Logan Hayes
The opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany's has become an iconic moment in pop culture. The 1961 film adaptation of Truman Capote's 1958 novella introduces the audience to Audrey Hepburn's Holly Golightly as she steps out of a taxi onto Fifth Avenue in front of the Tiffany & Co. store. The scene has been described as dreamy and generating a feeling of perfection, which is in stark contrast with the events of the rest of the movie.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of opening | 2017 |
| Location | Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, New York City |
| Floor | Fourth floor |
| Menu items | Coffee or tea, croissant and seasonal fruit, buttermilk waffle, smoked salmon and bagel stack, truffle eggs, avocado toast |
| Menu prices | Breakfast: $29; Prix fixe lunch: $39; Tiffany Tea: $49 |
| Type of café | First-come-first-serve |
| Film reference | Holly Golightly eating a pastry and drinking coffee outside Tiffany's |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Holly Golightly's character
Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn in the film adaptation of Truman Capote's 1958 novella, is a naïve, eccentric socialite. She is a "wild thing" who lives in a fantasy world to avoid stability. In the novella, Holly is a contemporary writer's remarkable neighbour, and in the film, she is a socialite who meets a struggling writer, Paul Varjak, when he moves into her apartment building.
Holly is depicted as a free-spirited individual who considers herself unattached and a dreamer in pursuit of happiness. She is shown to be independent and nonconformist, with a unique sense of self. She is also portrayed as having a complex personality, with a desire for wealth and fame, yet wanting to remain true to herself: "I don't mean I'd mind being rich and famous. That's very much on my schedule, and someday I'll try to get around to it; but if it happens, I'd like to have my ego tagging along. I want to still be me".
Holly has a unique way of dealing with anxiety and overwhelming emotions. In both the novella and the film, she finds solace in visiting Tiffany's, a jewellery store, and partaking in a simple breakfast of coffee and a pastry while admiring the displays. This act of having "breakfast at Tiffany's" represents an unattainable fantasy for Holly, a way to calm herself and escape her troubles.
In the film, Holly's character takes on a more romantic role, as she and the protagonist fall in love and stay together. However, in the novella, there is no love affair, and Holly simply leaves the United States, with the narrator never discovering her fate. Despite these differences, Holly remains a captivating and memorable character in both the film and the novella, known for her unique perspective on life and her enchanting personality.
Radish Leaves: French Breakfast Delight or Disaster?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$3.99
$14.95
The film's opening scene
The opening scene of the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's is considered iconic. In it, Audrey Hepburn, playing Holly Golightly, steps out of a yellow cab in a black ball gown, elaborate updo, sunglasses, and pearls. She walks up to the window of Tiffany's, a luxury jewellery store on Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in New York City, carrying a small white paper bag. As Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer's "Moon River" plays in the background, she takes out a cup of coffee and a pastry and begins to eat, gazing at the jewellery on display. This scene captures the essence of Holly Golightly's character—a woman who finds comfort and fantasy in the world of Tiffany's, a place where "nothing very bad could happen".
The opening sets the tone for the rest of the film, which explores Holly's life and her relationship with the idea of Tiffany's. The scene also establishes the social climate of the late 1950s, a time of new possibilities and optimism following the hardships of the war. The audience is introduced to Holly's unique perspective on life, as she finds joy and solace in the simple act of having "breakfast" outside a jewellery store.
The scene has had a lasting impact on popular culture, with many viewers associating the film with this iconic image of Hepburn eating breakfast outside Tiffany's. In fact, the scene has become so synonymous with the film that some viewers have questioned the relevance of the title, wondering when the "breakfast" scene occurs. However, as some have pointed out, the "breakfast" scene is not just about the food but about Holly's daily reality and her relationship with the store.
The opening also sets the stage for the film's exploration of social class and wealth. Holly's humble breakfast of coffee and a pastry contrasts with the luxurious setting of Tiffany's, highlighting the class differences that will be further explored in the film. This contrast between Holly's modest meal and the extravagant jewellery on display creates a sense of fantasy and longing, reflecting Holly's own desires and aspirations.
Overall, the opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany's is a powerful and memorable introduction to the film, capturing the essence of the main character, the social climate of the time, and the unique world of Holly Golightly.
Quick Morning Meals: Easy, Fast, and Delicious!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tiffany's as a fantasy
In the Truman Capote novella and its 1961 film adaptation, *Breakfast at Tiffany's*, Audrey Hepburn plays Holly Golightly, a woman who lives in a fantasy world to avoid the realities of life. Holly's "breakfast" consists of her standing outside the Tiffany & Co. jewelry store on Fifth Avenue, eating a pastry and drinking coffee from a paper bag while admiring the jewelry in the window display.
Holly's character considered Tiffany's the happiest place, and having "breakfast" there was one of her fantasies. In the novella, Holly explains that when she feels anxious, going to Tiffany's calms her down:
> "The only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it. Nothing very bad could happen to you there."
The idea of having "breakfast at Tiffany's" has become so iconic that it has entered the pop-culture lexicon. In 2017, 56 years after the film's release, Tiffany & Co. opened a café on the fourth floor of its flagship New York store, allowing visitors to truly have breakfast at Tiffany's. The café, called the Blue Box Café, offers a "Breakfast at Tiffany" breakfast starting at $29, which includes coffee or tea, a croissant, seasonal fruit, and a choice of a buttermilk waffle, smoked salmon and bagel stack, truffle eggs, or avocado toast.
Breakfast Waffles: Are Birds Eye Vegetarian-Friendly?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The novella's adaptation
The iconic opening scene of the 1961 film adaptation of Truman Capote's 1958 novella sees Audrey Hepburn's character, Holly Golightly, arrive at the Tiffany & Co. store on Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in New York City. Wearing a glamorous black ball gown, sunglasses, and pearls, she steps out of a cab and walks up to the window displaying jewellery. She eats a pastry and drinks coffee from a paper bag while admiring the diamonds. This scene captures Holly's fantasy of having "breakfast at Tiffany's," a symbol of her desire for stability and her attempt to cure her "mean reds" (high anxiety).
The film adaptation remains faithful to Capote's original novella in its depiction of Holly's character and her unique worldview. Holly is known for her quirky habits and unconventional lifestyle, choosing to eat her breakfast outside Tiffany's rather than in a traditional restaurant setting. This scene sets the tone for the rest of the story, which follows Holly's adventures and romantic endeavours in New York City.
In the novella, Holly describes her ideal morning: "Actually, it’s essential not to have any ego at all. I don’t mean I’d mind being rich and famous. That’s very much on my schedule, and someday I’ll try to get around to it; but if it happens, I’d like to have my ego tagging along. I want to still be me when I wake up one fine morning and have breakfast at Tiffany’s. “ This quote captures Holly's aspirations and her unique perspective on life, which is a key element of both the novella and the film.
The opening scene of the film also pays homage to Capote's description of Holly's fascination with Tiffany's. In the novella, Holly explains the store's draw: "The only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany’s. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it. Nothing very bad could happen to you there." This quote perfectly encapsulates Holly's view of Tiffany's as a sanctuary, a place where she finds comfort and a sense of peace amidst the chaos of city life.
The film's opening scene, with its memorable visuals and Hepburn's iconic fashion sense, has become a defining moment in cinematic history, inspiring generations of fans to retrace Holly's steps and even leading to the opening of a café at the Tiffany & Co. flagship store in 2017. While the film and novella differ in various aspects, the opening scene of the film remains true to the essence of Capote's original work, introducing audiences to the captivating world of Holly Golightly.
Our Guest Breakfast: Big Enough to Share?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The café experience
In 2017, Tiffany & Co. opened its first-ever café at its flagship New York store, allowing visitors to experience what it's like to have breakfast at Tiffany's, just like Audrey Hepburn's character, Holly Golightly, in the 1961 film.
The café, located on the fourth floor of the building, offers a bright and airy space, with a view of the jewelry displays. The "Breakfast at Tiffany's" breakfast includes coffee or tea, a croissant and seasonal fruit, with a choice of buttermilk waffle, smoked salmon and bagel stack, truffle eggs, or avocado toast, all for $29. The prix fixe lunch, which includes a starter and main, costs $39. There is also an afternoon tea menu for $49.
The café has been designed with an emphasis on showcasing modern luxury, providing a unique and experimental experience for shoppers. To dine at the café, customers must first navigate the barriers outside Trump Tower and wait in line for several hours.
The experience of having breakfast at Tiffany's is a special one, allowing customers to step into the world of Holly Golightly and enjoy a sophisticated meal surrounded by luxury. It's a chance to live out a fantasy and create lasting memories, just as Holly did in the film when she ate her pastry and drank her coffee outside the jewelry store on Fifth Avenue.
Breakfast at Tiffany's: Reservations, a Must or Maybe Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
In the opening scene of the 1961 film, Audrey Hepburn, as Holly Golightly, steps out of a cab in front of Tiffany's and eats a pastry and coffee while admiring the jewellery in the window. This scene is iconic and has been recreated by Hepburn fans for generations.
In the book, Holly Golightly says, "I'd like to have my ego tagging along. I want to still be me when I wake up one fine morning and have breakfast at Tiffany's." The "breakfast" refers to the pastry and coffee Holly eats while window shopping at Tiffany's.
In 2017, Tiffany & Co. opened the first-ever café at its flagship New York store, allowing visitors to have breakfast and channel Audrey Hepburn. The café is located on the fourth floor of the building and offers breakfast, lunch, and tea.
The "Breakfast at Tiffany's" breakfast includes coffee or tea, a croissant, seasonal fruit, and a choice of a buttermilk waffle, smoked salmon and bagel stack, truffle eggs, or avocado toast. The prix fixe lunch includes a starter and main course, such as the Fifth Avenue salad or olive oil-poached salmon.
