Then ... Jean finally arrives at the Paper Doll Club, where she entertains nightly on the piano. The club, at 524 Union Street (map), was a popular North Beach / Telegraph Hill watering hole for many decades, subsequently going through several name changes over the years: 524 Club, Russo's, Cadell Place, Silhouettes and most recently The Field Restaurant & Pub. In the 1950s it had a reputation as a gay bar, even advertising as such.
... and Now, awaiting a new tenant after some remodelling. The entrance has been moved away from the corner.
Then ... Miller sneaks into the building opposite the club, 517 - 523 Union Street, and, unseen, makes his way up to the roof to wait for Jean to come out (map).
... and Now, the house today, with an added front door for extra security and bars on the windows, looks less inviting than it did then
When Jean leaves the club she pauses briefly in front of her billboard and pow, a bullet to the head ... the sniper has struck for the first time
Parry knocks Baker out with a swift punch to the jaw and while he considers what to do next an attractive young artist, Irene Jansen (Lauren Bacall) pulls up in her station wagon and asks him to come with her. Puzzled, but short on options, he reluctantly agrees.
Then ... He hides in the back of her wagon and they drive south on Highway 101 through the Waldo Tunnel (map) to the Golden Gate bridge.
Then ... As they exit the tunnel we see that back then it was single bore with 2-way traffic.
...and Now, a second bore was added in 1955, on the right below, allowing one way traffic. After 1969 newly painted arches prompted many to call it the Rainbow Tunnel until 2015 when it was named the Robin Williams Tunnel in honor of the late actor/comedian who grew up and lived in the area.
Irene talks her way through a police blockade at the bridge and they drive into the city.
Then ... In the Presidio they turn from Lincoln Blvd into Long Avenue (map) . Crissy field is ahead; originally an Army airfield in the Marina district from 1921 to 1936.
... and Now, the red-roofed building in the foreground is still there but one of the piers is not.
Madeleine lives at the Brocklebank Apartments at 1000 Mason Street at Sacramento, a venerable and classy building which, together with the Mark Hopkins Hotel, bookends the Fairmont Hotel between them (map).
Then ... Scottie waits kitty-korner from the Brocklebank in his 1956 De Soto 2-seater Firedome Sportsman. The fine building on the other side of the fence is the Pacific Union Club, a gentlemen's club since 1889. Further back is the still-to-be-completed Grace Cathedral with only one of the twin towers built.
... and Now, the Pacific Union Club looks exactly the same. Formerly the James C. Flood mansion, it and the Fairmont Hotel opposite were the only two Nob Hill buildings that survived the 1906 earthquake and fire. The cathedral was more or less complete by 1964 - from this viewpoint the south tower just peeks over the club.
Then ... He watches Madeleine exit the building and drive out through the gate ...
.... in her green 1957 Jaguar Mk VIII.
... and Now, thankfully, some things never change. Coincidentally Herb Caen, San Francisco's beloved and curmudgeonly city reporter, also lived in this building. He owned a Jaguar, too, which he often referred to as his 'white rat', a reference to its lack of reliability.
The iconic Fairmont and Mark Hopkins Hotels , both Nob Hill icons, are seen on the left as Scottie pulls out behind the Jaguar on what will be the first of repeated 'wanderings' around the city.
... and Now, there are newer buildings further back but the Fairmont and the Mark Hopkins remain very popular with well-to-do visitors.
Then ... It's payback time - more than miffed by Jean Darr's brushing him off, Miller hides outside her apartment at night, with his rifle. She leaves her apartment and walks down lower Calhoun Terrace with Miller, on the upper level, following (map).
... and Now, mostly unchanged but for the Transamerica and Bank of America buildings in the distance. Part of the wall on the left has been replaced but some of the original art deco embossments remain, at far left
Then ... Miller scurries around the retaining wall where the two levels of Calhoun converge so as not to lose sight of her. Behind him is the 200 block of Union Street leading up to Montgomery (map).
... and Now, the purple cottages and the flat-fronted Italianate house next to it up the hill are amongst the oldest houses on Telegraph Hill, they were built in the 1850s
Then ... Next, he follows her down the Montgomery steps between Union and Green Streets (map).
... and Now, from the same spot.
Here's another view of the Montgomery steps today.
Then ... They are then seen, in this wonderfully noirish image, walking along Bannam Place from Green towards Union (map).
... and Now ... it's great to find so much of Telegraph Hill as it's always been.