Prisoner of Second Avenue

The Prisoner of Second Avenue
Theatrical release poster (film)
Directed by	Melvin Frank
Produced by	Melvin Frank
Written by	Neil Simon
Starring	Jack Lemmon Anne Bancroft Gene Saks
Music by	Marvin Hamlisch
Cinematography	Philip Lathrop
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date	March 14, 1975 (1975-03-14) (U.S.)
Running time	98 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The Prisoner of Second Avenue is an American black comedy play by Neil Simon, later made into a film released in 1975.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue premiered on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on November 11, 1971 and closed on September 29, 1973, after 798 performances and four previews. Produced by Saint Subber and directed by Mike Nichols, the cast featured Peter Falk and Lee Grant starring as Mel and Edna Edison, and Vincent Gardenia as Mel's brother Harry.

The production received 1972 Tony Award nominations for Best Play, for Mike Nichols for Best Director, Play, and Vincent Gardenia for Supporting Actor, Play.

Clive Barnes, in The New York Times, wrote that "it is, I think, the most honestly amusing comedy that Mr. Simon has so far given us."Walter Kerr, in The New York Times wrote: "He [Simon] has made a magnificent effort to part company with the mechanical, and his over-all success stands as handsome proof that humor and honesty can be got into bed together."

The play ran in the West End at the Vaudeville Theatre, produced by Old Vic Company/Old Vic Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions, opening on June 30, 2010 in previews. Directed by Terry Johnson, the cast starred Jeff Goldblum and Mercedes Ruehl. This marked Ruehl's London stage debut.

The film version of The Prisoner of Second Avenue stars Jack Lemmon, Anne Bancroft and Gene Saks. It was produced and directed by Melvin Frank from a screenplay by Simon. The music is by Marvin Hamlisch.Sylvester Stallone appeared in a brief role as a suspected mugger of Jack Lemmon's character.