The movie opens with two twilight views in succession, establishing the location as New York City. The views are at locations A and B on the map below.
Then ... First is a view of Brooklyn Bridge taken from the Brooklyn side looking across the East River to Manhattan (location A on the map).
... and Now, below is a recent photo taken from the same spot. There are many new buildings in this view but sadly, the most dominant of the newer additions - the twin towers of the World Trade Center, are missing.
... before 9/11/2001 ... This earlier photo shows the same view when the towers were still there.
Then ... The second view is from Central Park (location B in the map above) and establishes the setting for the opening action which follows. Note the two twin tower apartment buildings on the skyline.
... and Now, this matching photo was taken from the Sheep Meadow in Central Park. The two classic buildings stand as sentinels representing a side of the city unchanged in the 64 years since the movie was made. At center the Majestic Apartments at 115 Central Park West and to its right the San Remo Apartments at 145 Central Park West where coincidentally the star of the movie, Rita Hayworth, resided at the time of her death from Alzheimers in 1987. Other celebrities who have lived here are Dustin Hoffman, Steven Spielberg, Bono and Demi Moore with Bruce Willis.
... and Now, below, this aerial photo looking south down Central Park shows the Sheep Meadow, location B, with arrows pointing to the two apartment buildings. That's the Metroplitan Museum of Art in the center foreround.
The story suddenly takes a dark turn when Archie returns to his apartment and finds Petulia bleeding and unconcious on the floor, the victim of a brutal beating at the hands of her husband David who is nowhere to be seen.
Then ... A distraught Archie leads the way as the paramedics carry her out out of the building on a stretcher.
... and Now, this is the rear exit from 307 Filbert. The stairs lead to Alta Street, a cul-de-sac off Montgomery between the Filbert Steps and Union Street. In the recent photo below, the cottage seen above, #106, has been replaced by another building.
Then ... The stretcher is loaded onto an ambulance as a bunch of curious onlookers (members and friends of the Grateful Dead band) crowd around and gawk. From the left, Jerry Garcia (pre-beard), Bob Weir, Rosie McGee (a friend of the band) and Danny Rifkin, the band's manager. The person next to him is unidentified and the cop at right is Morgan Upton of the Committee improv group.
... and Now, the ambulance was parked in front of 103/105 Alta Street, looking much the same now as it did then.
In the briefest of cameo roles Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead bid her a bemused farewell with Bob saying "Goodbye, Mama". Interesting choice of drink for Jerry ... coke. Somebody has a sense of humor.
Having struck out in their quest for Frank they take a break next to a statue at Washington Square Park in North Beach.
Then ... Over to the left is Saints Peter and Paul Church on Filbert Street; to the right, Coit Tower.
... and Now, the statue is a memorial to the Volunteer Fire Dept. of 1839-1866 who protected the city during several conflagrations before the first city fire department was created.
... from 1933 ... This is a photo taken of its dedication ceremony in 1933. Behind it on the top of Telegraph Hill Coit Tower had been newly built only months earlier; it remains an iconic exclamation point to this day.
... and Now, here's a recent view of Saints Peter and Paul Church. It was originally built a block and a half away on Filbert and Grant in 1884 only to be destroyed by the Great Fire of 1906. It was rebuilt on its present site in 1924.
The police have Miller's house surrounded, taking no chances, posting snipers on nearby rooftops ... appropriate, perhaps?
Then ... Lt. Kafka and Sgt. Ferris hustle across Grant Avenue on Filbert Street past the gawking crowd. Note the KPIX TV van and crew over to the left. KPIX still serves the Bay Area on Channel 5 (click image to enlarge)..
... and Now, It's good to see the auto repair shop still in business (map). The church along Filbert is Saints Peter and Paul on Washington Square.
Then ... Coit Tower looms over Miller's house at 450 - 456 Filbert Street (also seen earlier) Next to it up the hill is Garfield Elementary School.
... and Now, The eyesore power lines have been hidden away but the house and the school are still there.
The police sneak up to Miller's room and a bloody ending seems inevitable, especially when they machine-gun the lock in true 1950s gangster style ...
... but Miller doesn't resist - in a surprisingly poignant denouement the camera slowly tracks in as he sits there, quietly suffering in his own way, just glad it's all finally over.