Cassavetes' jazz-scored improvisational film explores interracial friendships and relationships in Beat-Era (1950s) New York City.
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Writer:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Ben Carruthers | ... |
Ben
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| Lelia Goldoni | ... |
Lelia
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| Hugh Hurd | ... |
Hugh
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| Anthony Ray | ... |
Tony
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Dennis Sallas | ... |
Dennis
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| Tom Reese | ... |
Tom
(as Tom Allen)
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David Pokitillow | ... |
David
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| Rupert Crosse | ... |
Rupert
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David Jones | ... |
Davey
(as Davey Jones)
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Pir Marini | ... |
Pir the Piano Player
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Victoria Vargas | ... |
Vickie
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Jack Ackerman | ... |
Jack, Director of Dance Studio
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Jacqueline Walcott | ... |
Jacqueline
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| Cliff Carnell |
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Jay Crecco |
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Ronald Maccone |
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Bob Reeh |
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Joyce Miles | ... |
Girl in Restaurant
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Nancy Deale | ... |
Girl in Restaurant
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Gigi Brooks | ... |
Girl in Restaurant
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| Lynn Hamilton | ... |
Girl at Party
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| Marilyn Clark | ... |
Girl at Party
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Joanne Sages | ... |
Girl at Party
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Jed McGarvey | ... |
Girl at Party
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| Greta Thyssen | ... |
Girl at Party
(as Greta Thysen)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| John Cassavetes | ... |
Pedestrian (uncredited)
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| Seymour Cassel | ... |
(uncredited)
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Arlene Corwin | ... |
Girl at party (uncredited)
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| Bobby Darin | ... |
Man Wearing Sun Glasses, Dancing and Later Chewing Gum at Rehearsal (uncredited)
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Avalon Lee | ... |
Girl at Party (uncredited)
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Ellen Paulos | ... |
Woman (uncredited)
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| Gena Rowlands | ... |
Woman in Nightclub Audience (uncredited)
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| Lisa Seagram | ... |
Woman (uncredited)
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Jean Shepherd | ... |
Man at Party (uncredited)
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| Mel Stewart | ... |
Man at Party (uncredited)
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Directed by
| John Cassavetes | ||
Written by
| John Cassavetes | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Seymour Cassel | ... | associate producer |
| Maurice McEndree | ... | producer |
| Nikos Papatakis | ... | producer: reshoots (uncredited) |
Cinematography by
| Erich Kollmar | ||
Editing by
| John Cassavetes | ||
| Maurice McEndree | ||
Editorial Department
| Len Appelson | ... | supervising editor |
Production Design by
| Randy Liles | ||
| Bob Reeh | ||
Production Management
| Wray Bevins | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Al Giglio | ... | assistant director |
Sound Department
| Jay Crecco | ... | sound |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Cliff Carnell | ... | lighting assistant |
| Al Ruban | ... | camera assistant |
| David Simon | ... | lighting technician |
Music Department
| Shafi Hadi | ... | musician: saxophone solos |
| Charles Mingus | ... | composer: additional music / musician: additional music |
Additional Crew
| Maxine Arnold | ... | production staff (as Maxine Arnolds) |
| Anne Draper | ... | production staff |
| Mary Anne Ehle | ... | production staff |
| Judy Kaufman | ... | production staff |
| Ellen Paulos | ... | production staff |
| Leslie Reed | ... | production staff |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Lion International Films (1960) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Athos Films (1961) (France) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1961) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Lion International Films (1961) (United States) (theatrical)
- Europa Film (1962) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Globe Films International (1962) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Towa. (Japan) (theatrical)
- Towa. (1965) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Neue Filmkunst Walter Kirchner (1967) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Castle Hill Productions (1991) (United States)
- Fox Lorber Home Video (1996) (United States) (VHS)
- Orion Home Video (1996) (United States) (VHS) (For Fox Lorber Home Video)
- Pioneer Entertainment (1998) (United States) (DVD)
- The Criterion Collection (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Indaco Pictures (2005) (Italy)
- The Criterion Collection (2009) (United States) (DVD)
- BFI Video (2012) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Concorde Home Entertainment (2012) (Germany) (DVD) (John Cassavetes Collection)
- Leopardo Filmes (2022) (Portugal)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Titra Sound Corporation (sound recording)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Benny's a hipster, moving in and out of Manhattan's beat scene, aimless, maybe close to trouble. His sister Lelia, who looks less African-American than White, is vulnerable and about to fall in love. Hugh, their older brother, is a struggling singer whose agent, Rupert, may be the only person with faith in his talent. The story moves back and forth, like jazz, among the three of them and what seems at first to be separate lives. Lelia meets Tony, and lets herself hope this is true love. Then he meets Hugh and prejudice gives Tony an excuse to cut and run. Can family and friendship bring solace for her hurt, purpose for Benny, and belief in Hugh? Is life more than shadows?
Written by |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Box Office
| Budget | $40,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | John Cassavetes screened the movie in 1957 and 1958, but because of poor response he went back and re-shot about half of the film in 1959. The first version of the film was believed to be lost for almost 50 years. In the mid-1980s Prof. Ray Carney began his search for the film after talking to Cassavetes about the first version. Carney searched almost everywhere but was led to dead ends for 20 years. Finally, in 2002, he was contacted by a woman who said her father, a junk dealer, had a cardboard box with a film called "Shadows". It turned out to be the first version and not the second one. The print was in pristine condition. See more » |
| Goofs | When Tony takes Lelia back to her apartment, Ben, Dennis, and Tom are sitting around the table playing poker and trying to arranges some dates. All three bear the marks of a fight that won't take place until near the end of the movie. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in John Cassavetes (1969). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Beautiful See more » |
| Crazy Credits | "Presented by Jean Shepherd's Night People" See more » |
| Quotes |
Girl at Party:
The trouble with you is, you suffer from self-induced hysteria at the word 'existentialism'. Are you aware of that? See more » |