On Location – Dark Passage (1947 & 2024)

San Francisco is a pulsating city with dark corners, steep roads, fog, splendor, misery, gloomy bars and impressive architecture. Just perfect for shooting Noir movies! Director Delmer Daves put this into practice many decades ago. I have traveled to this impressive town in August 2024. Hop in my cab for an ‘On Location Tour’ through a suspenseful ‘Dark Passage (1947)’ together with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Let´s have a look on the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, the Filbert Steps, Fort Point, the Bay, the Presidio and much more. Which locations have changed over time and which haven´t?

Interlude

To search San Francisco for locations in 2024, and on top of that through Bogie´s eyes, is really something for every Noir fan. A large portion of ‘Dark Passage (1947)’ has been filmed from a POV perspective (Point of View), which makes it even more interesting. The trip is not just limited to urban streets. Nature is calling too, when you are scene hunting at the ‘Presidio.’ Sometimes, I felt that I´ve just escaped from ‘San Quentin State Prison’ myself and look for a place to hide. Back then, many scenes were shot in streets which today are marked by a high crime rate and many homeless people. Like other big cities, San Francisco has always been characterized by great poverty and sometimes even greater wealth. As an example, all this becomes clear here when you walk 1 or 2 blocks away from ‘Union Square.’ Suddenly you find yourself in a drug swamp. Then you go around the next corner and there is ‘Macy´s’ with expensive jewelry. Separated to the gutter with a security glass window. That´s life sometimes. And now it´s time to get started. Enjoy folks!

Opening Sequence / San Quentin State Prison / 100 Main St, San Quentin

Accompanied by Franz Waxman´s opulent soundtrack, the opening credits start with a view on ‘San Quentin State Prison.’

I took the bus to get from San Francisco to ‘San Quentin State Prison’ in August 2024 and found a nice spot to do some shots.

A look over the bay nearby the prison.

Just 2-3 minutes walking distance from the notorious prison, someone is playing with a dog. On the other side of the bay lies San Francisco.

A guard is patrolling on top. He´s covered by cinematography wardrobe and music …

There are still two ladders, which could used for patrolling.

Traditionally, for any self-respecting movie, the opening credits end with the director’s name. In this case it’s Delmer Daves. Have a look on the tower on the right.

The tower remains the same! By the way, there´s another famous Noir flick with scenes in San Quentin. ‘I Want to Live (1958)’ with Susan Hayward.

The camera pans to the entrance gate of ‘San Quentin State Prison.’ A truck is just leaving …

The scenery changed in August 2024. But it´s still the same road. And … LOOK … a truck is leaving too … 😉

The truck is moving away. Let´s have a look on the houses in the back.

From 1947 to 2024, the road certainly changed.

Parry Escapes / Highway 101

A scenic view from the other side of the bay towards ‘San Quentin.’ The truck passes this point.

A shot from a spot nearby. See the street sign on the lower right. ‘Highway 101 North Eureka.’ I took this picture during the bus ride towards the prison.

The ride continues on ‘Highway 101’ towards San Francisco. Suddenly some dirty hands appear from a barrel on the loading platform …

… unseen by the driver a escaping prisoner wiggles the barrel back and forth. It falls and lands in a small stream. A nice Noir shot! The POV action starts with Parry´s escape!

Shortly afterwards, Parry tries hitch-hiking to get away from the prison quickly. A guy named Baker (Clifton Young) picks him up …

… but the driver recognizes Parry as an escaping criminal. He manages to get away, leaves the car and hides again.

Out of nowhere Irene Jansen (Lauren Bacall) appears. She wants to help. But why? What does she want from a fugitive like Parry?

It´s not the same spot where Lauren Bacall appeared many decades ago. But it is nearby the prison and it has a nice touch as a comparison shot.

Towards the Bridge / Waldo Tunnel aka Robin Williams Tunnel

Irene hides Parry in the back of her car. They are driving through the ‘Waldo Tunnel’ not far away from the ‘Golden Gate Bridge.’

For some days, in the first week of my holiday, I stayed in Bolinas. On my drive back to San Francisco, I took the opportunity to make a comparison shot. Should be very close to the location in the previous picture.

Shortly after, you see another tunnel scene.

Since 2016 the tunnel is called ‘Robin Williams Tunnel.’ I have taken this picture after crossing the ‘Golden Gate Bridge’ by foot.

Towards San Francisco / Golden Gate Bridge

In the next shot, you see the ‘Golden Gate Bridge’ in all its glory.

Some changes in 2024. But not too many.

Irene spots a cop on a motor cycle at the ‘Golden Gate Bridge.’

Me with Noir Glasses nearby the same spot on the ‘Golden Gate Bridge.’

The police backed off! Next stop? A toll gate on the other side of the bridge …

Time traveling to August 2024.

The Bay of San Francisco / 951 Lincoln Blvd

The duo continues their escape on ‘Lincoln Blvd.’

A sunny day in San Francisco many decades later.

‘The Bay of San Francisco’ looks marvelous.

In 2024, a lot of green changed the scenery and blocked the view to the bay. Still a nice picture of the Downtown district.

Irene´s Apartment / Part One / 1360 Montgomery Street

The location with the most screen time. Irene and Parry are approaching ‘1360 Montgomery Street.’

The famous building hasn´t changed much! In the back, you can see a glimpse of the ‘Bay Bridge.’ Some trees have covered the view on the steep street.

The entrance to Irene´s apartment complex in the movie …

… and in 2024. Still old school.

On a sidewalk, nearby the apartment, a pedestrian turns into ‘Alta St.’

‘Alta St’ in August 2024.

The parking lot in front of the house as seen in the movie.

The parking lot in August 2024. Keep an eye on the street sign of ‘Filbert Street.’ We´ll return to this location later.

Irene and Parry walk into the building towards the elevator. Please compare the ventilation opening to …

… the one in 2024!

Irene is walking towards her apartment door.

Same window. Same hallway. Same stair railing. This time in August 2024.

All interior scenes of the apartment where shot in studio.

Why Irene is hiding Parry in her apartment is not clear at this point. She leaves the house and Parry remains concealed. Suddenly someone is ringing the door bell …

Irene´s apartment has been the number 10. Also the door has not changed over the decades.

Parry risks a look through the peep hole. Madge (Agnes Moorehead) wants to visit Irene. She has no idea that Parry is hiding there. What is she up to?

Parry has sent her away. You can see the view outside of the apartment´s window towards the street. Madge is visible on the stairs on the other side of the road.

The stairs in August 2024.

Parry leaves in a hurry as he recognized Madge as the woman who was testifying in his trial, which has sentenced him to prison in the first place. You see the front of ‘1360 Montgomery Street’ including the glass elevator.

The window pane with patterns and the glass elevator are gracing the building. Also in 2024.

Cab Ride / Kearny Street / Geary Street / Market Street

Parry gets picked up by a cab, which should bring him to a new hiding place. During their right they pass the corner of ‘Kearny and Geary Street.’ A lot of restaurants and night clubs around there.

The identical street corner in 2024. Everything looks more “un-glamorous.”

After the cab turns into ‘Geary Street,’ you see ‘fosters,’ ‘THIRTY GEARY RESTAURANT,’ ‘London CLUB’ and many more joints.

The same part of ‘Geary Street’ in 2024.

It´s not confirmed that the spot where the cab pulls out was shot in a studio or on location. What is true however is that, if you have a look on the car´s driving direction, it should be near or at ‘Market Street.’ Tom D´Andrea gives a terrific performance as the cab driver Sam.

Me at ‘Market Street’ on the 29th of August 2024.

George´s Apartment / Part One / 1 Florence Street / Russian Hill

After the cabbie has offered Parry “a way out” with plastic surgery, he drives him to the apartment of George Fellsinger at the end of ‘Florence Street’ at ‘Russian Hill.’

A contrast to many night scenes in the movie. The sun is shining at ‘Florence Street’ and the Downtown skyscrapers are serving as a contrast to the quiet street in August 2024.

The parking lot nearby George´s house …

… and the same place in August 2024. Check out the markings on the wall. They haven´t changed.

A very surprised George opens the door. We´ll return to this place later. Exterior shots of the apartment included.

Plastic Surgeon / Vallejo Street at the Corner of Kearny Street

A shot from the movie. This is the address where Parry is sent to for plastic surgery to get a new face. It´s a goof! This alley isn´t existing in San Francisco. Ironically ‘21 Plum Street’ is not a fake! Two possibilities: They´ve changed the alley to a street or it has been a goof all along.

Nevertheless, the real location is somewhere else. Parry leaves George´s house. In the next shot, a guy is walking upwards a steep hill. He appears in Parry´s field of vision. My first thought was “This guy looks very much like Liam Neeson XD …”

The exact same street spot located ‘nearby the corner of Vallejo to Kearny Street.’ In the movie, the house number of the Doc isn´t mentioned.

Houseley Stevenson as Dr. Walter Cole and Tom D´Andreas as the cab driver.

George´s Apartment / Part Two / 1 Florence Street / Russian Hill

After surgery, the cabbie drives Parry back to the house of his friend George at ‘1 Florence Street.’

Number One in August 2024. New house. Same location.

Filbert Steps / 202, Filbert St

George has been murdered! The only way to save himself is going back to Irene. A bandaged Vincent Parry is starting to climb up the ‘Filbert Steps.’

In 2024, the steps are still there but have been replaced with a steel construction instead of wood.

Three fellows think that Parry is just a drunk and not a fugitive from justice. Good for him!

The ‘Filbert Steps’ in August 2024.

As Parry continues climbing, ‘Alcatraz’ and the ‘Bay Bridge’ are visible for a brief moment.

Three San Francisco landmarks in one shot! The ‘Filbert Steps,’ ‘Alcatraz’ and the ‘Bay Bridge.’

The climb continues.

Me and the ‘Filbert Steps’ on the 20th of August 2024.

The camera zooms in towards Bogie´s face. Have a look on the building in the back.

Today, the same house is hidden between beautiful gardens and a view to the bay.

So close to the goal!

The final steps of the steps! 😉

Irene´s Apartment / Part Two / 1360 Montgomery Street

After many interior scenes, which are studio work, this view from Irene´s bedroom window pops up. It´s a parking lot on the other side of the street. The guy standing there is Baker. He has followed Parry´s trail, since he hit him directly after the escape.

I have come a little closer in 2024.

A romantic diner with a rainy Noir setting. The scene itself has been shot in the studio, but the frame of the apartment´s balcony was an implementation after the shooting. Have a look on the integrated flower pot holders …

… which you can still see many, many years later.

Manhunt for Parry / Train Station / Unconfirmed Location

Many additional interior scenes of Irene´s Apartment have followed. Now the movie switches to a short sequence, where the law intensifies the search for Vincent Parry. In the first shot you can see an undercover police man at a ‘San Francisco Train Station.’

Just in case, I have made this shot at the ‘Market Station’ in San Francisco.

Manhunt for Parry  / Bay Bridge

An investigator´s silhouette nearby the ‘Bay Bridge.’

It has been filmed somewhere down there.

Harry´s Wagon / 1919 Post Street & 1671 Fillmore Street

Irene and Parry kiss, fall in love and one scene later he says … Goodbye! His first stop is an eating joint called ‘Harry´s Wagon’ at ‘1919 Post Street.’

No food truck. Which means no interior scenes. But the address still exists.

Parry gets mixed up with an undercover cop and runs away. Before that they have walked around the corner. This picture of the cop, “Harry” and an hectic driver should be somewhere near ‘1671 Fillmore Street.’

The West Coast Savings and Loan Association is gone. There´s a clothing shop in August 2024.

Parry escapes in an alley nearby ‘Harry´s Wagon.’

Me nearby this location on the 26th of August 2024.

Kean Hotel / 1018 Mission Street

Parry walks through the alley and turns up in ‘Mission Street.’ In real life this would have meant a 40 minute walk from ‘Post Street!’ A nice on location goof!

He walks to the ‘Kean Hotel’ at ‘1018 Mission Street’ to lay low for a while.

On my visit in August 2024, the hotel sign was still there. But it closed, which means no interior pics. By the way, it´s a rough neighborhood.

Parry looks out of the window at the ‘Kean Hotel.’

But which window was it? In the movie, the concierge tells Parry “Room is on the fourth floor. Turn right. You can´t miss it.”

Finally, Baker gets hold off Parry in his hotel room. He takes him hostage and they leave with his car from the parking lot. It´s a yard right next to the hotel entrance.

Same yard. Same walls. The cars are still parking towards the left side of the hotel building.

A drive through San Francisco / Natoma Street

Not far from the hotel, they drive on ‘Natoma Street.’

The exact same location at ‘Natoma Street’ in August 2024. The building on the left side is nearly unchanged.

A drive through San Francisco / Presidio

A nice contrast to the crowded city. Baker and Parry at the ‘Presidio.’

I have shoot this picture at ‘McDowell Avenue’ at the same location the previous scene was filmed. A lot has changed in this area of the ‘Presidio.’ Old buildings vanished and new ones were built. Also the bridge connected to ‘Highway 101’ has new pillars.

The tour continues on ‘Crissy Field Avenue.’ In the back, the ‘Golden Gate Bridge’ which is nowhere near Irene´s Apartment. Baker wants to blackmail her for Parry´s freedom.

‘Crissy Field Avenue’ and a fog dipped ‘Golden Gate Bridge’ in 2024.

The camera has been set at ‘Marine Drive’ to film this scene. Parry and Baker turn left into ‘Long Ave.’

The building on the right hasn´t changed! Today, there is a souvenir shop nearby ‘Marine Drive’ where you can also buy some snacks.

Remember the scene when Irene drives from the bridge towards San Francisco? That´s the exact same location! This time Parry is leading Baker in the wrong direction on ’Lincoln Blvd’ …

Parry vs Baker / Fort Point / Golden Gate Bridge

The cars follows a pathway, which leads directly under the ‘Golden Gate Bridge’ on the San Francisco side.

Construction work under the bridge in August 2024.

Parry has tricked Baker and gets his gun. But he is angry and starts a fight …

An iconic and equally notorious scenery. ‘Fort Point’ at the Bay of San Francisco. The location of Parry´s and Baker´s showdown.

During their brawl, they get very close to a treacherous ledge …

The arrow marks the approximate fighting location.

Parry wins and Baker falls into his demise. Now he knows who killed his wife and got him imprisoned even if he has been innocent.

Madge´s Apartment / 1090 Chestnut Street & 1201 Greenwich Street

Can you remember the scene where Parry is looking through the peep hole at Madge´s face and she was standing in front of Irene´s apartment door? Now, it´s the other way around. Parry is making the visit this time and confronts her with the murders she has committed.

Some heated arguments lead to an accidental fall of Madge through the apartment´s window. Parry looks at the falling body. In the back, you can see the ‘Bay of San Francisco’ including ‘Alcatraz.’ The interior scenes where, as you might have guessed yourself, shot in a studio and the bay shot was cut in later.

Back then, they have shot the “window framed picture” from the highest level of ‘1090 Chestnut Street.’ In 2024, I took the picture standing next to the building.

A fast cut to Madge´s last moments …

… and right after that a screaming lady, who is looking on the villain´s smashed body.

On the 25th of August 2024, I have placed myself exactly on the spot where the three cars parked in the movie. In front, you can see the west side of ‘1090 Chestnut Street.’ The small wall nearby the building is still there. Have a look on the arrow. That´s the window where the lady looks down in the movie.

‘1090 Chestnut Street’ near sunset.

Parry runs up on the roof and tries to escape again. Of course everyone will suspect him. A nice scenery in the back. I tried to get on the roof myself to get a similar shot. But the concierge of the private owned building refused to let me up. Well,  I have tried.

Now we are coming to another on location treat. From the top of ‘1090 Chestnut Street,’ Parry climbs down a fire escape …

… which is visible in full in the next sequence. But wait! Is this really the same apartment building?

The answer is no! This piece of San Francisco architecture is located at ‘1201 Greenwich Street.’

If you are a very close observer, you´ll notice that the white building closer to the bay is actually ‘1090 Chestnut Street!’ Which means that Delmer Daves unintentionally (or intentionally?) brought the two buildings together after all.

In 2024, I have taken a shot with a similar camera angle. However, the view to the other building is hidden by trees.

Parry shortly before reaching the ground.

The windows are exactly the same in August 2024.

Parry on the Run / 2164 Hyde Street & Coit Tower

He made it to the bottom and reaches ‘Hyde Street.’

Me at the exact same location on the 25th of August 2024.

Parry crosses ‘Hyde Street’ in a hurry.

I have taken a night shot of the same spot, which is still connected to the cable car line.

A great Noir Shot and probably the most famous of ‘Dark Passage (1947)!’ Parry (Humphrey Bogart) is desperately looking for a way to escape. In the back, you can see the whole ‘Telegraph Hill’ with ‘Coit Tower’ in the middle.

My favorite picture of the whole trip! I have been really lucky that day. A woman, who said she really was a photograph, came by and was so kind to take this shot! Thanks wherever you are! Love the double shadow on the street!

Cable Car Drive / Hyde Street, Union Square, Powell Street

Parry gets lucky and jumps on an approaching cable car.

For the real Noir vibe, I have hopped on a cable car very close to Bogie´s position at ‘Hyde Street.’

One San Francisco´s most famous sights. The ‘Union Square.’ Parry sits in the cable car.

‘Union Square’ by night on the 19th of August 2024.

The camera looks over Humphrey Bogart´s shoulder in a cable car just beside ‘Union Square.’

A very enthusiastic on location traveler in a cable car next to the ‘Union Square.’

Parry arrives a the final stop on ‘Powell Street.’

At the first picture, you can see the turntable and in the second the cable car I have driven with from ‘Hyde Street’ to ‘Powell Street.’

A Bus to Freedom / Hotel Pickwick / 75 5th Street & Mission Street

Finally, Parry enters a bus depot with the goal to leave San Francisco for good. It´s certain that the interior scenes where filmed in a studio. However, there´s was a location which served as a template.

In the old days, there was a bus depot connected to the ‘Hotel Pickwick.’ See the two big gates on the right? This is where the buses parked on ‘Mission Street’ back in the 1940s.

Paita in Peru / Final Scene

Parry and Irene have promised each over to meet in a safe and exotic place. And of course I have flown to Paita, a coastal resort in Peru, for the final shot!

… and there she is again! Irene likes new faces! Definitely a Happy End! 😛

Conclusive Thoughts

I have learned a lot during my adventure. Hunting movie locations invite us to travel not just physically but emotionally. The next great experience might just one street corner away. Standing where iconic masters of their profession stood, like Humphrey Bogart or Lauren Bacall in ‘Dark Passage (1947)’, brings the cinematic to the real world. It has encouraged me once again to step over my own shadow and do new, exciting things. Looking and finding the right spot is always rewarding. So many questions to ask yourself. Is it the right camera angle? How can I implement my ideas later in the post? It trains the brain in a very good way. The biggest challenge has been that I simultaneously visited movie locations of two Noir movies. That’s next level routing and hasn´t been an easy task. But it was a great opportunity and worth it! I will publish the second San Francisco post in 2025. What’s your guess for the second movie? Put it in the comments.

Additional pictures from my trip to San Francisco

The famous sign of ‘Fisherman´s Wharf.’

‘Pier 39’ at ‘Fisherman´s Wharf.’

‘The Golden Gate Bridge’ near sunset photographed from ‘Pier 39.’

‘Indian Prickly Pear Cactus’ at the Bay of San Francisco.

A cable car near the ‘Grace Cathedral’ on ‘Taylor Street.’

The best breakfast in town at ’The Pinecrest Diner.’

And now time for some ‘Pulp Fiction!’ 😀

Thanks for reading.

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