00:00:01.430 - 00:00:54.380

the following is a KPI ex special presentation. Mm hmm. Yeah, yeah. Mm hmm. Mhm. She was the bridge that couldn't be built a dream that would never come true Tonight on her 50th anniversary. She is a monument to vision and courage to dreams coming true. KPI

00:00:54.380 - 00:01:18.900

X Channel five is proud to present the Golden Gate Bridge celebration. It's a birthday party for the Golden Gate Bridge and nearly a million people are on hand to celebrate despite chilling winds which seem to be getting stronger. Partygoers are packing crissy field for a grand

00:01:18.900 - 00:01:34.400

fireworks finale. The big climax to a day full of music, food, ferris wheels and good old fashioned fun. Good evening everyone. I'm Dave Michael Hatton and I'm Wendy Tokuda. We are here at the Sherman house with just a gorgeous view of the party on and around

00:01:34.400 - 00:01:46.340

the bay. In fact with all the threat of a fog as you can see it's cleared up there just enough clouds to make for a spectacular sunset and setting for the bridge behind us and with this wind, I think maybe the two of us and you

00:01:46.340 - 00:02:00.810

at home have the best seat in the house. So sit back and get ready for the best view in town. In the next two hours we are going to see a fireworks spectacular. The towers of the Golden Gate Bridge will be formally lift and Tony Bennett

00:02:00.810 - 00:02:12.500

will even give us a few bars, bars. If I left my heart in san Francisco we have reporters all over the bay tonight. Let's check in with a few of them right now. Starting with kate kelly at Crissy field. Katie Wendy. I'm offstage here. That Christie

00:02:12.500 - 00:02:25.110

field where the anniversary celebration show is just about to begin and what a program it is. As you said, carol channing Tony Bennett san Francisco symphony. And we're just about to begin with the anthem. Let's also remind everybody that the seats are being filled to look

00:02:25.110 - 00:02:35.490

at the fireworks. Let's go now to Mike Hagerty who is going to have a unique view of the special event kate. We're is about as close as you can get out without with actually being on the barges. Things have calmed down out here on the base

00:02:35.490 - 00:02:47.690

so far. Still haven't had the 45,000 ships that the Coast Guard was expecting. Most of them hiding back in Sausalito harbor or in raccoon straights where it's protected. Speaking of being protected, let's go to Doug McConnell up in the marin headlands. You find any cover up

00:02:47.690 - 00:02:58.520

there, Big guy! Listen, Mike, we've got a great view up here. We've got the best view for sure. In the house tonight. The city of san Francisco behind us. We're waiting for the fireworks. We've got all kinds of friendly people up here. Families and others to

00:02:58.520 - 00:03:13.510

join us. We have got the best view, don't we? Oh, absolutely. Doug Murphy challenged that. Down on the bridge. Doug. You're always getting me in these things. We got the best view And everybody behind me knows it. We got the best view. Right. See what I

00:03:13.510 - 00:03:24.820

mean. Doug. We got the best view here. People are starting to build up. They are looking for the good seats and good seats all along here. That's the story from here. Let's go upstairs to David Jackson. Oh, doug, you guys? I will challenge anybody's view. We're

00:03:24.820 - 00:03:35.800

watching them put the barges in place here. The wind has in fact died down. Which is a blessing after the way it's been blowing all day today. And behind me, they're putting all six barges in place. We can kind of see the big crowds out there

00:03:35.800 - 00:03:46.520

at Crissy field as Dave Mccall hadn't mentioned a moment ago, but we're saving the best view for last. We're gonna sneak around the other side of that tower. You wait when they start firing off those fireworks and we're gonna give everybody the ultimate view of this.

00:03:46.660 - 00:03:57.630

That's coming up in a little while now. We go back to Dave and Wendy. Alright, David. He may think that the windows may know that the windows died down up there on the tower, but down here at Sherman House, it hasn't gotten the message just yet.

00:03:57.920 - 00:04:12.310

A traffic jam of people crowded the Golden Gate bridge this morning. I know because I was in the middle of that mob. By Highway patrol estimates nearly 800,000 poured onto the span for the dawn at bridge. Walk The event scheduled to begin at 6:00. It was

00:04:12.320 - 00:04:38.660

forced to start 15 minutes early as walker's pushed and shoved their way under the bridge despite that human gridlock, Many still found time to take that nostalgic trip down memory lane. The opening ceremonies and pedestrian day in 1937 touched the lives of everyone who set foot

00:04:38.660 - 00:04:58.750

on the deck of the Golden Gate. Some brought with them pictures as Mementos. But most important are the memories they brought back with them today. Walking the bridge on opening day, left an indelible mark on the life of jimmy price. It was a very nice thing

00:04:58.750 - 00:05:16.820

and my seven year old eyes, it was very friendly fun experience. I feel like it's my bridge and the greatest thrill I ever received from this bridge. I returned from Korea. I've been overseas 27 months and coming under that bridge at midnight in October of 1951.

00:05:16.830 - 00:05:35.640

The thrill was so great that hair on the back of my neck, stood up George and louise Schwab were young sweethearts when they watched the Golden gate bridge being built, they became man and wife Just days before the bridge officially opened and became the first bride

00:05:35.640 - 00:05:53.430

and bride groom across the span when they made pedestrian day a part of their honeymoon, The bridge stands as a lasting symbol of their marriage personally went to Brian Groom 50 years ago to come across the bridge. We got our official badge and it was just

00:05:53.430 - 00:06:08.760

about the same weather as it is right now. A lot of people, a lot of fun. Our bridge is like the statue of liberty to new york in 1937. The party lasted all day long on the bridge roadway as well as all across san Francisco, eight

00:06:08.760 - 00:06:21.520

year old Nate Rattner and his father took time out from the old west fiesta celebration going on in polk gulch to walk the bridge. Well I took off from school and then for the day I came with my father here on the bridge with the old

00:06:21.520 - 00:06:37.410

model t ford, walked up to the south tower, walked back. It was very interesting, but nothing spectacular like today with a number of people. I don't think it was over 200,000, I believe. Today you'll approach about 750,000 to a million five year old Dennis Mcfadden walked

00:06:37.410 - 00:06:52.150

to the bridge with his mother and father from sixth in balboa 50 years later he drove from San Diego for an important family reunion With his mother hazel who made the trip from Hawaii. Well, it's the first time we've been together on the bridge since 1937.

00:06:52.540 - 00:07:12.510

It wasn't this cold. I think we made a little later in the day and it wasn't quite as crowded as this. Hello. Mhm Ray weaver was only one of dozens of cameras on the bridge in 37 but today his film is some of the rarest ray

00:07:12.510 - 00:07:29.880

shot what is probably the only existing color footage of the festivities in 1937 color film just came out of thinking about 1935 for 60 millimeters. May have been up to 35 before then took shots of the fleet coming in and then the next day the cars

00:07:29.880 - 00:07:44.400

crossing the bridge. That's quite different. I don't think it was quite as crowded than I think there must be two or three times as many people here today. The biggest difference between the pedestrian walk of 1937 and today's dawn walk of 1987. Maybe the number of

00:07:44.410 - 00:08:04.350

people in the time of day, but the greatest similarities with the pedestrians, the people who will come away with a memento, a picture, a memory that they'll bring with them for the 1/100 anniversary of the Golden Gate bridge at least to the middle. Yeah. And I

00:08:04.350 - 00:08:16.080

made it all the way across my wife and I 40 40 minutes to make it across three hours, 200,000 people. That's why it took that. I know what my wife had the great line. She said, I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I wouldn't do

00:08:16.080 - 00:08:26.450

it again for a million dollars or maybe 50 years. The number of people say that. But it was, it was a great time for everybody. You know, genuine hero has been up in the sliced blimp all day. In fact, we had a little view of her

00:08:26.450 - 00:08:38.480

over our shoulder there and we're going to cut right now to january here and tell us what it looks like from up in the sky. Yeah, that looks like us. Alright. The slice of the you know everybody's been saying they have the best view in town

00:08:38.480 - 00:08:53.060

but Wendy and Dave. We challenge anybody because from up here in the slice, 1000 ft in the air. We can see it all because we are above it all from the marina green to crissy field, we can see the thousands of people picnicking, partying, having a

00:08:53.060 - 00:09:06.200

good time. We also see thousands of people on the shore line right now with blankets and down park as we're sure. Waiting for the fireworks to begin. We also see the barge which a lot of fireworks on board. It's gonna be a great show. Looking over

00:09:06.200 - 00:09:20.700

to marin, the marin headlands looks like green velvet. The water is awfully common. Everybody has been saying it's windy, it looks just like a marine. We even passed over the Sherman house back to you Dave and Wendy and we have a terrific view of you Janet

00:09:20.700 - 00:09:35.130

looks like fun up there. Yes, we have. We're watching her and she's watching us. Some of the things that happened on May 27th. The anniversary date back 50 years ago. 200 rivets were stolen by souvenir hunters. We don't have a count on how many disappeared today

00:09:35.430 - 00:09:51.880

or how they got the rivets in the first place. We'll be back in just a moment and we'll take you over to Crissy Field and check the action there, dairy cattle and dairy under a heaven blue and right at the tail at the end of the

00:09:51.890 - 00:10:16.920

trail. There are thousands of boats sailing through that golden gai. Welcome back to the big birthday bash, the 50th anniversary of the Golden Girl, The Golden Gate Bridge. A beauty shot here as you can see and we have a beautiful view here from Sherman house on

00:10:16.920 - 00:10:29.410

Green Street in san Francisco overlooking everything That's going to be going on in the next hour and a half, two hours from now and it's a great view. The neighbors are all out and they're waving. It's a party feel everyone's out on the balconies. Don blew

00:10:29.410 - 00:10:40.740

our official Channel five party boy has been out at Crissy Field all day and we're going to go to Don right now to find out what's going on down there. Well, let me tell you, this party just continues to go on is definitely the biggest party

00:10:40.740 - 00:10:55.570

I have ever been to don't you? People realize that you have to go to work tomorrow. Doesn't that mean anything? Oh, that's right. Never mind. I just had to pay a dollar to walk over this lady's quilt. Right here. There are some entrepreneurs, definitely. It's an

00:10:55.570 - 00:11:10.960

incredible party and I haven't even found the cake yet. Oh, you can rock it, you can roll it stop it, you can stroll it on the bridge. If you visited any of the parties going on today, you would have found just about anything your little heart

00:11:10.960 - 00:11:25.450

could desire. You had to have a half. Can I have my change or is this, is this the way you do business? Not everybody was in a festive mood. However, there was your mps always kind of a fun bunch. Hey, alright, you guys want to party

00:11:26.240 - 00:11:42.980

I guess not. Okay. There was Art Grant Partying on his own whale made out of 72,000 soap bars. But the thing is, it's all going to be donated to the Salvation Army. So we'll have some clean folks downtown soon. One of today's partying highlights was the

00:11:42.990 - 00:12:11.150

frisbee dropping dog butter lips and his other brother butter chops. But hey, everybody came to party and party. They did some partied like they did 50 years ago and some just plain over partied by the way, this span right here is actually a larger span than

00:12:11.150 - 00:12:25.470

the Golden Gate Bridge. What you see right there, one thing that went on all day is still going on and everybody did, it was eat and I mean eat from the awesome to the awful chew bite stuff scarf and of course, what do you do after

00:12:25.470 - 00:12:37.710

you eat? Well if you're a complete idiot, like I am, you go ride the rides Well, I think it was a couple of hot dogs I had and then it was ribs, wasn't it? And two burritos. Well, I thought it was a good idea at the

00:12:37.710 - 00:13:01.990

time, but all of a sudden world, I'm not so sure. It was such a great idea. What a birthday party. Happy birthday. Golden Gate Bridge. No more. No more. Please no more. Actually. I feel a little bit better now. Thank you very much, carol channing on

00:13:01.990 - 00:13:14.380

stage and we just found out she's a third generation san Franciscan. And so I think she's invited everybody over afterwards. Should be great. Right now let's go see what doug McConnell's into. Oh, don Blue. I tell you you're out there with all those people now. We're

00:13:14.380 - 00:13:25.950

in the marin headlands and undeveloped piece of land right across the city. We have lots of deer and bobcats waiting tonight to watch the fireworks as well. And I have some people who have come from all over from, well, here's the McCarthy family. You guys got

00:13:25.950 - 00:13:38.380

in here last night? What about 9:00 PMclock about 10 o'clock, 10 o'clock. And you spent the night here last night. Now, why would you do that? You get a good spot to see the virgin, the fireworks. What do you think you survived the cold? Are you

00:13:38.380 - 00:13:57.860

guys ready for this now, Dan. You got here last night at 9:00. What's your excuse? We had a chance to watch all those other people walking across the bridge sometimes walking sometimes waiting I think so. You're ready for this now, huh? All right now, we have

00:13:57.860 - 00:14:08.420

one more ground over here. We've got, we've got people from santa rosa from Rohnert Park. You're all excited here, Your kids are here tonight. Is there a lot of anticipation? Oh yeah, it's gonna be beautiful, sky looks clear. It's gonna be a real nice view from

00:14:08.420 - 00:14:22.880

here. We have one of your daughters down here, is six years old. Are you excited about this? You're gonna be here for the 10th anniversary. She will be. I know she's gonna be here for the 100th anniversary. A lot of anticipation. I'm gonna be 92. I'm

00:14:22.880 - 00:14:36.640

gonna be back for the 100th anniversary, but David Jackson now, I know he's been waiting all day swaying back and forth on that South tower, David. How's it up there? Exactly. As I mentioned earlier in the day, the bridge feels like rubber. I'm kind of jealous

00:14:36.640 - 00:14:45.610

of doug McConnell there up in the marine headlands because he's got some people around him. We've been pretty lonely up here all day. It's not a place that a lot of people ever get to be, but that's one of the reasons why we wanted to show

00:14:45.610 - 00:14:57.580

you some of the spectacular scenery from up here right now, as you know, taking a look right down the cable. Looking at the 40 200 ft span here between the two towers at the time. They were built of course the longest in the world, now, the

00:14:57.580 - 00:15:14.160

third longest in the world. Nevertheless, it's a wonderful, wonderful sight from up here, we've been arguing all day long about who has in fact the most spectacular view. But in the final analysis we'll leave that judgment up to you. Here is a story of the Golden

00:15:14.160 - 00:15:28.840

Gate Bridge that we hope stands out amidst of the verbiage in its 50th year. The bridge has become a symbol of status. For some, there are the ones who can boastfully claim their view of the bridge would put others to shame. The cornelia in room topped

00:15:28.840 - 00:15:43.270

the B. Of A has a view that's unmatched for a restaurant, they say. And it's easy to see why this view is renowned for its perched on the tallest building in town. But if food and a view is what you seek, Jim's hot dog stand just

00:15:43.280 - 00:15:59.300

can't be beat a buck 25 gets you plenty to see and Jim says he'll throw in the bridge and among the well heeled there is great debate whose house has the view of the Great Golden Gate Melvin Belli knows that among the jet setters. His view

00:15:59.300 - 00:16:17.080

is the best. I couldn't ask for anything better but from their modest home Ed and Maryann proclaim from their yard, top this view if you can as campground hosts. Their means are modest. It's true, but they can proudly say no millionaire has a better view and

00:16:17.080 - 00:16:32.740

here in the world of Montgomery street. the more money you make, the higher the sweet. So David's convinced that success is his, the proofs in his view and there it is. But Rajni boasts that her job hawking shirts gives her the best view or so she

00:16:32.740 - 00:16:49.490

asserts her view is a beauty. It is clear to see. Plus she works alfresco. No stuffy offices for me. So the question remains whose view is the best? Perhaps it's the toll takers or painters you guess, or maybe it's George who claims with delight that his

00:16:49.490 - 00:17:06.230

vantage point is unique, wow! What a sight! It seems clear by now that this question is moot. They all have great views. You cannot refute yet. No one can claim that their view is the best. The bridge is too big to deny all the rest who

00:17:06.230 - 00:17:26.660

has the best view. Well, it's easy to see. The best view belongs to you and to me and the view from here is not too shabby. But if we don't break up from working for a commercial, the producer gets crabby. We almost didn't. We almost did

00:17:26.660 - 00:17:39.000

listen the winds getting to you. Yeah, it is getting to you before we go to a break one another little trivia. Note the first Boy scout to cross the bridge walter Cronin burger. He camped out at the toll bridge from 7:00 the night before. That's being

00:17:39.000 - 00:18:09.370

prepared. At least that's what he told. We'll be right back. Don't be late. That's why I can hardly wait to open up that golden day California. Here I come. Yeah. Okay. Mhm. Taking a look at some of the views of the bridge there. Happy Birthday. Golden

00:18:09.370 - 00:18:24.160

Gate Bridge on its 50th birthday. And we can continue our coverage tonight. Yeah. The excitement continuing to build. People are getting ready for the fireworks show and it's a narrated show with music and sound. And I see there's some people over here on the roof. There

00:18:24.160 - 00:18:37.120

are rooftops all around hooking up their stereo speakers so they can hear our audio so that they can not miss a thing. Getting ready for the big show. Mike Higgins has had a terrific view of the bridge all day. He's been on board the Jacqueline, five

00:18:37.130 - 00:18:51.260

Michael. We've been a little envious of you sitting here, Wendy. Here's something I've always wanted to do. Oh, hey there! What fun! We had a real adventure. Some time with the high winds and the choppy sea so far in the bay on board the jackal in

00:18:51.260 - 00:19:03.740

the tall ship. But it's been a, an adventurous in 11 that will be very hard to forget the high point coming really this early this morning. We're back in the raccoon straits every kind of ship. Tall, small and big and long assembled for the parade of

00:19:03.740 - 00:19:25.950

tall ships. We were proud of part of it and proud of it. It is a moment that will always be memorable today. The bay almost upstaged the bridge in this golden celebration. There were thousands, maybe millions of floating front row seats parading under the birthday span

00:19:25.950 - 00:19:41.800

and jockeying for position for tonight's pyrotechnic extravaganza. Our anchor position on the bay Today is the tall ship Jacqueline owned by the pose and named after mrs Jacqueline. POH, that's great. We're having a good time and it's obvious that so many people, We're excited about what's

00:19:41.800 - 00:20:03.110

happening today. We're trying to be a little part of it. The Jacqueline is a three masted topsail schooner built in Denmark during World War II, of solid ship, The Jaclyn Hoist 13 sales with more than 5700 square feet of canvas. The ship is anchored at marina

00:20:03.110 - 00:20:27.250

bay in Richmond and today is the host for guests from all over the country. The parade of tall ships began just before noon and the flotilla was an impressive fleet. There were Coast Guard cutters and naval mine sweepers, tall masted clippers and water spouting fireboats, not

00:20:27.250 - 00:20:44.460

to mention the multitude of private pirates plying the waters in search of fun and fame. The aquatic celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge came to a high point when the parade of tall ships passed underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Some 70 ships

00:20:44.470 - 00:21:01.690

in total, a gorgeous aquatic sight and one that is fitting with a golden gates tradition. Mm hmm. The best part about spending the day on the bay is that when the sun goes down, all you have to do is drop the anchor and pop a few

00:21:01.690 - 00:21:24.050

cold ones and you're ready for the big finale. Bring on the night. Um about the night. Mm hmm. The boats that we're looking at here are, are the ones that are really out here with us. We, we never did get the 4 to 5000 that the

00:21:24.050 - 00:21:35.340

Coast Guard were predicting. We in fact, we have probably more Coast Guard boats out here than we have anything else right now. Is they protect the safety zone around the fireworks barges were not on board this ship. Tall ship alone. It's just that the other 60

00:21:35.340 - 00:21:48.140

or 70 people are down below having a nice dinner and they're warm, which is something that we're not on board the Jaclyn so far. Another guy who probably isn't too warm is doug Murphy up on the Golden Gate Bridge. Doug. What's it like up there? Hey,

00:21:48.140 - 00:21:57.770

mike. It's cold up here. It sounds like you've got a real tough job down there popping a few cold ones. We've got a dispute up here on the bridge. Everybody thought they came out today for the birthday party for the Golden Gate Bridge. No way it

00:21:57.770 - 00:22:17.010

was for this lady Phyllis Evans, she was born the same day. The bridge was, Hey, Happy Birthday. Same day the bridge on May 27, Is it tough sharing that day with another special lady like yourself. But I love it. We're sisters. Go ahead, go ahead, blow

00:22:17.010 - 00:22:33.470

you blow the horn for yourself. Alright, happy birthday 50 to the Golden Gate and Phyllis Evans Mac. I know that you know Phyllis because on her 40th you, you shared the birthday with her, huh? That's right. Doug on the 40th anniversary. I said, well I'll see

00:22:33.470 - 00:22:47.070

you in 10 years and I just did. And I told her then that her hair was the color of the bridge and I noticed that it still is, She is quite a lady. They want, her mother wanted to call her Bridget and she should have, but

00:22:47.080 - 00:22:59.350

she ended up officially with Phyllis. Well that was 10 years ago and a lot has gone on since then. Both Patricia or Phyllis. It is and the bridge were born during a very troubled time in the history of this country. In fact, when you consider the

00:22:59.350 - 00:23:20.830

time, it's amazing that the Golden Gate Bridge ever got built at all. It was a cool sunday afternoon when politicians, businessmen and onlookers gathered at Crissy field for groundbreaking ceremonies marking the official start of construction of the Golden Gate bridge. The date was february 26 1933.

00:23:21.230 - 00:23:41.040

The country had plunged into the worst economic depression in its history. 16 million people were out of work. A new president franklin. Delano Roosevelt promised better times across the atlantic. Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany and Nazism began its deadly march across europe. These were dark

00:23:41.040 - 00:23:55.980

times, a fact that didn't seem to faze san Franciscans. True to its singular character. The city seemed to be marching to a different drummer, even though one out of four of its workers were out of a job, The city and the bay Area were determined to

00:23:55.980 - 00:24:14.010

buck the times the bay Area was experiencing a building boom, they were going to build themselves not just one bridge, but to in May of 1933 construction started on the bay Bridge. It was in 1930 for that san Francisco established itself as a labor town in

00:24:14.010 - 00:24:30.890

May. A violent confrontation between police and striking dockworkers left. Two men dead. Bloody thursday led to a general strike that eventually shut down the city, but the strike did not involve the workers on the bridge and by this time cranes atop the marin tower, we're putting

00:24:30.890 - 00:24:49.860

the finishing touches on that monolith, mm hmm. While organized labor heated up the summer of 34 people were having a good time, barely over 100 brave souls ran the beta breakers for the more sedentary you could buy a bleacher seat for 40 cents at seals Stadium

00:24:49.870 - 00:25:04.140

and watched joe DiMaggio played ball for the san Francisco seals. 50 cents. got a full dinner at the gold spike restaurant in North Beach and when it was time to go to work on monday mornings, people commuted on hundreds of ferry boats that criss crossed the

00:25:04.140 - 00:25:22.230

bay. From those boats, they could see the North tower of the bridge completed In 1935. The South Tower was finished. The economy was showing new signs of life in San Francisco's Sunset District, you could buy a new home for about $6,000. A flat in Pacific, heights

00:25:22.230 - 00:25:39.910

rented for about $35 a month In 1936. As the cables went up on the bridge, there was a general feeling of optimism about the future san Francisco and the bay area. We're taking a more international outlook. Construction started on Treasure Island, site of the world's fair

00:25:40.020 - 00:25:56.510

and Pan Am inaugurated, clipper service to the pacific when the bay bridge opened in november, the bay area was clearly in a mood to party and party. It did six months later the celebration continued. When the Golden Gate Bridge finally opened, it was a tribute to

00:25:56.510 - 00:26:11.870

the determined spirit of the bay area that the bridge was built during the worst economic period of our history. Yes, a lot has changed since then. But one thing is constant. The Golden Gate Bridge is still a beauty. It sure is right now we're going to

00:26:11.870 - 00:26:25.190

go to kate kelly live at Crissy Field who's standing by with a special guest, a man who put san Francisco on the map with a song Katie. That's right. When someone has style Wendy, they have style Tony Bennett was performing here today in a one time

00:26:25.190 - 00:26:37.630

only performance at Herb's Theater for a private group. But in order to get here tonight and get through these crowds. He was helicopter, took a car and he's here with us now backstage at Crissy Field, Tony Bennett, thank you for coming tonight. You did an awful

00:26:37.630 - 00:26:49.990

lot to get here. It must mean a lot for you to be here. Well of course this is such a beautiful day. It's magnificent. Actually look at that. Great, all those beautiful people there and it's so lovely to be part of all this. Have you had

00:26:49.990 - 00:27:02.290

a chance to watch or participate in any of the celebrations today? I watched all day. Yes, I was watching tv and watching it from my window also. It's a great day for me to watch. I enjoyed it. And you're gonna be part of it in just

00:27:02.290 - 00:27:17.330

a few minutes. Is there anything you're looking forward to tonight in particular? Well, just singing with the San Francisco Symphony is pretty nice. I call that slumming right now. I understand this is not just the 50th anniversary for the bridges is also an anniversary for a

00:27:17.330 - 00:27:31.080

very special song. Well it's the 25th anniversary, it was 25 years ago I recorded, I left my heart in San Francisco. So it it's also another kind of birthday too. So it's very nice. We'll be celebrating both of them here tonight in just a few minutes.

00:27:31.090 - 00:27:45.120

Yes, it's looking forward to. Thank you. Thanks for being out here. That's Tony Bennett, He'll be performing in just a few minutes on stage. That's it From here backstage at Crissy Field, David Wendy. And we're all looking forward to hearing that. That's right. A silver anniversary

00:27:45.120 - 00:28:14.340

of the golden anniversary. That's what they call in show business. A twofer tonight. It's terrific. And we will be right back with more party shenanigans just coming my way beyond the Lincoln highway. Going strong now. Mhm. Welcome back to Sherman house where we're getting ready for

00:28:14.340 - 00:28:30.250

the big party celebration. The fireworks and the entertainment, the wind is driving that overcast back in. Yes, but still high enough that the fireworks should take place, the temperature is dropping, it's getting colder but the party spirit is still warm and best of all, no fog,

00:28:30.260 - 00:28:42.190

which is what we were all worried about. You know, Don Blue has been partying all day long down at Crissy field eating burritos and riding on the rides and doing all that kind of crazy stuff. And we're going to go back to our Channel Five party

00:28:42.190 - 00:28:57.490

boy right now to find out what he's doing right now. Don. Well, I'm not gonna say actually that these people are really partying here, but just a moment ago when the slice blimp went by about 5000 people said mix, bring it on in. This place is

00:28:57.860 - 00:29:07.730

and has been going for for hours and hours. The symphony was just, have you, have you been to the symphony before? Come on over here in the light? No, I haven't in symphony. I just moved here five days ago. Well, I'll tell you what, this is

00:29:07.730 - 00:29:19.320

the kind of thing that happens here. Almost every weekend. There was debate of breakers last weekend. Now, this next weekend. I'm not exactly sure what the event is, but I'll guarantee that if you come back here, there'll be another party. All right. I live here now.

00:29:21.120 - 00:29:33.170

It's going to be absolutely perfect. The party continues now off to doug Murphy. This time of the show, we were going to come up here on the bridge and go car to car and talk to people who are waiting for the fireworks. But guess what? Traffic

00:29:33.170 - 00:29:45.910

is moving. At least here on the bridge, just perfectly. Things are flowing by. I mean, it it's easier than you would expect it to be on a normal sunday night with people going back home to marin County. It's a pretty nice, but backup Doyle drive. We

00:29:45.910 - 00:29:57.380

understand with the people coming into this area. There is some backup. That's the story here on the bridge. Traffic moving, find David Wendy back to you. That was one of the minor miracles. They were able to clear the roadway so quickly. People were so cooperative and

00:29:57.380 - 00:30:09.190

they could get the bridge operating. Everything has been smooth today. Really Tony Bennett. You saw him just a few moments ago. You'll see him in action a little later on. He certainly has immortalized san Francisco and song and when you think about it, we live in

00:30:09.190 - 00:30:25.220

a place that is one of the most celebrated and photographed places in the world. Usually when they photograph in the bay Area, the star of the show is today's birthday girl. The Golden Gate Bridge. If you were a director and could go anywhere in the world

00:30:25.220 - 00:30:42.540

to make a movie, what better place than the mysterious, magical. In fact the only city where a fog machine is never needed san Francisco and the world's greatest prop. Well that would be the Golden Gate bridge. The bridge has been the scene for murder romance and

00:30:42.540 - 00:31:08.000

some pretty amazing cliffhangers. It has been mangled, strangled and seen some spectacular falls. But before it was even completed, the Golden Gate Bridge made its film debut in the 1936 Classic San Francisco from the Ashes rises a vision of the new San Francisco complete with the

00:31:08.010 - 00:31:32.430

half built Golden Gate Bridge. Now one of the most famous san Francisco movies of all time wasn't even shot here. The maltese falcon made ample use of painted city backdrops and model bridges in the tunnel leading to the Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco but Humphrey Bogart

00:31:32.430 - 00:31:51.580

did visit the Golden Gate Bridge in his next san Francisco film dark passage at that time. Hollywood's highest paid actor Bogart brought with him the luminous Lauren bacall, have I done something wrong? I don't know yet, miss, where are you going to san Francisco Now? If

00:31:51.580 - 00:32:06.750

you thought the traffic jam was bad this morning, you should have been there in 1959 when they closed down the bridge for this scene from Stanley Kramer's on the beach. It's 1964 and an all out nuclear war has depopulated most of the world. I always wondered

00:32:06.750 - 00:32:30.040

how the director convinced everyone to evacuate the city. What's the greatest bridge movie of all time? Well, many think it's Alfred Hitchcock's hypnotic thriller, vertigo. Hitchcock put four point on the map in this scene with jimmy Stewart and kim Novak in her greatest role. 20 years

00:32:30.040 - 00:32:52.640

later, Mel brooks returned to Ford Point as a psychiatrist with a fear of heights in this Hitchcock spoof. High anxiety. Oh, I am not going to listen to any more of this. I mean, I've had just about enough. You are an animal. San Francisco 23rd century.

00:32:52.870 - 00:33:10.220

The final frontier. In 1986. The crew of the Starship Enterprise came here to film Star Trek four. How many times have you wished you could do this while crossing the Golden Gate In her 50 years. The Golden Gate Bridge has enhanced some of the greatest films

00:33:10.220 - 00:33:26.900

of all time now. All the stars who have worked with her are coming back for the big bash from all the people who have fallen from the bridge and fallen under her spell. Happy Birthday. Golden Gate Bridge. The cinema salutes you. The only trouble with playing

00:33:26.900 - 00:33:39.030

a scene with the Golden Gate Bridge is you know, going in, you're going to be upstaged. That's right. You know that officially the color of the Golden Gate bridge is called International orange. And do you know one reason why it was chosen? Why was that? Because

00:33:39.030 - 00:34:13.650

you can see it in the fog, take that new york. We'll be right back. Come on! Open up, Open up, Open up that golden gate California here, I mm hmm. Mhm. Anything just a beautiful, beautiful night up here. It is clear that night has fallen. That's

00:34:13.650 - 00:34:25.410

the Jacqueline. We're gonna be going to Mike. Hagen is there in just a second. You know, everyone was so worried about fog tonight. It's, it's a clear night. San Francisco is really in a party mood. People are out on their roofs, you can hear cars honking

00:34:25.420 - 00:34:42.530

people down on the streets. It's a, the neighbors are having a ball and they keep yelling at us over the rooftops. We're going to go right now to mike, Hey goddess who is out in the cold on the chaplain, Michael. Yes, Wendy things have started to

00:34:42.530 - 00:34:53.560

warm up just a little bit here on board the tall ship. Jacqueline and this is one of the reasons this is the dog, watch nautical band. We entice them from upstairs to come on upstairs and provide entertainment. This is john Berger, he's the leader of the

00:34:53.560 - 00:35:07.850

group. Who are the other members of the group, john we got roger bramble on vocals. Gary keeps playing concertina right now. Claire bio harness on dulcimer and Jerri Peterson on the guitar. Alright, a little listening pleasure for you now folks, this is the dog watch nautical

00:35:07.850 - 00:35:38.760

banda, sea shanty. What else? Mm hmm. Mhm. Alright, where else? But on the tall ship, Jacqueline, the high seas brought to life via music. Alright. You got any bands up where you are? Doug McConnell this. We don't have any bands up here but we've got families

00:35:38.760 - 00:35:52.380

with us. My little son Nicholas were keenly waiting for the fireworks. Are you excited honey? Yeah, very excited in marin. We know how to relax and we have a laid back kind of a party. We've got food up here. People are eating, relaxing. The masa family

00:35:52.380 - 00:36:05.010

is right here with me. Are you guys excited about the fireworks coming up? Yes, we can't wait. We can't wait to tell them about that. You can't wait to eat that hot dog. You said something about bridge. But what's the thing about outer space people? If

00:36:05.010 - 00:36:23.130

the spaceman landed right now they'd say look at all these bridge worshipers were bridge worshippers up here tonight. That's for sure. Let's see. We have some other people along here. You guys excited about the fireworks coming up. Whatever that word was, definitely is. And my family

00:36:23.130 - 00:36:38.160

over here to my wife Kathy Kathy, you ready for this one? Unforgettable. Right, I'll tell you very laid back. Very big out here in marin. We're excited about the fireworks and we're looking forward to it now. Kate kelly is standing by with a very, very special

00:36:38.160 - 00:36:50.920

guest kate. That's right. Doug. We're here with Mayor Dianne Feinstein who we saw out on the bridge earlier this morning and she was also right here and now at Crissy Field, you're out of the bridge walk. What's your assessment of all the day's activities? Oh, my

00:36:50.920 - 00:37:07.360

assessment is the people who get the medals are the people. I think people were wonderful. It's been a great crowd. They put up with a lot of inconvenience just to go through the moment And the crowd estimates now are over 800,000 and what was anticipated according

00:37:07.360 - 00:37:24.840

to the experts was anywhere from 10 to 200,000. So you can see there was an overload on all circuits, no major arrests, no major accidents. And um, it was really the people, they were mellow, they cared, they were patient on a very, very crowded and gridlock

00:37:24.850 - 00:37:42.060

bridge. They waited for busses for hours and super. Is there any one aspect of all these celebrations that is particularly special to you? Oh, I think the particularly special part is upcoming. It's going to be the fireworks and the lights. I think we understand it's gonna

00:37:42.060 - 00:37:54.550

be quite a show as someone who grew up here and as someone who's running this city. This must be personally a very unique moment for you. Well, it is a unique moment. I, I forget how special people are and when you see them out here tonight,

00:37:54.730 - 00:38:08.000

um, every size, shape, creed color and you saw them on the bridge and all to go through a moment in history and that's the specialness about this city and you've been right out there in the crowds. We've seen you all day long. Thanks for joining us.

00:38:08.000 - 00:38:21.640

Right now. We look forward to the fireworks. All right. And that's it from off stage here. Dave and Wendy back to you now. Alright, we're just looking at that picture and it looks like daylight there. And actually that's the bandshell, it's about white tenting, that's, that's

00:38:21.820 - 00:38:34.040

enclosing the san Francisco symphony as they play away from the crowd. You just know everything. Well, that's the one thing I do. Okay. One little, one little note for you. One thing, you know, the one thing that I know and this is for other warriors in

00:38:34.040 - 00:38:47.240

the audience like I am, I'm, it's my hobby is worrying. Don't worry about the Golden Gate Bridge during a big earthquake because it's made to withstand an earthquake, the size of the great earthquake in 1906 and now you can rest assured and we will be right

00:38:47.250 - 00:39:16.450

back. Why doesn't that make me feel better san Francisco open your golden gate, you let no stranger wait, who's a knockin whose a knocking outside of your door. Yeah. And the party continues. It is a clear, beautiful night as the city waits for the most spectacular

00:39:16.450 - 00:39:30.880

fireworks show. The west coast has ever seen. It's just beautiful up here and Jan Janet hero is getting a nonstop endurance record. She's been up in the slice. Blimp since before dawn this morning. It's a british made blimp. It has, it comes fully equipped. It even

00:39:30.880 - 00:39:42.260

has a full toilet with a window in it since it's a british what they call it. The loo with the view jan how's the view from from up there? Right now you're just about, we've been up here on the slice flip now all day long all

00:39:42.260 - 00:39:56.090

afternoon and everybody I know you're curious what does it look like inside here It is. This is a slice split not the Goodyear blimp, this is larger than the Goodyear carries 12 paying passengers. And I talked about the view. Look at that windows all around as

00:39:56.090 - 00:40:10.550

we look at the city now, san Francisco looks like a city of jewels, diamonds, rubies, emeralds sparkling toward us. It feels just like riding an airplane, it's six stories high, about twice as long and when the wind comes up, you sort of rock back and forth.

00:40:10.560 - 00:40:23.090

Now we've been up here eight hours a crew robert Ashley and tom descend or have been up here since six this morning. They've enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner and I'll tell you not to worry, there's a facility right back there. And when you use it, you

00:40:23.090 - 00:40:47.610

have a view. We may have the best ride in town, but rita chad and may have come up with the ultimate ride in a vintage biplane. Mhm, mm hmm, mm hmm, mm hmm, mm hmm. Mhm. Just after sunrise, more than two dozen pilots, passengers and vintage

00:40:47.610 - 00:41:11.520

biplanes across the Golden Gate Bridge in a once in a lifetime chance to honor its 50th anniversary. We called ourselves the dawn patrol. Mm hmm, mm hmm. Mhm. We met at marin County's Hamilton Air Force Base. Men and women from all walks of life from all

00:41:11.520 - 00:41:29.130

over the United States led by proud pilots like terry vic who all dreamed of flying over the Golden Gate. This is a chance to not only fly and enjoy the solitude of flying, but in a sense to share it with those people down on the bridge,

00:41:29.450 - 00:42:01.730

right down here. Probably down here are really exciting. Yes, indeedy. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. These planes. Well, they may be antiques, but they've still got a lot of spunk. We were at the bridge and nothing flat. Mm hmm, mm hmm. So noisy. 30.

00:42:03.200 - 00:42:28.270

Thanks. But you have right. It seemed like millions of people and they were watching us as we linked in the sky over one of America's greatest landmarks. A symbol of opportunity, beginnings and homecomings it may take another 50 years before they do it again. But if

00:42:28.270 - 00:42:51.210

I'm around you can bet I'm gonna see it from the sky. Yeah, mm hmm. Rita may have quite a ride in that biplane, but this is like riding in your own living room, 1000 ft in the air. Look at my living room window. Look at the

00:42:51.210 - 00:43:07.350

view from this. We're talking a beautiful city with all the jewels in the world, just sparkly right at us again. I say diamonds, rubies and diamonds and rubies and more dave and Wendy back to you. All right, Thank you, Jan and what a thrill that was

00:43:07.350 - 00:43:21.810

to be on that bridge during the dawn walk and see those planes come over. Yeah, well you're, you're an airplane fan. That's true. That's your big, your big moment. One little more note for you. A fellow by the name of Milton pill Hash tried to push

00:43:21.810 - 00:43:41.500

a pillbox with his nose across the bridge 30 years ago, but He gave up after 100 ft and after people said, you're just a pill, we'll be right back mountain and prairie cattle and dairy under a heaven of blue and right at the tail at the

00:43:41.510 - 00:43:47.500

end of the trail. There are thousands of boats sailing through the golden gang