Smashing Time

Yvonne (Lynn Redgrave) screams as the train bringing the girls to London arrives at the terminus. Looking north from Marylebone station, London NW1.

OK, not the exact location. Due to track alterations, sale of railway land and new buildings it's not possible to get the right shot. The bridge that the train is passing over is the one in the mid-ground of the screen capture.

The train from the north slows on the approach to . . . . . . . St. Pancras station in N1!

On a diverted journey from Birmingham to London, the opportunity was taken to capture the same location, compete with the slab like addition to the original station. I'm sure that someone found it architecturally beautiful. (PW)

Brenda (Rita Tushingham) and Yvonne get off the train back at Marylebone station, London NW1.

Due to 1970's alterations, the roof and platform layout of today's station is somewhat different but this appears to be the same location.

The girls head for the station exit. Still Marylebone station, which has appeared in films as diverse as 'Violent Moment', 'Life at the Top', 'The Man Outside', 'Rotten to the Core', 'Up Jumped a Swagman', 'Carry On Girls', 'Billy Liar', 'The Internecine Project', 'Don't Open till Christmas', 'Trouble at Townsend', 'The IPCRESS File', 'We Joined the Navy' and 'One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing'.

A reverse point of view from image 03n.

Meanwhile, back at St Pancras station, Brenda stands in the entrance looking out onto Euston Road, London N1. Other views of the station also appear in ‘Wings of Mystery’, ‘The Servant’, ‘The Ladykillers’, ‘Shirley Valentine’, ‘Love Among the Ruins’, ‘The Comedy Man’, ‘‘Mona Lisa’, ‘A Cry from the Streets’, ‘The Painted Smile’, ‘Richard III’, ‘Nuns on the Run’ and ‘Simon and Laura’.

This is now the entrance to the Renaissance Hotel at St. Pancras. The round pillar was hiding!

The girls emerge from St Pancras station.

Nearly got the shot - not quite high enough. Was lovely inside though.

Brenda and Yvonne outside St Pancras station in London NW1.

Same place, different decade.

The girls ask a drunk (George A. Cooper) for directions to Carnaby Street.

Outside St Pancras station looking towards Euston Road at the junction with Judd Street.

The drunk says that he is going that way so Brenda and Yvonne follow.

The trip from St Pancras to Carnaby street is illustrated by a montage of scenes starting at St Pancras station seen from from Euston Road.

Euston station in the course of being rebuilt as viewed from Euston Road, London NW1.

And how much better it looks after rebuilding!

Passing Great Portland Street station on Marylebone Road and heading in the opposite direction!!

The same location now looking pretty much the same.

The junction of Tottenham Court Road, Euston Road and Hampstead Road on the boundaries of WC1 and NW1 identified by Peter.

Tris provides this view looking south-east across Euston Road to the junctions of Tottenham Court Road and Gower Street with, far left, the University College London hospital, opened in 2005.

In the background stands the Post Office Tower (in those days) now called the BT Tower. Lisa Watson advises that this is Weymouth Street in Marylebone W1.

Whilst out taking his daily exercise, Jon Temple replaces Lisa's Google image with this original view of a barely changed scene.

Interesting building in the background. Tris advises that this is Buck Street in Camden Town NW1. The unusual building to the rear has since been demolished and the mysterious brick structure to the right is the entrance to the Camden Town Deep-Level Shelter.

Lisa Watson sent in this Google shot of Buck Street looking from Camden High Street adding "The white building in the background is the ABC Bakery - I think". And Rick Conrad confirms that the old ABC bakery was demolished and that a branch of Sainsbury's now occupies the site.

The railway is the North London Line and Paul Canty advises that this is taken from Hawley Street looking towards Hawley Road and Leybourne Road in London NW1, the same area where 'The Tall Guy' and 'It Always Rains on Sunday' were shot while Tris points out that the building at left is the, now, former Stag's Head public house.

Indeed it is, but many changes have taken place. (RL)

The montage continues - passing the The Camden Palace, then known as BBC's Camden Theatre and since renamed Koko. Also seen in 'Breaking Glass'.

Camden High Street at the junction with Crowndale Road, Camden Town NW1.

The journey continues past the corner of Chalk Farm Road and Hawley Street in NW1. Found by Paul Canty who notes that the building on the left is now a Costa Coffee.

To prove Paul right. (RL)

A road with a bus route and on the right hand corner is a shop called Faustus. Paul Canty advises that this is looking north up Fleet Road NW3 with Siddons House in the background.

Confirmed by Peter with this shot of the same location now. More redevelopment and greenery on the left and the roof space of the right background buildings utilised.

The girls finally get to the drunks destination but he misunderstood and thought that they had asked for 'Camden Street'. The junction of Southampton Road, Fleet Road, Mansfield Road and Lismore Road in London NW3. The area has been redeveloped.

This is the junction now looking up Fleet Road, NW3. SJ

The drunk is helped onto the lorry by his workmates. Southampton Road runs to the left.

Note the towers on the right. NW3/NW5 border. SJ

Mansfield Road runs from left to right, behind Yvonne, at the corner of Southampton Road and the now demolished Lismore Road in London NW3/5. The Mansfield Hotel public house has also long since disappeared.

The signs still look the same on the wall. SJ

The lorry drives away along Fleet Road NW3. The buildings on the right still stand.

Yup, there they are. Southampton Road, NW5, becomes Agincourt Road, NW3 running up towards Hampstead. SJ

Paul Canty says this is Lismore Road NW5, demolished in the late 1960's. "You can see Fleet Road, NW3 and Southampton Road in the background of later scenes."

These are the background buildings which can be seen in later scenes. Taken from roughly where Lismore Road once stood in NW5. SJ

Brenda falls into a puddle whilst Yvonne sorts her make-up out. Lismore Road again. Loz Park notes the caff and a newsagent with attractive art nouveau corners to the windows.

A production still from the film. See also: http://ritatushingham.info/1967.htm for more images'.

Yvonne leaves Brenda and sets off to find Carnaby Street. Lismore Road.

This is, again roughly, what one would see now. See Bacton Tower in the background, which had just been built to be captured in other scenes. SJ

Yvonne dances towards Carnaby Street. Marlborough Court, with Carnaby Street in the background identified by Roland-Francois Lack.

The same location now by Roland-Francois Lack.

Tom Wabe (Michael York) takes pictures of models on Carnaby Street, London W1.

Richard Lovejoy took this now shot and adds '52 Carnaby Street, a little more interesting in 1967!'

Yvonne walks behind a model whilst she is being photographed. Carnaby Street W1.

A policeman passes Harry's cafe on Lismore Road.

Demoliton of Lismore Street was held off until the filmmakers, who had to dress the street suitably to present a vibrant market, were finished. SJ

Brenda waits for Yvonne outside Harry's cafe. Lismore Road NW5.

A general shot of what's there now. SJ

Yvonne returns to find Brenda. Lismore Road.

Only thing in common is the white-faced Bacton Tower on Lismore Circus. SJ

The girls need a place to live and Brenda needs new clothes. Lismore Road NW5.

The junction in the background, as seen in above shots, with Palgrave House, NW3, towering above in both then and now. SJ

Yvonne sees an advertisement for a flat on the films 'Grudge Street'. Lismore Road again.

Redgrave is looking north and this would now be her background looking south-east. SJ

16 Grudge Street, the girls new flat!

Brenda leaves Mrs Gimbles shop in her new clothes. The long demolished Lismore Road.

Showing off her new clothes, Brenda is reflected in a car's wing mirror.

The then must be Lismore Road looking towards Lismore Circus as it just catches Bacton Tower on its right. This now just missed the tower! SJ

Brenda admires herself in a larger mirror. David O'Connor advises that this is Lismore Circus from the end of Lismore Road. The same corner was seen in 'The Monster of Highgate Ponds'.

Looking east. SJ

Brenda just before she trips over a bundle of newspapers about to be thrown down in front of her. The now demolished Lismore Circus in Gospel Oak, identified by Craig Dalrymple and confirmed by David O'Connor who adds that this is at 90 degrees from image 037.

I turned 90 degrees. I'm slightly puzzled by not being able to see Bacton Tower in the then shot as it appears in other shots, unless it's hidden by the terrace. Is/Was that the Duke of Cornwall pub to the right? SJ

Bobby Mome-Rath (Ian Carmichael) escorts Yvonne back to his apartment. An unidentified location.

Brenda, in a cat suit, clings on to Bobby and Yvonne's taxi.

The cab draws up outside Bobby's apartment block. Clarence Terrace in NW1 identified by Roland-Francois Lack.

Replacing Roland-Francois' GEV image from The Outer Circle posted in 2015... The terrace is on the west side of Regent's Park where Baker Street meets The Outer Circle. SJ

Brenda sneaks into the building whilst Bobby pays the cab driver.

A close-up of the above. Clarence Terrace on the west side of Regent's Park. SJ

The girls make their way home after Brenda rescues Yvonne from the approaches of Bobby. Flask Walk NW3 found by Paul Canty. The location also appears in 'Peril for the Guy'.

A little more greenery has appeared over the years and the building behind the trees have also changed.

Through morning streets, Brenda and Yvonne continue their wander. Rick Conrad advises that this is looking towards Chalk Farm and the Roundhouse from Camden Goods Depot and the railway warehouses that now form part of Camden Market in NW1. Rick adds that the former Horse Hospital, now Proud’s Gallery, stands to the right and that the overhead wires on the railway viaduct can be made out in the centre distance.

The market has taken over even the sky with hanging umbrella suspensions. SJ

Nearly home. Lismore Road, London NW5 once again.

Taken from Mansfield Road, NW3 looking east. SJ

Charlotte Brillig (Anna Quayle) talks with Mrs Gimble (Irene Handl) outside her shop on Lismore Road.

Another shot of the estate. This is the rear of Waxham House and its front is glimpsed in Notes on a Scandal. SJ

Charlotte offers Brenda a job in her boutique and the pair drive off in a converted hearse. Lismore Road with the junction of Southampton Road and Fleet Road in the background.

Another shot of the surviving corner. SJ

The hearse drives into Belsize Lane from Belsize Terrace, London NW3.

Can't be done now, not on 4 wheels, as Belsize Terrace's been blocked off. SJ

Paul Canty advises that the shop that Brenda works in is on the corner of Belsize Lane and Belsize Place in NW3.

In 2013 a restaurant called Hazara, 44 Belsize Lane. SJ

Charlotte gets out of the hearse on Belsize Lane.

Now. SJ

A vicar (Cardew Robinson) preaches in the street outside 'Sweenie Todds' during a slapstick pie fight inside. Unidentified location.

A pie also hits this Traffic Warden. Unknown location.

Kings College Road, London NW3 looking towards King Henry's Road is where a steamroller driver is blinded by a pie . . . . .

I think the block to the right matches. SJ

. . . . causing the steamroller to head for the vicars street pulpit. Members of the Britmovie Forum identify this location as Kings College Road in NW3. However, the area was redeveloped and this section of road now forms part of Hawtrey Road.

And so does the one on the left. The block to the right is newer looking and replaced the smaller house seen in 053. SJ

The pulpit is destroyed. Unknown location.

Brenda and Yvonne walk towards Charlotte's 'Too Much' boutique on Belsize Lane NW3.

That's Retsina next to Hazara, dig it the scene in 2013, just too much. SJ

A neighbour (Michael Ward) advises that Charlotte has gone to Greece and that the shop is closed. The corner of Belsize Lane and Belsize Place.

Another phone box gone missing. SJ

The girls outside 'Too Much' on Belsize Lane.

Reassuringly unchanged. SJ

Another montage. This time of fashion conscious women, some of whom stare at Brenda and Yvonne. Kings Road near the junction with Cheltenham Terrace SW3.

The same place now taken by Peter.

Kings Road SW3 with the trees of Markham Square in the left centre background.

Peter took this from the wrong side of the street as road works got in the way of the correct angle.

The montage continues. Peter identifies this as King's Road again.

And also provides the proof.

Cars this time on Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3 looking towards Wellington Square.

Yes, well within A Clockwork Orange, I Don't Want to be Born, The Servant territory. SJ

Kings Road taken from near the junction with Tryon Street SW3.

From further east looking the same way as above. SJ

More unknown women.

The women may still be unknown but the location was found in May '18 courtesy of Ray Glenister and Google Earth, Kings Road in Chelsea with Radnor Walk on the left and Burnsall Street on the right. GEV now replaced by SJ

SW3 again looking south west along Kings Road.

A closer view of the building in the top centre of the screen shot.

With no jobs or money, Brenda and Yvonne walk dejectedly through the streets. Paul Canty identifies this as Kilburn High Road NW6.

Confirmed to be Kilburn High Road as it crosses the West Coast Main Line by Kilburn Bridge. (PW)

The girls stop to watch television show 'You can't help laughing'. Looking onto Kilburn High Road with Coventry Close to the extreme left.

A similar view from outside the premises that are currently in use as an amusement arcade. (PW)

During the programme, an old lady (Amy Dalby) comes home to find her house demolished. Unidentified location.

Brenda and Yvonne also arrive home to find the building demolished. Unidentified location.

Television personality Dominic (Peter Jones) approaches the girls. Unknown location.

Brenda pushes Dominic into a hole. Unknown location.

As part of the television show, Yvonne is given a cheque for £10,000. Unidentified location.

With the money, Yvonne sets herself up as a pop star. Signing autographs in an unknown location.

After her record hits the charts, Yvonne moves into a new apartment. Roland Francoise Lack suggests the old Britannic House, remodeled as City Point.

Peter confirms the identification and sent in this image of the same location on Ropemaker Street in EC2.

Tom Wabe takes Brenda to his barge moored on the Regents Canal in NW1. This appears to be alongside what is now Camley Street Nature Park with the spire of St Pancras in the centre left background.

The rail bridge has been demolished and a new footbridge (Somers Town Bridge) opened in 2017 nearer to camera. (RL)

Tom and Brenda get out of the car. The Regents Canal near Camley Street facing towards Goods Way, London NW1.

It is difficult to believe that there might be such a large towpath in there somewhere. (RL)

The pair board Tom's barge. The Regents Canal near Camley Street NW1.

It doesn't say much but the rail bridge has gone and the towpath is or was in there somewhere. (RL)

The following morning, Brenda takes in the milk delivery. The Regents Canal near Camley Street NW1.

It's a "now" shot at least! (RL)

Brenda has her photograph taken by Tom. St. Pancras Basin on The Regents Canal with Cambridge Street Loco Shed in the background. The basin lies off Camley Street in N1 and appears in 'The Zoo Robbery' as well as '30 is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia'.

Tom Wabe at work. St. Pancras Basin off Camley Street in NW1. And yes, all of the odd character names are from Lewis Carroll's poem Jabberwocky.

Oh dear, I became a little confused here and need to return. Does that building in the middle match with the one to the right of the screen capture? Or is it back to the basin? SJ

Tom and Brenda enjoy the day together.

Grand Union Towpath with York Way bridge behind the camera. Replacing Ray Glenisters Google View. (RL)

Dramatic pictures alongside the railway line. Looks like the canal basin again, just north of St Pancras station, London NW1.

The couple prepare dinner as a workman reads his newspaper. The two black and white bollards together with the lamp post also appear in 'Robbery' at Capture 53. (RL)

Camley Street, London NW1. I should have been further back but fencing prevented. (RL)

More photos alongside the canal.

Grand Union towpath with Granary Square off to the right. Replacing Ray Glenisters Google View. (RL)

Guests arrive to Yvonne's party in the Revolving Restaurant' at the top of the Post Office Tower. Unidentified location.

Screaming fans outside the party at the Post Office Tower. Unknown location.

Panorama of London on the morning after the party.

Peter took this shot from memory from the right bridge but the wrong spot.

Brenda and Yvonne walk away from the Post Office Tower. Charlotte Street, London W1. The Post Office Tower features in several other productions including ‘Three Hats for Lisa’, ‘Percy’ and ‘Bedazzled’.

Now. SJ

The pair talk about their misfortunes in swinging London.

Looking east down Percy Street. W1. SJ

The girls decide to leave London and return home.

Looking towards Rathbone Street, W1. Also seen in Sunday Bloody Sunday. SJ

Time for a final song and dance. Charlotte Street W1.

Now. SJ

Brenda and Yvonne disappear towards the station and the train back north. Charlotte Street, London W1.

Same as above. SJ