Petulia (1968)
CitySleuth has a special interest in this movie, in part because it captures San Francisco during its unique but shortlived Flower Power era (he was there), and because he feels an affinity towards leading lady Julie Christie in that he once slept in her bed. He kids you not. (He won't get into the details - suffice to say it wasn't what you might think).
The Movie
Petulia was released in the U.S. on June 10, 1968 during the Haight-Ashbury revolution and includes performances by Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company and by the Grateful Dead, who also appear in a brief cameo. Director Richard Lester was particularly in tune with the 60's vibe having a few years earlier directed The Beatles in 'A Hard Day's Night' and 'Help'. This excellent movie, surprisingly little known, is beautifully shot by cinematographer Nicholas Roeg and accompanied by an evocative music score by John Barry. Bold use of flashforwards and flashbacks challenge the viewer at times but it all comes together in the end.
The Story
Archie Bolden (George C. Scott) is a surgeon suffering from mid-life crisis and just divorced from his wife Polo (Shirley Knight). He attends a Nob Hill fundraiser where he meets Petulia (Julie Christie), surprisingly friendly and recently married into a rich old San Francisco family to spoiled scion David Danner (Richard Chamberlain). She suggests a tryst but he declines instant gratification only to find himself slowly drawn into her kooky yet troubled world ...
(Watch the trailer)
The Locations -
Fundraiser The Fairmont Hotel Lobby, Nob Hill
Motel Check-in Hilton Union Square Hotel Garage, 200 Ellis Street, near Mason
Motel Room 5th floor, Tower 3, Hilton Union Square Hotel, 333 O'Farrell Street
Cab rides East on Broadway from Stockton
After the Tryst 225 Ellis Street, near Mason
O'Dell's Pawn Shop and Ginsberg's Dublin Pub 401 Bay Street and 400 Bay Street at Mason
Topless Club Varni's Roaring 20s Club, 807 Montgomery Street
Tuba Upper level of Montgomery Street by the Filbert Steps
Shopping in Chinatown 1053 and 1055 Stockton Street, Chinatown
Companions of the Evergreen Lodge 782 Sacramento Street near Grant, Chinatown
Picnic in the Park Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park --- Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park
Archie's Apartment, Exterior 307 Filbert Street, Filbert Steps, Telegraph Hill
Archie's Apartment, Interior 307 Filbert Street, apts B & C combined
Supermarket Cala Foods, 1095 Hyde Street at California
Meeting Oliver El Toreo Bullring, Tijuana, Mexico --- Oscar's Drive-in, 721 E San Ysidro Blvd, San Ysidro, California
Day Trippers Pier 43 1/2, The Embarcadero --- Alcatraz --- Fort Point, Marine Drive, The Presidio
Brutal Beating Rear exit of 307 Filbert Street --- 103/105 Alta Street, Telegraph Hill
Barney's Residence 3232 or 3234 Pacific Avenue, near the Presidio Gate
The Mendoza Residence 4295 Callan Boulevard, Daly City
Petulia's Residence (Carport) 401 Belvedere Avenue, Belvedere --- (House) It’s still there, in Tiburon
The Danner Residence The Sausalito hillside between Atwood Avenue and San Carlos Avenue, below the Sausalito Woman's Club
Roller Derby Winterland, 2000 Post Street at Steiner
Bad Accident The Embarcadero near the Market Street junction
Viola Lee Blues Montage Reno Hotel, 69 Harriet Street, SoMa --- Talbot-Dutton House, 1782 Pacific at Franklin --- City Skylines viewed from Marin Headlands --- Muir Woods National Monument --- Julius Castle, Montgomery Street, Telegraph Hill --- California and Powell Streets junction
Penguin Show Anchorage Shopping Center, Fisherman's Wharf, Jefferson and Leavenworth
South Of The Border Kappas Marina, now called Richardson Bay Marina, 100 Gate 6 Road, Sausalito
A Bittersweet Goodbye California Pacific Medical Center, 3801 Sacramento Street, Pacific Heights