
The principal photography for the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's began on October 2, 1960, and it was released on October 5, 1961, in the United States. The film, starring Audrey Hepburn, was based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote. The screenplay was adapted by George Axelrod, who received a Best Written American Comedy Award from the Writers Guild of America. The film was shot in New York City and at the Studios at Paramount in Hollywood, California.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of film release | 5 October 1961 |
| Date filming began | 2 October 1960 |
| Film locations | New York City, Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California, and inside Tiffany & Co. |
| Budget | $2.5 million |
| Worldwide gross | $14 million |
| Awards | 5 Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Hepburn, and 2 wins (Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture and Best Song for Mancini) |
| Other accolades | Best Written American Comedy from the Writers Guild of America, Preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress |
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What You'll Learn

Principal photography began on October 2, 1960
Principal photography for Breakfast at Tiffany's began on October 2, 1960, with filming taking place in New York City and at the Studios at Paramount in Hollywood, California. The film was released in the United States on October 5, 1961, by Paramount Pictures.
The film is based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote. The screenplay was adapted by George Axelrod, who received a Best Written American Comedy Award from the Writers Guild of America and was nominated for an Academy Award. The film was directed by Blake Edwards and starred Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a naive and eccentric socialite.
The cast and crew of Breakfast at Tiffany's spent just over a year filming and producing the movie before its release in October 1961. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing $14 million on a $2.5 million budget and receiving five Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Hepburn. It won two awards for its music score and song, "Moon River," composed by Henry Mancini and written by Johnny Mercer, respectively.
Breakfast at Tiffany's has since become a classic, with Hepburn's performance as Holly Golightly considered one of her most memorable and challenging roles. The film has been praised for its style, wit, and entertainment value, and it remains a beloved and influential work in the romantic comedy genre.
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Filming locations included New York City and Hollywood, California
The filming locations for Breakfast at Tiffany's included New York City and Hollywood, California. Principal photography began on October 2, 1960, with filming taking place in both locations. The film is an adaptation of Truman Capote's 1958 novella of the same name.
Most of the exteriors were filmed in New York City, including the iconic opening scene on Fifth Avenue outside the Tiffany & Co. flagship store. Other New York filming locations included Holly Golightly's townhouse on East 71st Street on the East Side.
All of the interiors, except for portions set inside Tiffany & Co., were filmed on the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood. This included the fire escape scenes, the alley scene at the end of the film, and the interior shots of the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, which were filmed on a sound stage.
The film was released in the United States on October 5, 1961, by Paramount Pictures. It received critical acclaim for its music and Audrey Hepburn's style and performance, grossing $14 million worldwide. Hepburn's performance as Holly Golightly is considered one of her most memorable and identifiable roles.
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The film was released on October 5, 1961
Breakfast at Tiffany's, the 1961 American romantic comedy film, was released on October 5, 1961. The film, directed by Blake Edwards, is based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote. The screenplay was written by George Axelrod and filming began on October 2, 1960, with New York City and Hollywood, California as the primary locations.
The film stars Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a naive and eccentric socialite, alongside George Peppard as Paul Varjak, a struggling writer who moves into her apartment building. The cast also includes Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, and Mickey Rooney. Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly is considered one of her most memorable and challenging roles.
The film received critical acclaim for its music and Hepburn's performance and style. The film's music was composed by Henry Mancini, and the theme song, "Moon River," was written by Johnny Mercer and performed by Hepburn in the film. "Moon River" won the Academy Award for Best Song, and Mancini won for Best Score. The film grossed $14 million worldwide and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Hepburn.
In addition to its commercial and critical success, Breakfast at Tiffany's has also been recognised for its cultural impact. In 2012, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. The film has been released on DVD and Blu-ray, with remastered and restored versions commemorating its anniversary.
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Truman Capote's novella was published in 1958
Truman Capote's novella, Breakfast at Tiffany's, was published in 1958. The Paramount Pictures film adaptation was announced in January 1959, with initial plans for John Frankenheimer to direct. However, Blake Edwards ended up directing the film, which was released in 1961.
The process of adapting the novella into a film involved several key steps. Firstly, George Axelrod was hired to write the screenplay, completing it by August 1959. The script deviated from Capote's original story, particularly in its ending. This screenplay adaptation received recognition, with Axelrod winning the Best Written American Comedy award from the Writers Guild of America and receiving an Academy Award nomination.
Audrey Hepburn's casting as the lead character, Holly Golightly, was announced in January 1959, although there were conflicting reports considering other actresses, such as Brigitte Bardot and Marilyn Monroe, who was Capote's personal choice for the role. By April 1960, Hepburn was confirmed as the "definite" star of the film.
Principal photography for Breakfast at Tiffany's began on October 2, 1960, with filming taking place in New York City and Hollywood, California. The film was released on October 5, 1961, in the United States, receiving critical acclaim for its music, style, and Hepburn's performance. It grossed $14 million worldwide and was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two, including Best Song for "Moon River" by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer.
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The film was scored by Henry Mancini
The filming of Breakfast at Tiffany's, a 1961 American romantic comedy, commenced on October 2, 1960, with locations in New York City and Hollywood, California. The film, based on Truman Capote's 1958 novella of the same name, was scored by the renowned Henry Mancini, with the theme song "Moon River" written by Johnny Mercer.
Henry Mancini's involvement with Breakfast at Tiffany's came about due to his connection with the film's director, Blake Edwards. Mancini's wife and Edwards had been acquaintances for several years, and when they met, they decided to work together on the television show Peter Gunn, with Mancini creating the title theme. This marked the beginning of a fruitful partnership between Mancini and Edwards, who would go on to collaborate on numerous films.
For Breakfast at Tiffany's, Mancini's musical contributions were exceptional. He composed the film's score, which won the Academy Award for Best Score, a testament to its quality and impact. Mancini's score added depth and emotion to the film, enhancing the storytelling and character development. His compositions were described as setting "off melodies with a walking bass" and extending "them with choral and string variations," creating a rich and dynamic soundscape.
One of the most memorable aspects of Mancini's work on Breakfast at Tiffany's is undoubtedly the iconic song "Moon River." The plaintive harmonica melody, repeated by strings and then sung by the chorus, has become synonymous with the film and its protagonist, Holly Golightly, portrayed by Audrey Hepburn. Hepburn's own recording of "Moon River" is considered by many, including Mancini himself, as the definitive version. In a letter to Mancini, Hepburn expressed her appreciation, stating, "Your music has lifted us all up and sent us soaring... You are the hippest of cats - and the most sensitive of composers!"
The recognition and acclaim Mancini received for his work on Breakfast at Tiffany's cemented his place as one of the most talented and respected composers of his time. His collaboration with Blake Edwards on this film and others showcased their creative synergy, and their partnership continues to be celebrated in the world of cinema and beyond.
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