A Cinematic Tour of San Francisco

San Francisco is one of my favorite cities. It is lively and cosmopolitan, but it has a certain laid-back charm that I love. The history is absolutely amazing, and it can be seen easily in all of the great architecture. I also love the variety of food that can be found in San Francisco; people from all over the world have chosen to settle there and operate establishments that cater to every taste.

Another interesting aspect to San Francisco is the number of films that have been made there and feature the local landmarks. Many articles could be written on them, I am certain, but here I have chosen to focus on two older films: The Birdman of Alcatraz and Vertigo. These films feature landmarks that are easily accessible to a fan and visitor to San Francisco. I have included information about how to make these landmarks part of your trip to San Francisco.

Burt Lancaster plays Robert Stroud, also known as the Birdman of Alcatraz in the 1962 film of the same name. It was directed by John Frankenheimer. It details Stroud's life after being imprisoned. As a prisoner, Stroud murders a prison guard and is sentenced to life imprisonment, in solitary confinement. He turns his life around when a wounded sparrow lands in his cell. He studies and becomes an expert on birds.

As a prison, Alcatraz was shut down in 1963, according to alcatrazcruises.com. However, fans of The Birdman of Alcatraz can still take tours of Alcatraz. The island is part of the National Park Service, but transportation to Alcatraz is provided by a private company that is under contract. Visit www.alcatrazcruises.com to purchase tickets. Depending on the tour type, tickets for a single adult range between $26-$58. This price includes an audio cell house tour once on the island. The National Park Service says that visits to the island are basically self-guided, but special programs are offered throughout the day by staff. They recommend the evening program for those who would prefer a more structured visit. Visit www.nps.gov/alca/index.htm for more information from the National Park Service.

Vertigo is one of my favorite films. Released in 1958, it was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and stars Jimmy Stewart as Scottie Ferguson, a man who falls in love with and subsequently becomes obsessed with a woman named Madeleine he has been hired to follow, played by Kim Novak. He suffers from vertigo, which prevents him from saving her from falling to her death. Finding a woman who looks like her, he conditions her into becoming the image of his former love. Only later does he find out that he has been the victim of an elaborate scheme.

The location shots in Vertigo are excellent. It really depicts the almost vertical streets well. The film also shows the couple driving around the area and seeing some sights around San Francisco. However, one scene in particular shows off a very famous landmark in San Francisco: the Golden Gate Bridge. In the film, Scottie follows Madeleine to Fort Point, at the base of the bridge. She jumps in, and he rescues her. A modern viewer can now visit Fort Point and see the Golden Gate Bridge up close. It is also under the direction of the National Park Service, and is reachable by car or public transit. Visiting it is free of charge, and visitors can take a self-guided tour, or join staff for a historical tour. Videos are also available which show more about the bridge. Check out www.nps.gov/fopo/index.htm for more information, as well as directions.

Movie details obtained from the Internet Movie Database