Increased Milk Production
The devolution of Castro businesses back into the 70's continues. I actually stumbled away from my sickbed on Friday long enough to run some errands, and found myself right in the middle of the outdoor filming that was going on that day. From about midway between 18th and 19th all the way up to 19th, both sides of Castro Street were lined with retro cars, and extras in period garb were out in clusters on the sidewalks. There may have been actual heaven-sent stars present too, but I was too Nyquil-addled to tell.
At right are two crappy photos I was able to snap before security told me to put away my camera. The SFist blog has a similar picture without all the extras, so they probably took it during a break in filming.
A friend of mine who is a car-enthusiast surmised that some of these vehicles were from the local Freewheelers auto club. Does anyone know if this is true? I have my doubts since many of the antique cars were a little banged up and didn't look like anyone's babies. I loved the cranberry-colored VW bug that putted by at regular intervals, and I also loved seeing the old black and yellow California license plates from my youth.
Here's how some other businesses have transformed since my last update:
- Swirl has completely transformed inside and out, and it joins Given as being the only two stores which seem to be dislocated by the filming. The Gaycities.com blog has an interior shot which gives a better idea of the extent of the transformation. Here's an exterior shot of the finished storefront, along with a shot of the inside shelves taken through the front window. Like those prices?
The photo below is a sign which sits in the Swirl window. Apparently one significant story from Harvey Milk's life was that the Eureka Valley Merchants Association refused to cooperate with gay-owned businesses, so Milk started the rival Castro Village Association which eventually spawned the Castro Street Fair. The sign says "Eureka Valley Merchants Society" instead of "Association," so I wonder if the name was changed for legal reasons.
- Clobba's sign is now up, and the store has been renamed "The Valet" with windows full of too-hip clothing.
A helpful reader (who might be enticed to post to share her historical knowledge--please?) pointed out that this was not actually a clothing store in this spot, but rather a hair salon. I guess it wasn't in the budget for a total makeover on this store.
- Here is a slightly closer picture of the retro-looking mimeographed fliers that they have stapled over the former First American Title Company.
- Best in Show has now branched out to "shoe repairing."
- Further up the street between 18th and Market, the Toad Hall is now complete.
- But next door, the Citibank facade is undergoing a much more extensive makeover. There is a faint suggestion of a Victorian-ish overlay being built, but I can't say for sure. This will be interesting to watch develop.
- Hot Cookie is now Double Rainbow Ice Cream, and the other shops along here are getting ready for some changes. The bus shelter was removed from the sidewalk.
- Louie's removed its spiffy neon rings, and Marcello's has taken down its awning to reveal that retro-looking sign. (Yes, that was always there. It wasn't created for the filming.)
- US Bank is now Eureka Federal Savings.
- Castro Nail Salon is now taking in laundry.
- The big rainbow flag is down at Castro and Market, and all of the smaller rainbow banners are off the light poles. The MUMC president, Steve Adams, told the B.A.R. that new flags and banners will go up after the filming.
- The Castro Theatre sign is near completion, and they are lighting up the neon at night.
- Random oddity: They brought in new trash cans as set dressing. I've heard that they also disguised the parking meters to make them look era-appropriate, but I didn't see that firsthand.
- Finally, the production has taken over the old Tower space. The lower floor looks like it is being readied as the holding pen and feeding trough for the large crowds of extras that they are collecting for the march scenes.
The upper floor seems to be filled with a thrift-store of clothing racks and shoe bins, so this seems to be their costuming area.
- Film crew descends on Castro, and
- Harvey County, USA, an interview with two of the producers.
Comments
Hi Ray,
You rang? Yes, it's true that Clobba was once a hair salon. My mom went there for years. According to the gal that works there now, the "movie people" knew this too. They just decided not to make it over. It makes sense, as Clobba can easily be made over to a 70's era cothing store. Innacurate, but practical for budget and practicality purposes.
I'm guessing they put "The Castro Florist" in the Wells Fargo location for the same reason. If memory serves, that was a mechanic garage. Then later it became The Castro Mall in the 80's. Yes, there was a "mall" in that location. After that, Headlines came in and stayed for years before the bank.
The human rights store was just a regular mom and pop corner store. After that it became High Gear, which as you know was there for years.
The cleaners is getting quite the makeover. I think Jessica would be proud to know that all of her former places of work are getting a real hig profile in the Milk movie. The cleaners, the liquor store, and finally Skin Zone (now Given), are all the familiar places where we found our friend over the course of close to 20 years. The Mother Of Castro Street is certainly here in spirit. I don't think she worked in the cleaners as far back as 1979, but I don't think her arrival was that long after. Jessica, we miss you. You and Harvey were kindred spirits, and it's no coincidence that your presence is so strong while his story is told.
The Castro Theater looks incredible. They did a fabulous job restoring the marquee. I don't know if I ever remember it being that red, but that could just be because I've gotten used to seeing it so washed out over the years.
I'm hoping they restore Twin Peaks ( aka The Glass Coffin) back it its former glory. Then I would truly feel like an effort was made to film the movie with as much historical accuracy as possible.
I think it's great that Harvey's story is brought to the big screen. I was only 7 years old when that horrid assination happened. Still, living here in the Castro at the time it was not unlike what some describe what they felt during Kennedy's assination for me.
Thanks to the production crew, location manager, and security guards. They've all been so kind to the locals. Welcome.
Until you mentioned it, I didn't realize that all of Jessica's former shops were part of the Castro redo. I hope she's looking down on all of this to-do and approves. She's probably happy the dry cleaner got a paint job, but she probably hates the color. :^)
I wish I had the courage to find the director and have him place a subtle butterfly somewhere at one of her stores. I think she deserves to have a place in the movie. Jessica always wore a butterfly, because she identified with their life-cycle.
They'd look at me like I was nuts.
On a lighter note, the Castro looks distinctly un-gay these day during the filming of what should end up being one of the gayest movies of all time. No rainbow flags, many landmarks covered in shame... Is it all period staging, or has the Right won? Could Gus be trying to portray a toned-down version of Harvey's life that appeals to more conservative folk? Midwestern types? Blue (or is Red?) states? What's next... a last-minute edit in which White shoots in self defense?
I keed, I keed! I can haz laf tyme somedays...
Thanks for the great coverage!