Day the Earth Caught Fire, The
Date: 1961
Director: Val Guest
Production Company: Melina Productions, Pax Films
Stars: Janet Munro, Leo McKern, Edward Judd, Michael Goodliffe, Bernard Braden
Location(s): Berkshire, London
Region(s): London C-D, South East A-D
Storyline:
A newspaper reporter investigates a changing climate after the world’s super-powers simultaneously test nuclear bombs that send the Earth out of orbit.
Additional Information:
Replacement and additional screen captures by Phil Wilkinson, with uncredited comparison shots by John and Brian Tunstill
Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
Various matte shots of the heat scorched Capital open the feature.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
As a police car comes into view, it's loudspeaker booms “The time is now 10.41, 19 minutes before countdown. 19 minutes.” A matte featuring Piccadilly Circus as seen from Regent Street.
- Capture 3
- 16 Feb 2018
Journalist Peter Stenning (Edward Judd) enters the Daily Express building on Fleet Street in London EC4 to write what may be his final piece. The street features in 'Brothers in Law', 'Children of Men', 'The Primitives', 'The Rough and the Smooth', 'Dead Lucky', 'Front Page Story' and 'Who Done It?' amongst many other productions.
Peter found the same place with changes to the surrounding buildings.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
Ninety days earlier, rain lashes down as Peter returns to the office in Bill Maguire’s car. Looking onto Shoe Lane off Fleet Street.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Getting out of the Morris Minor, Peter is met by Ronnie (Robin Hawdon) who tells him that Dick Sanderson is looking for him.
- Capture 6
- 10 Mar 2018
As the rain continues, a taxi brings Peter to the Air Ministry. Facing west on Horse Guards Avenue SW1 with Whitehall in the distance.
Looking towards a setting sun. SJ
- Capture 7
- 10 Mar 2018
The reporter runs into the building to question Sir John Kelly about the erratic weather plaguing the world. Outside the Board of Trade and Air Ministry building on Horse Guards Avenue. The street features in 'The Sexplorer', 'The Jokers', 'Make Mine a Million', 'Tomorrow at Ten' and 'Two Weeks in September'.
Less pavement occupied by an additional wall. SJ
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Peter Stenning and Science Correspondent Bill Maguire (Leo McKern) head to Harry’s bar after an evening of rewriting the headline news when reports of a second nuclear test are received. Looking onto Fleet Street from the Daily Express building.
- Capture 9
- 19 Feb 2018
Bill tries to console divorcee Peter as the pair arrive outside Harry's bar. St. Bride’s Avenue off Fleet Street in EC4. The narrow thoroughfare also features in 'Something In The City'.
Peter brings a bit of colour to the scene.
- Capture 10
- 16 Feb 2018
Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square SW1, beneath which a Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament rally is in progress.
A bright winter sky graces Peter's comparison.
- Capture 11
- 11 Mar 2018
The protestors voice their opinions about the recent simultaneous nuclear bomb tests by the United States and the Soviet Union. Trafalgar Square with the Royal College of Physicians in the left background and the fourth, empty, plinth on the right.
Peter found fewer people about on the day of his visit.
- Capture 12
- 10 Apr 2018
Pro-bomb campaigners arrive in the square. Outside the National Gallery to the north of Trafalgar Square. A location seen many times before, including in 'The Mackintosh Man', ‘Yield to the Night’, ‘The Crooked Sky’ and ‘Foreign Correspondent’.
A similar view from Peter.
- Capture 13
- 15 May 2018
Peter looks through the crowd as scuffles between the opposing groups begin. Trafalgar Square with Whitehall in the right of centre background.
'Our' Peter admits he struggled to find the right angle.
- Capture 14
- 29 Nov 2008
With fights breaking out all over the square, Peter helps a bystander out of the fountain that he has been knocked into.
Now. SJ.
- Capture 15
- 14 Apr 2018
Spotting a nearby television crew, Peter heads for the relative safety of their van. Looking towards Admiralty Arch and The Mall.
Peter provides this rainy view.
- Capture 16
- 02 Oct 2018
Also sheltering on the van's roof, a Daily Herald reporter is shocked when he looks towards the sky. Buildings at the junction of Strand, Northumberland Avenue and Charing Cross stand to the left.
No sign of the Earth catching fire in Peter's comparison.
- Capture 17
- 04 Apr 2018
Peter and the news Cameraman turn to see an unpredicted eclipse of the sun. The dome of the National Gallery stands in the left distance.
The same background now, taken by Peter who recalls his youth and climbing onto the roof with a young friend.
- Capture 18
- 04 Apr 2018
Jumping down from the van, Peter grabs a Tourists camera and takes a picture of the event.
Peter provides this, less crowded comparison.
- Capture 19
- 11 May 2018
A second unit or stock shot of the Brighton seafront and Palace Pier is seen as newspapers report temperatures reaching 95 degrees.
A mere 66 degrees today. The shot seems to have been taken from a building on Grand Junction Road. My shot was taken opposite, from the top of a stationary open top tour bus. (SD)
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required
Summer wear is the fashion of the day as everyone enjoys the sizzling heat.
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required
At Battersea Fun Fair, Peter enjoys a rare afternoon with his son. The fair was located in Battersea Park SW11.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required
Michael Stenning (Ian Ellis) tells his Dad that he wants to go on all the rides before settling for the ghost train.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required
The concerned Nanny (Jain Aird) looks on as Peter and Michael run over to the chosen ride.
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required
Peter listens as the Nanny tells him that it's time for Michael to leave. Various parts of Battersea Fun Fair are seen in ‘The File of the Golden Goose’, 'Gorgo', 'Counterspy', 'Seventy Deadly Pills', 'The Wrong Arm of the Law', 'The Mutations', ‘Torture Garden’, ‘The Internecine Project’ and 'Bedazzled'.
- Capture 25
- 14 Oct 2019
Leaving the fair, Peter picks up the latest editions before spotting Jeannie Craig, who he had earlier upset at the Air Ministry. Outside the Fun Fair on The Parade, Carriage Drive North with the Tree Walk right of centre.
Dave W provides a shot of the tranquil scene now on Carriage Drive North adding that the cafe just out of shot does good tea. (RL)
- Capture 26
- 'Now' required
While Peter gets to know Jeannie better, crowds gather along the Thames as a dense fog moves down river.
- Capture 27
- 'Now' required
Following the unprecedented fog, violent storms and winds sweep across the country. This is a matte of London featuring what appears to be the OXO Tower in the centre distance.
- Capture 28
- 'Now' required
Morning dawns over a swollen River Thames as the population assess the damage from the previous evenings storm. Looking towards Albert Bridge with the chimneys of Lots Road power station in the left distance.
- Capture 29
- 25 May 2018
Bells toll as the heat returns to scorch the City. The dome of St. Paul's Cathedral in EC4.
The famous dome, by Peter.
- Capture 30
- 19 Feb 2018
The doom of mankind is preached on the streets. St. Paul's Churchyard with the Statue of Queen Anne to the left.
Peter provides a wider shot of the area.
- Capture 31
- 19 Feb 2018
Workers patch up damaged buildings. Looking along Ludgate Hill to St. Paul's Cathedral.
Buses create a differently cluttered view from Peter.
- Capture 32
- 15 Jan 2009
Peter arrives back at the Daily Express after spending the night with Jeannie. Outside the Daily Express building on Fleet Street.
Just Fleet Street strewn with the odd paper and car. SJ
- Capture 33
- 'Now' required
When Jeannie phones Peter with information about the climate change he returns to Battersea Park. This is the boating pool within the Fun Fair.
- Capture 34
- 'Now' required
Peter finds Jeannie next to the boating lake. This is the Cremorne Beer Garden and Lynne Robinson tells us that the boating pool was one of the 'rides' within the Fun Fair and that nothing now remains.
- Capture 35
- 'Now' required
To prevent being overheard as she tells what she knows, Jeannie takes Peter on the big wheel. Battersea Fun Fair within Battersea Pleasure Gardens.
- Capture 36
- Pre 2008
Finding Bill inside their favourite watering hole, Peter takes him outside. Nick Hall confirms the location as St. Bride's Avenue, London EC4.
The same location . . . . but no Harry's bar.
- Capture 37
- Pre 2008
Bill starts to explain when Peter asks what the nutation of the Earth is. St Bride's Avenue off Fleet Street.
Brian Tunstill on the same corner.
- Capture 38
- 18 Sep 2018
Peter tells his horrified colleague that it has changed. St. Bride's Avenue with the entrance to St. Bride's church on the right.
Peter provides this shot of the same corner.
- Capture 39
- Pre 2008
Checking Peter's notes, Bill declares that "They've shifted the tilt of the Earth". Outside P. A. Reuters on Fleet Street.
John Tunstill looking querulous, because his little brother is %$&?$3 about with the camera! Screw holes where the Reuters sign used to be. But is this the right place? Maybe, we've pictured the wrong corner here? It should be the wall around the corner, the one facing Fleet Street. Still it was brother Brian's fault. He, after all took the picture!
- Capture 40
- 'Now' required
After the story is written and the papers printed, news vans stream from the Express building. Shoe Lane alongside the Daily Express building.
- Capture 41
- 'Now' required
Distribution of the disturbing news continues through the night. Another sight from the past as newspapers are loaded onto trains.
- Capture 42
- 'Now' required
Peter arrives outside Jeannie's flat to find that she has been taken into preventative custody by a Security Officer. This has the look and feel of a studio set.
- Capture 43
- 18 Sep 2018
In the afternoon, vans begin to leave the premises of the Evening Standard. Looking along Shoe Lane with Standard House on the right.
A rather changed view captured by Peter.
- Capture 44
- 'Now' required
The evening papers carry news of riots around the world. The junction of Shoe Lane and St. Andrew Street with Winton House to the left. Neither Standard House, which appears in 'The Guilty Party' and 'Profile', or Winton House survive but the junction is seen in 'Hue and Cry'.
- Capture 45
- 'Now' required
More of St. Andrew Street in EC4 with Holborn Circus in the right distance.
- Capture 46
- 19 Feb 2018
The Evening News reports that the Prime Minister is to make an announcement. New Carmelite House on Carmelite Street EC4.
The same remodeled location captured by Peter.
- Capture 47
- 'Now' required
A line of yellow news vans heads for shops and vendors throughout the City. Facing south on Carmelite Street with a tree line Victoria Embankment in the left background. The street also appears in 'Hidden City'.
- Capture 48
- 29 Apr 2018
The Prime Minister's broadcast on the BBC attempts to calm the public. Broadcasting House on Portland Place W1. The location is seen in many other productions including including ‘You Made Me Love You’, ‘Death at Broadcasting House’, ‘Once a Jolly Swagman’, ‘The Oracle’, ‘Band Wagon’, ‘No Trace’, ‘The Happy Family’, 'Helter Skelter', ‘Mother Riley Meets the Vampire’, ‘Back Room Boy’, ‘The Voice of Merrill’ and ‘Give My Regards To Broad Street’.
Peter's Portland Place picture.
- Capture 49
- 29 Apr 2018
The citizens of London listen as the transmission is relayed through speakers in the street. Outside Broadcasting House on Portland Place with All Saints' church visible to the top right.
The background has changed dramatically in this shot by Peter.
- Capture 50
- 16 Feb 2018
Crowds listen to the Prime Minister in Trafalgar Square.
Not as crowded in Peter's more recent shot.
- Capture 51
- Pre 2008
Fire engine bells are heard as Peter and Bill leave Harry's bar following the broadcast. Looking onto Fleet Street from the corner of St. Bride's Avenue.
Only the right hand corner stonework remains.
- Capture 52
- 15 Jan 2009
A Reporter runs from the Daily Express building and gets into a cab to report on a major fire in Covent Garden. Fleet Street with the Daily Express building to the left.
Across the road now. SJ.
- Capture 53
- 10 Oct 2019
Through the night, fire engines speed to fires breaking out all over the land. This sequence is borrowed from 'The Quatermass Xperiment' and shows the corner of High Street and Church Lane in Bray, Berkshire.
Taken by Antony Blair, this is the same house facing The Hind’s Head public house at Bray.
- Capture 54
- 10 Oct 2019
The camera follows the appliance. High Street, Bray in Berkshire.
The same scene as it looks now, captured by Antony.
- Capture 55
- 25 May 2018
As reservoirs dry up, fire breaks out on Hampstead Heath. Looking along Hampstead High Street NW3 from the junction with Heath Street.
A similar view by Tris.
- Capture 56
- 25 May 2018
The AEC Merryweather speeds past Hampstead Heath station at the corner of Heath Street and Hampstead High Street.
Tris captures the station's facade now.
- Capture 57
- 'Now' required
Record temperatures continue to be recorded as Richmond Park goes up in flames.
- Capture 58
- 'Now' required
River Police call the public's attention to a further broadcast by the Prime Minister after confirmation is received that the Earth is moving towards the sun.
- Capture 59
- Pre 2008
As Army water trucks pass in the background Peter heads to Battersea Park to meet his son. Chelsea Bridge crossing the Thames between Chelsea and Battersea. The structure appears in many productions including 'Absolute Beginners', 'Pygmalion', 'Soapbox Derby', 'Col cuore in gola', 'The Mutations', 'Emil and the Detectives', 'Up the Junction' and 'Panic'.
Chelsea Bridge now, and the screw holes are still there where the sign used to be!
- Capture 60
- 'Now' required
Peter is denied access to the park during water rationing hours. This is a set based on the entrance to Battersea Park's Carriage Drive North.
- Capture 61
- 'Now' required
After the Prime Minister tells the country that further bombs are to be detonated to correct the Earth's progress towards the sun, a young Policeman (Michael Caine) redirects Peter as roads around Jeannie's flat are closed because of rioting.
- Capture 62
- 'Now' required
Beatniks revel in the streets outside Jeannie's apartment block. A studio set included for completeness.
- Capture 63
- 'Now' required
Peter arrives on the street where Jeannie lives to see the the unruly mob. More of the studio set.
- Capture 64
- 16 Feb 2018
Jeannie is rescued by Peter and the two are driven back to Fleet Street by police. This aspect of St. Paul's Cathedral is also seen in 'The Glass Cage' and 'Lawrence of Arabia'.
St. Paul's in full colour, by Peter.
- Capture 65
- 16 Feb 2018
The countdown towards detonation of the nuclear devices continues. St. Paul’s Church Yard EC4.
Peter provides this more lively view of the location.
- Capture 66
- 15 Jan 2009
Jeannie and Peter arrive back at the Daily Express offices on Fleet Street.
I think the screen capture is the real thing. SJ.
- Capture 67
- Pre 2008
Peter, Bill and Jeannie come out of the offices and head across to Harry’s bar to listen to the final seconds of the countdown. Outside the Daily Express building on Fleet Street in EC4 which is also seen in 'Time Without Pity', 'Moment of Indiscretion' and 'Wedding Rehearsal'.
The Daily Express building now. The newspaper has gone but the building remains, including the really super Art Deco inside.
- Capture 68
- 24 Feb 2018
“So man has sown the wind and reaped the whirlwind. Perhaps, in the next few hours, there will be no remembrance of the past and no hope for the future that might have been.” A panoramic shot begins at the clock of the Daily Telegraph building, now known as Peterborough House and Mersey Hose on Fleet Street.
Peter provides this ground level view of the refurbished clock.
- Capture 69
- 'Now' required
“All the works of man will be consumed in the great fire out of which he was created.” A transition brings the dark Daily Express building into view.
- Capture 70
- 'Now' required
“But perhaps at the heart of the burning light into which he has thrust his world, there is a heart that cares more for him than he has ever cared for himself.” Panning eastward, the Fleet Building on Stonecutter Street appears.
- Capture 71
- 'Now' required
“And if there is a future for man, insensitive as he is, proud and defiant in his pursuit of power, let him resolve to live it lovingly, for he knows well how to do so.” Further on, the spire of The Guild Church of Saint Martin within Ludgate on Ludgate Hill comes into shot.
- Capture 72
- 24 Feb 2018
“Then he may say once more, truly the light is sweet, and what a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the sun.” And finally, with an upbeat peel of bells added for the American market, the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London EC4.
A last street level shot from Peter.