Then ... When Matthew spills coffee on his shirt he takes it to his favorite Chinese laundry. We see him here passing the Four Seas restaurant in Chinatown.
... and Now, the same entrance today, at 731 Grant Avenue (map), has retained the wall decoration but the doors have been replaced.
... and Now, the Four Seas took over the restaurant from the original Hang Far Low in the early 1960s, serving the neighborhood for decades until it closed in 2014. It recently reopened as Mr. Jiu's who moved the entrance to the rear of the building at 28 Waverly Place. The recent photo below shows the prominent Four Seas sign is still there on Grant, above the front entrance.
Then ... He continues down Grant, here crossing Sacramento Street.
... and Now, the same junction today.
Then ... But as he enters the laundry it is clear from the Victorian houses reflected in the side window that this place is not in Chinatown.
... and Now, in fact, it's miles away in the Haight district, at 1515 Waller Street (map). It was called Russ Cleaners back then and it's still Russ Cleaners today. But at least it's Chinese owned.
Then ... The owner, thinking Matthew is a doctor, beckons him over to tell him he's very concerned - his wife "she different", "not my wife".
... and Now, on a recent visit, based on the many racks filling the space, CitySleuth concludes the locals launder their shirts more often than they used to.
Then ... When he leaves, a wider view of the laundry reveals more details that enabled CitySleuth to find this place. Not for the first time the audience is left puzzling over what is being disposed of in the garbage truck.
... and Now, the same view of 1515 Waller Street today.
Russ Cleaners took over from Waller-Clayton Street Cleaning and Dyeing works in the 1950s and has been in business continuously under this name since then.
Following up on the snitch's lead Jake sends Larsen and Larimer to root out suspect Rodney Davis. They head to a neighborhood where the locals' sixth sense is evident as their unmarked car cruises by...
... and again here ... (anyone recognize these two locations? Tell CitySleuth!).
Then ... As they approach their destination they pass a brick-walled corner bar, the notorious, if not nefarious, Hank's 500 Club at 500 Haight Street on the corner of Fillmore in the Lower Haight (not to be confused with the other 500 Club at 500 Guerrero in the Mission).
... and Now, it's still brick-walled but now has windows and a slimmed-down corner post. The Wonderland Chinese restaurant is the current tenant.
Then ... They pull up in front of the American Veterans Club at 530 Haight and the street kids scatter (map).
... and Now, not a fictitious name, this was a real club at this location but it had closed down at the time the movie was filmed. Today The Mad Dog In The Fog bar is the occupant. (Note the lumpy road patch - typical of today's SF streets - the roads were in much better shape 40 years ago).
Then ... As they enter the club we see Lou's and Brown's Used Furniture store at 525 Haight across the street.
... and Now, the Indian restaurant Tandoor on Haight has occupied 525 Haight in recent years but in 2014 a Chinese eatery, Ming Yao H, took over, daring to offer direct competition to Wonderland a half block away.
Then ... They stumble on an illegal gambling game inside the club. Larsen flaunts his authority by mixing up their chips... Duhhh!... not surprisingly when he asks if anybody knows Rodney Davis he's met with peeved silence.
... and Now, the Mad Dog In The Fog bar has replaced the unpretentious surroundings above with a Falstaffian conviviality. The round pillars are still there, behind the bar which has been pushed out and extended.
Then ... Caul has a sometime girlfriend, Amy, and occasionally he stops by unannounced to see her. Viewed through the gate from her apartment building's courtyard we see a Muni bus pull up mid-block across the street; Caul gets off and crosses towards us.
and Now, this is Frederick Street between Masonic and Delmar in the Haight district. The 6-Parnassus bus still passes by the same spot stopping not here, but at the end of the block.
Amy resides at the Casa Madrona Apartments at 110 - 116 Frederick Street in the Haight district near Buena Vista Park (map), pictured below in a recent photo. In another nod to its cinematic past Marilyn Monroe reportedly stayed here during a break from Hollywood.
Then ... He enters the courtyard, closing the gate behind him.
and Now, the masonry block front wall has been replaced or plastered over and extended into the courtyard to accomodate residents' mailboxes. The wrought -iron gate has also been replaced - for added security it is taller than was its predecessor.
Then ... He then makes his way past the ornamental fountain towards a lighted entrance ahead.
and Now, the fountain has been replaced by another and a recently added railing now isolates it from the pathway. The masonry blocks built into the wall at rear, more clearly seen above, are still there, now peeking through shrubs.
Then ... Inside the front door Caul pauses, lingering at the top of the steps, hanging back and peering down as though, paranoid, he wants to make sure nobody is watching.
and Now, the hallway today shows all of the same architectural details. CitySleuth loves it when things stay just as they were! The door's window glass is different though, losing its style.
Then ... Amy's apartment is at the bottom of the short flight of stairs. It's late and knowing she is probably in bed he lets himself in.
and Now, that same door viewed from the top of the stairs.
Then ... A skimpy wrap and plastic raincoat make strange bedfellows but Amy (Terri Garr) is warm and welcoming and happy to see him. They seem to get along fine as they snuggle up and share a bottle of wine. In the background we see a glimpse of the kitchen.
... and Now, the apartment actually has a separate bedroom but for the movie the bed was moved into the living room to make it appear to be a cosy studio. There have been a few changes since the early 70s including a remodeled kitchen but that's the same back door leading out from the apartment.
Then ... Amy knows very little about Harry Caul - he keeps his personal life close to the vest. She wants to know more about him and it's clear that he is not at all comfortable with her questions.
... and Now, the door behind him is the door to the bedroom. Note the same wall moldings then and now.
Then ... She keeps probing until, that's it ... he's had enough and abruptly leaves. On his way out she tells him she won't wait up for him any more. This man clearly has a hard time keeping friends.
... and Now, through the open door we see that the same newel post and bannister are still there.
The sniper has struck yet again; the police are called to a park where the body of a woman has been found.
Then ... The camera captures this view - it's from near the top of the oldest city park in San Francisco, designated Hill Park in 1867 and dedicated as Buena Vista Park in 1894 (map). In the days after the 1906 earthquake people would flock to this 589 foot peak on the edge of the Haight to watch the city fires burning below.
... and Now, with Potrero Hill in the background and the slopes of nearby Corona Heights in the right foreground, the view from Buena Vista Park looks very similar but for the missing gas holder on Potrero Hill.
The police finally have a lead - they find the bandage left behind from Miller's burned hand.