Manhattan - Easter Eggs & Hidden Details

The film breaks tradition by having no opening credits sequence listing the actors. It simply shows the title 'MANHATTAN' and jumps straight into the visual montage of the city, emphasizing that the city is the star.

In the scene where Isaac and Mary walk her dog, a 'Don't Walk' sign flashes prominently between them. This is a visual directional cue from the director/cinematographer Gordon Willis, subtly warning the audience that this relationship is a bad idea.

Michael O'Donoghue, the head writer for the original Saturday Night Live, appears as a guest at the art gallery party. This is a nod to the New York comedy scene of the 1970s.

When Isaac lists things that make life worth living, he includes 'Groucho Marx' and 'Willie Mays'. This serves as a meta-commentary on Allen's own personal heroes and the cultural touchstones of that generation.

Isaac describes the people at the party as 'the cast of a Fellini movie,' referencing the grotesque and surreal characters often found in Federico Fellini's films, highlighting Isaac's alienation from the 'high society' crowd.