Quackser Fortune Has a Cousin in the Bronx

A line of horse drawn milk floats leave a dairy in the south of Dublin. The Premier Dairy depot on Clanwilliam Place, Dublin 2 confirmed by Pat Cleary.

The large office block that was subsequently built on this side of the road has now been demolished. A rather ugly blue hoarding now runs along half the street.

Pulling his dung cart while humming the film's theme tune, Aloysius "Quackser" Fortune (Gene Wilder) follows a horse and dray. Facing eastward at the junction of Hogan Avenue and Carlingford Parade, Dublin 2.

Railings prevented Pat from achieving a wider angle.

Quackser pushes his cart along a towpath before turning when a horse is led in the opposite direction. Looking towards Huband Bridge crossing the Grand Canal from Dublin 2 to Dublin 4.

To the right a lone volunteer was doing trojan work cleaning weeds and other debris from the water. This entire canal area is well maintained and the lock woodwork freshly painted.

Cut to a shot zooming out after finding one of the milk floats from the dairy as it makes its way through the city centre. O'Connell Street, Dublin 1.

The camera pans left as Quackser's humming is replaced by music. Bachelors Walk alongside the River Liffey.

Looking over the streets around Temple Bar 2 with Ha'penny Bridge and Grattan Bridge crossing the Liffey to the right.

Panning further finds Westmoreland Street appear at the bottom of the frame.

To the left stands the Bank of Ireland on College Green at the junction of Westmoreland Street, College Street and Grafton Street.

Cut to Railway Terrace in Dublin 2 with railway sidings adjacent to the line from Dun Laoghaire, Wicklow and Wexford heading into Pearse station which is visible in the right centre distance.

From ground level where, according to a local, the waste land beyond the houses now occupied by new residential blocks, was at one time a large storage area for coal.

Moving left to a view looking south-west along Island Villa towards Hogan Avenue and Eblana Villas beyond.

Another ground level shot showing the large residential block that now stands on the site of the old foundry.

Smoke from the local foundry billows from its chimney. Eblana Villas, Dublin 2, which also features in 'Murder in Eden'.

A closer view of the residential block.

The foundry hooter brings Men into the street as they make their way to work. Looking along Island Villa with Railway Terrace in the background and the railway running between Pearse and Lansdowne Road stations crossing above.

Pat was hoping to snap a passing train but none appeared . . . . until his back was turned while shooting in the opposite direction.

Stepping out of his front door, Mr. Fortune (Seamus Forde) joins the flow of Workmen. Number 9 Island Villa at the corner of Hogan Avenue.

To the left, more new residential blocks occupy the old foundry site.

Men file into Doyles foundry, clocking is as they pass through the gateway. Greenore Terrace with Hogan Avenue in the right background.

A street level capture showing a closer view of the new builds where the entrance gate to the old foundry once stood.

A little later, Mrs. Fortune (May Ollis) says goodbye to her daughters Kathleen (Liz Davis) and Vera (Caroline Tully). The corner of Hogan Avenue and Island Villa.

The wooden pole has passed the test of time.

Kathleen cycles away, passing a Delivery Boy bringing newspapers carrying reports of a ban on delivery horses by late spring. Eblana Villas seen from Hogan Avenue.

Another view of the new residential building.

Quackser looks out of his bedroom window to see Children playing in the street. The western end of Hogan Avenue in Dublin 2.

A ground level shot in a much quieter street.

Following breakfast, Quackser opens the gate at the side of the house to get his dung cart. Hogan Avenue with properties at the corner of Greenore Terrace in the centre background.

The side gate is still there. Pat was informed that it leads to a laneway at the rear of the houses to where supplies of house coal were delivered.

Quackser walks past the home of Betsy Bourke who opens her window, asking if he'd like a cup of tea. Facing west from outside number 9 Hogan Avenue with Carlingford Parade hading away to the left.

An altogether more colourful view. To the right are the railings that prevented the wider view earlier.

Going about his business, Quackser receives payment for spreading manure on a Woman's garden. Found with Pat Cleary's help, this is Estate Cottages off Northumberland Road in Dublin 4.

Quackser chats with another Householder while fertilising her borders. The garden of number 76 Waterloo Road, Dublin 4.

Cash for the task is handed over with pleasure. Looking onto Waterloo Road in Ballsbridge with numbers 79 to 71 in the background.

With Zazel Pierce (Margot Kidder) in the passenger seat of his MG TD, Damien (Paul Murphy) almost runs into Quackser causing his cart to career away. Pat Cleary recognised Mount Street Crescent with St. Stephen’s church on the right and the rear of properties on Warrington Place in the distance. The church appears in 'Murder in Eden', 1971's 'Black Beauty', 'Girl with Green Eyes' and 'The Face of Fu Manchu'.

This side of the Church is one-way for traffic . . . the other way.

As the sports car speeds away, Zazel calls back apologising. Pat Cleary explains that this is is looking into Mount Street Upper from Mount Street Crescent in Dublin 2.

No men in coats now, just parked cars.

Quackser recovers his cart and a wheel falls off. Mount Street Crescent with number 31 Upper Mount Street in the background, identified by Pat Cleary.

The modern building to the left is occupied by the oldest US private investment bank, Brown Brothers Harriman and Co. Otherwise, this area has remained mostly unchanged.

On another day, a line of Equestrians make their way along the canal towpath. Warrington Place alongside the Grand Canal with traffic on Mount Street Bridge crossing the background.

The unique former St. Stephen's school building in the centre background is now mostly hidden by the trees.

When she hears the cry "fresh dung", Zazel falls back from the group to speak with Quackser. Warrington Place with the entrance to Percy Lane and houses on Percy Place across the Grand Canal.

This stretch of the Grand Canal is a joy to walk or to just sit and watch the world go by.

Zazel rides on after discovering Quackser's name and apologises again for the car almost colliding with him. Warrington Place with Huband Bridge and properties on Percy Place to the centre. Both Percy Place and Huband Bridge feature in 'Girl with Green Eyes' and 'Murder in Eden'.

It was a pleasure to relax on the seat and sort out the angle required for this shot. Some well presented dogs passed by but no horses.

The next day, Zazel waits for Quackser by the canal and asks if she can walk with him. The Grand Canal at Huband Bridge forming the border between Dublin 4 and Dublin 2 with the corner of Mount Street Crescent and Warrington Place in the left background.

Quackser tells Zazel that "I'm working, mind you" as he stops to shovel up dung on the way. Alongside the Grand Canal.

Facing Huband Bridge in the background with Percy Place to the left. The grass was spotlessly clean with no dung of any kind visible.

Following his regular route, the pair talk as Quackser's cart fills up. Clanwilliam Place between Mount Street Lower and Grand Canal Street Lower.

The aforementioned blue hoarding gets its close up.

The Exchange Student tells Quackser what she knows about the city. George's Quay 2, looking across the Liffey towards the Custom House with the Loopline Bridge, or Liffey Viaduct, carrying the railway linking Tara Street and Connolly stations on the left and Liberty Hall beyond.

The quay's edge now protected by a sturdy wall.

Declaring that it's lunch time, Quackser runs down the ramp into a park as Zazel tries to keep up on the steps. The ramp and steps from Bride Street into St. Patrick's Park, Dublin 8.

With a busy market to the left and outdoor eating areas to the right, Lady Luck provided a very brief opportunity for a shot.

Placing a brown paper bag on his cart, Quackser unwraps his sandwiches. St. Patrick's Park with St. Patrick's Cathedral in the background.

An ear blowing spell of bellringing was in full flow at this point in my visit. Always a bonus for visitors.

After Zazel reveals more snippets of information about the city that he wasn't aware of, Quackser asks a Gent sitting nearby if he can have his newspaper. St. Patrick's Park off Bull Alley Street.

The parched grass is a consequence of the long sunny spells during 2026's summer.

Placing the newspaper on his cart for Zazel to sit on, Quackser pushes her to Kavanagh's bar where they spent the afternoon. Facing the Grade A listed St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.

Probably the best position to capture the splendour of the whole Cathedral.

Outside the dairy on another morning, Zazel explains that they used to have horses drawing the milk in her home town in Connecticut and Quackser replies that he has a cousin in the Bronx. Looking south-west on Clanwilliam Place, outside the Premier Dairy distribution depot.

Pat Cleary expects the hoarding to be in place for a along time.

When asked why she is in Dublin, Zazel tells Quackser that she's here to study at Trinity. Grattan Bridge with the Parliament Street in the background and Sunlight Chambers at corner of Essex Quay to the right.

Not a lot has changed here except that Parliament Street is now pedestrianised.

Quackser takes Zazel home to meet his Mother. Island Villas with Eblana Villas beyond Hogan Avenue in the background.

Facing the same way on Island Villas.

Leaving the house after a cup of tea with Mrs. Fortune who mentions that they never hear from their cousin in the Bronx, the two walk to the bus stop on the main road. Eblana Villas, looking north with the gas holder of the Alliance & Dublin Gasworks in the distance.

A silent playground. No traffic, no children and no post box.

From the platform of the departing bus, Zazel kisses Quackser. Facing north-west on Grand Canal Street Lower, Dublin 2.

The blue van wasn't going anywhere soon but nothing to see here other than some new background buildings.

The two call "goodbye" to each other as the bus speeds up. Grand Canal Street at the corner of Eblana Villas.

No sign of a bus stop now but a more modern looking street.

Zazel shouts that he can meet her at the Ambassador cinema on Tuesday at 8 o'clock. Facing south-east on Grand Canal Street with part of the offices on the site of Boland's Bakery at the corner of Macken Street visible to the top left.

Pat was driving home from work and parked up to watch this scene being filmed from a camera car following the bus. The replacement Boland's building considerably brightens up this corner.

Quackser repeats the time of the date as the bus carries Zazel out of earshot. The junction of Grand Canal Street and Macken Street, Dublin 2.

This shot provides clearer evidence of the modernisation of this street.

At the appointed time, Quackser waits for Zazel but she doesn't turn up. The Ambassador cinema at the junction of Parnell Street, Cavendish Row and O'Connell Street Upper in Dublin 1. The cinema finally closed in 1999 and has since been used as a music venue, an exhibition hall and an event centre.

Major refurbishment is ongoing.

As he walks his round the next day, Zazel drives up to Quackser in the borrowed MG. Mount Street Upper, Dublin 2 with St. Stephen's church in the distance.

The church is more affectionately known as the "Pepper Canister" and dates from 1821.

Zazel says sorry for last night. Facing properties on the southern side of Mount Street Upper.

Standing here literally in the footsteps of the great Gene Wilder is something else.

When he tells her not to worry about it, Zazel asks Quackser if he's like to go for a drive in the mountains. Mount Street Upper with numbers 19 to 23 as the background.

Only the cars betray the year.

When the offer is declined, Zazel drives off. Looking north-west on Mount Street Upper.

Government buildings are situated at the very end of the street, hidden by the trees, while the flags to the right fly at the Slovenian Embassy.

Quackser makes his way to Trinity College and pauses before entering. The entrance to Trinity College on College Green.

It looks like the lawnmower has gone AWOL.

Passing the Gatekeeper by walking in with a Student, Quackser enters. The Front Gates to Trinity College which date from the 1700s. The gates also appear in 'Educating Rita' and from a distance in 'Another Shore'.

It has been a very long time since I last saw a Gatekeeper here. Nowadays, Security Guards are visible around the campus aided by CCTV.

Once inside, Quackser pauses again. Parliament Square within Trinity College.

Or perhaps it is the lawnmower man who is gone AWOL!

Quackser looks about, wondering where to go. Trinity College was founded in 1592.

And this time next year it will still look the same.

A Student gives directions. Other views of Trinity College can be seen in 'The First Great Train Robbery', 'Das Schwarze Schaf', 'The Blue Max', 'Shake Hands with the Devil' and 'Ulysses'.

On this evidence they're gonna need a bigger lawnmower!

Zazel borrows the MG again and drives Quackser into the mountains. Facing north towards Dublin from Killiney Hill, County Dublin with Dún Laoghaire harbour in the right distance. Pat Cleary comments that this view from the north side of Killiney Hill is also seen in 1996's 'My Friend Joe'.

To get to this spot you have a choice between 176 steps or a steep hill walk, but well worth the effort.

Romance blossoms as the couple sit together on Killiney Hill, looking down onto Killiney Bay. A similar view with the two Sugar Loafs in the distance appears in 'Ulysses'.

With spectacular views of the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains, this is a must see on a visit to Dublin. Bray Head is centre and on a clear day Wicklow Head, further down the coast, is visible.

Quackser whistles a happy tune as he pushes his dung cart. Clanwilliam Place with the junction of Mount Street Lower in the left background recognised by Pat Cleary.

The trees alongside the Grand Canal, to the left, create a dappled road surface and those on the other side go some way to compensate for the ugliness of the hoarding. The since added bicycle lanes are very busy on weekdays.

Across the street, a line of electric milk floats leave the dairy. The Premier Dairy depot on Clanwilliam Place in Dublin 2. Clanwilliam House now occupies the site.

Seen in computer generated photos, the proposed new office building for this site looks impressive.

Quackser sprints across the road and asks the Supervisor where the horses have gone. Pat Cleary explains that this is looking out from the Premier Dairy depot onto Clanwilliam Place, where across the Grand Canal on the right stands St. Stephen's School at the corner of Northumberland Road.

The tree growth along this stretch of the Grand Canal is phenomenal so maybe a winter shot will reveal more. The school has been converted into a hotel but its distinctive building has been retained.

Told that the horses have been sent to Spencer Dock to await shipping out for slaughter, Quackser hurries home. Macken Street at the corner of Railway Terrace with the bridge carrying the railway into Pearse station. A similar view can be seen in 'Educating Rita'.

The tree helps to enhance the bare look.

Reaching the house in a panic, Quackser tells his Ma that all the delivery horses have been taken away and that there'll be no more manure. Hogan Avenue with Macken Street crossing the background.

No chance of seeing trains from here since the grey fence went up. The building behind it is occupied by Google alongside Grand Canal Dock station.

Quackser makes his way to Trinity College. The north side of Library Square at Trinity College.

An opportunity to learn some Gaelic.

Entering the building, Quackser finds Zazel in the common room where he tells her about the horses. To the left is the open door to House XXVIII with House 15 on Botany Bay in the distance.

Time has certainly taken the drab look off this area of the campus. Just past the building on the left are the tennis courts.

Quackser waits for Zazel outside the College. The Henry Grattan Statue at College Green with the corner of Church Lane on the left and Foster Place to the right.

Poor ol' Henry has been "imprisoned" by trees and a stranger could pass by and not even notice him. This is the busiest junction in Dublin City with lines of double-decker buses and Luas trams going in both directions with hordes of people including tourist groups so an early morning visit was required for this shot.

Zazel crosses the road towards Quackser. College Green with Trinity College filling the background.

Just after morning opening time at Trinity. A fat tree trunk now blocks the view of the small lamp post itself.

When he repeats the news, Zazel tells Quackser that she's very sorry but she can't do anything about it. College Green, Dublin 2.

Thankfully, not a bus or tram in sight.

Following a row, the two make up and kiss after Quackser walks away. College Green, in front of the Bank of Ireland.

The gate was closed and a €36m refurbishment in progress. 280 windows, 45 staircases, 54 roofs, 200km of electric cabling among the items to be upgraded!

Quackser tells Zazel that he won't work in the foundry. The colonnade of the Bank of Ireland opposite Moore's Statue at the southern end of Westmoreland Street, which also makes an appearance in 'Ulysses'.

A piper merrily played his bagpipes while Pat was waiting for a gap in the constant flow of pedestrians.

Returning to the College, Zazel tells Quackser that he's the man she wants to dance with at the Boat Club Dance. Looking from the grounds of Trinity College towards the Bank of Ireland at College Green.

Another lucky break for Pat with no passing buses or trams.

To attend the dance, Quackser hunts for suitable clothes in a market. Iveagh Markets between Francis Street, Dean Swift Square and Lamb Alley in Dublin 8. The market can also be seen in the 1973 television film 'And No One Could Save Her' but is currently derelict after closing in the 1990s.

Getting ready at home, Quackser cycles to Trinity in his evening wear. Looking from the corner of Island Villa towards the junction of Hogan Avenue and Carlingford Parade.

Probably the only spot in this area that remains more or less the same.

Leaving the bike outside, Quackser enters the venue where he's immediately mistaken for a waiter.

Zazel helps Quackser up after Damien and his Friends throw him out when a fight starts.

The pair head to a hotel where they spend the night together. The Royal Marine Hotel on Marine Road in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin.

Waking alone, Quackser runs to the college. The Campanile at Trinity College, Dublin 2.

Not much splendour in the grass as a result of an unusually long hot summer without rain.

Finding her room at Trinity empty, Quackser wanders through Dublin. The curvature of the canal along with railway signals and telegraph poles in the background suggest that this is Spencer Dock on the Royal Canal to the north of Spencer Bridge in Dublin 1.

A bicycle and pedestrian greenway now runs alongside the Royal Canal.

After returning home and smashing his dung cart, Quackser runs to the canal. Huband Bridge with properties on Percy Place crossing the background.

Quackser could run across this bridge today and nobody would suspect it wasn't 1970.

Deeply upset, Quackser keeps running. Looking north-east on Warrington Place with the Grand Canal to the right. The Grand Canal links Dublin with the River Shannon to the west of Cloghan in County Offaly.

Not being able to reproduce this heavily zoomed-in scene, Pat settled for a shot closer to Huband Bridge.

Having no work to perform, delivery horses await their fate at Spencer Dock. Facing south at Spencer Dock on the Royal Canal with Spencer Bridge to the left and the gas holder of the Alliance & Dublin Gasworks in the distance beyond.

The large Dublin Convention Centre in the far left contrasts with the old and rusty Spencer Bridge.

Quackser opens the gates to the dock freeing the horses. Looking east towards Spencer Bridge carrying Sheriff Street over Spencer Dock in Dublin 1.

To the left is the entrance to the greenway. This long street in Docklands is unrecognisable from the 60s with everything demolished and replaced by modern apartments and offices.

The horses run through the gate and gallop across a bridge. The bridge taking Sheriff Street over the railway lines and sidings to the north of North Wall goods and passenger stations.

Nothing to see here. Behind the greenery the new Docklands railway terminus has been constructed at the arches, ground level with a pedestrian entrance on the bridge and a lower level car park. The station was built to cater for the overflow from congested Connolly, the main station in the city centre.

When the Dock Master comes out of his office, Quackser makes a run for it. Sheriff Street, between Spencer Avenue and Spencer Bridge.

With no sign of the former Sherriff Street, Pat provides this example of the new constructions.

As he runs past, a Garda (Martin Crosbie) calls to Quackser to stop. Looking north along Spencer Avenue from the junction with Sheriff Street.

A very contrasting view today where the orientation of the streets has also changed.

The Garda chases Quackser through a yard.

Across waste ground, Quackser climbs a fence. This is the Glasnevin electricity sub-station at the back of Glendhu Villas on Prospect Square, Dublin 9.

A funeral cortège solemnly makes its way towards the cemetery gates. Prospect Square in Glasnevin with St. Teresa's Place on the right.

A green area with trees and flowers has enhanced the appearance of the square. The tall chimney top left is located at a former printing works on Botanic Road that closed down in 2001.

Quackser appears from the group of Mourners and hurries over to Kavanagh's bar followed by the Garda. Prospect Square, Glasnevin with the entrance to Glasnevin Cemetery to the left and John Kavanagh The Gravediggers bar on the right.

The bar became known locally as "The Gravediggers Pub" due to being frequented by the cemetery gravediggers after work. Dating from 1833, it has doubled in size since the film was shot.

Quackser appears in court. Facing north-west on Henrietta Street in Dublin 1 with the King's Inns in the background.

Sunday mornings are always best for taking shots at this popular film location.

Annoyed and embarrassed by the incident, Mr. and Mrs. Fortune set off home with their son. The King's Inns on Henrietta Street, a street that features in 'Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace', 'The Man Who Invented Christmas' and 'An Awfully Big Adventure'.

Someday, a film historian will compile a detailed list of all the films in which this location has appeared, either as is or as a fully dressed set.

Reaching the city centre the family crosses the river as Mrs. Fortune suggests that Quackser goes to his cousin John. Ha'penny Bridge crossing the Liffey between Wellington Quay in Dublin 2 and Ormond Quay Lower in Dublin 1 which can be seen in many productions including ‘Rooney’, 'Another Shore', 'Ulysses', 'The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne', '30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia' and 'Flight of the Doves'.

Mr. Fortune raises his arm as a bus approaches the stop. Wellington Quay on the south bank of the River Liffey.

Given the choice of the foundry or America, Quackser stands outside Doyles after news is received of John's death. Looking across Hogan Avenue towards Greenore Terrace with Railway Terrace in the right distance.

The view now from outside where the main foundry entrance was located.

Carrying his lunch in a brown paper bag, Quackser turns away from the foundry and makes his way to the canal. Buildings on Percy Place cross the background.

With a few more steps back Pat could have included the site of the missing tree but also ran the considerable risk of slipping into the canal.

Quackser eats his sandwiches, sharing bread with the ducks. The Grand Canal seen from Huband Bridge with Mount Street Bridge in the distance.

The "pier" is barely visible through today's greenery.

When John in the Bronx remembers his cousin in his will, Quackser buys a motor and sets himself up as a tour guide. Facing east on Eden Quay, Dublin 1 with Liberty Hall to the top left and the Custom House in the centre distance.

For safety, this was the best angle Pat could get. Eden Quay is now one way the other way except for buses.

"By the way, did you know that Dublin is actually a Danish name? It means black river." Looking across the River Liffey from Merchant's Quay, Dublin 8 towards Inns Quay and the Four Courts in Dublin 7.

More knowledge learnt from Zazel is passed on to Tourists. Pat Cleary's research led him to find Jervis Street, Dublin 1, facing north towards the Williams & Woods confectionery factory at 204 Parnell Street in the distance.

Pat proves the much changed location where the building in the background is ow the Parnell Centre shopping and entertainment centre which includes Cineworld.

"Now, Jonathan Swift, who actually wrote "Gulliver's Travels" was Rector of this Cathedral over here . . . I used to have my lunches there when I was working in another job." Pat Cleary recognised Christchurch Cathedral on Christchurch Place in Dublin 8.

It is fortunate that they maintained a gap between the trees.