(Barry Wetcher)
(
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From shutting down Grand Central Terminal to revisiting St. Bart’s Church, the 2011 version of “Arthur” made New York City a key backdrop — just as the original did back in 1981. Here’s a guide to key scenes and locations from both films.
‘ARTHUR’ 1981
1. Bergdorf Goodman,
2 W. 58th St., at Fifth Avenue
It’s love at first sight for Arthur (Dudley Moore) when he spots Queens waitress Linda (Liza Minnelli) shoplifting a tie.
2. Kaufman Astoria Studios,
34-12 36th St., Astoria, Queens
Arthur’s magnificent Gotham apartment — including his legendary gilded washroom, where he swills martinis in a bubble bath — was actually a constructed on a soundstage at the venerable studio complex.
3. Lenox Hill Grill,
1105 Lexington Ave., at 78th Street
Minnelli’s character waits tables at this retro diner.
4. The James B. Duke House,
1 E. 78th St., at Fifth Avenue
The engagement party scene, where Arthur plays the piano, was filmed at this stone mansion that once belonged to the tobacco titan.
THEN AND NOW
5. St. Bart’s Church,
325 Park Ave., at 51st Street
The first film’s wedding was shot at this Midtown church, secured by a reasonable donation. In a bit of synchronicity, the wedding in the remake was also filmed here.
6. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, LI
The Phipps mansion was the backdrop for a party in “Arthur.” In the remake Arthur and his fiancée, Susan (Jennifer Garner), take engagement photos on horseback there.
‘ARTHUR’ 2011
7. The Pierre Hotel, 2 E. 61st St.,
at Fifth Avenue
Designers outfitted a penthouse with a red London phone booth converted into a saltwater aquarium, antique furnishings and a regulation-sized boxing ring, where Arthur spars with his trainer, Evander Holyfield. His bedroom contained a replica of a $1.5 million floating magnetic bed by Dutch architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars.
8. Grand Central Terminal, 42nd Street, at Park Avenue
Filmmakers cleared the main concourse to shoot a romantic dinner Arthur sets up for Naomi (Greta Gerwig). The scene was shot in about 90 minutes from 3 to 4:30 a.m. “We made people mad who were trying to get back to New Haven,” Gerwig says. “I managed to text all my friends and told them to come to Grand Central, because they’d never see it empty again.”
9. Dylan’s Candy Bar, 1011 Third Ave., at 60th Street
In order to prove that he can actually work like a normal schmo, Arthur lands a job at the sweets emporium — with disastrous results.
10. The News Building, 220 E. 42nd St., between Second and Third avenues
The lobby subbed for the headquarters of Arthur’s mother’s company, Bach Worldwide.
11. Le Cirque, 151 E. 58th St.,
at Lexington Avenue
A sloshed Arthur reluctantly proposes to Susan here.