Rattle of a Simple Man

Date: 1964
Director: Muriel Box
Production Company: Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC), Sydney Box Productions

Stars: Harry H. Corbett, Diane Cilento, Michael Medwin
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

A group of northern football fans go on a coach trip to watch a Cup Final in London. After the match, whilst in a strip club, one of them decides to prove to his capabilities of picking up a lady to his mates.  What starts off as a one night stand with a lady of the night, evolves into him believing he has found love.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Ray Edwards

Buy this film on Amazon link

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.

  • 'Now' required

Opening scenes show our stars loading onto coaches and departing for London from Manchester. Christine Smith tells us that her Grandfather, Bill Lees, was a North Western Road Car Company driver who drove one of the coaches.

Piccadilly Circus looking towards Glasshouse Street, London W1 Circa 1964

On the look out for pubs and entertainment, Ginger (Michael Medwin) leads his fellow supporters along a street in London.

Piccadilly Circus looking towards Glasshouse Street.

Dave W provides the location and a shot to support. West end of Coventry Street but could equally be called Piccadilly Circus looking towards Glasshouse Street, London W1 (RL)

After finding a strip club, Percy (Harry H. Corbett) and his new found lady friend Cyrenne (Diane Cilento) step outside to get a taxi back to her place. This is Hanway Street in London W1 which also features in 'Assassin for Hire', 'Emil and the Detectives', 'Expresso Bongo' and 'Play it Cool'.

The very same location. (PW)

Percy, inside the taxi, arrives outside Cyrenne's flat. This location is at the junction with Sharples Hall Street, Chalcot Crescent and Chalcot Square in NW1.

A select corner of London. (RL)

A lovely Ford Consul with two shifty looking Italians inside, pulls across Chalcot Crescent NW1 . . .

No shifty characters during my visit. (RL)

. . . and parks up with the occupants watching Cyrenne's flat.

The ironwork has been taken off the bow window on the left. (RL)

Looking up, the Italians can see Cyrenne's flat lights are on. This is 38 Chalcot Square, London NW1. The square is also seen in 'Zeta One'.

My best attempt given the tree and the vast contrast provided by a very sunny day. (RL)

Meanwhile some party-goers arrive outside No 38. More of Chalcot Square in NW1.

Just before a delivery van arrived. (RL)

Whilst Percy is with Cyrenne, Ginger has met up with a charming lady who offers to take him to her house. This is Manley Street NW1 which is also seen in 'These Dangerous Years'.

A charming "side street". (RL)

Heading towards No 11, Ginger escorts his lady. This is Chalcot Road NW1 and quite possibly number 11.

No 11 right of centre. (RL)

Ginger leaving No 11 looking very worried after a surprise he has had.

As is says on the door. (RL)

Ginger walking away from No:11 on his way back to his friends. Chalcot Road at the corner of Manley Street.

It looks as thought the whole terrace has added an extra floor. (RL)

Percy, having been told to leave Cyrenne's flat by the shifty looking Italians, continues to watch as Cyrenne is put in the Ford Consul and driven away. Chalcot Square again.

Many more parking and driving restrictions these days. (RL)

Meanwhile Ginger has arrived back at the pub where his friends are. The Prince Albert public house at the corner of Princess Road and Kingstown Street NW1.

Another closed pub. (RL)

Having mislaid his wallet, Ginger returns to No 11 to retrieve it. The junction of Chalcot Road and Manley Street. The location is also seen in 'Please Sir!'.

The same junction today. (RL)

  • 'Now' required

The Ford Consul with two Italians and Cyrenne onboard arrives at their destination. Ray Glenister asks whether we missed this one or forgot to enter the details, I think that we left it for you Ray. Outside 99-105 Regents Park Road, London NW1. (RL)

  • 'Now' required

And park up outside an Italian Restaurant then they go inside the restaurant. See Capture 16 (RL)

  • 'Now' required

One of the Italians outside the restaurant, watch as Cyrenne hops on to a bus and departs. And following on from C16 and C17 Ray identifies Regent's Park Road looking towards the junction with Berkley Road. (RL)

Having retrieved his wallet and looking the worse for wear, Ginger looks up and sees this nurse on a bicycle arriving and stopping to assist. Chalcot Road, in the dark.

Quiet enough for me to stand in the middle of the road. (RL)

Back at Cyrenne's flat, Cyrenne briskly walks up looking frustrated by her recent encounter. Chalcot Square with buildings on Sharples Hall Street in the background.

There have been changes to this corner. (RL)

Percy arrives back at the pub at closing time. The name 'Prince Albert' can now be clearly seen above the doors. Renamed as 'The Albert', the pub at 11 Princess Road closed in 2015.

A sad picture now. (RL)

  • 'Now' required

All the football fans, Ginger and his friends, except Percy, arrive at the coach station for their coaches back to Manchester.

Having found out some untruths about his new love Cyrenne, Percy leaves her flat to race back to the coach station. Chalcot Square in Primrose Hill NW1. The square also features in 'Allez France!'.

Immaculately maintained now. (RL)

Percy races off towards Sharples Hall Street, London, NW1 . . . . .

A garage has been incorporated into the redevelopment of this corner. (RL)

. . . his destination is Victoria Coach Station as this scene confirms. The corner of Buckingham Palace Road and Elizabeth Street SW1.

A shot in the daylight gloom of January. SJ

The coaches bound for Manchester start to leave the coach station. Victoria Coach Station on Buckingham Palace Road in Belgravia.

Same coach?! SJ

Percy seen here franticly looking for his coach home. Victoria Coach Station appears in 'The Knack, and How To Get It', ‘Lost’, ‘The Deadly Affair’, ‘Rotten to the Core’, 'Track the Man Down', ‘The Small World of Sammy Lee’ and 'Three Hats for Lisa' amongst other productions.

I hope I have the correct angle. SJ

  • 'Now' required

After catching his ride home, Percy begins to realise he loves Cyrenne, so stops the coach to get off. Ray Glenister has 'come up with' various locations as to the possible location but his further, as says "donkey work", has been supplemented by factual support from George Pinto, such that Station Road, Edgware, London Borough of Barnet has been established. Circa 120 Station Road looking north west. (RL)

Finally Percy returns to Cyrenne. Looking towards Sharples Hall Street from Chalcot Square in NW1.

Another view of the changed corner. (RL)