I love San Francisco, I admit it. I've lived in the Bay Area for more than 30 years and don't plan to ever leave...so, for this, my premiere Cafe blog, I've picked five of my favorite films set in San Francisco and will briefly discuss each. My primary criterion in selecting these five was that each be set here. Quality was also taken into account. Each of these is a classic with a solid director, cast and script...and most are Oscar-nominated films. This time around I picked films primarily set in the city itself, not the surrounding area; Shadow of a Doubt was set in Santa Rosa and American Graffiti was filmed, in part, in San Rafael, but I focused on the city, the town Salvador Dali once referred to as "the jewel of American cities"....
1. Vertigo (1958) Hitchcock's dark, mesmerizing masterpiece has been called a valentine to the city, and it's my favorite of any film set in, shot in or that even mentions San Francisco. I could probably write more than anyone would ever want to read on the subject of why Vertigo is irresistible to me and how gloriously I feel it portrays SF in the late 1950's. But...to be brief and to the point, this is one of those rare films that pulls me entirely into its magnetic field and sweeps me along to its devastating conclusion: Scottie Ferguson (James Stewart) gazing, vacant and in shock, down upon the body of his idealized dead love...a love he's just lost for the second time. To quote Martin Scorsese, Vertigo is "like being drawn into a very, very beautiful, comfortable almost nightmarish obsession." As for its depiction of San Francisco, Vertigo shows the city off to its very best advantage...a stunning city to begin with, Hitchcock renders it flawlessly with his extensive Technicolor/VistaVision location shots: cityscapes, landmarks (the Golden Gate Bridge, the Mission Dolores, Nob Hill, Coit Tower) and street scenes. Hitchcock also does a meticulous job of recreating some classic local interiors: Ernies Restaurant, Ransohoff's dept. store, Podesta Baldocchi's florist shop.
2. The Maltese Falcon (1941) This is the first film directed by John Huston...on top of being Huston's remarkable debut (which he adapted from Dashiell Hammett's novel), it boasts an inspired cast (Greenstreet and Lorre's first of many pairings), an intriguing noir mood (it's been called the first major work of film noir), is tight and taut and delivers the goods, as Sam Spade might've remarked. Many years ago I took the "Dashiell Hammett Tour" of San Francisco (led by Don Herron who continues to conduct tours). I don't remember that much about it now other than our stop at one of Spade's haunts, John's Grille on Ellis St. (a steak/seafood joint in business since 1908 and visited by many a celebrity), and our pause at Burritt Alley, near the corner of Bush and Stockton, where a plaque proclaims: "On approximately this spot, Miles Archer, partner of Sam Spade, was done in by Brigid O'Shaughnessy." The Maltese Falcon was mostly shot at Warner Bros. studios in Burbank with some stock footage of SF, but it conveys a strong sense of San Francisco in the late 30's/early 40's...it's also one of Humphrey Bogart's early star turns which leads nicely to...
3. Play it Again, Sam (1972) Adapted from his Broadway hit and starring Woody Allen but directed by Herb Ross, the film also stars Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts and Jerry Lacy as an imaginary "Bogart". This is a Woody Allen classic that hasn't been getting it's due lately. It's an outrageously funny take on bouncing back from rejection and re-entering the "dating pool," circa the early 70's. It also happens to include a great panorama of Bay Area locales that reflect the city and the general scene at the time. Allen's character, Allan Felix, a film critic/classic film buff, lives in North Beach and makes his way around the city and area in pursuit of romance - as far north as Sausalito, Stinson Beach and Bolinas. He tries desperately and hilariously (often on Bogart's advice) to connect with women after being unceremoniously dumped by his wife. TCM viewers and other classic film fans will appreciate the amusing homage to Casablanca and many references to classic film.
4. Days of Wine and Roses (1962) An Oscar winner for Henry Mancini's original song and nominated for four others, this film addressed a difficult subject for the time: alcoholism. Directed by Blake Edwards, Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick portray a young couple on the brink of what could be an exciting life together, he's a PR dynamo, she's beautiful and sweet, they adore each other...and their swank, modern apt. features a panoramic view of the Golden Gate Bridge. But their life takes a dark turn. All in all, the beauty of San Francisco seems a perfect backdrop and metaphor for the couple's lost dreams.
5. I Remember Mama (1948) Directed by George Stevens and starring the sublime Irene Dunne, this is a sentimental favorite of mine. But first, will someone please explain why Irene Dunne never won an Oscar?!? This film was nominated for five, including Dunne's fifth and final nomination for Best Actress. Set in San Francisco around 1910, it's the story of the trials and triumphs of a family of Norwegian immigrants who have settled in the Cow Hollow district (today an upscale neighborhood, but around that time...well...cows). It's a warm family drama with Dunne as the very practical yet caring matriarch. I especially enjoy the exterior scenes that depict San Francisco 100 years ago.
Those are my five. I may have more to say about some of them and other aspects of Bay Area films, but that's it for now. Look forward to comments about these and other films set in San Francisco.
1. Vertigo (1958) Hitchcock's dark, mesmerizing masterpiece has been called a valentine to the city, and it's my favorite of any film set in, shot in or that even mentions San Francisco. I could probably write more than anyone would ever want to read on the subject of why Vertigo is irresistible to me and how gloriously I feel it portrays SF in the late 1950's. But...to be brief and to the point, this is one of those rare films that pulls me entirely into its magnetic field and sweeps me along to its devastating conclusion: Scottie Ferguson (James Stewart) gazing, vacant and in shock, down upon the body of his idealized dead love...a love he's just lost for the second time. To quote Martin Scorsese, Vertigo is "like being drawn into a very, very beautiful, comfortable almost nightmarish obsession." As for its depiction of San Francisco, Vertigo shows the city off to its very best advantage...a stunning city to begin with, Hitchcock renders it flawlessly with his extensive Technicolor/VistaVision location shots: cityscapes, landmarks (the Golden Gate Bridge, the Mission Dolores, Nob Hill, Coit Tower) and street scenes. Hitchcock also does a meticulous job of recreating some classic local interiors: Ernies Restaurant, Ransohoff's dept. store, Podesta Baldocchi's florist shop.
2. The Maltese Falcon (1941) This is the first film directed by John Huston...on top of being Huston's remarkable debut (which he adapted from Dashiell Hammett's novel), it boasts an inspired cast (Greenstreet and Lorre's first of many pairings), an intriguing noir mood (it's been called the first major work of film noir), is tight and taut and delivers the goods, as Sam Spade might've remarked. Many years ago I took the "Dashiell Hammett Tour" of San Francisco (led by Don Herron who continues to conduct tours). I don't remember that much about it now other than our stop at one of Spade's haunts, John's Grille on Ellis St. (a steak/seafood joint in business since 1908 and visited by many a celebrity), and our pause at Burritt Alley, near the corner of Bush and Stockton, where a plaque proclaims: "On approximately this spot, Miles Archer, partner of Sam Spade, was done in by Brigid O'Shaughnessy." The Maltese Falcon was mostly shot at Warner Bros. studios in Burbank with some stock footage of SF, but it conveys a strong sense of San Francisco in the late 30's/early 40's...it's also one of Humphrey Bogart's early star turns which leads nicely to...
3. Play it Again, Sam (1972) Adapted from his Broadway hit and starring Woody Allen but directed by Herb Ross, the film also stars Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts and Jerry Lacy as an imaginary "Bogart". This is a Woody Allen classic that hasn't been getting it's due lately. It's an outrageously funny take on bouncing back from rejection and re-entering the "dating pool," circa the early 70's. It also happens to include a great panorama of Bay Area locales that reflect the city and the general scene at the time. Allen's character, Allan Felix, a film critic/classic film buff, lives in North Beach and makes his way around the city and area in pursuit of romance - as far north as Sausalito, Stinson Beach and Bolinas. He tries desperately and hilariously (often on Bogart's advice) to connect with women after being unceremoniously dumped by his wife. TCM viewers and other classic film fans will appreciate the amusing homage to Casablanca and many references to classic film.
4. Days of Wine and Roses (1962) An Oscar winner for Henry Mancini's original song and nominated for four others, this film addressed a difficult subject for the time: alcoholism. Directed by Blake Edwards, Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick portray a young couple on the brink of what could be an exciting life together, he's a PR dynamo, she's beautiful and sweet, they adore each other...and their swank, modern apt. features a panoramic view of the Golden Gate Bridge. But their life takes a dark turn. All in all, the beauty of San Francisco seems a perfect backdrop and metaphor for the couple's lost dreams.
5. I Remember Mama (1948) Directed by George Stevens and starring the sublime Irene Dunne, this is a sentimental favorite of mine. But first, will someone please explain why Irene Dunne never won an Oscar?!? This film was nominated for five, including Dunne's fifth and final nomination for Best Actress. Set in San Francisco around 1910, it's the story of the trials and triumphs of a family of Norwegian immigrants who have settled in the Cow Hollow district (today an upscale neighborhood, but around that time...well...cows). It's a warm family drama with Dunne as the very practical yet caring matriarch. I especially enjoy the exterior scenes that depict San Francisco 100 years ago.
Those are my five. I may have more to say about some of them and other aspects of Bay Area films, but that's it for now. Look forward to comments about these and other films set in San Francisco.
Eve ,Love your Films. Even though I live in Southern CA I love the Bay Area. I would add Kiss Them For Me, Harold & Maude, Bullitt, and Dirty Harry. to your list. Love that you mentioned Vista Vision my favorite of all the "50's" wide screen formats. Hitch always used it to it's best advantage.
ReplyDeleteEve, this is a lovely cinematic ode to San Francisco! I agree that Vertigo is the definitive San Francisco film. Hitchcock's classic brings the city to life, especially during those long, haunting sequences (no dialogue--just Hermann music) where Scottie follows Madeleine. The San Franciso neighborhood in I Remember Mama is an essential part of the story, which has much to say about the importance of family and community. I can remember when this movie was shown by some station every Mother's Day...and my wife & I watched it, of course. (Hey, you've got two Barbara Bel Geddes films in your list!) As for The Days of Wine and Roses, it rates with Splendor in the Grass as the 1960s movies with the saddest endings. I love your comment about the city being a metaphor for their lost dreams. Thanks for a great post.
ReplyDeleteGreat list, Eve. If I could suggest a title, I might add Francis Ford Coppola's THE CONVERSATION (1974). As Rick stated in his comment, Hitch brought "the city to life" with VERTIGO. In contrast, I think Coppola makes San Francisco a scary place with THE CONVERSATION. He makes you believe that, in spite of the city's size, someone is always watching you or listening to you. Someone always knows what you're doing, and there's truly nowhere to hide. I know it doesn't express the beauty of San Francisco, but I believe it's an intriguing take on the magnificent city. Will we be seeing five more of your SF faves? ;)
ReplyDeleteLady Eve, congratulations on your debut as a first-class blogger. I lived in Los Angeles for 20 years but I made numerous trips up the coast. I was always thrilled by that first glimpse of San Francisco with all the white rooftops lining the hilly streets. And the first time I saw the Golden gate Bridge I was shocked that it was orange! I also noticed that Barbara Bel Geddes is in two of your films. She is in one of my favorite films, the noir western, Blood on the Moon.
ReplyDeleteBased on your first effort, I would say we should be expecting great blogs from you in the future.
Amen to that sazball!
ReplyDeleteObviously, I'm kinda slow today. I just watched POINT BLANK as part of the Cafe du Cinema monthly viewing and it's set in...San Francisco. Much of the movie focuses on sleek buildings in the downtown area, but the opening and closing scenes are on Alcatraz.
ReplyDeleteyes, vertigo is the all-time best SF set film, though bullitt would be pretty high me.
ReplyDeleteBULLITT nearly made my list...the choices weren't easy. THE CONVERSATION is an interesting one, might be a good one to include in a blog on Coppola or Hackman, too...or John Cazale...and I will be posting more on SF films. But will probably first post a couple of blogs here that I did for CFU. Thanks for all the interest & comments...and thanks to Rick for this great site.
ReplyDeleteNice of you to say, Eve...but a blog site's success is dependent upon the quality of its contents, so the credit goes to Sazball, Paul2, Sark, JazzGirl, and you. As for the look of the site, Blogger makes that pretty easy. By the way, love your San Francisco graphic!
ReplyDeleteloved your list. It reminded me of another film DARK PASSAGE with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. it is about a San Quentin prison escapee who has his face surgically altered so he can find his wife's murderer.
ReplyDeleteI've actually only seen 1 1/2 of the flicks on your list (Maltese and Vertigo)so I can't make a fair comparison. But I do want to throw in Birdman of Alcatraz (at least partially) and Flower Drum Song. And I agree with Dawn, Dark Passage is the ultimate!
ReplyDeleteI did think about DARK PASSAGE, but already had Bogart in THE MALTESE FALCON and as a key character in PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM. I was also trying to include films from different decades...FALCON covered late 30's/early 40's, MAMA from the late 40's, VERTIGO the 50's, DAYS from the 60's and SAM the 70's...my two runners-up were BULLITT and THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI...
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent post, Eve. I have always had a special place in my heart especially for "I Remember Mama." It is such a tender portrait of childhood. When Barbara's character thinks she must have the dresser set for her graduation gift over the family piece of jewelry and then realizes what she has done it really rings true. And Mama dressing as a cleaning woman to get in to the ward where her sick child is and singing to her and, ultimately, to all the sick children, always brings on the tears for me. Thank you for the memories!
ReplyDelete