Details
Movie Description
A finalist for the million dollar lottery in Brooklyn is doing fine -- his father, however, has the mob after him for an overdue debt. The mobster is willing to take his ticket in exchange for the debt, presenting him with the biggest choice of his life.
Synopsis
A film based on the life of Frank Pesce, an actor who won $6 million in the first New York State Lottery. Set in the closely-knit Italian-American neighborhood where Pesce grew up, "29th Street" is the story of a man blessed with extraordinary luck and how this blessing becomes a curse. After using his luck to establish himself as an ace card shark, Frank gets involved with some neighborhood heavies -- and when it comes time to collect his new fortune, Frank must make the most difficult choice of his life.
Film Notes
Produced by 29th Street Productions
Color by DeLuxe, shot in Panavision in Wilmington and Charlotte, North Carolina. Much of "29th Street" was filmed on the backlot of Wilmington's Carolco Studio; some actual locations in Wilmington stood in for various New York settings. Because New York City has undergone so many physical changes since the 1940s, it was impossible to film in the actual neighborhoods where Frank Pesce lived.
Began shooting October 22, 1990; completed shooting December 18, 1990.
Shown at Montreal World Film Festival (closing night) August 22-September 2, 1991; Chicago International Film Festival October 11-25, 1991. Released in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas, Philadelphia, Toronto, Chicago and Washington, D.C. November 1, 1991. Released on video April 23, 1992.
Additional cast: Darren Bates (Sal); Leonard Termo (Dr. Puccini); Richard Olsen (Father Lowery); Hope Alexander-Willis (Lucy); Sam Shamshak (Irv the Pawnbroker); Karen Duffy (Maria Rios); and Tom Ellis (Himself/Newscaster).
The film bears the following dedication: "This film is dedicated to the loving memory of Mr. Frank Pesce Sr. known as "Frankie Fish" on 29th Street, James Franciscus and Edith Tobias Gallo."
Directorial debut for screenwriter George Gallo, Jr. who wrote the scripts for "Midnight Run" and "Wise Guys."
Based on the true story of actor Frank Pesce who was the first person to win the New York State Lottery in 1976 (more than $6 million). Pesce is a featured actor in the film, though he does not play himself.
"Behind the Scenes of 29th Street" video by Todd Yellin.
Other music credits: "The Good Life" written by Sacha Distel and Jack Reardon; "I Hear You Knocking" written by Dave Bartholomew and Pearl King; "In the Summertime" written by Ray Dorset; "Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Del Blu)" also written by Domenico Modugno and Franco Migliacci; the lyrics for "O Holy Night" written by John Sullivan Dwight; "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, George Weiss, Albert Stanton, Solomon Linda and Paul Campbell; "Put on a Happy Face" also written by Lee Adams; and Bach's "Italian Concerto" was performed by Conrad Andriani.
Industry Reviews
"...[The film] has a generosity of spirit....[Gallo] has a genuine fondness for his actors, and some of that fondness lights up the screen..."
Los Angeles Times - Peter Rainer (11/01/1991)
"...For once in a recent movie, climactic sentimentality is earned..."
USA Today - Mike Clark (11/01/1991)
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