At first, when I spied the scaffolding strategically-placed around the Castro Theatre, I thought the "old lady" - the architectural beauty from the Art Deco era - was getting a face lift.
Workers on the job informed me that renovations were underway to accommodate a film production company who booked the premises for a location shoot.
According to sources, Director Gus Van Sant was in town to commence shooting on the screen biography of the tragic life of Harvey Milk, who was murdered by co-worker, Dan White.
Sean Penn will play Milk.Other cast members include Josh Brolin who was spotted in the streets of San Francisco sporting a period three-piece suit and a signature page-boy haircut reminiscent of White's.
As the crew attempted to turn back the clock in various locales about the city, producers were putting out a call for locals to sign up to play "extras" for a key scene that will reenact a real-life protest rally which broke out in the turbulent streets of San Francisco in the wake of Milk's untimely death.
Harvey Milk was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1977 and was the first openly-gay elected official of any large city in the United States.
On a National level, Milk was one of three officials in public office, who chose to be "out" to their constituents.
Kathy Kozachenko and Elaine Noble were the other two.
Milk represented District 5 of San Francisco (which included Castro's predominantly gay neighborhood) until his term was cut short at the murderous hands of Dan White on November 27 (1978) at City Hall.
Prior to that fateful day, Dan White resigned from the Board of Supervisors over a gay rights bill he opposed.Because Moscone was vested with the power to choose Dan White's successor, it became evident to his opponents, that Moscone would be able to tip the Board's balance of power in his favor on political and social issues if he was so inclined.
In view of this, a handful of politicians supporting the city's conservative agenda (Senator Dianne Feinstein included) talked White into changing his mind.
Subsequently, White did an about-face and asked Moscone to re-appoint him to his former seat.
Allegedly, Moscone indicated a willingness to do so; but later - along with a handful of liberal city leaders - ended up lobbying against the idea.
Ultimately, Harvey Milk decided not to re-appoint White.
Angered by the decision, the former City Supervisor crawled through a basement window of the building to avoid metal detectors on that fateful day in November, and proceeded to carry out his pre-meditated plans to murder Milk.
White intended to meet with Moscone to make a final desperate plea for a re-appointment. But, when Moscone refused to carry out his wishes, irate White shot Moscone to death in cold blood, instead.
Then, he marched into Milk's office and killed him point-blank, as well.
Milk appeared to have a premonition about his death.
In fact, it has been reported that the thought of an assassination attempt continually haunted the politician during his years in public life.
In a political will (marked "read in the event of my assassination") he wrote:
"If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door."
White was convicted of two counts of voluntary manslaughter and sent to prison for seven years and eight months.
On the heels of the sentencing, word about the travesty of justice ran through the gay community, prompting many groups to start walking to the Civic Center.
By 8:00 p.m. that evening, a sizable crowd had gathered.
According to the documentary - "The Times of Harvey Milk" - the enraged crowd screamed at police officers and called for revenge - and ultimately - Milk's death.
Then, angry mobs proceeded to torch police vehicles, disrupt traffic, and vandalize public property.
The overhead wires of busses were also ripped down.
When physical violence broke out against the out-numbered police officers, many of the distraught rioters were arrested.
The Chief of Police, Charles Gain, was blamed for being too weak in his response, and holding back his officers at a time when many felt they should have been defending lives and property.
In defense, Gain pointed out that at least no one was dead, and that only a few suffered minor injuries.
In fact, one-hundred-and-sixty people were hospitalized.
White's remarkably light sentence was granted in response to what is now referred to as the "twinkie defense".
At the trial, White's attorney argued that the defendant could not be held accountable for his actions due to the fact he had eaten excessive amounts of junk food on the day of the crimes which had adversely affected his mental and emotional stability and reasoning faculties.
White was paroled after six years in prison and committed suicide shortly thereafter.
Understandably, Milk's untimely death impacted a multitude of individuals, right from the get-go.
In the year following his death, 100,000 people marched on the Nation's capitol in support of Gay civil rights, wildly chanting "Harvey Milk Lives".
In essence, they were carrying the torch for a man they had come to deeply respect and love.
After all, his accomplishments were many.
For instance, in his eleven months as a Supervisor, he sponsored a gay rights bill for the City of San Francisco.
Milk also instituted the infamous pooper-scooper ordinance which required animal owners to "pick up" after their pets.
The visionary politician was also instrumental in defeating Proposition 6 - known as "The Briggs Initiative" - which would have allowed openly gay men and lesbian teachers to be fired based on their sexuality.
With Gus Van Sant's deft directing hands at the wheel, I expect no stone will be left unturned in this much-anticipated screen bio.
The award-winning auteur will undoubtedly turn out a gripping account of the shocking events in a manner that is sure to touche the hearts and minds of filmgoers.
Can't wait to screen it, can you?
