Moonstruck + Travel

There are few movies that portray New York Italians with such care and passion as the 1987 film Moonstruck does with the Castorini family. The movie takes place in Brooklyn and Manhattan and chronicles the affairs of Loretta Castorini as she becomes engaged to Johnny Cammareri but falls in love with his wild, younger, brother Ronny- whom she calls a Wolf. Not so coincidently, the film was originally titled The Bride and The Wolf but changed to the much more lyrical Moonstruck, for which a chain of diners in NYC is named after. Moonstruck won three Oscars in 1987 for original screenplay and a best actress and best supporting actress for Cher and Olympia Dukakis. Many of the film’s iconic locations still stand and there’s even a tour bus that will take you there.
 
The Castorini’s House at 19 Cranberry Street on the corner of Willow, went up for sale in 2008 after 50 years of ownership by the same family. The home netted 4million, 100 times more than it sold for in 1958. Not much has changed from 1987 when Moonstruck was filmed here nor in the peaceful Brooklyn Heights neighborhood for that matter. Visitors will find the beautiful and peaceful streets a quiet respite and a walk along the boardwalk offers unparalleled views of the lower Manhattan skyline.
 
Cranberry St. and Willow St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
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The Metropolitan Opera House, a true icon of Manhattan. This is where Loretta and Ronny go on their illicit first date and where Loretta discovers her father having an affair. The Opera House opened in 1966 with the world premiere of Antony and Cleopatra. Art fans will note that the two murals in the lobby were created by Marc Chagall especially for the space.
 
Metropolitan Opera House
88 West End Avenue, New York, NY‎ – (212) 712-6020‎
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