Pigeon Lady
Synopsis
Pigeon Lady is an observational documentary centered around the everyday comings and goings of an elderly woman in Chicago, Clara Miller. Palazzolo films her walking, carrying a shopping bag, and stopping to toss bread crumbs to pigeons and other birds. Palazzolo’s distance from her renders the film a portrait of the city as much as it is of the “pigeon lady.” Set to classical music including Ottorino Respighi’s “The Birds,” Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony No. 1 in D Major,” and Richard Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde,” the film is tender and sensitive, yet hints at the humor and penchant for oddball subjects that would come to define Palazzolo’s later films. Roger Ebert called Pigeon Lady a “masterpiece” and “one of the most moving experimental films” he had ever seen.
Release History & Theatrical Window
February 12, 1966
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Tom Palazzolo
- Original Title
- Pigeon Lady
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 26m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Tom Palazzolo
Department Leadership Roster
Tom Palazzolo
Director
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Pigeon Lady.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pigeon Lady
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Pigeon Lady about?
Pigeon Lady is an observational documentary centered around the everyday comings and goings of an elderly woman in Chicago, Clara Miller. Palazzolo films her walking, carrying a shopping bag, and stopping to toss bread crumbs to pigeons and other birds. Palazzolo’s distance from her renders the film a portrait of the city as much as it is of the “pigeon lady.” Set to classical music including Ottorino Respighi’s “The Birds,” Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony No. 1 in D Major,” and Richard Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde,” the film is tender and sensitive, yet hints at the humor and penchant for oddball subjects that would come to define Palazzolo’s later films. Roger Ebert called Pigeon Lady a “masterpiece” and “one of the most moving experimental films” he had ever seen.
Who directed Pigeon Lady?
Pigeon Lady was directed by Tom Palazzolo.
Who stars in Pigeon Lady?
The principal cast of Pigeon Lady includes Not specified.
When was Pigeon Lady released and how long is it?
Pigeon Lady was released in 1966 with a total runtime of 26m.