On the Bowery (1956)

The Bowery is a neighborhood in New York City populated largely by the down and out, and largely by transients. Those that can work generally can only find short term employment on a day to... See full summary »

Director:

Lionel Rogosin

Stars:

Ray Salyer, Gorman Hendricks, Frank Matthews

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ray Salyer	...	Himself
Gorman Hendricks	...	Himself
Frank Matthews	...	Himself

Storyline

The Bowery is a neighborhood in New York City populated largely by the down and out, and largely by transients. Those that can work generally can only find short term employment on a day to day basis, their daily earnings which primarily go into booze. Those that can't or won't work generally sponge off whoever they can, especially for that next drink. New to the neighborhood is Ray, who most recently had been working the rails in New Jersey. He is one of those who can and still does work, but like the others spends what little money he has on booze, which means he usually sleeps on the streets in a drunken stupor. The only person he would probably consider a friend in the neighborhood is the elderly Gorman, who in turn takes advantage of his new friend at whatever opportunity. When he's sober, Ray understands that alcohol is ruining his life, and as such states that he will try to stop drinking. The questions become whether Ray has either the will or the support necessary to fulfill ...

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Plot Keywords:

drink | drinking | alcohol | manhattan new york city | drunkenness | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 July 1962 (Hungary)

Also Known As:

Az iszákosok utcája

Filming Locations:

Bowery, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$13,236 (USA) (17 September 2010)

Gross:

$13,236 (USA) (17 September 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rogosin Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

65 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Mr. Hoover and I (1989)

User Reviews

It Ain't Hollywood and Vine

A 60-minute semi-documentary (some scripting) of life on New York's notorious Bowery.

Thanks TCM for reviving this slice of exotica for a general audience, and thanks fred3f for the edifying comments. Even now, so many years later, the film is still compelling. The faces, oh my, the faces! They're a road map of life in the raw, so unlike the cosmetics of Hollywood and Vine. So just grab a slab of sidewalk and sleep it off. Or spend the night blustering across a table with other drunks. But whatever you do, always guard your back.

For a Midwestern geezer like me used to the Hollywood product of the 50's, a film like this comes from another planet. To think there was a guy (Rogosin) working hard in the upscale 50's on a look at the subterranean America everyone else ignored is astonishing. What he's left us with is a record of permanent insight. Nevertheless, I'm skipping that next glass of wine, and from now on, I'll be making my bed with loving care.