"I Am Legend" based on the short novel of Richard Matheson, has come in many film reincarnations. The first is the Italian flick: "The Last Man on Earth" (1964), starring Vincent Price. The vampires are a little weird, but some of the most dramatic scenes from Richard Matheson's book are captured faithfully, including the wife's crypt, the burning pits, and the wooden stakes driven into the hearts of sleeping vampires. Neville even has garlic strung around his Italian farm house.

George Romero made his great independant flick "Night of the Living Dead" in the Pittsburgh area in 1968. He credits "Legend" as his inspiration. One of the best movies of all time, it inspired others to undertake independent film.

In 1971, "Legend" was made into "Omega Man" starring Charleston Heston. A great movie, it departed from the text of the book in significant ways. Again terrific, just not a "Legend."

Hollywood attempted a remake in the late 1990s, but budget problems led to the cancellation of that, and other big-budget movies. Just as well. I can't picture Arnold Schwarzeneger in the role of Neville.

It took Will Smith to get a new version going. Into the mix went Akiva Goldsman, who co-scripted "I, Robot" (2004) and Francis Lawrence, who directed Will's "Men in Black" music video, and more recently: "Constantine" (2005).

The new version began filming in Washington Square Park in late 2006. The evacuation scenes were filmed in January, 2007. When shooting was ready to resume in January, The New York Times declared: "Vampires are coming." A week later, it did a much more comprehensive article on the background and making of "I Am Legend": "Vampire Lore That Won’t Die" I especially like the Goldsman quote in the last line of the article: "[Matheson] is like H. G. Wells and William Gibson, people who do a little leapfrogging imaginatively. And you wait around long enough, and suddenly you’re in one of their books." Wouldn't it be great to get some really good film versions of the "Neuromancer Trilogy"? I'll sign up for that one now. But back to "Legend."

The Downtown Express had a good article on planning the filming down Dover Street, as well as its effect on the neighborhood. And The New Yorker noted: " 'I Am Legend' is, in terms of size, length, and logistics, one of the most ambitious location shoots that has ever taken place in the city."

This isn't everything out there, but it is a good start. And enough to whet my appetite for the movie.

A final note. I found a good article on Hotel 17 before my trip to the City. The place has a vintage feel, and it was clean and tidy. Residents of the floors do share bathrooms, but that's not a problem when you take a shower at 4:00 AM.