The Prisoner of Second Avenue

The Prisoner of Second Avenue
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Melvin Frank
Produced by	Melvin Frank
Written by	Neil Simon
Starring	Jack Lemmon Anne Bancroft Gene Saks
Music by	Marvin Hamlisch
Distributed by	Warner Brothers Pictures
Release date(s)	March 14, 1975 (US)
Running time	98 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The Prisoner of Second Avenue is an American black comedy play by Neil Simon, later made into a film released in 1975.

The play ran on Broadway from November 1971 until September 1973, with Peter Falk and Lee Grant starring as Mel and Edna Edison, and Vincent Gardenia as Mel's brother Harry. The play was nominated for the 1972 Tony Award for Best Play. It was produced for the stage by Saint Subber.

The film version of The Prisoner of Second Avenue stars Jack Lemmon, Anne Bancroft and Gene Saks. It was produced and directed by Melvin Frank from a screenplay by Simon. The music is by Marvin Hamlisch.

A 2010 West End revival starred Jeff Goldblum and Mercedes Ruehl.

Plot

The story revolves around the escalating problems of a middle-aged couple living on Second Avenue on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York City. Mel Edison, the main character, has just lost his job after many years and now has to cope with being unemployed at middle age. The action occurs during an intense summer heat wave and a prolonged garbage strike, which just exacerbates Edison's plight to no end as he and his wife Edna deal with noisy neighbors, loud sounds emanating from Manhattan streets up to their apartment and even a robbery of their apartment during broad daylight. Mel eventually suffers a nervous breakdown from the whole affair, and it is up to the loving care of his brother Harry, his sisters and Edna to bring Mel back to a firm reality.

External links

• The Prisoner of Second Avenue (play) at the Internet Broadway Database
• The Prisoner of Second Avenue (film) at the Internet Movie Database