The film was shot in the vicinity of the Greenwich Village neighborhood in Manhattan, New York, capturing the bohemian atmosphere of the early 1950s. The story follows a young Jewish graduate student and aspiring actor who decides to leave his parents' apartment in Brooklyn and move to Greenwich Village to pursue his dream of becoming a professional actor. The film explores the tension between his desire for independence and his mother's intrusive, emotionally manipulative nature, as well as his complicated romantic relationship with a girl. Set against the backdrop of coffeehouses, small apartments, and the vibrant street life of the Village, the film is a semi-autobiographical work by director Paul Mazursky, based on his own experiences growing up and finding himself in New York during that era. Starring Lenny Baker, Shelley Winters, and Ellen Greene.

Filming Locations:

Apartment at 132A MacDougal Street

In the Film

Scene where the protagonist's home in Greenwich Village, where he moves after leaving his parents' home in Brooklyn, setting up a new independent life as a budding actor surrounded by the neighborhood's artistic community.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a residential building on MacDougal Street near the corner of West 3rd Street in Greenwich Village. MacDougal Street is one of the most famous streets in the Village, lined with cafes, bars, and small apartments that historically attracted artists and bohemians. The building served as the location of the protagonist's apartment in the film, symbolizing his new life away from Brooklyn.

7th Avenue South and Christopher Street

In the Film

Scene where the protagonist walks through the streets of Greenwich Village, soaking in the bohemian atmosphere of the neighborhood as he begins his new independent life away from his family home in Brooklyn in the early 1950s setting.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a famous intersection in the heart of Greenwich Village, Manhattan. This corner is near the legendary Stonewall Inn area and has long been associated with the neighborhood's bohemian and countercultural identity. The intersection connects several bustling streets of the Village and remains a popular spot for visitors exploring the rich cultural history and nightlife of the area.