Woman On The Run - Lancey's Waffle Shop
In the cab, Leggett and Eleanor try to work out where her husband Frank is hiding from clues in the letter he sent to her. Leggett suggests they continue at "Lancey's on Powell ... this place has the best waffles in town".
Then ... But the view through Lancey's window (below) is not Powell Street - it's Market Street! That's Gensler-Lee Diamonds at 818 Market and the Moss women's clothing store at 816 Market. The diner was created on a studio soundstage using a rear projection, filmed from 817 Market opposite the Moss store, to set the virtual location.
... from 1944 ... this vintage photo shows Moss and Gensler-Lee on Market Street, next to Bartel's Coats. (Incidentally, these stores are also seen in the movie 'D.O.A.', filmed in the same year).
... and Now, CitySleuth has substituted today's view into Lancey's window. The old Moss Store is now part of the Diesel store at 800 Market Street, to the right of the video game store GameStop, at the escalator exit from the underground Powell Street Bart station
... in 1950 ... When they did the filming 817 Market was occupied by Hartfield's, a women's clothing store, pictured here in a vintage photo. The space between the mannequin displays let the cameraman shoot across the street towards the Moss store while also capturing shoppers passing by on the sidewalk, perfect for the movie's window view. Clever. This then is the virtual location of Lancey's diner.
... and Now, that location today houses Levi's, readdressed as 815 Market Street. Its red sign is visible below in the retail section of the Pacific Building.
As he lights Eleanor's cigarette Leggett mentions that his nickname is 'Dannyboy' . But take a closer look at that lighter - it's the same one used in the opening scene by the killer, who was also called Dannyboy. She doesn't know it yet, but we do ... we now know whodunnit. In the same way, Alfred Hitchcock eight years later in Vertigo let the audience in on the mystery part way into the movie, setting them on edge for the rest of the way.