The Woman In Red - Blind Man
The next scene is played purely for audience laughs, tapping into Charles Grodin’s comedic background. The idea was to cheer Joey up after his wife left him. Today people are likely less likely to find it funny.
Then … Joey watches from outside as Buddy, pretending to be a blind man, and Mikey approach the bar in a restaurant.
… and Now, this was filmed in the restaurant Cafe Alma at 13362 Ventura Blvd in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles (map). Very shortly afterwards the restaurant was taken over by the Great Greek; it’s still there today under that name - in the recent photo below note how similar it still looks with its mirrored pillars and curvilinear-topped partitions.
Then … The blind man orders two cocktails then becomes agitated when he realizes his sighted guide has moved away. He swings around, bellowing out for him, his arm sending drinks and ice cubes across the room. When the flustered bartender (Billy Beck) hastily replaces the drinks he swings back and it happens again. And again. And again. And again.
… and Now, the Great Greek’s bar is still there at the same spot.
Mayhem ensues as Buddy stumbles around, bumping into diners and knocking over waiters bearing laden trays.
The strategy is working, Joey is in stitches watching the pantomine unfold. Mikey, too.
Then … But it’s rapidly becoming out of hand so Mikey runs back in to retrieve Buddy.
… and Now, these frosted glass partitions are now clear glass. Both Then and Now the same retail stores are visible across the street.
Then … When they all pile into Buddy’s classy Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham outside the restaurant the store numbers 13367, 13365, and 13363 Ventura Blvd are clearly legible across the street, the clue that led CitySleuth to this location.
… and Now, current tenants include an orthodontist at 13367, a coffee shop at 13365 and a garden/antique decor shop at 13363.
And here’s a recent photo of the restaurant. With a wine store and two side-by-side restaurants it’s all you can eat and drink on this corner.