The Woman In Red - Photoshoot
Then … Teddy’s buddies drive him to link up with Charlotte at a photoshoot on the waterfront. Here they are heading north on Taylor approaching Broadway.
… and Now, take the trees away and you see a totally unchanged street over 40 year later - other than the mailbox on the right, that is.
Then … they make a downhill right turn into a very steep block of Broadway, this junction obviously chosen for the view. At left bright lights illuminate the stretch of Broadway that is North Beach’s red light district. Over to the right the TransAmerica high-rise office pyramid pierces the sky.
… and Now, it’s still a great view but even better at night.
Then … they drop him off at the corner of Market and Steuart in front of the Ferry Building (map). Market Street runs straight as an arrow as far the eye can see.
… and Now … note the streetcar tracks, not there in 1984, above. Market Street used to have as many as 4 sets of tracks beginning in 1906 until they were removed when the underground Muni Metro service began in the early 1980s. The tracks seen here today were installed for an historic streetcar service from the Castro to Fisherman's Wharf in 1995.
Here are two of the wonderful vintage streetcars on Market Street at the 1995 opening of the F Market service. They continue to invoke nostalgic delight today.
Then … Charlotte’s photoshoot is set up on the Embarcadero Plaza between the Ferry Building and the Embarcadero Center seen in the background. Note the giant illuminated tulip flower sculpture.
… and Now … a sports court currently occupies the space on the plaza where Charlotte’s photoshoot took place. The concrete tulip sculpture, by neofuturistic architect John Calvin Portman Jr., is still there.
Then … Teddy is expected - he is ushered in by a crew member whose hat shamelessly advertises the Hollywood company, Mole-Richardson, who provided the lighting for the shoot. Note the clock face behind Charlotte, brought in close by the telephoto lens.
… and Now … the clock, looking back across the plaza, is that on the Ferry Building tower.
In the early morning light the shoot is over and Charlotte’s limo whisks them back to her apartment. Hmmm. (Heading down Market Street they have just passed the same spot where Teddy was dropped off, three ‘Then’ images above).