• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Out of the Past

Doghouse

Doghouse

Super Member
This is one of my favourite film noir movies. It was made in 1947. I've just re-watched my DVD copy.
The opening scene always fascinated me.

A guy visits a run down, "one horse town" out in the sticks, it has little more than the main street.
He's there looking for someone. Whilst he is waiting for this guy to come back into town. He walks into this scruffy looking café.

[IMG]

It has nothing to do with the plot, but it surprised me that he immediately puts a coin in what must have been a new Wurlitzer 1015 jukebox. These cost $750 in 1947, the equivalent of $11,106 today.

[IMG]

I think it was an early example of product placement.
 
Register to hide this ad
Then, he likely pulled out a smoke. Then, offered one to someone else.
Then, found he was out of matches.
Then, asks for a light.
 
0b11011001 said:
Or it could have been placed there by an entertainment company, who got a cut of all the songs played.
Click to expand...
True.
Most jukeboxes were licensed, due to their initial cost and maintenance. The licensing company provided and changed the records. They usually took around two thirds of the profit.
At the time the film was set, there were thousands of jukeboxes in operation, in places like that in the film, most made pre-war.
They were very durable. It would have been unlikely for such a small café to have a brand new jukebox, when the "take" would only be a few dollars a week. It wouldn't have been a good investment for the operator.

The building was used as a set. It was actually "Ann's Grill." Robert Mitchum's character chose the quiet town as it was "out of the way," as he wanted to disappear and not be found by the mobster played by Kirk Douglas.

That's why I suggested it was product placement.
 
Ben's a big reason I enjoy TCM. He continues the tradition of Robert Osborne and Nick Clooney nicely...although my wife accuses me of only watching because of Alicia:)
 
So that movie was filmed in one of my favorite places, Bridgeport, CA. You can go to Google Maps and find the building that was Marny's Cafe. It's on the north side of US 395 (the main drag that goes through town) and a bit east of the old city hall. Its now a local sporting goods store that has an old freezer out front that contains frozen "trophy fish." The old city hall is a very distinct building and I think it too shows up in a scene. As far as I can tell, Jeff's service station was directly across the street from city hall. But that landscape has totally changed. If you continue east on 395 you will find the Walker River Lodge. To its right, or immediate east, is the house his girlfriend lived in. Its at the intersection with Bridge St. I'm almost certain the fishing scenes were shot around Twin Lakes which are only a few miles southwest of town. Other scenes were filmed around Lake Tahoe, a few miles north of Bridgeport. I always get a laugh when I watch the scene where Kirk Douglas gives Mitchum directions to his place in Lake Tahoe. He tells Mitchum to drive up there and turn right, which would kind of put you in the lake itself. Its best turning left if you want to stay high and dry. Build My Gallows High was the book and Out of the Past is one of my long time favorites too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom