Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Irishman’ to shoot scene outside Hildebrandt’s

Adam Schrader
The storefronts next to Hildebrand's are expected to revert to 1970s era signage and awnings for the Martin Scorsese film "The Irishman." This photo was taken from an estimation of the film camera's expected location for the shoot. (Photo by Adam Schrader)

A movie company has requested a permit to film scenes of Martin Scorsese’s upcoming film “The Irishman” outside Hildebrandt’s soda shop in Williston Park. The village approved the permit at its meeting on Monday.

The film will also shoot at Leonard’s Palazzo in Great Neck in November, according to Roy Smitheimer, the Deputy Director of the Town of North Hempstead’s Business and Tourism Development Corp.

“They want it to be so high-quality that they’ll put it in for an Oscar nomination,” Smitheimer said.

The period drama from the Oscar-winning director follows hitman Frank Sheeran, played by Robert De Niro, and his relationship with Jimmy Hoffa, played by Al Pacino.

The movie company, Villa Roma, will compensate the five storefronts next to Hildebrandt’s to convert the exteriors of their buildings to fit a 1970s aesthetic.

The transformation on Hillside Avenue is expected to start Oct. 11 and the area will be restored to usual on the morning of Oct. 16. Filming is anticipated to occur between noon and 6 p.m. on Oct. 14.

Villa Roma petitioned the village to remove 12 nonperiod street signs and one cross walk from the film’s frame. The production company also expects to use 20 costumed background actors and 10 cars from the era.

During filming, officers with the Nassau County Police Department Film Liaison and crew members expect to delay traffic on Hillside Avenue “at the discretion of local officers.”

Villa Roma also requested that the village clear parking for half of the east side of Cross Street between Winthrop and Hillside avenues, the south side of Meagher Place between Willis Avenue and Cross Street, half of the north side of Hillside Avenue between Willis Avenue and Cross Street, and both sides of Hillside Avenue between Cross Street and Broad Street.

Village board members said Monday that they have yet to determine what fee they will charge the production company.

Mayor Paul Ehrbar said he is excited for “The Irishman” to film locally.

“Most people really enjoyed coming out and watching them film ‘The Book of Henry,’” the mayor said.

On Tuesday, Deadline reported that Oscar-winning actress Anna Paquin is the latest celebrity to join the film’s cast. Paquin will play Peggy Sheeran, the daughter of DeNiro’s character.

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