Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt
Synopsis
At its peak, one million New York Jews spent their summers in the Borscht Belt, the birthplace of Jewish-American iconoclastic humor. This film shows how these Catskills communities were run by women, and how class divisions were reflected in the resort hotels: upwardly-mobile hotel guests were entertained by a who's-who of talent, while in the bungalows, do-it-yourself burlesque and vaudeville reigned among the blue-collar families. This film is happy, humane, ironic, and, finally, bittersweet, as we see that today's Jews no longer share the tastes or aspirations of their parents.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
Jewish Film Festival, Chicago
Festival / Special Debut
September 14, 1986
Wide Cinema Exhibition
February 23, 2023
VOD & Digital Platforms
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Peter Davis
- Original Score
- Steven Murray
- Original Title
- Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 21m
- Production Studios
- Villon Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Peter Davis
Steven Murray
Peter Davis
Department Leadership Roster
Peter Davis
Producer
Peter Davis
Director
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt about?
At its peak, one million New York Jews spent their summers in the Borscht Belt, the birthplace of Jewish-American iconoclastic humor. This film shows how these Catskills communities were run by women, and how class divisions were reflected in the resort hotels: upwardly-mobile hotel guests were entertained by a who's-who of talent, while in the bungalows, do-it-yourself burlesque and vaudeville reigned among the blue-collar families. This film is happy, humane, ironic, and, finally, bittersweet, as we see that today's Jews no longer share the tastes or aspirations of their parents.
Who directed Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt?
Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt was directed by Peter Davis.
Who stars in Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt?
The principal cast of Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt includes Joseph Wiseman.
When was Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt released and how long is it?
Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt was released in 1986 with a total runtime of 1h 21m.
Who composed the musical score for Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt was composed by Steven Murray.