Experiment In Terror - The Search for Red Lynch
The FBI has come up with a suspect with an asthmatic affliction and a modus operandi similar to Kelly's extortionist.
Then ... At the Hall of Justice the FBI agents are briefed on the suspect - Red Lynch. This room appears to be a studio set using, for the window view, a photo backdrop of the Mark Hopkins Hotel atop Nob Hill.
... and Now, the Mark Hopkins, at One Nob Hill (map), on the same skyline today, taken from the Hilton hotel which replaced the Hall of Justice at Portsmouth Square.
Then ... Agents fan out across town looking for someone who might recognise Red Lynch's mug shot and know where he's to be found. Here they are about to hop off a cable car cresting the Hyde Street hill at Lombard Street on Russian Hill (map), with Alcatraz and Angel Island in the background.
... and Now, thankfully, the Powell-Hyde cable cars still climb this hill, indeed what would San Francisco be without them? The car wheels at left in both Then and Now images show that safe parking on the city's steep hills have been second nature to San Franciscans for a long time.
Then ... The camera swings right as the agent walks towards the top of the famous crooked street section of Lombard Street, probably oblivious of the best Coit Tower vista in town.
... and Now, tourists' cars continually navigate the eight switchbacks installed in 1922 to tame the block's 27 degree slope.
... and Now, new berths are being built in this recent photo of the same view - at far left are the sheds of the old US Army post at Fort Mason. To their right is Coit Tower and the skyline of Russian Hill.
Then ... Agent Ripley enters a church, St Francis of Assisi at 610 Vallejo Street in North Beach (map).
... and Now, the church looks just the same - sidewalk trees prevent a full matching shot but here's the entrance.
... and Now, from across the street.
Inside the church Ripley strikes it lucky. The priest has seen Red Lynch many times with one of his parishioners.