Slaves of New York
1989/U.S., 124 Minutes

Well received in Europe but largely overlooked by Americans. Impressive energy and ironic humor suffuse Ivory's portrait of the Lower East Side subculture of clubs and galleries. Bernadette Peters plays Eleanor, a contemporary American example of the discontented wanderers in a long list of Merchant Ivory tales. Tama Janowitz wrote the screenplay from her "Eleanor and Stash" series in The New Yorker, and cinematographer Tony Pierce-Roberts captures some of the boldest images of his career.

Director: James Ivory
Producers: Ismail Merchant and Gary Hendler
Screenplay: Tama Janowitz, based on her collection of stories
Photography: Tony Pierce-Roberts
Music: Richard Robbins
Editor: Katherine Wenning
Production design: David Gropman
Costumes: Carol Ramsey
Associate producers: Fred Hughes and Vincent Fremont
Casting: Howard Feuer

Cast: Bernadette Peters (Eleanor), Adam Coleman Howard (Stash), Chris Sarandon (Victor Okrent), Mary Beth Hurt (Ginger Booth), Madeleine Potter (Daria), Nick Corri (Marley Mantello), Charles McCaughan (Sherman McVittie), Mercedes Ruehl (Samantha), Jonas Abry (Mickey), Stephen Bastone (Chauffeur), Denise-Marie Beaumont (Ballerina), Mark Boone, Jr. (Mitch), Diane Brill (Jogger), Steve Buscemi (Wilfredo), Michael Butler (Performance Artist), Richy Canatta (Saxophonist), Johan Carlo (Performance Artist), Betty Comden (Mrs. Wheeler), Anthony Crivello (Hairdresser), Raye Dowell (Cheerleader), Christine Dunford ("B"), Stash Franklin (Graffiti Artist), Kevin John Gee (Kyoshi), Aaron Goodstone (Graffiti Artist), Adam Green (Max), Tammy Grimes (Georgette), Louis Guss (Vardig), Rich Hara (Tetsu), John Harkins (Chuck Dade Dolger), George Harris (Super), Francine Hunter (Hairdresser), Paul Jabara (Derelict), Sakina Jaffrey (Wilfredo's Receptionist), Tama Janowitz (Abby), Anna Katarina (Mooshka), Ken Kensei (Kiochi), Freddy Korner (Party Guest), Anthony La Paglia (Henry), Kim Larese (Ballerina), Jennifer Lee (Polly), Joe Leeway (Johnny Jalouse), Philip Lenkowsky (Fritz), Maura Moynihan (Mona), Harsh Nayyar (Dr. Pandiya), Lazaro Perez (Bill), Dustin Pittman (Party Guest), Paul Potter (Simon St. Simon), Paige Powell ( Party Guest), Mark Robinson (Derelict), Stillman Rockefeller (Man Who Points), Michael Schoeffling (Jan), Richard Steinmetz (Party Guest), Michael David Tanney (Toddler), Stanley Tucci (Darryl), Fabio Urana (Vandal), Bruce Peter Young (Mikell)