Blake Edwards: Filming "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Opening Scene

Blake Edwards, director of films such as "The Pink Panther", "Breakfast at Tiffany's", "The Great Race", "10", "The Party", and "Gunn" passed away on December 15, 2010. His films can be considered as cinema classics from the 60s.



Perhaps "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961), starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard is Edwards' most famous film. The opening scene of this movie based on Truman Capote's novel with the same name, is one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.

Who can forget the view of an empty Fifth Avenue and watching Holly Golightly descend from a cab and walk to the front of New York's landmark jewelry, Tiffany's. Wearing a black dress, pearls, and Wayfarers she would eat a pastry and drink some coffee while looking at the windows; all this happening with "Moon River" being played on the background.

Blake Edwards filmed this scene on Sunday October 2, 1960 at 5 am since he wanted to capture the moment when night transitioned into early morning. Despite the result being flawless, this scene had some difficulties such as Audrey Hepburn's dislike for pastries, the crowds watching the scene, and a production crew accident.

Photographed below wearing a cordoury coat, Blake Edwards gives instructions to Audrey Hepburn at Fifth Avenue. Next to him is George Peppard.


Photos: Flickr