Cloak & Dagger (1984)

[neferetus]

While not actually an Alamo-related movie, this 1984 Fantasy/Spy Thriller is set in present-day San Antonio and takes the viewer on a nice visual tour of the town. Starring Henry Thomas, of ET fame and Dabney Coleman, the plot takes you to the Japanese Sunken Gardens in Brackenridge Park, The Riverwalk, a barge ride on the river, the Arenson River Theater, the Casa Rio Mexican restaurant, Downtown San Antonio and, of course, The Alamo. While scenes on Alamo Plaza and the area in front of the Alamo are all done in San Antonio closeups of the Alamo and the interior of the chapel were shot on reconstructions at Universal Studios. As a a matter of fact, the Universal Studios Alamo set used in Steven Spielberg's ALAMO JOBE was originally built for CLOAK & DAGGER.

A nice little film for the entire family, CLOAK & DAGGER's San Antonio setting allows those of you who haven't been there yet, an opportunity to sample the sights and sounds of the Alamo City.

CLOAK & DAGGER synopsis, from the DVD cover: Davey Osborne is an imaginative youngster who loves role-playing games and who often enlists the aid of his best friend, an imaginary super-spy named Jack Flack. One day he witnesses a real murder of an FBI agent who passes a videogame called "Cloak & Dagger" to him before he dies. When the police come, the body is gone and no one believes him, including his father, Col. Hal Osborne, Soon Davey finds himself up to his neck in hairsbreath escapes, real bullets and slam-bang action, as the hitmen close in. Can Jack save him before time runs out? CLOAK & DAGGER stars Henry Thomas, of E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Dabney Coleman, in a dual role of Jack and Davey's father and Michael Murphy.

PRODUCTION NOTE: While watching the end credits for CLOAK & DAGGER, I noticed that stuntman Dean Smith of THE ALAMO (1960) also did some stunt work for this film!

[neferetus]

Just as in the later ALAMO JOBE, in CLOAK & DAGGER, when young Davey Osborne (Henry Thomas) enters the Alamo, it is but a close-up of the door and pillars at the Universal Studios backlot. The set has since been completed to include the upper window and statues niches, as well as a peculiar hump.

[neferetus]

I wish that I had a photo of the Alamo chapel interior set from CLOAK & DAGGER. Maybe someday I'll find one. (Or Bromhead can do a screen capture.)

One nice detail about Davey Osborne's stroll through the chapel is the voice of the docent in the background as she relates the history of the building. The docent explains that, if you look at the back wall of the apse, you can see just how high the original wall was at the time of the battle. She goes on to explain how General Cos had built a ramp and gun platform there in 1835. While little details like this may be lost on the general viewer, to an Alamo buff, they are certainly appreciated.

[Bromhead24]

I'll try to get some screen caps

[neferetus]

So, just how are those screen caps coming along, Bromhead?

[Greg C.]

neferetus said:

Its a shame they had to stick that door there on the side...it takes away from the historical accuracy of the set piece.

[neferetus]

Well, here's how it looks now. As you can see, the door has been turned into a window.

[seguin]

Interesting to see the difference in those two pics! I would like to see that movie one day so I could get a look at "Alamo City"...

[Bromhead24]

neferetus said:

Well, here's how it looks now. As you can see, the door has been turned into a window.

It took me a while to see the church, i was focused on the lovley ladies ;D

[neferetus]

Here's a circa 1998 photo of the Alamo set that I took from the Universal Studios tram. Note how
there are still statues in the niches.

[Bromhead24]

I need the DVD so i can make screen shots.

[neferetus]

bromhead24 said:

I need the DVD so i can make screen shots.

Well, don't put yourself out too much, searching. Perhaps Netflix might have it.

[Bromhead24]

I have it in my queue but untill i'm able to recover the screen capture software from my old computer it may be a while

[neferetus]

Good deal. How long might it take to recover your screen saver software from your old computer? (And how do you like your new computer, so far?)