Prostitute

Setting the Birmingham scene, this is looking across the formerly named Salford Park Boating Lake, now Aston Reservoir, towards the Aston Expressway with the Birmingham to Lichfield railway line beyond.

Looking along Lee Bank Middleway in B15 towards Belgrave Middleway with the Birmingham Central Mosque in the left distance.

Facing south towards Birmingham city centre with the first bridge carrying Park Lane over the A38(M) Aston Expressway. The shot is taken from the now disused bridge that once carried a diverted Tower Road in B23.

Looking the other way from Tower Road bridge towards the Gravelly Hill Interchange, better known as Spaghetti Junction.

Moving into the area where much of the story takes place, this is the view from Balsall Heath Road towards the Rotunda in the city centre with Birmingham Central Mosque on the left and the, now demolished, Mount Pleasant Secondary Modern School to the right.

The Rotunda stands in the centre distance and minarets have been added to the Mosque. (PW)

When filming took place, Mount Pleasant Secondary Modern School had been part of Highgate School for four years.

Empty space. (PW)

Looking north-westward on Balsall Heath Road with the corner of Cox Street West in the left distance.

The focal length of my camera cannot match the view in the screen capture. (PW)

Scenes of cultural diversity are seen as the title sequence continues.

A car halts momentarily to drop Sandra (Eleanor Forsythe) off.

Rose Wilson (Nancy Samuels) passes the time with two other street girls outside the cinema, causing cruising cars to stop. The Luxor cinema on Balsall Heath Road, Birmingham 12 located by Terry & Sue.

This comparison was taken from Clevedon Road looking towards the former site of the cinema which was near the junction of Balsall Heath Road, Clevedon Road and Longmore Road. With thanks to Terry & Sue at Quadbod Media Memorabilia.

Sandra speaks with another motorist who stops to make enquiries. The northern end of Cox Street West informs Terry Glasspool.

The open space has no apparent name, unlike the several streets that once stood here. (PW)

Rose makes her way home as an unmarked Police car approaches. Looking north on Cox Street West with the Luxor cinema on Balsall Heath Road visible to the extreme left.

Looks completely different. (PW)

Bundled into the car, Rose is driven away. Facing south towards Lincoln Street, Birmingham 5. The building to the left stands on the corner of today’s Balfour Street and the distant café stands at the junction with Edward Road.

The replacement of older buildings appears complete. (PW)

The car nears the Police station. Loz Park identifies this as Sherbourne Road in Birmingham 12, now suffixed with East.

New premises to the left but in the right distance, the same. (PW)

The car turns off the main road. The corner of Arter Street and Sherborne Street with the grassed area in the middle distance now occupied by Haden Circus roundabout. Location recognised by Loz Park.

The same corner, now more of a bend. (PW)

The car enters the Police Station where Rose is charged. The Calthorpe School at the corner of Arter Street and Sherborne Street in Balsall Heath with Brinklow Tower in the left distance and the tower of St Alban the Martyr church on Conybere Street beyond. Identification by Loz Park.

This new building blocks the former view. (PW)

After visiting Rose's flat where her Mother is looking after the children, Social Worker Louise heads to the Police station. At the junction of Highgate Street and Frank Street with Brinklow Tower to the left and Birmingham Central Mosque in the right distance.

Changes have been made to make the block look more modern. (PW)

The camera pans with Louise's Morris Minor. Facing westward on Highgate Street B12.

Urban trees now grace the scene. (PW)

Rose is sentenced to three months in prison and soon after, Louise drives Sandra back from a family members wedding. The M6 to the north of the Gravelly Hill Interchange with buildings on Stonechat Drive B23 in the background and the roof of the Magnet Club, now the Magnet Centre, on Park Approach to the right.

Rose's Mother (Phyllis Hickson) talks with prostitutes as she and Louise become involved with a campaign to change the law. Terry & Sue tell us that most of the Birmingham street scenes were shot in Balsall Heath, an area where demolition and redevelopment have rendered many of the locations unrecognisable today.

After meeting him at a conference, Louise drives 'Griff' Griffiths into the country. Lea End Lane, Forhill between Wythall and Alvechurch in Worcestershire.

Griff explains about his job as they arrive at a country pub. Outside The Peacock Inn on Icknield Street in Forhill.

The two settle down with drinks. The Peacock In at the corner of Lea End Lane and Icknield Street in Forhill, Worcestershire.

Later that evening, Griff and Louise leave a restaurant after continuing their talk. Simon Wheatcroft advises that this is York Road in Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 and that the restaurant has been open as Sylhet Spice Cuisine for many years.

The two cross the road to Louise's car. More of York Road in Kings Heath recognised by Simon Wheatcroft.

Louise takes Griff home where they spend the night together. York Road in B14 located by Simon Wheatcroft who adds that the distinctive building on the far left of the capture still looks much the same and is the real giveaway to the location.

Simon provides this view in support of his identification. Image copyright Google.

The next day, Sandra tells Louise that she's going to London. T. Ali believes this to be Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham B12.

In the Capital, Sandra approaches the building where her contact has an apartment.

Sandra presses the intercom to Amanda's flat before being let in and being told how things operate in London.

Sandra calls Louise. Terry Glasspool remarks that filming took place in three rooms of a house at 61 Trafalgar Road in Moseley, Birmingham 13 . . . and this looks like it could be the view from the rear of the property. The building bottom centre has since been replaced by new homes on Sarehole Mill Gardens. These houses back onto a railway line and a diesel locomotive passes by the window during the phone conversation. The loco is running on the Down Camp Hill line between Saltley and King's Norton, confirming the location, adds Jonathan Horswell (SJ)

A petition is raised to change the law on prostitution. This is between the Bull Ring Centre and St. Martin’s church in Birmingham city centre. In the background is the helix walkway that leads to the upper levels of the Bull Ring.

My spatial awareness suggests that this is about the right place. (PW)

More names are collected. Outside the entrance to the Bull Ring Centre in Birmingham 5. The location is now occupied by Spiceal Street, a name last used prior to the construction of the 1960s shopping centre.

Of course, it's all approximate. (PW)

Working for a visiting massage agency, Sandra takes a cab across town.

Through the windscreen of the taxi can be seen the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane W1.

The hotel now, taken by Peter.

It is apparent to Sandra that clients in London have a lot more money than those back home. Brompton Road in Knightsbridge SW1 with Harrods filling the view.

Peter provides this comparison of the store's exterior.

The taxi nears the client address provided by Mrs. T. Facing east on Knightsbridge SW1 with buildings on William Street in the distance.

Without the advantage of a suitable focal length, here's a similar view by Peter.

In Birmingham, Louise and the group's Solicitor David Selby (Riccardo Mangano) leave for a meeting. Looking out onto the junction formed by Edward Road, Court Road and Jakeman Road in B12 with The Cannon Hill public house visible to the left.

As can be seen here, the building is no longer in use as a pub. (PW)

After falling out with Mrs. T., Sandra goes it alone and posts an advertisement in a newsagents window.

Rose arrives back in Birmingham after being released from prison. This is facing the ticket barriers at the second incarnation of Birmingham New Street station.

This is roughly the same spot at the third incarnation of Birmingham New Street station.

The family and Louise spot Rose as she walks through the ticket barrier. New Street station with the stairs to what was then known as the Birmingham Shopping Centre.

A very different view in the redeveloped station. (PW)

Having failed in her ambitions, Sandra returns to Birmingham by coach. Looking from Mill Street to Rea Street through Birmingham’s Digbeth Coach Station. The location appears in ‘Felicia’s Journey’.

The updated Coach Station seen from Mill Street. (PW)

Louise give Rose and her family a lift home. Brinklow Tower at the corner of Frank Street and Highgate Street.

There have been a few changes to the entrance arrangements. (PW)

When he sees his mother, another of Rose's children cycles towards the tower block. This is land now occupied by a Health Centre to the south of Brinklow Tower off Frank Street, Birmingham 12 with buildings on Highgate Close to the right.

A slightly wider view to bring Brinklow Tower into the shot. (PW)

Discussing the making of a film about their cause, Louise talks with a TV Researcher (Mary Waterhouse) as the two looks across the cityscape where the street girls live and work. Balsall Heath Road with buildings on Gosford Street to the bottom left.

To the right, some of the same bollards are still standing and the house to the left has acquired an extension. (PW)

The film draws to a close with the panoramas envisaged by Louise. Looking northward from Balsall Heath Road.

This is a wider view of the skyline. (PW)

The camera moves eastward as Louise's voice over explains that she wants to see the girls themselves appear in the film.

A changed skyline but the BT Tower still stands in the right distance. (PW)

Terry Glasspool advises that much of this area suffered damage during World War II and was eventually redeveloped in 1970s and 80s to become a landscaped green space with widened thoroughfares.

The foreground is where Cox Street West once ran and the background road is Clevedon Road. (PW)

Cox Street West at the junction with Balsall Heath Road in Birmingham 12.

The street ran roughly where the footpath lies now. (PW)