At dinner on their first date Joe introduces Kirsten to the seductive charms of a Brandy Alexander. She hasn't drunk alcohol before but tells him he was right - it made her feel good. She doesn't know it yet but she just stepped on the slippery slope.
Then ... Their cab drops them off outside her place.
... and Now, this is Union Street atop Telegraph Hill looking east from Montgomery (map). The piers of the Embarcadero are at the bottom of the hill and in the distance the Bay Bridge reaches out to Yerba Buena Island. Calhoun Terrace, a two-level cul-de-sac, sweeps around to the right.
Then ... When we get to see inside her apartment later in the movie the view from the window is the clue to its location ...
The exact same view was seen from Scottie's friend Midge's place in Vertigo, filmed four years earlier (below) - it's a view west to Russian Hill, the matching part framed in yellow being the houses along Union Street. In both cases the apartment was a movie set using a background plate, most likely the same one.
... and Now, the same view today.
... in 1970 ... Based on these observations, 298 Union Street on the corner of Montgomery was the virtual location of Kirsten's (and Midge's) place. This vintage photo shows how it looked when the movie was filmed - Union to the right, Montgomery to the left. But the house wasn't tall enough to have the unimpeded window view west so it must have been captured from this or a nearby rooftop.
... and Now, the house was rebuilt in expanded form in 1974 at which time it was re-addressed as 296 Union. For more on its use in Vertigo see here.
Then ... Another window view, looking east, was seen from Kirsten's place. This looks down to piers on the Embarcadero but it's a view that can't be seen from the 296 Union location, further confirming the use of a studio set.
... and Now, the pier bulkhead seen above appears to be Pier 23; this recent photo of it was taken from Montgomery Street at Filbert, a block from 296 Union.
Vera owns a luxury yacht, eponymously named, a gift from her husband. She takes Joey to see it at the marina where it is berthed, West Harbor in the Marina District.
Then ... They drive towards the boat down a narrow roadway projecting out into the water in Vera's 1957 Lincoln Premiere Convertible.
... and Now, the roadway is an extension of Scott Street at the Marina Green (map). The same houses on Marina Boulevard span left to right in the images above and below but note that the roadway has been truncated - it's shorter now than it was then. This photo was taken from the Golden Gate Yacht Club across the water and Vera's boat was berthed within that stretch of water. The red-roofed building (longer now than it was) alongside the water on the right is the Harbormaster's Office.
Then ... They pull up alongside the boat and we see a view of West Harbor behind it which includes the Golden Gate bridge and the Marina lighthouse, a 1931 structure still there but no longer in use. What's particularly interesting about this image is the skyline in the distance to the left dotted with highrises. Why? ... read on.
... and Now, in the same view today from the Golden Gate Yacht Club the dominant features to the left are the dome of the Palace of Fine Arts and the tree covered skyline of the Presidio. So what's with that fancy distant cityscape seen above? Those sneaky filmmakers created it by use of a matte painting to add interest to the view! (They used the same trick with Vera's mansion).
Over drinks onboard Joey tells Vera he has ambitions to open a nightclub of his own. If anyone can make it happen it's the wealthy widow Vera - she even suggests a name ... Chez Joey.
Myra's new-found happiness comes crashing down when she overhears Lester and Irene scheming to kill her for her money - captured by her dictating machine that had been inadvertently left on.
Then ... After she gets over the shock her playwriting skills kick in and she begins to formulate a plan to beat them to it, requiring her to gain entry into Irene's apartment. Below, she makes her way there.
... and Now, the Tamalpais Apartments building at 1201 Greenwich Street really does exist on the corner of Hyde Street on Russian Hill (map). The signs are no longer there but there are still traces of the mounting screws.
... and Now, if you go up those steps, above, you will see the building name displayed alongside the main entrance.
On a trivia note, this building appeared in the 1947 movie Dark Passage when Humphrey Bogart climbs down its fire escape.
... and Now, viewed from Hyde Street, it hasn’t changed at all.
Then ... Myra walks up from Hyde Street and heads for the rear door. In the distance Greenwich Street climbs up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower.
... and Now, a wrought iron fence has since been added at far right to create a secure parking area for the tenants.
Then ... She uses a copy of Irene's door key, retrieved from Lester’s room, to gain entry.
... and Now, the rear door today.
Inside the apartment Myra finds some note pads monogrammed with Irene’s name and a gun, soon to be a part of her punitive strike.
Kirsten Arnesen works as a secretary (that of course would be Personal Assistant today) in the Pacific Gas and Electric building at 245 Market Street (map). Here's a recent photo of the building, built in 1924 then subsequently strengthened and renovated following the 1989 earthquake.
Then ... After his embarrassing first meeting with Kirsten Joe visits her office to make amends. He is seen below approaching the entrance lobby from the left. The address 245 is on the door.
... and Now, the lobby's inside set of glass doors (on the right, above) have been taken out, a muni bus stop has been added outside and across the street the whole block has been replaced by an office highrise.
Then ... Joe puffs away as he waits for an elevator inside the lobby. Note that elegant brass lampstand...
... and Now, security neurosis, sad to say, has led to the inclusion of subway-like turnstiles. Even the lampstand, still there over 50 years later, can't make up for the loss of the clean, uncluttered look. On the plus side the elevator doors have had a classy upgrade.
Then ... Joe tries his best to make up but Kirsten plays hard-to-get and they end up awkwardly waiting for the elevator outside her office.
... and Now, this typical floor at the PG&E building by the elevators shows some similarities to the movie view above - renovation changes may have been made over the years - but CitySleuth thinks, based on several differences spotted during this scene, that the office interior was filmed elsewhere.
Then ... As Joe leaves the building we see the Ferry Building standing guard at the end of Market Street as best it can given the eyesore two-level Embarcadero Freeway standing in its way.
... and Now, thankfully, those stylish lamps flanking the entrance are still there. As, just visible, is the Ferry Building. The trees block the view from here but, hallelujah, the freeway is gone.
Kirsten runs after him and makes up for her aloofness by suggesting he ask her out to dinner. Surprised, he suggests the well-known Place Pigalle.
