The Last Edition - Exciting News
Tom’s son Ray McDonald (Ray Hallor) has exciting news to share with his family. Outside his parent’s home he waves to a passing cable car.
Then … The cable car is heading east on the Pacific Avenue cable line that at one time ran west to Divisidero and south down Larkin to Brannan. This style of cable car, known as a cable train, was comprised of a grip car pulling an enclosed passenger trailer car - (go here for a wonderful 1929 Movietone Newsreel video of a cable train on the Pacific Avenue line and a link to a detailed article on its history). As the cable train passes the Victorian home below the highlighted buildings in the background establishes where this was filmed - at the corner of Pacific and Gough in Pacific Heights.
… and Now, the Pacific Avenue cable line closed in 1929 and the Victorian home, at 1895 Pacific Avenue (map) was replaced in 1931 by this five story Art Deco apartment building. The buildings highlighted above aren’t visible now from street level, but…
… this higher perspective reveals that they are still there ; this is the rear of 1810 and 1824 Jackson Street, built in 1917.
An interesting aside: while it’s a shame, looking back, that yet another of the city’s fine Victorians was sacrificed, at least the replacement brought its own architectural charm as exemplified by this recent photo of the eye-catching art deco detailing in its lobby.
Ray excitedly shows his mother an acceptance letter from the San Francisco D.A.’s office offering him his first job as a deputy assistant attorney. Mary (Lila Leslie) couldn’t be more proud.
Then … Tom and Polly are next to arrive at the McDonald home (its street number is 1421 per the image at the top of this post).
… and Now, it’s supposedly in San Francisco but in fact this was 1421 N. Hudson Avenue in Hollywood (the wave to the cable car was a bit of a stretch!). But the charming original house and the one next to it are no longer there; they were replaced in the 1950s by this group of multi-dwelling buildings.
Then … Clarence Walker (Rex Lease), a San Francisco Chronicle reporter who has taken a fancy to Polly, also shows up.
… and Now, The houses behind Clarence are also gone, victims of commercial creep from the adjacent Wilcox Avenue. What disappoints CitySleuth is how multi-dwelling and commercial properties have pushed aside the charm of what used to be a lovely residential street.
They all congratulate Ray on his appointment. Tom too has news to share - his foreman is leaving and he fully expects to get the job.
Then … There’s more action on this street; we next see Tom’s dog stealing the newspaper from the steps of a neighboring house for his master.
Then … The irate homeowner lives in # 1425. He’s seen this before - he glares towards Tom’s house right next door.
… and Now, Lo and behold! This house, at 1425 N. Hudson Avenue, was built in 1906 and is still there. Over 100 years old but it’s exactly the same. Compare the porch, the posts, the siding, the windows and the steps with the two movie images above. Many thanks to reader Notcom who found this location for CitySleuth.
When Tom returns to work he is bitterly disappointed to learn that in spite of having been recommended for the foreman job it has been given to ‘Bull” Collins (Tom O’Brien) (on the right). It doesn’t help that he’s a failure as a printer (the facial acting of the silent movie era is perfectly captured in this frame).
