Killing of Sister George, The
Date: 1968
Director: Robert Aldrich
Production Company: American Broadcasting Comany (ABC)
Stars: Beryl Reid, Susannah York, Coral Browne, Ronald Fraser, Patricia Medina, High Paddick, Cyril Delevanti, Sivi Aberg, William Beckley, Elaine Church, Brendan Dillon, Mike Freeman, Maggie Page, Jack Raine, Dolly Taylor, Meier Tzelniker, Cicely Walper, Byron Webster
Location(s): Berkshire, California, London, Oxfordshire
Region(s): London H-L, N. America, South East E-L
Storyline:
When it is decided to kill off Sister George, a character in a BBC soap opera, an actress’s life begins to fall apart. The only role open to her now is that of a cartoon cow in a children’s programme and her girlfriend leaves her for another woman.
Additional Information:
As a relatively early upload to the website the film has been readdressed by Richard Lovejoy with additional captures and uploaded in accordance with our current criteria and style.
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- Capture 1
- 27 Jul 2010
June Buckridge aka "George" (Beryl Reid), anxiously trying to contact her house partner, after a few drinks rushes out of the film's Marquis of Granby pub . . . The Holly Bush at 22 Holly Mount, Hampstead, London NW3
Now. SJ.
- Capture 2
- 23 Nov 2008
. . . . and down the road on her way to their home to meet with her partner Alice "Childie" McNaught (Susannah York), who she was cross with on the telephone because she wasn't at home when she first called, to tell her that she believes that she is to be "killed off" in her soap. Holly Mount, Hampstead, London NW3 towards Heath Street. The pub also features in 'For Them that Trespass', 'Hampstead', 'Strangler's Web' and 'Finding Your Feet'.
Spotted and snapped by Adrian Grepnold.
- Capture 3
- 23 Nov 2008
About to turn the corner . . . still Holly Mount.
Captured by Adrian Grepnold.
- Capture 4
- 23 Nov 2008
. . . and hurry down a quaint series of passageways and alleys. Holly Bush Steps looking downward east.
Again by Adrian Grepnold.
- Capture 5
- 23 Nov 2008
Looking back at her westward. Holly Bush Steps.
Adrian Grepnold once more.
- Capture 6
- 23 Nov 2008
Still descending Holly Bush Steps.
Adrian confirms the location as Holly Bush Steps.
- Capture 7
- 23 Nov 2008
We follow her as she enters a courtyard off Holly Bush Steps.
Another from Adrian whilst retracing George's route.
- Capture 8
- 25 May 2011
Then taking a pathway from Holly Mount to Heath Street.
The pathway from Holly Mount to Heath Street sleuthed and captures by Keith Wickham.
- Capture 9
- 25 Feb 2024
Paul Lincoln found the location to be Holly Hill, NW8 looking south.
Having established the location Paul found that the tree in the capture has long gone.
- Capture 10
- 25 Feb 2024
The end is in sight. Mount Vernon, NW8 looking north with Mount Vernon Cottages behind the camera, with thanks to Paul Lincoln.
Paul did well to capture the same location despite the changes in street furniture.
- Capture 11
- 23 Nov 2008
George finally emerges into Heath Street with Back Lane behind her.
Adrian captures the view now.
- Capture 12
- 23 Nov 2008
Shortly to appear in Mount Vernon Holly Hill end.
Adrian took the picture and confirms that the house sign at the far left is still there.
- Capture 13
- 18 Jun 2013
George is back in Holly Mount once more.
Looking towards Heath Street, London NW3 confirmed. (PW)
- Capture 14
- 19 May 2011
Coming from the end of Holly Mount to emerge in Heath Street, Hampstead, NW3 Found by Keith Wickham.
Found and photographed by Keith Wickham.
- Capture 15
- 19 May 2011
Mount Vernon junction with Holly Walk found by Keith Wickham.
Once again confirmed by Keith Wickham.
- Capture 16
- 25 May 2011
The Director is playing with us here, The Dove public house stands on Lower Mall in Hammersmith W6.
Keithn Wickham went off piste to fonfirm the location.
- Capture 17
- 23 Nov 2008
Switching back to NW3 and Mount Vernon, Frognal end, resolved by Adrian Grepnold.
Adrian also provided this comparative shot.
- Capture 18
- 04 Jun 2009
Back to Hammersmith and W6 once again and Lower Mall, so often seen 'Burnt Evidence', 'Duffer', 'Theatre of Blood' . . . .
Now. SJ.
- Capture 19
- 09 Jan 2009
- 07 Jun 2024
Eventually arriving at her destination Rutland Mews SW7, here looking north.
Looking north. SJ.
Taken slightly further back, but still without the aerial aspect. SJ
- Capture 20
- 09 Jan 2009
- 07 Jun 2024
She eventually approaches her home still very angry that Childie was not at home when she tried to call her. 10 Rutland Mews South, London SW7 looking north.
And again. SJ.
And again with more bending of the knees. SJ
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required
Thereafter, always expecting to be formally told of her future and perhaps humiliated in front of the rest of the cast, "George" storms out of the TV Centre. Steve Randall found this to be, not the BBC TV Centre, but the Bayramian Hall of California State University, Northridge, California a long way from London, but close to the studios! See also capture 33. For the purposes of access Etwanda Avenue is the closest.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required
And into a nearby pub where she "drowns her sorrows" until closing time. Is that van strategically parked to hide some background? Strange reflections, could this be a set? Unknown location.
- Capture 23
- 11 Dec 2008
- 11 Dec 2024
We cut to her in the City of London, somewhat the worse for drink, talking to herself about her talents. King Street, London EC2.
Location confirmed by SJ with vacant space developed.
Less scaffolding now. SJ
- Capture 24
- 11 Dec 2008
- 11 Dec 2024
"Sister George playing the part of Sister George what a way to spend an Easter". King Street, London EC2
Now. Heading north to Gresham Street. SJ.
An opportunity for a more accurate comparison with the Eat no longer serving. SJ
- Capture 25
- 12 Feb 2024
She hails a cab. King Street, London EC2
Paul Lincoln found himself very much alone in the City.
- Capture 26
- 12 Feb 2024
"Taxi!" King Street junction with Gresham Street, London EC2
Paul did wonder if this an accident waiting to happen.
- Capture 27
- 11 Dec 2008
- 11 Dec 2024
She jumps into the cab that is already occupied by two nuns. It soon comes to a stop when George misbehaves and a car runs into the back of the taxi. The taxi driver (Sam Kydd) drags her from his cab and chaos is created at the junction. The junction of King Street and Gresham Street, London EC2
Guildhall Yard on the corner of Gresham Street. SJ.
A closer, perhaps too close, comparison today. SJ
- Capture 28
- 'Now' required
We cut to see "George" in an episode of her soap on a television as she arrives home. Unknown location.
- Capture 29
- 09 Jan 2009
- 07 Jun 2024
An argument with Childie follows and George storms out of the home. Rutland Mews South looking south.
10 Rutland Mews South, now rebuilt. SJ.
An improved match. SJ
- Capture 30
- 07 Jun 2024
George crosses the mews to call on Betty Thaxter (Patricia Medina), the door is opened by Maude (Maggie Paige). 19 Rutland Mews South.
A slightly wider shot with the knocker still intact. SJ
- Capture 31
- 09 Jan 2009
- 07 Jun 2024
The following day after a tense afternoon not knowing whether George is to be written out of the soap she and Childie go out for the evening at the Gateways Club. Rutland Mews South looking south.
10 Rutland Mews South, now rebuilt. SJ.
Much the same as in 2009. SJ
- Capture 32
- 09 Jan 2009
- 07 Jun 2024
Just as they are leaving a taxi pulls up opposite with Betty and her "Client". 19 Rutland Mews South.
Grafton Cottage, 19 Rutland Mews South opposite from ground level. SJ.
More greenery. SJ
- Capture 33
- 'Now' required
Eventually she learns that her end is indeed almost nigh and unable to change decisions at the BBC, leaving a meeting she immediately makes a telephone call to Childie with a view to having lunch. Don't be fooled by the telephone box, Steve Randall found this to be, not the BBC TV Centre, but the Bayramian Hall of California State University, Northridge, California. See also Capture 21. For the purposes of access Etwanda Avenue is the closest.
- Capture 34
- 'Now' required
We watch the episode on TV and see the lorry with which she is to have her fatal accident cross Henley Bridge. Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. The bridge can also be seen in 'Diamonds on Wheels', 'Half a Sixpence' and 1956's 'Three Men in a Boat'.
- Capture 35
- 'Now' required
. . . and now George on her motorbike, followed by the lorry. The junction of Church Avenue and Wharfe Lane, Henley-on-Thames.
- Capture 36
- 'Now' required
The lorry has to use a small lane in this rural idyll. Unknown location.
- Capture 37
- 'Now' required
"The Killing of Sister George". Remenham Lane, Remenham, Berkshire with St Mary & St Nicholas Church in the background.
- Capture 38
- 'Now' required
After the recording of the episode George waits for Childie to leave work. She was not at work. No spoilers, no more locations. Unknown location.