Reel SF

San Francisco movie locations from classic films

San Francisco movie locations from classic films

Pal Joey - Vera Simpson's Mansion - 2

  An earlier post described how Vera Simpson's mansion was a virtual building located where Coit Tower stands on Telegraph Hill (map).  When Joey visits her again we see further evidence of the subterfuge.

Then ...  As the scene opens, the camera follows the butler out of the home to an exterior patio.

 

... and Now,  this is one of the south facing doors of Coit Tower's mural rotunda which leads out to a lawn.

... and Now,  here's the door, looking back from the lawn.  Coit tower, built in 1933, rises 210 feet vertically above it.

 

Then ...  The butler announces Joey's arrival to Vera who is enjoying lunch on the patio, built for the movie on the Coit Tower lawn.  The sweeping city view behind her may well have dictated this choice of location.

... and Now,  the lawn as it now looks.  Most of the downtown skyline is obscured by trees and newer highrises abound but at far left the Ferry Building and one of the Bay Bridge towers still match up then and now.

 

Then ...  When Joey leaves he exits to the right of the patio and heads down a narrow path, again with a great view past downtown to Potrero Hill in the distance.

... and Now,  the path has been extended and upgraded with steps but the view, sadly, is blocked.

Then ...  Later in the movie Linda visits Vera and we see her leaving the home by way of the 'front' steps.  Some steps!

... and Now,  not surprisingly these are the steps leading down from Coit Tower's north entrance at the parking lot.  Trees now hide Alcatraz Island from here but you can still see Belvedere Island across the bay at top center.

 

 

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