Reel SF

San Francisco movie locations from classic films

San Francisco movie locations from classic films

Play It Again, Sam - On The Waterfront

Then ...  So far it's been three dates, three strikeouts from Linda and Dick's efforts to find a girlfriend for Allan.  Undeterred, Dick takes him to a waterfront restaurant to meet Julie, a girl at his office.  As they pull up the telephoto lens expands a ship berthed at a pier in the background.

... and Now,  this was filmed outside the Spinnaker restaurant at the end of Spinnaker Drive in Sausalito (map); across the water is the Sausalito Ferry Pier.  The ship was the Southern Pacific Railroads' Berkeley, one of the many ferries that plied the bay during the first half of the 20th century.  After retiring from service in 1958 it spent 12 years moored here operating as a gift shop, the Trade Fair.  Below is the pier today, viewed from the same spot, but the Berkeley is no longer there.

   Here's a vintage postcard of the ferry during its time in Sausalito.

    In 1973 the 1700 passenger ferryboat, whose proudest moments were spent carrying survivors across to Oakland after the 1906 earthquake, was towed to the Maritime Museum of San Diego.  There, lovingly restored, it continues to be on display to this day.

 

Then ...  But when they enter the restaurant, this is not the Spinnaker - it's the Trident at 558 Bridgeway in Sausalito (map - the Trident is arrowed in red and the Spinnaker in blue.  The ferry pier is equidistant between them).

... and Now,  there have been some changes over the years but the basic interior look and feel remains the same.

 

Then ...  Their view of the bay through floor-to-ceiling windows as they head to the back patio is expansive.  Note the decorative Japanese Torii gate outside at far left.

... and Now,  the windows have since been replaced and restyled.

 

Then ...  Dick spots Julie with friends on the patio and urges Allan, resisting strenuously, to meet her.  (Was the waitress in the diaphanous outfit hired straight from a red-light club on Broadway?)

... and Now,  the Torii gate is no longer there at the far end and the elevated section at near right is now hemmed in by railings.  You'll have to take CitySleuth at his word when he says that the spectacular patio view takes in Belvedere, Angel Island, Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge - east and west, the glorious San Francisco skyline and, from the far end, the hills of Sausalito.

 

    Allan nervously thumps the table causing lettuce and croutons to fly all over the place as he once again makes a fool of himself.  Surprisingly Julie, the one in red and white, agrees to a date.  (Stay tuned, this should be good).

 

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