The Martin Scorsese film The Irishman, starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci released select theaters on November 1st in New York City and Los Angeles, including at the Belasco Theater in Times Square. The Netflix film, which begins streaming on the platform on November 27th, is a mob saga centered around the disappearance of real life crime boss and union leader Jimmy Hoffa, a mystery which remains unsolved officially to this day. The sweeping story, based on the book I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran & Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa, covers decades (involving some age reversing CGI on the main actors) and touches on some major moments in American history, including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, as well as New York City mob history. De Niro plays Frank Sheeran, a World War II veteran who began as a hitman for Pennsylvania crime boss Russell Bufalino and later admitted to the killing of Hoffa.
The Irishman had a wide geographic range for shooting, not only in New York City but also in Yonkers, in upstate New York, and more to recreate iconic mob locations from all over the country. Here is a look at what you’ll see in the film!
Umberto’s Clam House
The earlier location of Umberto’s Clam House, on the corner of Mulberry and Hester Street, was the scene of the murder of “Crazy” Joe Gallo. Gallo was notorious for his attempt to take over the Profaci crime family in the 1960s, which would later be known as the Colombo family. As a result, he was murdered while he celebrated his birthday with his family at Umberto’s.
Since the current Umberto’s is mid-block on Mulberry (and much shinier looking than it’s predecessor), the production team recreated the restaurant on the corner of Orchard and Broome Street on the Lower East Side to show the scene of Gallo’s murder (which the film attributes to Sheeran, who later claimed responsibility).