What store was used as Gimbels in Elf?

Fun fact: Producers wanted to feature the famous Macy’s 34th street location, the largest store in the world, but Macy’s refused to have their name used. So they settled on Gimbels, a now defunct NY department storethe exterior was shot at 5th Avenue and E 30th St and decorated with CGI.

Is Gimbels a real place elf?

Gimbels was a real department store chain at one point the largest in the USA until its stores closed in 1987. The New York branch was near to Herald Square, a block now occupied by the Manhattan Mall, 33rd Street at Avenue of the Americas.

Where is the apartment in Elf?

55 Central Park West Walter Hobbs Apartment, 55 Central Park West, Upper West Side, Manhattan.

Where was Elf shot?

Principal photography began on December 2, 2002, and wrapped on March 7, 2003. Filming took place in New York City, as well as in Vancouver and at Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam, British Columbia. The film makes heavy use of forced perspective to exaggerate the size of Buddy compared to all the other elves.

Is there still a Gimbels in New York City?

New York flagship store Due to such easy access, by the time Gimbels closed in 1986, this store had the highest rate of shrinkage, or shoplifting losses, in the world. … The building that housed a Gimbels branch at 86th Street and Lexington Avenue remains, but has been converted to apartments.

Where did they film the mailroom scene in Elf?

And we decided to set it in a building catty-corner to the Empire State Building, he said. They added the signage and nutcrackers to that building for shooting and filmed the interior scenes of Gimbels inside a department store in Vancouver.

Was Elf filmed in a mental hospital?

It turns out that many of the film’s New York interiors were actually shot in a closed down mental institution. … We had to repurpose this draconian mental institution. It worked great for the police station, but it is one of the creepiest places I’ve ever been in my life.

Can James Caan play piano?

In the movie’s final moments, that really is James Caan playing Auld Lang Syne on the piano. He’s multi-skilled. When Santa shows Michael his ‘good list’, it’s made up of the names of crew-members on the movie, and what they wanted for Christmas.

Where did they film Elf in Central Park?

Central Park West One of the most memorable scenes in the entire movie would have to be the dinner scene where Buddy is seen downing an entire liter of Coca-Cola, and then immediately scarfing down a bowl of maple syrup-covered spaghetti! This scene was shot at the apartment building located at 55 Central Park West.

Where does Buddy’s dad live in Elf?

Much of the film takes place around Central Park, where Buddy’s dad lives, and the Empire State Building, where Buddy’s dad works.

Is Gimbels Macy’s in Elf?

Macy’s stood in for Gimbels in Elf. The sprawling department store that takes up a whole block in Manhattan was digitally altered to transform into Elf’s Gimbels.

What is the toy shop in Elf?

Macy’s stood in for Gimbels toy store In Elf it was digitally altered to look like Gimbels. Gimbels was actually a real department store once upon a time and a rival for Macy’s…

Did Will Ferrell eat the food in Elf?

The Elf star did, however, eat all of the candy we see his character consuming throughout the movie. This includes Buddy the Elf’s stomach-churning spaghetti breakfast, complete with various candy, chocolate syrup, maple syrup, and broken-up Pop-Tarts.

Who else auditioned for Buddy the Elf?

Jim Carrey was originally meant to play Buddy – but turned the role down in favour of other opportunities. The script for Elf had been floating around Hollywood for 10 long years before it finally went into production – and Jim was the biggest comedy star in the States in 1993.

Did Will Ferrell like Elf?

But never has Ferrell returned to Elf, and he told The Hollywood Reporter it was a simple decision to give up $29 million. I would have had to promote the movie from an honest place, which would’ve been, like, ‘Oh no, it’s not good. … I don’t think I can, so I guess I can’t do the movie.

What happened to B Altman?

Its flagship store, the B. … Altman and Company Building at Fifth Avenue and 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan, operated from 1906 until the company closed the store at the end of 1989. Branch stores were all shuttered by the end of January 1990.

What happened two guys?

Two Guys From Harrison (later shortened to Two Guys) is a former discount store chain founded in 1946 by brothers Herbert and Sidney Hubschman in Harrison, New Jersey, originally selling major appliances such as televisions. … Two Guys.

Type Private
Fate Liquidation
Successor Vornado Realty Trust
Headquarters Harrison, New Jersey

How did they make buddy look so big in Elf?

After Will Ferrell was placed on a platform in his comically small furniture, the crew adjusted the height of the camera so the two sets looked continuous and the lower-placed elves looked like they were only just tall enough to be in the shot with Buddy.

Did Zooey Deschanel sing in Elf?

Deschanel made her on-screen singing debut in The New Guy (2002). In Elf (2003), she sings Baby, It’s Cold Outside with Will Ferrell in the bathroom shower scene, Auld Lang Syne with James Caan on piano and with Leon Redbone on the soundtrack. … She also sings a cover of Sugar Town by Nancy Sinatra.

Are they going to make Elf 2?

Elf is considered a holiday staple and fans have long wondered why the popular film doesn’t have a sequel. … Ferrell told The Hollywood Reporter his decision to table Elf 2 had nothing to do with money; he reportedly said no to a handsome $29 million to reprise the lovable Buddy.

Where does Buddy the Elf work?

So Buddy continues and works in the Toy Department at Gimbels.

Was Home Alone 2 filmed at the Plaza?

Much of Home Alone 2: Lost In New York was actually shot on location at the Plaza Hotel in a Central Park suite. The owner of the hotel at the time made several demands upon the production in order to sign-off on them using it. One was to write him into the film…

When did they film Elf?

These scenes were filmed in early December 2002, so New York was already looking festive. There is an unforgettable scene of Ferrell’s character, after arriving in the city, spotting a man with a white beard wearing a red jogging suit, and calling him Santa.

Why did Will Ferrell not do Elf 2?

Will Ferrell turned down a reported $29 million to make a sequel to Elf. He told THR he turned it down because he couldn’t promote it from an honest place. Last year, his Elf costar James Caan said Ferrell and director Jon Favreau didn’t get along.

How old is the mailroom guy in Elf?

26 years old Conversation. In the movie Elf, Buddy’s mail room friend says he’s 26 years old.

Where was the snowball fight in Elf?

Incoming! Snowball fights happen daily at the North Pole, and your Scout Elf can’t wait to recreate this popular pastime in your home. In lieu of snow, your elf will use paper to stage an alternate version of an authentic North Pole snowball fight.

Where in Central Park was Home Alone 2 filmed?

Wollman Rink (btw East 62nd & 63rd Street) Central Park, Manhattan.

Where is the worlds best cup of coffee from Elf?

Buddy then discovers a coffeeshop that serves the World’s Best Cup of Coffee. However, it’s a bit far from midtown Manhattan, located at 20 E Hastings Street in Vancouver, Canada. He bursts into the eatery and congratulates the people inside for their amazing brewing accomplishment.