The Lords of Flatbush (1974)

Two members of a social club in 1950s Brooklyn have more interest in romance than in rumbles.

Directors:

Martin Davidson, Stephen Verona (as Stephen F. Verona)

Writers:

Stephen Verona (screenplay) (as Stephen F. Verona), Gayle Gleckler (screenplay)

Stars:

Sylvester Stallone, Henry Winkler, Perry King

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Perry King	...	David 'Chico' Tyrell
Sylvester Stallone	...	Stanley Rosiello
Henry Winkler	...	Butchey Weinstein
Paul Mace	...	Wimpy Murgalo
Susan Blakely	...	Jane Bradshaw
Maria Smith	...	Frannie Malincanico
Renee Paris	...	Annie Yuckamanelli (as Reneé Paris)
Paul Jabara	...	Crazy Cohen
Bruce Reed	...	Mike Mambo
Frank Stiefel	...	Arnie Levine
Martin Davidson	...	Mr. Birnbaum
Joe Stern	...	Eddie
Ruth Klinger	...	Mrs. Tyrell
Joan Neuman	...	Miss Molina
Dolph Sweet	...	Mr. Rosiello

Storyline

A group of kids in Brooklyn form a gang. From this moment on they do everything together. This makes things easier but at the same time they have to face new problems.

---

Plot Keywords:

brooklyn new york city | new york city | high school | greaser | wedding | 

---

Taglines:

Stanley Had a Leather Jacket and Franny Had Acne. In 1958 They Found Each Other.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the film wrapped production, it took over a year to edit and score because the producers needed to secure additional financing.

---

Goofs

After Stanley buys the ring for Frannie, Stanley starts walking with his right arm over Frannie, and his left arm over Annie. In the very next shot, his right arm is over Annie, and his left arm is over Frannie.

---

Quotes

Stanley Rosiello: You. You. You. You're the one that's pregnant. Not me. You.

---

Connections

Features From Here to Eternity (1953)

---

Soundtracks

Oh, What A Night For Love
Lead Vocal by Jeanne Thomas Fox

User Reviews

4 guys from Brooklyn

Growing up in Brooklyn in the 50s people like the 4 guys who are our protagonists here were a common sight, they were the older generation by a half for someone born in 1947.

The Lords Of Flatbush were Perry King, Sylvester Stallone, Henry Winkler and Paul Mace. Every high school had them, kids like these who populated The Blackboard Jungle. As you will note two of the four had some substantial careers on the big and small screens. For Henry Winkler this part was a dress rehearsal for Arthur Fonzarelli. And Rocky was in the distant future for Sylvester Stallone.

Part of it in the 50s is that many thought there was no future as the threat of nuclear annihilation stood over us. So just go out and have a great old time because there will be no responsibilities for you to assume. That underlay a lot of the thinking then.

There's no real plot in Lords Of Flatbush, it's a a character study of four knockabout guys who can't see a future beyond their good times. At least one of them does in the end, I will not say who.

One really glaring fault was the scene at the drive-in movie. First of all From Here To Eternity was out five years earlier than 1958 when this film is supposed to take place. Secondly though there were no drive-ins in the Borough of Brooklyn, I can attest to that. In that same year I was introduced to the concept of the drive-in, but I had to go upstate to experience it.

Susan Blakely also got her first notice in The Lords Of Flatbush. What she tells Perry King in the end if the message if any this film has.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 1975 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Lords of Flatbush

Filming Locations:

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$160,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ebbets Field

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1