One On Top Of The Other - The Dumurrier Clinic
Then … The story begins at a medical facility, a clinic run by Dr. George Dumurrier.
… and Now, but in the real world this is actually a hotel. And what’s more although the story sets it in San Francisco, it’s located 120 miles south of there on the Monterey Peninsula. This is the Lodge at Pebble Beach, a world-renowned golf resort (map). Was the movie’s director, Lucio Fulci, a golfer?
Then … The entrance is identified by a sign above the door.
… and Now, as is the resort’s, modestly.
Then … Another great view, captured by the panning camera - this one filmed from the rear of the Lodge as Henry Dumurrier, George’s brother, hurries across the lawn carrying a newspaper.
… and Now, taken from close to the same spot. The 18th green is visible just past the lawn with the beautiful coastline of Monterey Bay beyond it. The narrow white line in the middle distance is the white sands of Carmel.
Then … He walks up the stairs at the rear of the clinic.
… and Now, the Lodge today has seen some remodeling since then. The stairs have been expanded and now climb in two directions, the balcony has been widened over part of its length and its windows have been restyled.
Inside the clinic Henry (Argentinian actor Alberto De Mendoza) demands an explanation from George (French actor Jean Sorel, on the left), for an article in the paper announcing a heart transplant operation at the clinic. It’s fake news, planted by George to reel in a potential investor in Reno. (Interior scenes throughout the movie were filmed at the legendary Cinecittà Studios in Rome, Italy).
The newspaper page is very odd. First look at the date - the 8 in the year has obviously been changed. February 25 1968 was a Sunday, not a Tuesday; in fact this is the February 25 1969 front page of the Chronicle with an inserted article about the transplant. The caption on the photo is in Italian - a translation of the English caption. This apparently was for the benefit of Italian audiences (the director was Italian and the movie was first released there) but is totally unrealistic in an English-language newspaper. And what’s with the bizzare photo? Sloppy work, Lucio!