American-looking like Mamie and is having trouble assimilating as quickly as he would like. Except to Mamie, he tries to show a public façade that everything is fine at home with Gitl. But can their marriage survive these differences, and if not, will Gitl be able to manage in this new land where she has little support? |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Goodbye O Lord, I'm Going To America! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $350,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | The picture had trouble getting distributed. The movie was considered too specialist, mainly of interest to a niche market of only audiences of Jewish ethnicity, and without any mass or general appeal. In the end, the filmmakers decided to distribute the movie themselves. See more » |
| Goofs | Early scene at table with Gitl, her husband, son and boarder, one can see the mic in the upper right-hand corner. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The 48th Annual Academy Awards (1976). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Music for Cornet See more » |
| Quotes |
Mrs. Kavarsky:
You can't pee up my back and make me think it's rain. See more » |