Once a Jolly Swagman

Establishing shot of the 'Cobra Speedway' played by New Cross Speedway Stadium off Hornshay Street, London SE15.

Bill Fox (Dirk Bogarde) arrives at the stadium. The railway line and bridge have long since disappeared and to the right the land is occupied by buildings on John Williams Close SE14.

Bill approaches Tommy Possey (Bonar Colleano). New Cross Speedway Stadium, London SE15.

New Cross Speedway Stadium in SE15. The stadium was demolished in 1975 and the site is now known as Bridge House Meadows.

Bill rides home after being dismissed from his job. Ascalon Street, London SW8.

The great God refurbishment is amongst us and scaffolding prevails - same place though.

Panning shot as Bill turns the corner into Savona Street.

Not a through street anymore and the rebuilding continues.

Bill rides along the street towards his flat. Savona Street SW8 with Battersea Power Station in the background.

Through the seemingly obligatory urban undergrowth still lies the same street.

Bill looks up at the block of flats. Savona Street, London SW8.

Same gap in the blocks of LCC flats.

The block of LCC flats where Bill lives with his family.

Well, at least this shot is pretty similar. Wenham House on the Savona Estate in Battersea SW8.

Bill visits his friend Lag Gibbon at Stamford Hill House. Unknown location.

After becoming an international speedway star and marrying Pat Gibbon, the couple move to suburbia. Dave Buckley identifies number 45 West Hill, Barn Hill, Wembley Park in Middlesex, close to a building seen in 'Too Many Crooks'.

The same building now by Antony Blair.

The BBC reports fighting along the German border with Poland. Broadcasting House in Portland Place, London W1. The location is also seen in ‘You Made Me Love You’, ‘Death at Broadcasting House’, ‘The Oracle’, ‘The Day the Earth Caught Fire’, ‘Band Wagon’, ‘No Trace’, ‘The Happy Family’, ‘Mother Riley Meets the Vampire’, ‘Back Room Boy’, ‘The Voice of Merrill’ and ‘Give My Regards To Broad Street’.

Now. SJ

London prepares after war is declared.

Rotherhithe Tunnel ventilation shaft, King Edward Vll Memorial Park, Wapping, London E1. They are now preparing for the Thames Tideway Scheme. (RL)

Newspapers report on the war that interrupts Bill's career as a speedway rider. Drawing upon the 'little grey cells' of frequent childhood journeys home on the 24 bus Dave W identified the quoins, balcony and finials as being in Parliament Street, London SW1 looking north. (RL)

Dave took this shot free of placards. (RL)

Whilst in the army, Bill shows off his motorcycling skills. The Army MT School, Bordon, Hampshire.

St Paul's Cathedral stands amid bomb damaged buildings. London EC4.

Peter provides this comparison showing the changes made over 65 years.

Another additional capture for the purposes of historic record, this time from Dave W who has established the location as the ruined St. Philip's church on Avondale Square in Camberwell SE1. (RL)

Dave provides the "now" shot and advises that his is now the church hall of St Philip's. Reconstruction work in 1963 relocated the main church building next door, out of shot to the right. (RL)

An additional screen capture from Jules Ballantyne in the hope that the church will help identification of the scene location. As Dave W says "the scene establishes that time has passed, war is over and London's ruins offer many opportunities for adventure.(RL)

All warden hats safely gathered in and the window has been reconstructed, now forming part of the church hall, as captured by Dave W. (RL)

Panning left, church just visible on the right. For historic record now that the location has been established as Avondale Square. (RL)

As a result of Dave's visit he is able to tell us that "the right-hand kerb line has been preserved and "The Vicarage" is still there behind the greenery and the wall. (RL)

Panning further left to view the road. For historic record now that the location has been established. The prefab bathed in sunlight is house number 68 according to OS 1950 Dave advises. (RL)

The Avondale Square Estate of the Corporation of London takes up much of the modern scene. We can place the former left-hand kerb line along the single yellow line in the foreground. Thank you Dave. (RL)

Children play in a street of 'prefab' houses.

Fortune was shining on Dave as well as the sun. No parked cars, allowing us to appreciate what has replaced the sweep of prefabs in Avondale Square. (RL)

To complete our historic record Dave provides this addition capture as Bill is about to visit this prefab, number 78. The camera must have been placed in the street outside 79, the last prefab in the row according to OS 1950. Dave notes that the internal shots that follow are good on detail of the walls and windows. and wonders that since they were built to a standard pattern, might a real prefab have been used? (RL)

Dave's supporting "now" of Harman Close of the Avondale Square Estate with its kerb line further back to allow for parking and no parking.

Pat Gibbon (Renée Asherson) climbs the steps onto Albert Bridge. The bridge proper appears in 'The Party's Over', 'That Kind of Girl' and 'Sympathy for the Devil'.

Chelsea Embankment, London SW3.