The filming of the iconic American melodrama took place in various locations in New York City and its suburbs. Director Ulu Grosbard chose locations and filming spots to create an on-screen atmosphere matching the story of two people who fall in love on the eve of Christmas. New York, with its festive atmosphere and bustling streets, was ideal for this.
Among the most important film locations is the Rizzoli Bookstore on Fifth Avenue, where Frank and Molly first meet and get to know each other. Grand Central Terminal also played a significant role in the film, serving as the setting for scenes of the characters meeting at the station. Additionally, the Hudson River Line and Dobbs Ferry were used for similar meeting and travel scenes.
The film also includes scenes shot at the South Street Seaport, Irving Place, Fifth Avenue, and Chappaqua, New York. The director aimed to create a realistic atmosphere, so the vast majority of scenes were shot on location, adding authenticity to the film. Only a few interior scenes were filmed at the Empire Stages of New York studio in Queens.

Filming Locations:

Bookstore

In the Movie

The scene where Molly and Frank first bump into each other. The main characters, Frank and Molly, first see each other on Christmas Eve at the Rizzoli bookstore. They accidentally collide at the store's exit and mistakenly swap their gift bags, exchanging books intended for their spouses. This is Molly and Frank's first meeting, but not the start of their relationship: the characters get to know each other later, a few months later they will accidentally cross paths again on the morning train on the Hudson River line, and there their close acquaintance will begin.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the Rizzoli bookstore on Fifth Avenue. This is a famous bookstore, opened in 1964, located in a prestigious area, neighboring upscale boutiques like Cartier and Tiffany. Rizzoli was known for its elegant architecture, large stained-glass windows, and extensive selection of books on art, fashion, and design. Book presentations and exhibitions were often held here, making it a popular spot for intellectuals and artists. Unfortunately, the original Rizzoli bookstore on Fifth Avenue closed in 2014 due to rising rent. However, it did not disappear: the store continues to exist today but has moved to Broadway.

Frank's Apartment

In the Movie

The scene where Frank and Molly first arrive at his apartment in New York. Frank cannot forget Molly and arranges to meet her at the bookstore. There they realize that their meetings can no longer be limited to heartfelt conversations at stations and on trains. Frank says he has a quiet, secluded place and Molly agrees to go there. It turns out that Frank has an apartment in the city center, where he brings Molly. From now on, their meetings will also take place here.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a real apartment in a building on Bank Street and West 4th Street in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan. The building at 27 Bank Street is an old brownstone built in 1856. The West Village area where it is located is known for its historic architecture, vibrant cultural life, and high social status of residents, which matches Frank's image as the owner of a successful business in New York. Both protagonists' families live outside the city, so an apartment in central New York is ideal for Frank and Molly's secret meetings, providing them with intimacy and anonymity in a bustling city.

Molly and Frank's Meeting Place

In the Movie

The scene where Molly and Frank meet outside the train and New York station. Molly feels she is becoming more attached to Frank and wants to see him not only on the way home, but hesitates because of her marriage and moral obligations. She tries to resist her feelings, but ultimately cannot deny herself the opportunity to meet Frank and invites him to spend time during the day. They walk, eat street food, and to remember the day, take photos in a photo booth.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the intersection of Catherine Street and Henry Street in the Two Bridges neighborhood, Manhattan. This area is known for its rich history and cultural diversity: over the past 40-50 years, Two Bridges has become one of the largest Chinatowns in New York, often called "Little Fuzhou" due to the large number of immigrants from Fujian province in China. This fact is even noticeable in the film's footage. This location was chosen for Molly and Frank's meeting, probably because of its distance from the places where the film's characters usually appear. For their secret meeting, they chose a place where they were unlikely to meet acquaintances and friends, thus maintaining the secret status of their communication. From a visual perspective, filming in this area diversifies the film's imagery and adds realism.

Irving Place and East 19th Street

In the Movie

The scene where a street corner with a phone booth (now gone) is used for practical communication and coordination, while the main characters find reasons to meet again away from family matters.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a Manhattan intersection near Gramercy and Union Square, with low-rise buildings and typical street furniture of the area. The zone is quieter than the center, with a residential atmosphere and steady local pedestrian traffic without crowds of tourists.

Grand Central Terminal

In the Movie

The scene where Frank and Molly experience key moments related to trains and meet here, relying on the flow of commuters through the terminal; the spacious hall and entrances emphasize how easily two lives can intersect in a crowded public place.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a major railway terminal in midtown Manhattan, known for its main hall, commuter train platforms, and bustling passages connecting the subway and office towers around. It is an active transportation hub with intense daily pedestrian traffic and extensive interior corridors.