Two hit men burst into the Daniels Hotel and gun down Bullitt's partner and the mob witness. They are taken to San Francisco General Hospital, located at 1001 Potrero Avenue since 1872.
Then ... The ambulance pulls up in front of the emergency room on 22nd Street.
...and Now, it hasn't changed at all - the view looks west down 22nd to Potrero Ave.
Then ... Later, Bullitt is seen heading east down 22nd Street looking in vain for one of the hitmen after a nerve-jangling chase through the hospital.
Then ... Below, the main hospital entrance is seen in an outtake from the movie.
... and Now, the entrance is the same but the brick building was replaced in 1973 for improved earthquake safety by a newer, blander structure.
... on location ... here's the crew filming one of the scenes in the hospital. Real doctors and nurses were used for added realism. The doctor in the colored smock was anaesthesiologist Dick Barber.
Bigelow stayed at the historic century-old St. Francis Hotel at 335 Powell Street on Union Square.
Then ... The movie view from outside the main entrance looks north up Powell Street with Union Square off to the right (click image to enlarge).
... and Now, the background buildings along Post Street have been rebuilt but the iconic cable cars still clang their way up and down the hill. Note the same awning pillars and the row of globed lampstands still there along the sidewalk in front of the hotel.
Bigelow. a tax accountant from small town Banning, California is being crowded by his secretary and flame Paula Gibson (Pamela Britton) and takes a few days off away from it all in San Francisco. She wants to join him but he resists.
Then ... Bigelow heads off alone to the city. A vista is shown to announce his arrival - this is the view looking east towards the Bay Bridge from the Top O' The Mark at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. The tall building on the right is the Russ building in the Financial District.
... from 1950 ... a vintage photo of the high-class Top O' The Mark lounge with the same view visible through the window (click image to enlarge).
... and Now, extensive Financial District development has surrounded the Russ Building, still there and partly visible at far right
As the movie credits roll the camera follows Frank Bigelow (Edmond O'Brien) as he walks into a public building.
Then ... The scene was filmed in the Los Angeles City Hall. The 454 ft high art deco building has been featured in many movies over the years and its iconic image has been on the L.A. Police Department badges since 1940.
... and Now, the imposing structure continues to serve as the center of the city's government (below), flanked by palm trees, symbolic of its Southern California location.
In two long continuous takes the camera follows Bigelow until he reaches his destination - the Homicide Division. There follows perhaps the most dramatic opening lines ever ...
"I wanna report a murder"
"Where was this murder committed?"
"San Francisco, last night"
"Who was murdered?"
"I was"
Bigelow starts to explain and the director flashes back to reveal his bizzare tale ...
