Being from the Bronx, I found the 7 Ups a great movie. Many of the scenes were filmed in familiar locations. Only a NY'er would notice the actual locations were no where near each other, especially the chase scenes.
Lol!! A little before my time; I visited Alcatraz in 1978 and came home and asked my Dad (Ret. Lt. 1951-81) did we have any black sheep in the family tree, lol.
I’m going with The Seven-Ups also bc of the chase scene. A lot of the chase is in Hells Kitchen and comparing how it looked then to now, and spotting the locations, is fun. I saw an old episode of Kojak recently and he was on Ninth Avenue and Rudy’s bar was there. It still is!
The chase in The Seven-Ups was a great one as well. I was working in the 34 and saw the filming of the chase as the perps crashed through the roadblock and onto the GW Bridge. It was exciting. If I recall correctly, Randy Jurgensen was an advisor on the film and even took part in that particular scene.
Just missed the cut but 1981's "Prince of the City" would be a great one If you do the 80's......!
Also debatable but Charles Bronsons "Death Wish" could be a good one too for the 70's.
I did not like "French Connection" because the case was totally misrepresented by Hollywood. I recall the real detectives saying no one got a scratch in the case.
You know, that makes me realize something that’s always sort of lurked in the back of my mind. You’re right — that bit at the end where Popeye kills the fed. Was that necessary? I always thought that was a sour note in that movie. Felt gratuitous.
Never having been to NYC and being from Chicago, I suppose the wild ride chasing the overhead train in The French Connection just reminded me of the El in the loop. Please forgive a poor Midwesterner.
Hah! Whenever I would go to Chicago — a GREAT city — I would eat at an old school Jewish deli under the el. Wish I could remember the name. Was pretty big. I think it was just the owner’s name. “Morty’s” or something like that. This is years ago. I’ve often wondered if it’s still there. The owner — little chubby guy — used to come out and sit with us and shot the breeze.
There's Schneider's on LaSalle but I don't go downtown anymore. Seems that shooting lead is more prevalent than shooting the breeze. And as you say--I want to stay safe out here.
Never — was well-before my time. I met Sonny Grosso from The French Connection a few times. Could not have been a nicer guy. And I know Randy Jurgenson, who Al Pacino is based on in the Cruising movie. We had him on the podcast!
Believe Prince of the City was 1981. My understanding — and this is dated — is that Serpico stayed living in Switzerland for a long time. I never heard of him being back in New York.
I choose Taking of Pelham 123 because my husband was a transit cop.
This was a really hard decision to make. Every movie is a classic NYPD flick.
Pelham. No question. Also the most realistic, at least with how the cops are.
Being from the Bronx, I found the 7 Ups a great movie. Many of the scenes were filmed in familiar locations. Only a NY'er would notice the actual locations were no where near each other, especially the chase scenes.
Isn’t Frank Morris one of the guys who escaped from Alcatraz? I knew you were still out there…!
Lol!! A little before my time; I visited Alcatraz in 1978 and came home and asked my Dad (Ret. Lt. 1951-81) did we have any black sheep in the family tree, lol.
I’m going with The Seven-Ups also bc of the chase scene. A lot of the chase is in Hells Kitchen and comparing how it looked then to now, and spotting the locations, is fun. I saw an old episode of Kojak recently and he was on Ninth Avenue and Rudy’s bar was there. It still is!
I refuse to pick one: each is a classic.
Smart answer.
The chase in The Seven-Ups was a great one as well. I was working in the 34 and saw the filming of the chase as the perps crashed through the roadblock and onto the GW Bridge. It was exciting. If I recall correctly, Randy Jurgensen was an advisor on the film and even took part in that particular scene.
French Connection
Just missed the cut but 1981's "Prince of the City" would be a great one If you do the 80's......!
Also debatable but Charles Bronsons "Death Wish" could be a good one too for the 70's.
I did not like "French Connection" because the case was totally misrepresented by Hollywood. I recall the real detectives saying no one got a scratch in the case.
You know, that makes me realize something that’s always sort of lurked in the back of my mind. You’re right — that bit at the end where Popeye kills the fed. Was that necessary? I always thought that was a sour note in that movie. Felt gratuitous.
Fort Apache too. I didn’t realize it was 1981.
Fort Apache. Absolutely. Whatever became of Ken Wahl? Disappeared.
lol. I was going to mention that all the transit cops would vote for Pelham. The NYTPD finally gets some credit.
Never having been to NYC and being from Chicago, I suppose the wild ride chasing the overhead train in The French Connection just reminded me of the El in the loop. Please forgive a poor Midwesterner.
Hah! Whenever I would go to Chicago — a GREAT city — I would eat at an old school Jewish deli under the el. Wish I could remember the name. Was pretty big. I think it was just the owner’s name. “Morty’s” or something like that. This is years ago. I’ve often wondered if it’s still there. The owner — little chubby guy — used to come out and sit with us and shot the breeze.
There's Schneider's on LaSalle but I don't go downtown anymore. Seems that shooting lead is more prevalent than shooting the breeze. And as you say--I want to stay safe out here.
I'm curious if Paul has ever had the opportunity to meet Frank Serpico.
Never — was well-before my time. I met Sonny Grosso from The French Connection a few times. Could not have been a nicer guy. And I know Randy Jurgenson, who Al Pacino is based on in the Cruising movie. We had him on the podcast!
Appreciate the reply. I knew he had several years on you, just wasn't sure if he ever made his way back to his old stomping grounds.
I was surprised "Prince of the City" wasn't one of the options.
Believe Prince of the City was 1981. My understanding — and this is dated — is that Serpico stayed living in Switzerland for a long time. I never heard of him being back in New York.
For some reason, I had '79 in my head for "Prince," But, you are correct. It was '81.
If the notes at the end of the movie are accurate, you are correct in that Serpico is living in Switzerland.
The French Connection and Taking of Pelham One Two Three were my favorites from that era.