Alive and Kicking (1958)

A Rolls Royce brings Royalty to the Sunset retirement home where Dora, Rosie and Mabel are residents. Facing north along Hammers Lane, Mill Hill in Middlesex, at the entrance to Marshall Hall, found by Steve Randall. (SR)

Denis Hoare realised that the 'ReelStreets' budget would not stretch to a Roller with crowd, so co-opted a nearby Toyota. (RL)

Crowds cheer at the gate. Marshall Hall, was opened in 1901 at the heart of an estate of 72 retirement homes. (SR)

Denis swung his camera from the previous capture and noted that the gateposts were now brickwork rather than rendered as in the film capture. (RL)

The car draws up at the home where, that morning, Mabel and Dora had been told that they were being sent to other homes because of overcrowding. Marshall Hall has recently been used as office accommodation, but is now reverting to its original purpose as residential accommodation for former retail workers. (SR)

This capture would have been impossible for Denis without access, so his and 'ReelStreets' thanks are given to the resident who provided the access and also some interesting information about the main building and the site in general. (RL)

The Royal Personage (Totti Truman Taylor) is met at the door and taken inside by the Matron (Joyce Carey) but Dora, Rosie and Mabel are nowhere to be found. Marshall Hall, Mill Hill. (SR)

The budget paired to nil, Denis took this shot without even the red Toyota but it allowed him the opportinity to read that the plaque seen on the extreme right in the original screen grab. It carries the date 1897 when it was laid, indicating that it took 4 years before it was opened, according to the date of 1901. (RL)

Police are alerted and a search for the elderly women begins.

The Army and Navy are called in and divers check rivers. The bridge over the River Arun at Houghton in Sussex located by Steve Randall.

Viewed from the muddy riverbank, facing south. (SD)

As the three women sit on the back-projected seafront, police motorcyclists arrive on the promenade. Antony Blair recognised the location as the parade of shops on Manor Way in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. The location appears in numerous productions including 'Confessions of a Driving Instructor', 'The Best Pair of Legs in the Business' and 'Mutiny on the Buses'.

Antony also provides this comparison shot.

Fearing that they may be found, Dora, Rosie and Mabel head to a quayside where they hide in a small boat. Alan Bourke identifies the steps down from Arun Parade near the Lighthouse on the East Pier at Littlehampton in Sussex.

New tidal defences were completed in 2014 and these steps are for an emergency landing area. (SD)

When the motor is accidentally started by Dora, the boat moves away. Littlehampton Harbour at the mouth of the River Arun located by Alan Bourke.

With no unauthorised access to the emergency landing area, this is viewed from a higher position. (SD)

An Angler fishes peacefully before the boat speeds past. Finding Littlehampton's characteristic breakwater with West Beach beyond, Alan Bourke also advises that his Great Uncle Paddy was an extra in this production.

There were no boats available so I waded out as far as I could. (SD)

After being rescued by a Russian fishing boat when they run out of fuel, Rosie Baker (Kathleen Harrison), Dora Vice (Sybil Thorndike) and Mabel Wilmot (Estelle Winwood) are put ashore.

Finding themselves on the small island of Inishfada off the coast of Ireland, furniture is delivered as the three women set up home in Joseph MacDonagh's cottage. Although set in Ireland, the film was shot on Seil and Easdale Islands in Scotland.

Led by an Old Man (Liam Redmond), the islanders become angered after learning that newcomer MacDonagh apparently has three wives.

The women of Inishfada listen as the Old Man proposes driving MacDonagh and his harem from the island. Inishfada is the historic name for Long Island, an island lying south of Schull off County Cork, Ireland.

The islanders leave the village and head for MacDonagh's cottage.

Waving scythes and rakes, the angry mob march onward to the cottage where Dora, Rosie and Mabel explain that MacDonagh is their uncle. This is the famous "Bridge over the Atlantic", Clachan Bridge that links Seil Island to mainland Scotland over Clachan Sound.

While some of the islanders fix the thatched roof of the cottage, Dora, Rosie and Mabel walk into the village of Inishfada.

Children play in the foreground as the camera pans with the three women.

The ladies approach the shop where Mrs. O'Flaherty sells them an Inishfada sweater for £3.

Realising that the sweater will sell for ten guineas back home, Dora, Rosie and Mabel leave the Post Office after sending the sweater to London. John and Megan Osborne visited the Isle of Seil and confirm Ellenabeich as the location, having recognised the buildings from the film.

The Postmistress shouts to Thomas (Paul Farrell) to put on his uniform as she runs back inside the Post Office to take down a telegram.

While Thomas picks up his postbag, the beer barrel that he was moving rolls away into the village.

After Dora, Rosie and Mabel and the islanders set up their own knitting business, Mr. Twigg (John Salew), a Solicitor from Dublin, comes looking for Joseph MacDonagh.

When the elusive MacDonagh can't be found, Mr. Twigg calls at the police station.

Hoping to escape the island, Dora, Rosie and Mabel watch as the steamer to the mainland leaves Inishfada without them. This is Easdale Sound.

The island's Policeman (Patrick McAlinney) follows Mr. Twigg to the cottage.

Villagers watch as the two walk through Inishfada.

Mr. Twigg and the Officer continue on their way as the villagers begin to follow. Looking across at Easdale Island and village from Ellenabeich.

After MacDonagh creates a limited company, knitting supplies arrive on the island when Thomas spots the three women on the front page of a newspaper.

Thomas runs towards the village with the newspaper. Seil Island is on the east side of the Firth of Lorn, around seven miles to the southwest of Oban.

The Postman runs through an alley. 'Ring of Bright Water' had scenes shot on Seil Island as did 'Kidnapped', 'A Touch of Larceny' and 'The Bridal Path'.

Thomas mounts a horse and rides to the cottage to tell the three women that they are all reported drowned at sea. Ellenabeich on the Isle of Seil in Argyle, Scotland.