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Footsteps in the Fog: Alfred Hitchcock's San Francisco
Footsteps in the Fog is a celebration of the San Francisco films of Alfred Hitchcock. The master director's familiarity with Northern California greatly influenced his decision to use Bay Area locations in several of his landmark motion pictures, and more importantly was often the source of inspiration for many of these same cinema classics.
Three of Hitchcock's masterpieces were set in the San Francisco Shadow of a Doubt, Vertigo, and The Birds . In addition, Rebecca, Suspicion, Marnie, Topaz, Psycho, and Family Plot utilized Bay Area locations and/or were inspired by Northern California events and settings. Footsteps in the Fog examines these famous films, taking the reader on a journey around the Bay Area, while weaving together cinemagraphic intrigue, Bay Area history and lore, and the timeless elegance of San Francisco and its picturesque surroundings.
Over 400 historical and contemporary photos are featured in the book, including impromptu off-camera images and shots from the films themselves—many never before seen!
Footsteps in the Fog can be used as a companion to viewing the Northern California Hitchcock films, as a guide for visiting the sites and settings used in these motion pictures, and as a source of biographical information about Alfred Hitchcock's personal connections to San Francisco and the Bay Area. Hitchcock loved Northern California; he often entertained Hollywood celebrities at his ranch and vineyard outside of Santa Cruz, and frequented such San Francisco institutions as Jack's Restaurant, the Fairmont Hotel, the Top of the Mark, and the historic Bercut Brothers' Grant Market.
Hitchcock fans everywhere will rejoice as they revisit and rediscover the locations and settings used in the great director's most beloved films.
Three of Hitchcock's masterpieces were set in the San Francisco Shadow of a Doubt, Vertigo, and The Birds . In addition, Rebecca, Suspicion, Marnie, Topaz, Psycho, and Family Plot utilized Bay Area locations and/or were inspired by Northern California events and settings. Footsteps in the Fog examines these famous films, taking the reader on a journey around the Bay Area, while weaving together cinemagraphic intrigue, Bay Area history and lore, and the timeless elegance of San Francisco and its picturesque surroundings.
Over 400 historical and contemporary photos are featured in the book, including impromptu off-camera images and shots from the films themselves—many never before seen!
Footsteps in the Fog can be used as a companion to viewing the Northern California Hitchcock films, as a guide for visiting the sites and settings used in these motion pictures, and as a source of biographical information about Alfred Hitchcock's personal connections to San Francisco and the Bay Area. Hitchcock loved Northern California; he often entertained Hollywood celebrities at his ranch and vineyard outside of Santa Cruz, and frequented such San Francisco institutions as Jack's Restaurant, the Fairmont Hotel, the Top of the Mark, and the historic Bercut Brothers' Grant Market.
Hitchcock fans everywhere will rejoice as they revisit and rediscover the locations and settings used in the great director's most beloved films.
- GenresNonfictionMedia Tie In
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 18, 2021
wonderful! great research
really great if u live in bay area
really great if u live in bay area
January 3, 2011
Read it cover to cover and actually used as a travel guide of Vertigo sites while in San Francisco.
August 10, 2020
This book is fantastic and filled with specific movie details of films shot in and about San Fransisco, photos of areas from while shooting and "contemporary" foe comparison, as well as explains Hitchcock's love foe Bay area. One thing is clear, based on the depth of research, Hitchcock must have believed location is a much a character in his movies and those being portrayed with dialogue.
April 30, 2018
Interesting look at the inside of moviemaking. Alfred Hitchcock was a master of suspense and the book doesn't disappoint with tips on how Hitchcock created hit movies in San Francisco.
January 9, 2008
Do you love the San Francisco Bay Area? Do you cinema? Is Hitchcock your daddy? Then you will love this look back at the movies Hitch made in and around the city (stretching into Santa Rosa for all my SSU peeps). Lots of neat archival photos and stories including maps of locations. This will be on my coffee table for decades.... if I ever get a coffee table.
January 27, 2023
An entertaining, informative and visually appealing history and travelogue for fans of the San Francisco area and/or Hitchcock films. I thoroughly enjoyed this after rewatching Vertigo and especially like the then-and-now photos and maps. And I finally watched Marnie because of this--what an intriguing movie!
June 23, 2007
Hitchcock didn't just have a love affair with blondes; he also adored San Francisco, to the point that the city and some of its locals formed whole characters in "Vertigo."
This book chronicles the exact locations and gives "then and now" views of the locales he used.
This book chronicles the exact locations and gives "then and now" views of the locales he used.
July 9, 2024
This was a marvelous book if you are interested in Hitchcock and northern California. A very interesting trip through various locations and how they were definitely part of some memorable movies. Highly recommended!
August 6, 2007
Indispensable for a tour of San Francisco - the
Vertigo locations alone are worth it, even if Carlotta's boardinghouse is long gone.
Vertigo locations alone are worth it, even if Carlotta's boardinghouse is long gone.
October 3, 2012
This is the perfect book to have in the car - for quick reference - whilst driving around the Californian coast near San Francisco!
February 24, 2013
Fantastic book. I learned so much about Hitchcock and Northern California. Anyone who is a Hitchcock fan should read this book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews