Robin arrives in New York and takes a cab through Times Square to 10th Avenue, "the real street of broken dreams" as the gay leatherman cabbie describes it. Off the Meatpacking District, they pass The Anvil and The Ramrod--with a view of the newly risen Twin Towers.
Heading along the High Line (when trucks still parked beneath it), Robin and the cab driver end up at a place called The Jack Rabbit Club, a leather-and-Levi's drag bar with a ceiling dripping with tinsel and inflatable bunnies.
Douglas asks us, "Was this a real bar? The movie was made on a really small budget, so I doubt they would just create a bar. Cheaper to use a real one." Does anyone recognize the place?
The entire movie can be seen on youtube. The New York City section begins around 58:30 and it's filled with great street footage of the Village, too. Take a look and let us know if you remember the Jack Rabbit, the Morris Department Store on Christopher and Bleecker, Don's Hideaway Restaurant, and more.
I would love to find the time to watch all of this. I do remember the ads when it came out. I clicked through some of the NYC scenes and there is one near the end where you can see the old location of Li Lac chocolate and The White Horse Tavern. I am also pretty sure they are on Weehawken St at some point.
ReplyDeleteHa--i actually own a VHS copy having stumbled upon it in a thrift years ago..small budget but so interesting, and that, beyond just the views of NYC, but in itself. Now it's on You tube--is anything NOT on You tube!
ReplyDeleteTake a look at Gordeon Lightfoot!
ReplyDeleteAh, those wacky Canadians.
I love this post!
ReplyDeleteSome guys took me to the Anvil (gross, sorry) and Ramrod--people thought I was a drag queen!
I have a very sad story about the Ramrod murders--will never forget that
The exterior of the bar in question was shot at Peter Rabbit, a dance bar on West 10th and the Highway. Not sure about the interior. Too much is hidden behind props. The Morris Department was what we used to call an Army/Navy store. It later became the Village Army/Navy Store. We all bought our jeans and jackets there. The antique shop, Reinaldo's, on the corner of Christopher & Hudson was quite upscale. Once, on a warm Saturday night, the owner had a dinner party outside his shop. Ten guys sitting at a long candle-lit table ladened with antique china and crystal, all commenting about the multitude of men passing by. Don's is on the site of Choo Choo's Pier, a bar opened by a very popular bartender at Keller's, just down the block. It later became Sneakers and I'm not sure anything is there right now. That block is in flux.
ReplyDeleteMark, you are an amazing source of little-known details. thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is Weehawken St. Looks like it might be the Hideaway. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/393-393_West_Street_6_Weehawken_Street_from_north.jpg/287px-393-393_West_Street_6_Weehawken_Street_from_north.jpg
ReplyDeletedoes anyone know when kellers opened? where exactly was it? loved the movie, first time ive seen it, had to comment.
ReplyDeletesaw parts of the film again today. let me restate: its FABULOUSO!
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