Joan Micklin Silver, who broke Hollywood barriers as a writer and director, spotlighting women’s stories and exploring American Jewish life in movies including the low-budget comedy-drama “Hester Street” and the studio romantic comedy “Crossing Delancey,” died Dec. 31 at her home in Manhattan. She was 85.

 

The cause was vascular dementia, said her daughter Marisa Silver, a writer and director.

 

Ms. Silver launched her filmmaking career in New York in the early 1970s, at a time when relatively few movies were being released theatrically and the industry was dominated by young male directors. While screenwriting work was available to women, directing was all but impossible.

 

Scene from Crossing Delancey

33 Crossing Delancey Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images

 
 
 

[I am heartbroken by this news.  May this talented woman with divine sensitivities and talent rest in peace.]

 

PEARLEY, thank you so much for posting an alert when Crossing Delancey recently aired on TCM.  I know you loved Ms. Silver's work as much if not more than I.