On Friday my good friend Dave (a production director) and I spent the afternoon in San Francisco shooting video of sites in the city used as movie locations. We started on Nob Hill and worked our way to Russian Hill, North Beach and Pacific Heights. We shot locations featured in Vertigo, Play it Again, Sam and Days of Wine and Roses. We have plans to go out again next week and shoot locations downtown and South of Market that were used in these and other films. Once we're done shooting, have done some editing and added voice-over, I'll post the video here. In the meantime, here are a couple of snapshots of 900 Lombard Street. This location was used in Vertigo as the apartment where Scottie Ferguson (James Stewart) lived. Amazingly, the building is much the same as it was when the film was made 50+ years ago. The larger photo shows the entrance to his apartment. The smaller one is of a garden behind the building. I found it interesting that the apartment actually seems to have a layout similar to that depicted in the film - it does have a full view of Coit Tower. Lombard Street is famous for being "the crookedest street in the world," but the 900 block is quite straight - it's a few blocks down from the section known for its curves...
Eve, what a fabulous idea for a series of posts! I recognize Scottie's apartment (where he famously took a wet Madeleine after her near-drowning). I think you and Dave should just stop everything else you're doing and complete the project so we don't have to wait (pretty selfish, huh?). By the way, the color and resolution of the photos are excellent. My first business trip ever was to SF and, naturally, my wife and I drove down Lombard.
ReplyDeleteBoth Dave and I would love to stop everything else we're doing and do nothing but work on this and similar projects. We were sooooo lucky with the weather...glad you like the post, hopefully putting up the video will work. I do have a couple of other still photos I can post till the video's done.
ReplyDeletehey eve,
ReplyDeletei also recognized scottie's apartment right away. i'd be curious to know who lives there now. whoever it is probably gets tired of people coming to the door to ask if they can look around. all they need now is to park scottie's car on the street there. by the way, since classic tv is a big part of this site, how about some pictures of areas from "the streets of san francisco." maybe some place where karl malden and michael douglas frequented, if there were any.
LadyEve, this is so exciting! This touchstone of reality enhances our appreciation of the cinematographic illusion that it has helped to create, unlike what sometimes happens when we learn about the real lives of the people who created those cherished illusions.
ReplyDeleteWhat most people don't know is that the the fall is the best time to visit The Bay Area. I love San Francisco in November, Looks like Eve had a good day, and a good day in " The City" is something every one needs to experience at least once.
ReplyDeleteEve, what an absolutely wonderful idea! This is a precious way to preserve memories of important places in cinematic history. I think you and Dave will have a wonderful time rediscovering places. Thank you so much for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad so many are enjoying this little post. Veejay, "Streets of SF" is currently airing on a local station here and it seems the entire city appeared in it at one time or another. Btw, when we were at 900 Lombard, we didn't disturb the occupants - I was judging the apt.'s layout by the placement of of the fireplace and windows from outside. We did inform some passing tourists of the significance of the building and what we were up to...
ReplyDeleteEve, I'm green with envy! I've never been to SF and it is one of my top 10 places I'd like to visit. I look forward to your video.
ReplyDeleteEve, i really enjoyed reading your blog about your trip to San Francisco. i have been there a few times. What a beautiful town.. loved seeing Scottie's apartment.
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