Matter of WHO, A

Oil prospector Steve Cooper joins a flight from Nice to London with his new wife Michele. This is Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport in Alpes-Maritimes, France.

Edward Kennedy (Alex Nicol) arrives at London Airport to meet Cooper, who has been taken ill on the plane. The Control Tower seen in the distance through the window was also seen in 'Jet Storm', 'The V.I.P.'s' and 'Three Hats for Lisa'.

After Cooper is taken to hospital, Archibald Bannister (Terry-Thomas) of the World Health Organisation drives away from the airport.

Working for the Department of Health, the WHO agent continues towards London. He is actually heading away from London, Mill Hill Circus looking towards Goodwyn Avenue, London NW7 (RL)

A trip down Memory Lane, I remember it as it was. (RL)

I bet you thought only an old incarnation of a certain time traveller had a registration like this! Mill Hill Circus, The Broadway off to the left and Goodwyn Avenue, London NW7 ahead. (RL)

Sign of the times, Lloyds Bank has closed for business. (RL)

A roundabout is successfully negotiated. But where is it? Mill Hill Circus, London NW7 and he is just about to exit towards Apex Corner past Clarence Court on his left. Also seen in "Tomorrow At Ten" and "The Scamp". (RL)

And the Estate Agents are still there. (RL)

A car approaches the offices of British Independent Oil Limited.

Kennedy enters the building to meet with Basil Forster who gives him bad news about oil exploration in Wahbar.

Archibald arrives in the Capital. The principal entrance of the Imperial Institute on Imperial Institute Road, London SW7. Demolition of the Imperial Institute building commenced in 1957 and was finally completed in 1962.

Now an open area with food stalls. The Queen's Tower remains. (RL)

The car bumps over the kerb and comes to rest in a parking place. Looking across Imperial Institute Road at the Royal College of Science, Physics and Chemistry, which has since been mostly demolished . . . .

. . . as can be seen in this shot from Peter.

Archibald runs inside where he is berated because of an earlier incident with a rat. All that remains of the Imperial Institute is Queen’s Tower on Queen’s Lawn, Imperial College Road in South Kensington. The location also features in 'The Rough and the Smooth', 'Three Cases of Murder', 'Raising a Riot' and 'Against the Wind'.

What a difference to be seen in Peter's comparison.

World Health in Geneva are advised when it's discovered that Cooper has contracted smallpox. The Palais des Nations in Parc de l'Ariana, Geneva, Switzerland.

As more cases of smallpox are confirmed across Europe, Archibald and Kennedy pay a visit to Ivonovitch on his ship. Looking across the Thames toward Victoria Embankment and Temple Pier where HQS Wellington has been moored since 1948 with Electra House to the left.

Peter provides this shot of the same scene with a very different skyline.

Although Cooper had dealings with Ivonovitch he cannot help, so the Captain (Michael Ripper) of the ship is questioned. In the background, Waterloo Bridge spans the river.

Moored boats fill Peter's modern comparison.

The Captain tells Archibald that the pilot of Ivonovitch's plane went missing in Nice two weeks ago.

The Shot Tower has been replaced by the London Eye but all else in the distance seems familiar. Picture by Peter.

Archibald drives Kennedy from the ship at high speed. Facing northward on Victoria Embankment with Hungerford House to the left.

Peter took this similar view of Hungerford House.

Following up the clue of the missing pilot, the pair head to place a call to Austria. Victoria Embankment with Hungerford Bridge crossing the top of the shot.

Following the car's route, Peter takes this image of the bridge.

During the call to Innsbruck, Dr. Linkers is asked to trace Ivonovitch's pilot. Innsbruck, the capital city of Tyrol in western Austria.

At the Wahbar Embassy, Archibald makes enquiries after discovering that a body is about to be shipped out of the country. Neil Rigby says that this is 180 Queens Gate looking across to the entrance of Queens Gate Terrace. The corner property also featured in the Hypnotist. (RL)

The "service road" has disappeared into the re-development of the site. (RL)

When oil is found to be the common denominator in the case, Archibald drives Kennedy back from a meeting with Forster. Neil Rigby places this as Watford Way looking back towards Barford Close. (RL)

Archibald is distracted by a woman adjusting her dress.

Watford Way, London NW4 by Westside says Neil Rigby who supports with this Bing capture. (RL)

Kennedy tells his chauffeur to watch where he's going as the two continue on their way to speak with Cooper.

One location leads to another says Neil, Watford Way by Southfields, London NW4 which he support with the aid of Bing. (RL)

The strange looking trailer is a set up for the next gag.

As Archibald starts to overtake the articulated lorry, another vehicle approaches from the opposite direction.

Yes, you guessed it . . . Archibald's car swerves and ends up beneath the trailer.

Archibald has difficulty trying to pull out from under the trailer.

A long shot of the stunt. Neil Rigby says that this is Watford Way, London NW4 by Newark Way. He says that he cannot support with Street Views due to trees.....Neil, we believe you! (OK)

When the articulated lorry turns off, Archibald's car continues along the main road. Watford Way, London NW4 at the junction with Greyhound Hill. (RL)

Whilst in the area for another film Denis Hoare captured this location for us mentioning that Aerodrome Road is to the left. (RL)

Driving a private ambulance, Archibald arrives at the Wahbar embassy to collect the Minister's body. Looking along Queen's Gate, London SW7 with 180 Queen's Gate immediately on the right says Neil Rigby. (RL)

Similar angle showing the now lost "service road". (RL)

The Bedford van reverses towards the embassy entrance. Queen's Gate looking down Queen's Gate Terrace says Neil. (RL)

A clearer view from the same spot. (RL)

As Archibald remains in the van, the ambulance crew wait for the late Minister's body to be brought out of the embassy. 180 Queen's Gate, London SW7 now incorporated into re-development identified by Neil again. (RL)

Best possible shot given the extensive change. (RL)

Across town, Kennedy escorts Michele Cooper (Sonja Ziemann) to a taxi. Neil Rigby keeps moving "across town" and has settled on Globe House, 4 Temple Place London WC2 R2P for this location.

Neil supported his find with a Google shot in Feb '17, now replaced by SJ.

Rahman and his entourage follow the Department of Health ambulance. Neil Rigby locates this as Cromwell Road, at the junction with Queen's Gate. (RL)

Never a sufficient break in the traffic to confidently stand further into the road. (RL)

Driven by his chauffeur, Rahman keeps up with Archibald. Neil Rigby recognised Talgarth Road passing Lamda Drama School in London W14 (RL)

Avoiding a view of mostly trees, this is taken from the other (north) side of Talgarth Road looking east towards the intersection with Gliddon Road. SJ

The Wahbar Minister's car speeds up as the ambulance pulls away. Neil Rigby found the very spot, Talgarth Road W14 . . .

. . . and also provided this Bing capture. (RL)

Archibald puts his foot down. Cromwell Road, London at the junction with Collingham Road says Neil Rigby. (RL)

The triangular block to the left still stands out. SJ

From the back seat of his limousine, Rahman watches the pursuit.

Even from the back seat Neil Rigby knows exactly where he is, Holland Villas Road, past Addison Crescent onto Holland Road, London W14 which he supports with this Google Earth shot. (RL)

The taxi conveying Kennedy and Michele approaches a road junction. Glazebury Road, London W14 from the junction with Gunterstone Road courtesy of Jules Ballantyne. (RL)

Looking north to Edith Road, most of the architecture is intact but the trees have thrived. SJ

Archibald heads towards the same junction. Neil Rigby places this as Cromwell Road passing Stanhope Gardens. (RL)

I took advantage of a rare break in west-bound Cromwell Road traffic. SJ

There's nearly a crash as congestion at the intersection allows Archibald to get away from Rahman.

Jules Ballantyne found this location as Gunterstone Road, London W14 at the junction with Glazebury Road in Feb '17. This replaces her GEV showing a roundabout added to ease traffic. Looking south down Galzebury Road. SJ

Strangely, the chase moves to suburban roads and Archibald drives through what appears to be a park.

The sign reads Ennismore Park . . . but it appears to be a prop and a link to the next location.

The van approaches its destination. Facing north on Ennismore Gardens, Knightsbridge SW7.

Peter visited Knightsbridge.

Looking into Ennismore Mews from Ennismore Gardens in SW7.

The entrance to the mews now, captured by Peter.

After driving along the mews, Archibald reverses into a garage to wait for Kennedy and Michele. Ennismore Mews, Knightsbridge with the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in the distance.

Peter took this shot of the mews which shows just a little change.

The Wahbar Minister's car draws up at a phone box and Rahman gets out to call Scotland Yard. Neil Rigby locates this as Gliddon Road at the junction with Gunterstone Road, London W14. Maps of the time would suggest that the telephone box was indeed a prop. (RL)

The postbox remains at this redesigned junction. SJ

Archibald and Kennedy arrive in Austria where more cases of smallpox are being treated. Ehrwald in Tyrol with the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, rising in the distance.

A good psychic friend Günter took this shot for us during a bus trip to Tyrol back in 2014! He adds "It shows the Zugspitze from the Austrian side, the summit is in Germany. The town in the foreground is Ehrwald in Tyrol. (RL)

High in the Austrian Alps, a bus brings the two into the village of Ehrwald.

The camera follows as the bus negotiates the narrow, snow covered streets.

Archibald and Kennedy walk through the village. In the background stands the Maria Heimsuchung Parish Church in Ehrwald.

The pair catch up with Dr. Linkers (Eduard Linkers).

High on the mountain, Archibald and Kennedy find Ivonovitch's crashed plane and, in a nearby chalet, the final piece of the jigsaw.

After a small celebration, Dr. Linkers returns to the hotel after seeing Archibald and Kennedy off.

Michele waves at the two men as they walk across the tarmac after alighting from the plane at London Airport.