The iconic scene where Madeleine falls from the tower was filmed at Mission San Juan Bautista, which was a Spanish mission in California. It was associate producer Herbert Coleman’s daughter who suggested the beautiful bell tower. However, the steeple, which was added after the original construction of the mission, had burned down in a fire.

According to Auiler, Hitchcock had no choice but to add a bell tower using scale models, matte paintings, and trick photography, all within the Paramount studio lot in Los Angeles. The real tower was smaller than the film's version, and the staircase was also built inside a studio, where Hitchcock preferred to film. He shot only what was necessary on location, then recreated things in the studio so that he could totally control the environment.

According to Auiler, Hitchcock had no choice but to add a bell tower using scale models, matte paintings, and trick photography, all within the Paramount studio lot in Los Angeles. The real tower was smaller than the film's version, and the staircase was also built inside a studio, where Hitchcock preferred to film. He shot only what was necessary on location, then recreated things in the studio so that he could totally control the environment.