The film was shot in various locations in New York City against the backdrop of 1950s McCarthyism and the Cold War. The story follows Emily Crane, a woman who loses her job after refusing to name names before the House Un-American Activities Committee. She takes a quiet job as a companion to an elderly woman, but her peaceful new life is disrupted when she overhears a heated conversation in German from the neighboring house. Even more disturbing is that one of the participants in the conversation turns out to be the very senator who persecuted her. Digging deeper into what she saw, Emily uncovers a conspiracy involving the smuggling of former Nazis into the United States. Along the way, she reluctantly receives help from an FBI agent named Cochran, who was initially ordered to surveil her. The thriller builds tension through the era's atmosphere and authentic New York locations, culminating in a memorable chase through Grand Central Terminal.

Filming Locations:

Emily's Apartment, 259 West 4th Street

In the Film

Scene where Emily Crane's home is shown, serving as her main base throughout the film. She lives here after being fired from her job, and much of the story's domestic tension unfolds as she settles into her new life and becomes increasingly suspicious of the neighboring house.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a residential corner of the West Village in Manhattan, at the intersection of West 4th Street and Perry Street. This charming block is surrounded by classic brick townhouses and tree-lined sidewalks typical of Greenwich Village. The area has long been a favorite filming location due to its well-preserved early 20th-century architectural character.

Perry Street and West 4th Street

In the Film

Scene where several street-level scenes take place at this intersection, including a bus stop episode. The location is used repeatedly to set the neighborhood atmosphere and Emily's daily routines as she moves through the Village, highlighting the flavor of 1950s New York life.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a picturesque intersection in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. This corner is surrounded by classic brownstones and low-rise buildings that give the area a distinctly residential, old-fashioned New York look. The neighborhood has retained much of its early-to-mid-20th-century appearance, making it ideal for period films.

Cherry Lane Theatre

In the Film

Scene where the Cherry Lane Theatre and its surrounding street on Commerce Street appear in the film, adding authenticity to the 1950s Greenwich Village atmosphere. The historic building and narrow, winding street transport viewers to the McCarthy era depicted in the story.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at one of the oldest continuously operating off-Broadway theaters in New York, founded in 1924. Located on a quiet, curved street in the West Village, the small theater is housed in a converted 1836 farmhouse that was later used as a warehouse. Commerce Street itself is one of the most photogenic blocks in Greenwich Village, with its curve and historic architecture.