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 store–the exterior was shot at 5th Avenue and E 30th St and decorated with CGI.

Is Gimbels in Elf a real store?

Warner Bros. When the security guards at Walter's office throw Buddy out, they suggest he go back to Santaland at Gimbels. The highly festive store is heavily featured throughout the rest of "Elf," but viewers may not have realized that Gimbels was a real department store in New York City that closed in 1986.

Where is the coffee shop from Elf located?

Buddy enters the coffee shop scene in Elf

Though set in New York City, this scene was filmed quite a distance away in Vancouver, Canada. The location is 20 E Hastings Street, a spot that might not be instantly recognizable today due to changes over time.

What building is used for Gimbels in Elf?

'Gimbels Dept Store', where Buddy redecorates the toy department overnight, is the Textile Building, 295 5th Avenue at the northeast corner of East 30th Street, embellished with CGI. Gimbels was a real department store chain – at one point the largest in the USA – until its stores closed in 1987.

What part of Central Park was Elf filmed in?

It was the Pine Bank Bridge, according to Movie-Locations.com. The bridge is in Central Park West next to Umpire Rock.

Elves in real life - caught on camera

Were the people in NYC in Elf actors?

– The outdoor scenes shot in New York City feature real people so many of the reactions you see are genuine! – In fact, several minor traffic accidents occurred when Will Ferrell walked through the Lincoln Tunnel in his costume, because people were so surprised and distracted to see a grown man wearing an elf outfit.

Does the Gimbels store still exist?

Gimbel Brothers (known simply as Gimbels) was an American department store corporation that operated for over a century, from 1842 until 1987.

Is Gimbels in Elf Macy's?

Anyone who has been to New York would immediately recognise Macy's, but the iconic department store was renamed Gimbel's in Elf. Gimbel's is a now-defunct rival to Macy's and the store actually featured in the original Miracle On 34th Street film, back in 1947.

Does Gimbels Dept store still exist?

Gimbels was acquired in 1972 and its remaining stores shuttered in 1986, with the Herald Square flagship sold and later converted into what's now the Manhattan Mall.

What month was Elf filmed?

Principal photography began on December 9, 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.

What bridge was Elf filmed on?

In honor of the 20 year anniversary of the movie Elf. This is the bridge in the scene where Buddy tries to redeem himself in Micheals eyes with his snowballing skills, seeing off the “bad news” kids. The Pine Bank Arch Bridge in Central Park is located at West 62nd Street.

How old was Will Ferrell when he filmed Elf?

This actually makes Buddy a fair amount younger than Will Ferrell himself, who was 35 years old at the time of Elf's filming, and 36 when the movie was released to theaters.

Why was Gimbels used in Elf instead of Macy's?

As Favreau revealed to ABC News, the Elf team asked Macy's if they could use the store for the movie, but Macy's declined. He told the publication: "Because we're using a Santa, of course, everybody thinks Macy's. "But Macy's didn't like the idea that there was a fake Santa working there.

Did Will Ferrell eat the gum in Elf?

So that actually was the fun part of doing the role. Was the sidewalk gum pre-cleaned for you? WF: No, we didn't have a big enough budget, so I actually had to eat old New York City gum. But it wasn't as bad as you would think, still relatively favorable.

Why did Macy's refuse to be in Elf?

Macy's, however, didn't like the idea of being associated with an “imposter” Santa Claus, according to Favreau. So if “Elf” wanted to film at the Santaland in Macy's, or even mention Macy's in the movie, the scene had to go. “We had to think long and hard about it,” Favreau told Rolling Stone in 2013.

Why did Jim Carrey not play Elf?

Jim Carrey was initially eyed to play Buddy in Elf.

However, it took another 10 years to get the project in motion, at which time Saturday Night Live star Will Ferrell was signed to star.

Does Macy's tell Gimbels?

The rhetorical question "Does Macy tell Gimbel?" was a popular phrase used throughout the 1930s-1960s which meant that business competitors are not supposed to share trade secrets with one another.

Who was the store Santa in Elf?

Elf (2003) - Artie Lange as Gimbel's Santa - IMDb.

What department store was 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 store–the exterior was shot at 5th Avenue and E 30th St and decorated with CGI.

What store replaced Gimbels in NYC?

The mall replaced the former flagship store of the Gimbels department store chain, which operated from 1910 to 1986. It opened in 1989 as a shopping center called A&S Plaza and was rebranded Manhattan Mall in 1995. Stern's department store occupied the anchor store space from 1995–2001.

Why did Gimbels close down?

By 1986, Batus Inc the company that had bought Gimbels couldn't find a buyer. The only value Gimbels had was it's real estate. Department stores are a brutal business to be. In an earlier era, it made sense to go to a store that sold everything.

Who owns the sleigh from Elf?

The prop was purchased by Elf fan Mark Bozek, an entrepreneur on New York's Long Island, who snagged the sleigh at an online auction 20 years ago for $12,000 following a bidding war. It was quite a jump up from his original bid of $500.

What finally happened with Buddy and Jovie?

Eventually Jovie and Buddy got married, and they spent many Christmases together. They had a baby girl whom they name Susie. Jovie, Buddy and Susie visited the North Pole. There, Jovie met Papa Elf.

Who is the snowman in Elf based on?

Leon The Snowman, who is seen talking to Buddy after he learns that he is human, was based on Sam The Snowman from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.