Union Square, San Francisco, California
Union Square is a 2.6-acre public plaza in San Francisco, California. "Union Square" also refers to the central shopping, hotel, and theater district that surrounds the plaza for several blocks. The area got its name because it was once used for rallies and support for the Union Army during the American Civil War, earning its designation as a California Historical Landmark.
The western side of the square is flanked by Powell Street, and the northern side by Post Street.
Hitchcock's Films
Vertigo (1958)
Unable to sleep, Scottie goes wandering the streets of San Francisco at night. In one shot, he is shown crossing the southeastern corner of Union Square.[1]
Ironically, also located at the very same corner of Union Square was the I. Magnin & Co. department store, 135 Stockton Street, where a certain Miss Judy Barton worked as a sales assistant.[2]
The Birds (1963)
Union Square appears in the opening sequence of the film. To avoid attracting unwanted attention during filming, the camera was hidden in a studio truck disguised as a furniture van.[3]
St. Francis Hotel
During the location filming in San Francisco, Hitchcock stayed at the St. Francis Hotel which is situated at 335 Powell Street on the western side of Union Square.[4]
Davidson's Pet Shop
Although both the exterior and interior of the fictitious Davidson's Pet Shop were filmed on the Universal sound stages, the set was closely modelled on Robinson's House of Pets which was located at 125 Maiden Lane, close to the eastern side of Union Square.[5]
The director made his customary cameo appearance exiting the pet shop with his two Sealyham Terriers (named Geoffrey and Stanley).
Google Maps
Nearest Locations
- Powell Street, San Francisco, California
- Post Street, San Francisco, California
- Grant Avenue, San Francisco, California (0.1 miles)
- Claude Lane, San Francisco, California (0.2 miles)
- Mason Street, San Francisco, California (0.4 miles)
- California Street, San Francisco, California (0.4 miles)
- Sacramento Street, San Francisco, California (0.5 miles)
- Sutter Street, San Francisco, California (0.5 miles)
- Taylor Street, San Francisco, California (0.6 miles)
Film Frames
Selection of film frames: Union Square
Links
Notes & References
- ↑ Reel SF: Scottie Can't Sleep
- ↑ The Department Store Museum
- ↑ Footsteps in the Fog: Alfred Hitchcock's San Francisco (2002) by Jeff Kraft & Aaron Leventhal, pages 170-71
- ↑ Footsteps in the Fog: Alfred Hitchcock's San Francisco (2002) by Jeff Kraft & Aaron Leventhal, page 278
- ↑ Footsteps in the Fog: Alfred Hitchcock's San Francisco (2002) by Jeff Kraft & Aaron Leventhal, pages 174-76
