For anyone wishing to get acclimated ahead of time, New York’s colorful past has been amply recorded on film. What follows is a short tour through some of the most memorable, classic films of Old New York—not Edith Wharton’s but Travis Bickle’s.
Three caveats: first, please don’t consider this list exhaustive. It’s meant merely to be representative. Second, I’m including only films that were actually shot on location in New York. Hollywood back lots just can’t provide the same flavor. Third, I’m not including period pieces.
Only films actually set and shot during New York’s Rust Age will be considered.
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I talked about this briefly in my Taki’s piece about Bernhard Goetz…
The list above leaves out Little Murders, The Driller Killer, Ms .45, The Taking of Pelham 123 (1974), The Eyes of Laura Mars and 1982’s Basket Case.
