Harper West
The 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, starring Audrey Hepburn, was filmed in New York City and at the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood, California. The film, directed by Blake Edwards, is an adaptation of Truman Capote's 1958 novella of the same name. The New York City filming locations included the iconic Tiffany & Co. store on Fifth Avenue, as well as East 71st Street on the East Side, where Holly Golightly's apartment was located.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Release | 1961 |
| Director | Blake Edwards |
| Lead Actress | Audrey Hepburn |
| Lead Actor | George Peppard |
| Other Actors | Patricia Neal, Mickey Rooney, Buddy Ebsen |
| Filming Locations | New York City, Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California |
| Specific Locations in New York City | Holly Golightly's townhouse on East 71st Street, Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue, Manhattan |
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What You'll Learn
Holly Golightly's townhouse, East 71st Street, New York
Holly Golightly's townhouse in Breakfast at Tiffany's is located on East 71st Street in New York. The four-story townhouse, located at 169 East 71st Street, was featured prominently in the 1961 film, serving as the home of Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, and Paul Varjak, an aspiring writer played by George Peppard. The house is known for its stately dark green double doors and its previous green and white striped window awnings, which have since been removed.
The townhouse has a rich history and has been the subject of much interest due to its connection to the film. In 2011, the house was listed for sale for $5.85 million and later sold for $7.4 million in 2015. At the time of the sale, the 3,800-square-foot townhouse had been renovated and converted into a single-family home with four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a sweeping staircase, an enclosed greenhouse, and an outdoor space.
While the exterior of the townhouse was extensively used in the film, the interior scenes were primarily filmed on a Hollywood set. However, there are conflicting claims that some interior scenes were indeed filmed inside the house, with cameras positioned outside to capture the action within the rooms. One such scene is believed to be the famous party hosted by Holly, where she wears a dress fashioned from a bed sheet.
The townhouse's association with Breakfast at Tiffany's has made it a popular tourist attraction in New York City, with fans of the film often visiting the location to relive their favourite moments from the classic romantic comedy. The film itself has become a cultural icon, with Audrey Hepburn's performance as Holly Golightly considered one of her most memorable and identifiable roles.
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Tiffany & Co, Fifth Avenue, New York
Tiffany & Co, Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York, is a ten-story retail building that has served as the flagship store of the company since 1940. The building, designed in a "conservative modern" style, is made of granite and limestone and features a 9-foot statue of the mythological figure Atlas. The store has been featured in several films, including the gritty drama Midnight Cowboy, and has become a popular tourist destination.
The exterior shots of Tiffany & Co for Breakfast at Tiffany's were filmed on location, with Audrey Hepburn's character, Holly Golightly, window shopping at the store. The interior shots, however, were filmed on a sound stage at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. The film crew did not have access to the interior of the store, so they recreated it on a set.
The opening scene of the movie was shot at 727 Fifth Avenue, with Holly Golightly stepping out of a cab and slowly walking towards the luxury jewellery store. She gazes at the display window while snacking on a breakfast pastry, setting the tone for the chic backdrop of New York City that the film uses so effectively.
The filming of the window-shopping scene attracted hundreds of onlookers, making Hepburn nervous and causing her to make several mistakes. It was only when a crew member nearly got electrocuted behind the camera that she pulled herself together and finished the scene. This scene also features the famous black dress, which was custom-made for Hepburn and sold at auction for $807,000 in 2006.
The film Breakfast at Tiffany's, released in 1961, has become an iconic classic and is most associated with Hepburn, with her performance receiving rave reviews. The movie was adapted from Truman Capote's 1958 novella of the same name, and Capote originally wanted Marilyn Monroe to play the role of Holly Golightly. However, Hepburn's portrayal brought a jolly spirit to the character, and her style and performance received critical acclaim, earning her a Best Actress nomination at the Academy Awards.
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Paramount Studios, Hollywood, California
Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California, was the filming location for all the interior scenes of Breakfast at Tiffany's, except for portions set inside Tiffany & Co. The studio's backlot was also used for exterior scenes, with the exception of the film's opening sequence, which was shot on location outside the Tiffany & Co. flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Paramount Studios, located in Hollywood, California, has a rich history in the film industry. The studio has been the site of numerous productions and is known for its iconic locations, such as the Paramount Theatre, which has hosted several Hollywood premieres and after-parties. The studio's famous water fountain and Bronson Gate, which served as the studio's former entrance, have also been featured in films.
The interior scenes of Breakfast at Tiffany's were brought to life on the soundstages of Paramount Studios. This included the iconic "library" scene, where Paul Varjak (George Peppard) and Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) visit the library during their "things we've never done before" day. While the exterior of the library was real, the interior may have been recreated on a studio soundstage.
The Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood also served as the backdrop for other exterior scenes in Breakfast at Tiffany's. One notable location is the Chicago section of New York Street, which was used as the exterior of Rosalita's Bar in the film. This area of the studio lot is known for its versatility and has been utilised in various productions, including the television series Glee and Happy Endings.
The use of Paramount Studios for both interior and exterior scenes contributed to the iconic visuals and atmosphere of Breakfast at Tiffany's. The studio's backlots and soundstages provided the perfect setting for the film's memorable moments, showcasing the versatility and impact of studio filming in Hollywood's golden age.
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New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue
The New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue is featured in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's. The characters Holly Golightly and Paul Varjak are seen heading towards the library, located at 476 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City. They reach the corner of Fifth and 41st Street, where they decide to enter the library across the street.
The interior shots of the library were not filmed inside the actual library but on a sound stage at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. The library scenes showcase phone booths inside, and it is noted that only two of these phone booths remain today, with the folding doors removed.
In the film, Paul autographs a copy of his own book, "Nine Lives", inside the library, to the dismay of the librarian. Paul also returns to the library later in the film to find Holly, who is studying about South America, as she plans to travel there with José, a rich Brazilian she met at a party.
The New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue is just one of the many filming locations in New York City used for Breakfast at Tiffany's. Other notable locations include Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue and Central Park in Manhattan.
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New York City backlot
The 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's was directed by Blake Edwards and starred Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly. Most of the exteriors were filmed in New York City, including Holly Golightly's townhouse on East 71st Street on the East Side. The film opens with Golightly window shopping outside Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue at 57th Street.
The New York City backlot is a set that was used to film the studio scenes in Breakfast at Tiffany's. After the old New York set was replaced with a new one, it became difficult to locate the exact filming locations of the studio scenes. However, a 1971 episode of the TV series Mission: Impossible featured footage of the old New York backlot, which helped identify the filming locations of Breakfast at Tiffany's.
The New York backlot set included a corner shop that resembled the one in Breakfast at Tiffany's. By comparing stills from the film to the episode, it was possible to determine the layout of the streets and the location of the corner shop. An aerial view of the old New York backlot further confirmed the location.
In addition to the New York City backlot, interior shots and fire escape scenes were filmed on a soundstage at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. The final scene, which takes place in an alleyway, was also shot on a soundstage made to look like a New York alley.
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Frequently asked questions
Breakfast at Tiffany's was filmed in New York City and at the Studios at Paramount in Hollywood, California.
Yes, hundreds of onlookers watched Audrey Hepburn's window-shopping scene at the start of the film, which made her nervous and she kept making mistakes.
Some of the specific locations in New York City where the film was shot include Holly Golightly's townhouse on East 71st Street, Fifth Avenue, and Tiffany & Co. at 727 Fifth Avenue.
