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Washington Square |
The
Midnight Story is supposed to be a North Beach tale about an Italian
family - only the Malatestas aren't Italian, they live on Telegraph Hill,
and they go to church in the Bayview. Tony Curtis is traffic cop Joe Martini.
When a beloved neighborhood priest is murdered, Tony moves in with prime
suspect Salvatore Malatesta and the man's brood in order to prove his
suspicions and solve the mystery. Things get complicated when Curtis falls
in love with cousin Anna and is accepted into the family. Not the most
compelling among San Francisco's film noir entries, mostly because the
so-called Italian family is without a scintilla of authenticity. The
Midnight Story is, however, worth a look for some great City locations
as well as shots of Curtis in uniform. The Malatesta house is 1227 Montgomery
Street at Union. When Joe and Salvatore hang out on the wall in front of
1227, the view from the Montgomery Street overlook
is fascinating. The Russ Building and Shell Building are prominent. Today
they are overshadowed by towers. The 1957 picture was filmed in Cinemascope
by director Joseph Pevney. Included is a fantastic bit part by character
actress Kathleen Freeman.
Fisherman's
Wharf
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Copyright 2003 Hank Donat |