Harry and Walter Go to New York

Harry and Walter Go to New York

Year: 1976

Runtime: 115 mins

Language: English

Director: Mark Rydell

ComedyCrime

The Digby‑Hill‑Chestnut gang’s only wishes are a daring escape from jail and a safe‑cracking score. Two hopelessly incompetent con men devise the biggest bank robbery of the 19th century, deliberately drawing the fury of the world’s most infamous robber while trying to win the heart of a crusading newspaperwoman determined to expose their plot.

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Timeline & Setting – Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1970s

Set in the late 1970s, the film channels the era’s vaudeville revival energy and urban crime-comedy vibe. The period mood blends street-smart improvisation with public cynicism and a sense of spectacle. Characters navigate a city where show business and crime intersect in playful, high-stakes antics.

Location

New York City, Prison

The story unfolds primarily in New York City, with the action moving from a prison to the bustling streets and theatres of the metropolis. The Lowell Bank and Trust heist is framed by Broadway-style spectacle near a theatre, highlighting the city’s mix of glamour and grit.

🗽 New York City 🔒 Prison

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:29

Main Characters – Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976)

Meet the key characters of Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Harry Digby (James Caan)

A wry, quick-witted vaudevillian who leans on charm and improvisation. He drives the plan and keeps the mood light even as danger mounts, illustrating a hunger for excitement and a talent for turning trouble into theater.

🕶️ Charismatic 🎭 Entertainer 🧠 Quick-thinking

Walter Hill (Elliott Gould)

A loyal, pragmatic partner whose street-smarts balance Harry’s flamboyance. He photographs the bank plans, provides level-headed planning, and offers the steady hand needed for the team to improvise under pressure.

🕺 Entertainer 🤝 Loyal 🧠 Clever

Lissa Chestnut (Diane Keaton)

A reform-minded newspaperwoman who becomes an accidental ally. Her presence links journalism and social causes to the gang’s caper, and her camera captures crucial bank plans that drive the plot.

📰 Journalist 🤝 Ally 🎭 Charm

Adam Worth (Michael Caine)

A cultured, wealthy bank robber who plans the heist with meticulous detail. His ego fuels the challenge, and his ability to manipulate people and systems makes him the primary adversary for the duo.

🧠 Mastermind 💰 Wealthy 🎭 Charmer

Warden Durgom (Burt Young)

The corrupt prison official who enables Worth’s escape through bribery and privilege. His control of the prison environment contrasts with the outlaws’ ingenuity, highlighting themes of power and corruption.

💼 Corrupt Official 🗝️ Bribe Enabler

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:29

Major Themes – Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976)

Explore the central themes of Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Friendship

Two former rivals form an unlikely alliance, relying on their bond to outwit a polished criminal. The dynamic blends contrasting styles—one improvisational, one cautious—yet shared goals keep them together. The friendship provides both humor and heart as the plan unfolds.

🧠 Clever Heist

The caper hinges on meticulous planning and clever misdirection, from studying security diagrams to manipulating a bribed warden. Success comes from timing, problem-solving, and a keen understanding of people and systems. The crew’s ingenuity turns a high-risk robbery into a theatrical performance.

🎭 Showmanship

Performance and theater drive the action, with the crew leveraging stagecraft to distract guards and buy time. The finale blends improvisation and spectacle, culminating in a bold, crowd-pleasing moment that doubles as a victory lap. Even after the heist, the city’s streets feel like a stage where they play to the audience.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:29

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Harry and Walter Go to New York Summary

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Harry and Walter Go to New York Summary

Harry and Walter Go to New York Timeline

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Harry and Walter Go to New York Timeline

More About Harry and Walter Go to New York

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