AMERICAN CITIES IN FILMS SAN FRANCISCO NEW YORK CITY CHICAGO LOS ANGELES & HOLLYWOOD American film industry is the largest in the world and some of the greatest films in movie history have been filmed in American cities. The city is often the protagonist with actors and actresses.

San Francisco has served as a backdrop to a large number of films because of its skyline, foggy weather, tall bridges and steep hills. There are lots of famous films shot in San Francisco, for example:  Vertigo: a thriller about an almost-perfect murder. In the most dramatic scene we can see the Golden Gate Bridge.  The Birds: a thriller ; it was filmed at Bodega Bay  tiny, foggy town near San Francisco.  Bullitt: starring Steve McQueen. In San Francisco’s steep hills where was an extraordinary car chase.  Dirty Harry: starring Clint Eastwood, filmed in North Beach, Russian Hill and Twin Peaks. Many movies have been filmed on Alcatraz Island like:  Escape from Alcatraz  The Birdman of Alcatraz  The Rock  Pacific Heights

New York City is the second largest center for the film industry in the United States. It has been the protagonist of a great number of films.  The Godfather trilogy: based upon the novel with the same title by Mario Puzo, an Italian American author. The three films follow the fictional Corleone Mafia family through the course of its history in the United States of America and their homeland Sicily.  Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, New York, New York, Raging Bull, The Age of Innocence, Gangs of New York: were directed by Martin Scorsese. In his films he represents New York during different historical periods, the main themes are violence, corruption, gang wars between immigrants and problems about ethnicity.  Manhattan: by Woody Allen (a famous movie director who was born in NYC). This film is a tribute of his city and New York was considered the main character by some critics.  King Kong, Spiderman, Independence Day: had as Background the impressive skyline and tall skyscrapers.

Many films set in Chicago are about the Mob (organized crime) Comedies like:  Some Like It Hot: which the American Film Institute catalogued as “the greatest American comedy of all times”, directed by Billy Wilder.  Chicago: the Oscar-winning musical. Was set in the Roaring Twenties. Violent and serious films like:  The Untouchables: it’s about a Federal Agent who wants to arrest Al Capone.  The Fugitive: an exciting manhunt filmed in downtown Chicago with great views: the loop, the Magnificent Mile, the L, the Sears Tower and the Chicago River

Los Angeles  world capital of the movie industry. In the 1920s the movie industry was just starting and many films were set there. Classic private detective films:  The Big Sleep  Chinatown “Movie movies” ( films that are about Hollywood, the movie business, its actors and inside secrets:  The Player: with more than 60 actors, actresses, directors and producers.  LA Confidential.  Falling down: a story of an ordinary man caught in heavy commuter traffic who start going mad.  Pretty Woman: the film stars are Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, set in Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive.

TYPES OF FILMS:  Action film  Adventure film  Animated film  Biography  Cartoons  Comedy  Documentary film  Drama  Horror film  Romance/love story  Musical  Science fiction film  Thriller  Western PEOPLE:  Producer: manager of the film  Director: creative manager of the film; the director calls “action!” and “cut!”  Cinematographer: is responsible for the look of the film  Leading actors/the main actors: often famous stars, they have the most important roles in the script  Supporting actors: they have less important roles in the script  Extras: people in the background; usually don’t speak in the film QUESTIONS:  What’s it called?  What’s it about?  Where and where is it set?  Who’s in it?  Who’s it by?  What’s it like?  Is it a good film?