Queens Scene

Film Celebrates Queens Logic




Queens Logic. The very essence of our community – a certain kind of logic that comes with living in the most diverse area in the world. Manhattan might have its buildings, Brooklyn has its famous accent, but Queens has its own logic; a logic that no other place in the world can compete with.
The film, Queens Logic (1991), was filmed almost entirely in Queens, with fellow New Yorkers like Chloe Webb and Tony Spiridakis. It also stars Kevin Bacon, John Malkovich, Jamie Lee Curtis and Joe Mantegna. Friends for as long as they can remember, several men come together to congratulate the marriage of one of their friends. As they go through problems with each other’s families and jobs, they ultimately find themselves rekindling that childhood friendship they had with one another and become closer than ever.
Almost the entire move was filmed in Astoria, save for a Manhattan scene here and there. It starts out with a young Al (played in the present in the film by Mantegna), who is climbing up the Hell Gate Bridge via a rope. That’s where we get a first glimpse of his determination – and his friends. This is a great opening scene since it shows a view of Astoria Park that many of us have never seen before – an aerial view that shows the park, the East River, Randall’s Island and the Upper East Side all in one shot.
The film continues most of its scenes by Astoria Park. We cut to the present with Al driving down Shore Boulevard, saying hello to people he passes, whizzing on past to 31st Street under the train. Although it was filmed in 1991 (and co-written by Spiridakis), the stores and shops in the film are still around today, almost 25 years later. The Halvatzis Realty sign on Ditmars and 30th Street still remains, (despite the fact that its awning is no longer there). The deli on 31st Street and 24th Avenue still remains, (although a different sign has replaced the one in the film), meanwhile all the other scenes involve Astoria Park and the Hell Gate and the (forever “Triborough”) RFK Bridge.
With great scenes of the place we call home, it’s a definite must watch. Who knows, your house might probably be in it!
—Catherina Gioino



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.