MovieChat Forums > The World, the Flesh and the Devil (1959) Discussion > How they did it...

How they did it...

posted 10 years ago by nycruise-1
4 replies | jump to latest

I saw this movie as a kid way back in the 60s. I could never get over how they managed to show an empty New York City.

Later, as an adult, I worked in NYC, at the very location where the filmed the ending.

It's in the Financial District, just off of Wall Street, on Exchange Place. I worked in the building with the big arched opening that can be seen behind one of the actors - 20 Exchange Place.

They could easily have shot the whole scene on a Sunday morning, since that area is pretty much deserted on weekends because the stock market is closed.

20 Exchange Place was turned into condos in the late 90s, so there is much busier than it ever was in 1959.

"Don't call me 'honey', mac."
"Don't call me 'mac'... HONEY!"

[–] esskayess 10 years ago

I'm willing to bet that you're right. Sunday morning is when they shot nearly all the exterior scenes for "The Omega Man."

[–] jpowell180 8 years ago

Yes, but the Omega Man was filmed in L.A., which really did pretty much shut down on Sunday mornings back then.

In the 50s, however, NYC would sometimes conduct Civil Defense drills, where the streets were evacuated; this seems the most likely explanation.

[–] RobbieCalifornia 8 years ago

That was my first thought, how they managed to make New York City look empty. They did a very convincing job.

Thanks for the info.

[–] KutWrite (1332) a year ago

Yes, but some of it was matted photos combined with backlot "city" sets.

I agree it was well done, as you said.