The WATCHMEN Set Mapped-Out

[The Battousai]

Back in November of 2007, Comic Related was introduced to an individual who works in the film industry. This individual, who called herself Cassandra Faust, has been good enough to share seven first hand reports direct from the set of the Watchmen film and the gallery we unveiled yesterday filled with Watchmen set photos. Ms. Faust worked as an extra during the filming and offered a great summary of what she witnessed and continues to contribute outstanding content related to the upcoming film. Today we're pleased to share part two of her show stopping walk through the world of Watchmen! She has our sincere, continued and ongoing thanks.​

WALKING THE WORLD OF WATCHMEN

Part II: The Other Side of the Street

by​

Cassandra Faust​

Recapping yesterday's introduction to Part I of our tour... ​

Imagine my surprise when I happened by the New York street set of WATCHMEN and found it still standing deserted and brooding in the Pacific rain forest! And imagine my surprise when I discovered that the set was visible to passersby! Luckily I had my trusty digital camera with me and just started snapping away! A shopping mall across the street provided the perfect vantage point and with the help of a whole lot of mega pixels and the life saving zoom function, I was able to photograph most of the set. Well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words so consider this report the WATCHMEN equivalent of War And Peace.​

As the buildings have had their signs and neon stripped away and stored, I thought I’d provide a map of the street to show fans what’s what. The end result is a kind of virtual walking tour of the incredible set. I’ve divided the photos to cover both sides of the street. We’ll start with the TREASURE ISLAND COMIC SHOP side and work our way up. Then we’ll cross over to the other side of the street, which I’m calling the RUMRUNNER side, and work our way back. So look over the map, then come along and take the tour before the incredible set is gone forever!​

Here we go!​

The Map

http://www.comicrelated.com/commentary/watchmen_080513.html

 

[The Battousai]

RUMRUNNER SIDE

Crossing the street from the striking Jesus mural, we’ll head back towards the Gunga Diner, but from the opposite side of the street. Before getting to each individual building, I think some quick looks at the entire street will help to get you oriented.​

Here are some overviews of the entire street. We’ll be beginning this part of the tour at the yellow store
front the farthest from the camera and heading up the street towards the green security fence.

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Even from here you can see the incredible detail that went into this set. If you were to turn left at the corner of the
yellow building and the column on the corner you’d see the bar where the early official Rorschach night shot was taken.



Here we turn our attention to the red brick building. There is a business housed here that is very close to
the hearts of WATCHMEN fans. Note the light poles helping to make the street look real.

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[The Battousai]

This red brick building houses the Edgar & Sons Pawn Shop on the corner. And the arched window is the entrance
to the Criterion Apartments. But between the two is the office of the Promethean Cab Company. Inside the narrow
confines sits an old, wood desk and black dispatcher phone and one ancient bench for sitting. Proceeding from the
red column on the corner, you can make out 2 windows, one larger than the other. The smaller of the two is the
Promethean window. And right next to that, between the smaller window and the gray arch over the entrance to
Criterion, is a thin black strip. This is the doorway into the Cab Company.

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RAFAEL’S


Although this building can be seen in other shots, here’s one a little bit closer. The tan building in the center of this
shot houses RAFAEL’S where Dan Dreiberg and Laurie dine early in the novel. For this scene rain towers were used
and the extras on the street walking past the windows were soaked to the skin and chilled to the bone. RAFAEL’S
patrons didn’t fare much better. Although the interior consisted of tables with linen table clothes, candles, silverware
and muted lighting, there was no heat and “diners” at the drafty, fake establishment had to sit at their tables without
coats during the scenes shot that night. Brrrr.



Here’s another shot of the arched windows of RAFAEL’S



A close up of RAFAEL’S windows.



There are two things to note about this shot. The first is that the arched windows on the tan building from the last
shot are the RAFAEL’S windows, which can be seen a little more clearly. But the other thing to note is the
plywood marquee jutting out in the center of the picture.

 

[The Battousai]

Here it is close up. This marquee belongs to the Hollywood Theater, which is done up as a porno theater during
shooting. As we extras were often asked to huddle up under the marquee to be out of the rain and close to the
space heaters, we had the chance to examine an “interesting” array of reading material on racks in the lobby. Let’s
just say that WATCHMEN will not get a G rating. This marquee also played a key role in Rorschach’s Rumrunner
scene. To capture the famous panel of Rorschach’s leap framed in red with the sign behind him, they placed a
camera on this marquee. As Moloch’s hovel is right next door (see next photo) and the Rumrunner next to that it
was the only spot to capture Rorschach (well, his stunt double) making his famous leap. If you imagine the camera
on the marquee pointing up to the right corner of the photo frame, you’ll see from where Rorschach fell. The next
photo reveals part of Moloch’s hovel, but, alas, the key window is not visible.



MOLOCH’S HOVEL


The tall reddish-brown building behind the trees is Moloch’s hovel.
You can see the Hollywood marquee right next to it.



Here’s a closer view of the reddish building.



Here is the back of Moloch’s building. Note the extension built out of one section of the second floor. The front of
the building had a walk up entrance and staircase for Rorschach’s antics before the leap, but that was as far as the
façade had been built up. This rear extension was for Moloch’s room from which Rorschach makes his faithful leap.



MOVIE THEATER


The next stop on our tour is the theater showing The Day The Earth Stood Still in
the novel. Like the Hollywood, the marquee has been removed.

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The top of the theater.

 

[The Battousai]

Continuing around the side of the theater you can see that the building is hollow. Show’s over!



Here are some shots of the entrance to the theater. On the right you can see the box office. I’ve read that
the production team wanted the set to endure weather for a more natural look and the set got it in spades this
day. Note the rain streaking down.

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MILTON & FRYE


Here’s an interesting building across the street from the theater. Looking at the weathering, you’d think the building had been standing in that spot for 50 years or more, yet look to the right and, behold, it’s just a façade.



Here’s the same building from a better angle.



Oops! No roof!



A blurry close up of the store logo.

 

[The Battousai]

Here is Milton & Frye in all its glory.
They are even having a 50% sale. Don’t miss it!

And now we’re back where we started. As you can see the set looks incredible just as is. Can you imagine how it will look in the film with lights, signs, those immortal characters and a whole lot of movie magic courtesy of Zack Snyder and crew? WATCHMEN and movie fans are going to be in for a real treat come March 2009.​

Hope you enjoyed this tour of a less than busy (at the moment) New York street circa 1985. I wouldn’t linger too long though. There’s trouble on the way courtesy of Adrian Veidt and you don’t want to be around when it gets here.​