Chain of Events

Opening scenes, the camera follows the number 607 Trolleybus along the road. High Street (circa 179), Uxbridge. (RL)

Now pedestrianised. (RL)

As the camera follows the trolleybus, it stops to show us The Central Bank where Mr Clarke (Kenneth Griffith) works as a junior Bank Clerk. High Street, Uxbridge and the premises of Harman's Uxbridge Brewery at the time of filming. Brewing ceased in 1964. Now re-developed into a Waterstone's but a picture of the premises can be seen at http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/back-time-see-pictures-uxbridge-8054249 (RL)

Now the home of books rather than ledgers. (RL)

Mr Clarke, here walking to the bus stop on his way home. Station Parade looking towards Station Road in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. (RL)

And we wonder why we get leaves blowing onto the railway line in the autumn. (PW)

Immediately Mr Clarke joins the queue, the No 12 Bus bound for Shepherd's Bush arrives. However, the No 12 didn't go to Uxbridge. Station Parade looking towards Station Road, Beaconsfield, Bucks. The bus stop remains. (RL)

There's a lot fewer buses serving the stop now. (PW)

On his way home the next day he avoids catching the bus, deciding to walk and get a train home. A Westminster Bank occupies the corner to the left. Station Parade looking towards Penn Road, Beaconsfield, Bucks. (RL)

The bank is still in business. (PW)

Having just purchased a ticket, Mr Clarke heads for his train home. This is Uxbridge Underground Station, High Street, Uxbridge in Middlesex, at the end of the Piccadilly and Metropolitan Lines in West London.

A Grade ll listed delight. (RL)

As the chain of events begin to evolve, Becket (Martin Wyldeck) with Freddie (Jack Watling) looking on, telephones the Boss of a newspaper, Lord Fenchurch (Alan Gifford). This location maybe a backlot of the film studio, note the car in the background, it is seen again in Capture 30. Confirmed by Gordon Thomson as Beaconsfield Studios see Capture 30. (RL)

Lord Fenchurch's secretary (Susan Shaw) decides to visit Simone (Lisa Gastoni) and goes to her flat which we see here. In the movie it is called "Cumberland Mansions, Lawrence Street". Hyde Park Place, London W2, with thanks to StoneAgeMan of Britmovie Forum. (RL)

Traffic lights now control the junction. (RL)

Freddie and Becket, in the black car, head towards the Post Office where Lord Fenchurch has a Post Box and observe him arriving there. This is Windsor Street, Uxbridge, Middlesex.

A much changed scene. (RL)

Pulling off to the right hand side of the road, they park up to observe the arrival of Lord Fenchurch. This arch is the entrance to the Windsor Street Old Cemetery, Uxbridge, Middlesex. Despite the modernisation of this area, the arch entrance still stands today as does the remains of the cemetery.

History preserved. (RL)

Remaining in the car, Freddie and Becket have a clear view of the Post Office. This is the corner of Cross Street where it joins Windsor Street in Uxbridge.

A distinct change of road priority. (RL)

Lord Fenchurch approaches in his car, passing a local London Cooperative Society Ltd shop and Dewhurst Butchers. At 31 and 33 Windsor Street respectively, both appear to have been given up for what is now Capital Court. (RL)

A much changed scene as Antony Blair looks west on Windsor Street some 65 years later.

Sitting in their car, Freddie and Becket observe Lord Fenchurch arriving and to get a better view of the street. The background building also features in 'It's Hard to Be Good'.

Significantly more street furniture. (RL)

Lord Fenchurch heads for the Post Office. PW advises that the Post Office building still stands at the corner of Windsor Street and what was The Lynch, which has since been redeveloped to take the name of an extended Cross Street.

The PO building does indeed still stand but is no longer a Post Office. (RL)

Having seen Lord Fenchurch depart, Freddie and Becket drive over to the Post Office. Windsor Street in Uxbridge looking towards Old Cemetery. "Ward's" was demolished to make way for what is now Cross Street. (RL)

The consequence of demolition. (RL)

Becket gets out of the car and goes into the office while . . . . .

Double yellow lines now. (RL)

. . . . Freddie waits outside to ensure nothing is wrong. "Lauders" is now "Ladbrokes" and the four properties, including "Ward's" that were demolished to make way for Cross Street. (RL)

"Lauders" is now "Ladbrokes". (RL)

Becket comes out of the Post Office. Showing the opposite side of Cross St/Windsor Street before "Capital Court". (RL)

As redeveloped. (RL)

Meanwhile, we see Mr. Clarke arrive back into Uxbridge on his way to work.

Taken on my way out of Uxbridge. (RL)

Here, Mr. Clarke walks past A.F. Wilkins butcher shop next door to the Bank.

"A F Wilkins" has long gone. (RL)

Mr. Clarke enters the Bank.

As redeveloped. (RL)

Driving up the road towards the Post Office is one of Lord Fenchurch's news reporters, Quinn (Dermot Walsh). The Lynch before the properties gave way to Cross Street. (RL)

We can't keep looking backwards I am told. (RL)

Whilst Quinn sits in the car, Jimmy Boy (Harold Lang) and Tiny (Freddie Mills) cross the road. What was circa 24-26 on Windsor Street, Uxbridge. (RL)

There they are gone. (RL)

Jimmy Boy and Tiny reach the other side of the road and in the background we see . . . .

Another corner shop gone. (RL)

. . . . Freddie and Becket observing from their car. In the background stands the arch to the Old Cemetery on Windsor Street.

A momentary break in what is now a very busy road. (RL)

Lord Fenchurch leaves the Post Office gets into his car and drives away, with Quinn observing from his car behind.

Not quite the correct angle but life an limb would have been put at risk. (RL)

Here we see Quinn in his car chasing after Becket.

The corner remains essentially the same. (RL)

Quinn starts to trail behind Beckett. The western end of Candlemas Road, travelling east towards the back entrance of the Beaconsfield Studios Phil Richards tells us. (RL)

Phil sends us this shot to support his identification. (RL)

Racing with Quinn and now close behind, Becket takes a sharp left turn. Located by Phil Richards as "We are now on the Amersham Road (car travelling north) and turning into the eastern end of Candlemas Road, travelling west towards the back entrance of the Beaconsfield Studios." (RL)

All rather less 'rural' according to this photo from Phil. (RL)

Becket pulls over and agrees with Jimmy Boy they are in it together and need to lose Quinn. This looks like the same location as seen from the telephone kiosk in Capture 7. It has poorly been made up to look like a street with street signs and lamp posts. Gordon Thomson confirms that this is Beaconsfield Studios. (RL)

Quinn is now close on their tail. A bus stop and houses can be made out around the corner. Phil Richards pin points this as the very western end of Candlemas Road travelling west and about to go left onto Station Road going south. i.e. reverse shot of #28 (RL)

Whilst there it was natural for Phil to take this comparative shot.

Meanwhile, Mr. Clarke decides to take a bus to work. Station Parade, looking towards Penn Road, in Beaconsfield New Town, Buckinghamshire. (RL)

Malcolm Tinnelly found that the bus stop is still there, but the road layout has changed somewhat. There's now a roundabout at the junction and an extra exit for access to Waitrose's car park.

Becket and Jimmy Boy's car. Again, a similar location to image Capture 30 with the attempt to make it look like a street, including a Post Office Pillar Box. Gordon Thomson confirms that this is Beaconsfield Studios. (RL)

Shortly after, Becket loses control of the car, leaves the road and is about to crash. Phil Richards notices that the car here, is without a windscreen. The background building is the old Beaconsfield Fire Station that was demolished in 2007 and replaced with a house. Candlemas Lane, Beaconsfield, Bucks. (RL)

Fortunately for Phil the only car was more conventionally parked. (RL)

Quinn runs over to the yard to where Becket and Jimmy Boy have crashed. Gordon Thomson advises that this is the back gate of Beaconsfield Studios. (RL)

Phil Richards found it had all now been replaced with ironwork. (RL)

To find a shattered windscreen and the obligatory rolling headlight, together with the envelope containing Lord Fenchurch’s £2,000