Spanish Gardener, The

Date: 1957
Director: Philip Leacock
Production Company: The Rank Organisation

Stars: Dirk Bogarde, Jon Whiteley, Michael Hordern, Cyril Cusack, Maureen Swanson
Location(s): Catalonia (Spain)

Region(s):

Storyline:

Accompanied by his young son, a diplomat takes up a new post when being passed over for the promotion that he wanted.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson

 

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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.

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At the story's San Jorge station, Robert Burton (Lyndon Brook) waits to meet the new Consul Harrington Brande and his son who have travelled from Madrid. Girona railway station which stands to the west side of Plaça d'Espanya in Girona, Catalonia , where stands, as Manuel Gurtner points out, a prominently staged almost new RENFE-class 141F 2-8-2 with the tren expreso from Cerbère to Barcelona. The locos were built between 1953 and 1960, the first batch of the coal-fired version Mikado-type were delivered by North British, while other engines followed in the oil-fired version.

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Alighting from the train, Harrington Brande (Michael Hordern) is shown towards a waiting car. Outside the station in Plaça d'Espanya in Girona.

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As he follows his father from the station, Nicholas Brande (Jon Whiteley) stops to watch children enjoying themselves. Girona railway station opened in January 1862.

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On a green opposite the station, the youngsters play with a ball.

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Employed as chauffeur-valet, Garcia Moreno, (Cyril Cusack) gets into the driving seat. As is to be expected, Plaça d'Espanya has seen redevelopment over the last sixty years.

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Garcia drives the Rolls Royce to the diplomatic residence. Pont de Pedra crossing the Riu Onyar in Girona, Catalonia.

While staying in Girona recently, Ian Johns captured the scene now.

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Nicholas looks at the buildings as the party head through the city. Looking east on Pont de Pedra, Girona.

Ian Johns provides this comparison.

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Leaving the city behind, the car reaches the coast. Carrer s'Adolitx or Carrer Horitzó in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Catalonia.

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Garcia brings the Rolls to a stand outside fictional Casa Breza. This is Mas Juny to the north-east of Palamós in Catalonia.

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Nicholas goes to explore as his father remarks to Robert that his predecessor couldn’t have had a gardener. Overlooking the bay of s'Alguer.

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An establishing shot of San Jorge where Robert and Carol Burton live. On the extreme right is the History Museum of Sant Feliu de Guixols, formerly a fortified monastery.

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The camera pans to where Carol Burton (Josephine Griffin) is telling her husband to be ready to pick up Harrington from the Consulate.

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Maria (Maureen Swanson) arrives carrying the laundry and Robert calls to his wife to ask her about her boyfriend.

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When Carol tells her about a gardening position at Casa Breza, Maria rushes off to tell her boyfriend.

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The camera watches the young woman run to find José. Continuity and the slope of the land suggests that this is Carrer de Monticalvari in Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

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Later at Casa Breza, José Santero (Dirk Bogarde) stands looking out to see as Harrington returns from the Consulate.

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When Harrington agrees to employ him, José climbs the hill behind the residence. Looking onto Mas Juny de s'Alguer which dates from 1482.

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On the hillside José tells Maria that he has been given the job with a better wage than expected.

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Looking up from his studies, Nicholas watches José working on the garden before going over to ask if he can help. Mas Juny near Palamós.

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Nicholas and José fool about on the beach while taking a break from gardening. Playa Es Castell at the mouth of Riera d’Aubi below Mas Juny.

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The overprotective father discovers his son working with José. Mas Juny was once the home of painter José Maria Sert.

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Nicholas enjoys the scenery before asking his father if they can attend a pelota match. Looking onto Playa Es Castell from Mas Juny.

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Conceding to his son’s wishes, Harrington takes Nicholas to the game. This is Avenue Onze de Setembre in Palamós.

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Spectators make their way to the frontón to watch San Jorge play against Galdar. Looking towards Plaça de Sant Pere from the rampa de la Planassa.

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Nicholas points out that José is playing for San Jorge. This is La Planassa in Palamós. The location has been redeveloped into a car park and the background building to the right has been replaced.

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The crowd look on expectantly before erupting when San Jorges win the game. La Planassa with Avenue Onze de Setembre to the right.

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Obviously displeased, Harrington leads his son back to the car. Rampa de la Planassa leading from Plaça de Sant Pere in Palamós with the spire of Santa María del Mar to the left of centre.

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Robert and Carol pay a visit to Casa Breza and José presents some fish that he has caught.

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Maria runs with José and Nicholas as they set out to go fishing while Harrington is away in Madrid.

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Just making it in time, Nicholas and José climb onto the roof of the overfull bus.

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The two settle between goods and luggage as the bus pulls away.

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Maria waves the friends off on their trip.

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José leads Nicholas to the fishing place that he found when he was a youngster.

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Travelling by taxi from the station, Harrington arrives back from Madrid earlier than expected.

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When he and José arrive at Casa Breza, Nicholas finds his angry father waiting.

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Having concealed Nicholas’ watch in José’s jacket, Garcia tells Harrington about the theft.

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Maria watches with the townsfolk as the handcuffed José waits at the station to be taken to court in Barcelona. Looking onto Plaça d'Espanya from the railway station in Girona.

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Harrington arrives at the station to catch the train to Barcelona to give evidence. Outside the station on Plaça d'Espanya.

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Policeman (Richard Molinas and Jack Stewart) stand either side of the prisoner as Harrington walks to the platform.

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The train for Barcelona approaches. Girona station was rebuilt onto an elevated viaduct in 1973 and is currently planned to become an underground station. Manuel Gurtner presumes that this is the only scene in a British feature film which features one of the mighty 4-8-4 tank engines of RENFE-series 242-0231 to 0290 (ex M.Z.A. series 1600), built between 1924 and 1927.

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Hiding behind a freight van, Garcia watches the train depart with José and Harrington aboard. Girona railway station on Plaça d'Espanya, Girona.

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Nicholas goes to see Old Pedro to tell him that José has been taken to Barcelona.

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Harrington and the accompanying Policemen pursue José when his seizes the opportunity to escape from the train.

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After José's innocence is proven he returns to Casa Breza and a warm welcome from Nicholas. Mas Juny near Palamós in Girona, Catalonia.