San Francisco Film Locations Then & Now

Ah, Golden Gate Park in the 1800’s with the fairer sex! Although, they appear to be three of the homeliest ladies in San Francisco from that period! (Thumbnail image)

Barbara Bel Geddes, and Irene Dunne in the 1948 film ‘I Remember Mama’. This scene was filmed on Kearny Street looking down from above Vallejo. Just to the right of Irene Dunne looks to me to be the crown of the Sentinel Building, which was painted white in 1948. You can see the Sentinel Building, now green, in the modern shot a little way down from the movie spot at Vallejo.

We begin our climb at Clay and Taylor Streets on Nob Hill with Steve McQueen in the 1968 film ‘Bullitt’.

Here, Bullitt, seen in his rear view mirror, chases the bad guys down Larkin Street on Russian Hill in the famous chase scene. (Thumbnail image)

Mason Street between California and Pine Streets on Nob Hill. This is one of the steepest streets in San Francisco. (Thumbnail image)

Nick and Nora Charles, (William Powell and Myrna Loy) on Telegraph Hill behind Coit Tower in a publicity still from the movie ‘After the Thin Man’ from 1936. This was supposed to be their back yard in the movie! (Thumbnail image)

He may have taken a little poetic license here, Broadway as it begins to climb Russian Hill was never as romantic as this rainy Thomas Kinkade painting depicts. The Broadway Tunnel, and Senior Center built on the right since the time portrayed in Kinkade’s painting have cut down the view of the Bay Bridge, and made the view of Coit Tower impossible now. Also, Thomas Kinkade was only 54 when he died in 2012, and may have been guessing what this spot might have looked like in the past. Still, it’s a wonderful painting. (Thumbnail image)

The legendary “Hippie Hill” in Golden Gate Park in 1967. George Harrison in heart shaped sunglasses sat on this hill with his wife Pattie that year playing his guitar and singing songs. (Thumbnail image)

Montgomery Street from Telegraph Hill from the Cushman Collection of photos at the Indiana State University. The “little fire hydrant that could” appears to have crossed over to the other side of the street. (Thumbnail image)

Noe Valley at the top of Duncan Street in the 1920’s. I doubt if there was an automatic tranny in the roadster, so I wouldn’t want to be standing behind her! The vintage picture is from the Images of America series. (Thumbnail image)