Smokescreen

Date: 1964
Director: Jim O'Connolly
Production Company: Butcher's Film Service

Stars: Peter Vaughan, John Carson, Gerald Flood, Glynn Edwards
Location(s): London, Sussex

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

A fastidious insurance assessor is sent to Brighton to investigate a potential case of fraud. However, all is not what it seems and a murder is uncovered.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson from source material provided by John Tunstill.

Sussex comparison shots by Stephen Dean (SD).

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If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

  • Capture 1
  • 18 Aug 2015

Establishing shot of the London offices of Reed, Player & Phillips, Insurance Assessors. Located at . . . .

. . . . 19 Lincoln's Inn Fields. SD

  • Capture 2
  • 04 Mar 2013

The view from the office window as a bus brings Roper to work. Brompton Road SW3 found by Richard Lovejoy.

They have modified some of the numbers but SINGER were where Crockett & Jones are now and GAP absorbed LIPTON's.

  • Capture 3
  • 28 Feb 2014

Roper (Peter Vaughan) arrives in Brighton after being sent to investigate a claim following a car accident. Brighton station, Queens Road, Brighton in Sussex.

The renovated station entrance in front of the taxi rank. SD

  • Capture 4
  • 01 Mar 2014

The apparent skinflint decides to walk to his hotel instead of taking a taxi. Bit of a giveaway but, yes, the forecourt of Brighton station in Brighton.

Now revealing the original design. SD

  • Capture 5
  • 01 Mar 2014

Roper crosses the road and heads into the city with the dome of the Grand Central public house in the background. Queen's Road, Brighton. We were here with 'Brighton Rock'.

Now. SD

  • Capture 6
  • 01 Mar 2014

The Investigator arrives at the Grand Hotel. King's Road, Brighton, Sussex. Also seen in 'Position of Trust', 'Slade in Flame' and 'Be My Guest'.

Now with the glass entrance, added in 1986 and the Brighton Centre, opened in 1977 to the right. SD

  • Capture 7
  • 06 May 2014

A Beach Photographer (David Gregory) is questioned by Police Inspector Wright (Glynn Edwards) and Roper as he witnessed the accident. West Pier, King's Road, Brighton.

A large section from this part of the West Pier recently fell into the sea. SD

  • Capture 8
  • 14 May 2014

Roper asks more questions. Brighton's now destroyed West Pier. With a puzzled Peter Vaughan, a lead soldier collecting sometime mate of mine.

Now. Standing between the pillars which used to support the West Pier. SD

  • Capture 9
  • 14 May 2014

And another question as Roper gets to grips with the facts. West Pier, Brighton with the Grand Hotel in the background.

As close as I could get to the same angle without the pier to take the photo from. SD

  • Capture 10
  • 06 May 2014

Roper and Inspector Wright discuss the case of Dexter's car accident. West Pier, King's Road in Brighton. The location was also seen in 'Oh What a Lovely War', 'Loot', 'The Big Switch', ‘Villain’, ‘One Good Turn’ and ‘Cast a Dark Shadow’.

Now. Fire has reduced what remains of the West Pier to a skeleton. SD

  • Capture 11
  • 14 May 2014

The pair leave the pier to continue their investigation. Brighton.

From the West Pier location, looking towards Regency Square. SD

  • Capture 12
  • 17 Mar 2014

Wright and Roper visit the site of the accident. IMDb locates this as Beachy Head, East Sussex and Tonyk points out that the cliffs in background are the Seven Sisters. Also seen in 'Corruption'.

Seaford Head, Seaford, East Sussex. Beachy Head is further round the coast, immediately to the east of the Seven Sisters. SD

  • Capture 13
  • 28 Feb 2014

Roper takes Trevor Bayliss (John Carson) to see Dexter's Doctor. Dyke Road Avenue, Hove in Sussex.

Taken from the other side of the garden wall. SD

  • Capture 14
  • 01 Mar 2014

Insurance salesman Bayliss asks the Doctor if Dexter had any reason to commit suicide. Dyke Road Avenue in Hove.

Now with an extension over the garage. SD

  • Capture 15
  • 28 Feb 2014

The Doctor (Derek Francis) gives out information for a charge of five guineas. Dyke Road Avenue in Hove, Sussex.

The property now. SD

  • Capture 16
  • 01 Mar 2014

Roper and Bayliss drive to see Dexter's business partner. Gardner Road in Southwick, Sussex. The Shoreham harbour power station chimneys stand in the background, and were also seen in 'Shadow of Fear'.

Now, the single chimney of its replacement. SD

  • Capture 17
  • 01 Mar 2014

Driving through the gates of Dexter & Turner. Gardner Road, Southwick in Sussex.

The building is currently empty. SD

  • Capture 18
  • 01 Mar 2014

Bayliss parks the car before the two go inside to meet Graham Turner. Gardner Road in Southwick.

Now SD

  • Capture 19
  • 'Now' required

Next, Dexter's wife Janet is called on. Unknown location.

  • Capture 20
  • 18 Apr 2014

When returning to the area of the accident, Roper notices a railway line. The line from Lewes to Seaford, looking south . . .

. . . viewed from the A27 east of Southerham roundabout, Lewes in Sussex. SD

  • Capture 21
  • 02 Feb 2013

The local Station Master (Deryck Guyler) sweeps the platform of his, soon to close, station. Hellingly railway station on the former route between Eastbourne and Eridge. The station closed in June 1965.

Hellingly Station looking north in June 2005. With thanks to Nick Catford and Disused Stations website at www.disused-stations.org.uk where more images of the station can be seen. Photo copyright Nick Catford.

  • Capture 22
  • 09 Mar 2014

Roper and Bayliss approach the Station Master. Hellingly station, Hellingly in Sussex. Another model soldier collector Derek Guyler.

The station is now a private residence but retains its original appearance. SD

  • Capture 23
  • 09 Mar 2014

Roper quizzes the Station Master. The former station at Hellingly, near Hailsham.

Still the same, but now overgrown. SD

  • Capture 24
  • 09 Mar 2014

The Station Master gives out important information. Hellingly station, Hellingly, Sussex.

The platform, still intact. SD

  • Capture 25
  • 27 Apr 2014

Roper returns to his London home. Nizells Avenue, Hove in Sussex.

Very near to Lansdowne Road, which was also used as London in 'Shadow of Fear'. SD

  • Capture 26
  • 27 Apr 2014

The Investigator enters his house before being sent back to Brighton to close the case. Nizells Avenue in Hove, Sussex.

The house is now used as a children's nursery. SD