This was filmed in The East Village and I remember being at my Aunt and Uncle's apartment in the Village View Projects and seeing all of the preparation.
"De Niro's Little Italy, 1917 scenes were shot on Sixth Street in the East Village between Avenues A and B, tricked out in period dressing. A block north is the bar where the Rosato brothers try to garotte Pentangeli, Vazac’s, 108 Avenue B at Seventh Street (known as Seven and B), at the southeast corner of Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. Popular in movies as a ‘lowlife’ bar, Vazac’s is where Mick Dundee (Paul Hogan) gets unwittingly fixed up with a bloke in drag in "Crocodile" Dundee; where Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke) gets photos of Johnny Favorite in Alan Parker's Angel Heart; and it's the local hangout in 1988's Five Corners with Jodie Foster and Tim Robbins. I love this bar. It's not the place if you want elegance and cocktails, but it's a friendly local with a great jukebox.
The ensuing shoot-out was filmed outside on East 7th Street."
The real feast of San Rocco used to wind it's way through the streets of the Knickerbocker Village neighborhood
from a 11/17 post
This was a big event for those of us that lived in the Knickerbocker Village vicinity. It included a neighborhood parade. Later on there was parade that inaguarated the Two Bridges Little League Season. They're all now part of history. This photo from the nypl digital collection is from 1933, just prior to the construction of Knickerbocker Village. They're marching west on Cherry Street. You can see Madonna House on the right. It's to the left of the light colored building on the corner. That's the Manhattan Bridge in the background.
THE ST. ROCCO FEAST WAS REJUVENTATED ON MONROE STREET FOR ONE YEAR, I THINK IT WAS 1975 OR 76. MY DAUGHTER WAS BORN IN 1977, AND IT WAS DEFINITELY BEFORE THAT.
ReplyDeleteMY PARKING LOT AT 31-35 MONROE STREET WAS USED FOR THE RIDES AND CHANCE GAMES (SPINNING WHEELS AND A FERRIS WHEEL WERE PUT IN MY PARKING LOT. I HAD TO BUY A SPECIAL INSURANCE POLICY TO COVER ANY POSSIBLE INJURIES TO CUSTOMERS). ALL MY MONTHLY PARKING CUSTOMERS HAD TO FIND PARKING SPOTS IN THE STREET FOR 10 DAYS.
MY PAY FOR GIVING UP MY LOT WAS GIVING ME FIVE (5) PEPSI STANDS IN THE FEAST, WHICH RAN JUST ONE BLOCK FROM CATHERINE TO MARKET ON MONROE.
I RAN ONE WITH MY THEN-WIFE. MY FATHER RAN ANOTHER AND THREE OF MY FRIENDS RAN THE OTHER THREE. ALL FIVE LOST MONEY, BUT WE ALL HAD LOADS OF FUN. CONSTANT DRINKING AND PARTYING FOR 10 DAYS.
BUT THE FEAST WAS SUCH A FINANCIAL DISASTER FOR EVERYONE, IT WASN'T WORTH THE DISRUPTION IN OUR LIVES. THAT WAS THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF A NEW ST. ROCCO'S ON MONROE STREET.
JOE BRUNO
I was an extra in the Feast of San Rocco scene in The Godfather II. I only worked one day because I had taken a job working for a disabled, elderly lady, but I still got in the movie for about 10 seconds! Unfortunately, I was cut out of the scene in the VHS/DVD versions. It was fun and kind of boring work at the same time. I ran into someone who I knew from high school, so we chatted, which I guess looked authentic for the film. They wouldn't let us eat any of the food.
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