Dirty Harry - Another Ransom Note
Then … Once again Callahan has been summoned to the mayor’s office; Scorpio has sent another ransom note. The camera, filming from the Civic Center Plaza, slowly pans across the east side of City Hall (map). The impressive Beaux Arts building was completed in 1915 after its predecessor, a block away on Larkin Street and McAllister, was destroyed by the 1906 earthquake.
… and Now, City Hall anchors the Civic Center surrounded today by the not-quite-identical-twin Opera House/Veteran’s Buildings, Symphony Hall, Art Museum, Main Library, Civic Auditorium and other city and state government buildings.
On a history note, the north-facing image below left shows the original City Hall in 1900 three years after it was built (that’s Larkin Street at far left)). Just 6 years later it was reduced to ruins, below right. 27 years of planning and construction, 9 years of use. Such are the vicissitudes of life. Read more about it here in a FoundSF article with interesting archival photos and videos.
Then … When Callahan arrives he looks up to see Lt. Bressler, his boss, waiting for him on a 2nd floor balcony spanning the Polk Street entrance.
… and Now, this is the gilded balcony outside the mayor’s office.
Then … On the balcony Bressler enjoys a panoramic view across the plaza; at that time in 1971 it was bisected by a long reflecting pool.
… and Now, CitySleuth received permission to visit the Mayor’s office to take matching ‘Now’ photographs for his blog. Here he is enjoying the same view, wondering why the pool was taken out.
Then … Callahan enters City Hall; in following him to the office we are taken on a mini tour through the building. Here, he’s just inside the Polk Street entrance, approaching the entrance to the rotunda.
… and Now, these days, daytime visitors to the rotunda will often find themselves surrounded by newlyweds and their photographers.
Then … He effortlessly bounds up the Grand Staircase (no easy task), the centerpiece of the majestic rotunda. In addition to official business the rotunda is used year round for many community events including galas, weddings, dinners and celebrations. For a full pictorial tour that captures the grandeur of this magnificent building go here, lean back and wait a couple of seconds for the photos to begin scrolling by.
… and Now, this bride and groom are probably unaware they shared this spot with Clint Eastwood.
Then … He enters the mayor’s office suite, Room 200 on the second level.
… and Now, the U.S. and California State flags flank the doorway. When people leave the office they have a view down to the Grand Staircase on the lower level of the rotunda.
Then … The entrance door opens to an anteroom; Bressler greets Callahan there and leads him to the mayor’s office.
… and Now, same door, different desk. The portraits (former mayors Ed Lee on the left , George Moscone on the right) are by artist Elaine Badgeley Arnoux.
Then … They pass along a dimly-lit corridor.
… and Now, brighter now, the corridor links a number of small offices and, then as now, it’s lined with portraits of every mayor of the city …
… beginning in 1834 with the alcaldes under Mexican rule, a nod to the city’s Spanish heritage. Several of the most recent portraits were also done by Elaine Badgely Arnoux.
Then … In the mayor’s office they hear details of Scorpio’s ransom note. He wants $200,000 dollars and a jet aircraft to be ready and waiting for him at Santa Rosa Airport.
… and Now, incumbent Mayor London Breed has brightened the office with color and moved her desk across the room to the opposite wall ...
… this photo shows the new desk location. The seal of the City and County of San Francisco is mounted on the wall behind it.
They receive a call from Scorpio and hear that he has kidnapped a school bus and the children will start dying if his demands are not met. He tells them the route they’ll be taking on the way to the airport, cautioning … “I don’t want to see any police cars, helicopters, whatever”.
Then … The mayor confirms the money and the jet will be ready at the airport, guaranteeing there will be no interference … “I give you my word of honor on it”.
… and Now, the wall-mounted flag trifecta behind the desk, above, has been replaced by a mirror and the formality of the space has been further mitigated by the addition of comfortable furniture. This photo was taken from behind the desk.
Callahan is disgusted. “When are you people gonna stop messing around with this guy? He’s gotta be stopped now!” When the police chief asks if he’ll take the money to Scorpio, he’s had enough: “You can just get yourself another delivery boy”. He turns and walks out.
(An earlier scene was also filmed in this office. Click here for that post).