Don't ask why the opening scene of a San Francisco movie was filmed on Bunker Hill in Los Angeles, but it was. The movie opens as Frank Johnson (Ross Elliot) climbs some steep steps while out walking his dog. The location, in fact the whole neighborhood hill, was levelled and carried away in the 1950's, not long after the movie was filmed. The action took place above the Hill Street tunnel at the edge of busy downtown a few blocks from City Hall.
... in the 1930s, this vintage photo shows the Hill Street tunnel, looking north on Hill from 1st, as it still looked when the movie was filmed. The steps climb up on the right side above the tunnel, to the Hill Street block on top where the rest of the opening scene was filmed.
and Now, unbelievably this whole hill and much more around it were literally hauled away to clear space for a Civic Center development project. This photo, no kidding, was taken from the same spot as above; the Los Angeles County Courthouse is on the left.
Then ... The movie's opening credits roll over a background picture that sets the location as San Francisco. The night-time view is from the Top O' The Mark at the Mark Hopkins Hotel looking across the Financial District to the Bay Bridge.
... in 1950, a vintage day-time photo taken from the same spot. The high-rise at far right is the Russ Building at 235 Montgomery, the tallest in the city at that time.
... also in 1950, a vintage photo of the high-class Top O' The Mark lounge with the same view clearly visible
... and Now, extensive Financial District development has surrounded the Russ Building, partly visible at far right
The police visit Philip Dressler (Raymond Bailey) at his office in the Opera House after replacing the concealed heroin with a look-alike packege. He is the passenger who brought the statuette into the country and they hope he might incriminate himself by passing the drugs on.
Then ... from Van Ness near Grove Street, the panorama shows City Hall on the right and the War Memorial Opera House on the left (map). The frame assembly up the steps was most likely being set up for an upcoming gala event
and Now ... just as it was then - check out those same lamp posts.
Then ... Below, they enter the main foyer. The Van Ness entrance is to the right and the steps on the left lead up to the auditorium.
and Now ... just the same - even down to the marble table in the center. (To get these Now pictures, CitySleuth, a patron of SFOpera, was able to avoid the crowds by accessing the Opera House between performances).
Then ... The foyer wraps around the Grove Street side of the building (to their left). Note those two large tapestries on the wall ...
and Now ... there's only one tapestry there but it's different from either of the original two.
They leave Dressler's bag with him and exit the building. Outside, Lt. Guthrie calls his office from a police phone and instructs his staff to put a 24 hour tail on Dressler.
Then ... Behind Guthrie is the War Memorial Veterans building, next to the Opera House and a bookend twin to it architecturally.
and Now ... more than 50 years older and no worse for wear.
Outside the motel after the unconsummated tryst, Archie sends Petulia home in a cab and crosses the street. The number 225 can be seen on the other side.
Then ... This is 225 Ellis Street opposite the Hilton Union Square garage, colorfully captured by cinematographer Nicholas Roeg
... and Now, still remarkably similar