Touch of Class, A

An establishing shot of the Thames begins this very American 'sit-com style' romantic comedy. This is the view from the penthouse of Alembic House, now Peninsula Heights, on Albert Embankment SE1. The flat was used as a location in ‘Playbirds’, ‘The Internecine Project’, ‘Theatre of Blood’, ‘The Naked Runner’, ‘Joanna’ and ‘The Italian Job’.

Taken from a 185 bus rather from Alembic House whence I suspect the shot was lensed but at least there's a bit of height. SJ

A game of baseball is played by Americans in Hyde Park where Steven Blackburn and Vickie Allessio first encounter each other. London W2.

The tree shapes are the same, as of course The Albert Memorial in the background. This is just to the west of the manège in Hyde Park. SJ

As the titles restart, we see Steve Blackburn (George Segal) walking through the City of London. The junction of Poultry, Lombard Street, Cornhill and Threadneedle Street with the Mansion House to the right of centre. The location was seen in 'The Salvage Gang', 'Circus of Fear', The Green Man', 'The Passionate Friends' and many more.

The same place now, captured by Peter.

Steve carries on towards Threadneedle Street EC2. 'The Mackintosh Man' followed a similar route.

Peter found that a Jubilee Walkway information 'pyramid' has been added and the railings removed.

The married man who has 'never been unfaithful to his wife... in the same city' walks along Cornhill with The Royal Exchange to the left.

On the left, a a raised flower bed has replaced the bench and, on the right, the statue of James Henry Greathead by James Butler R.A. was added to Cornhill in 1994. Greathead was an engineer who invented the deep tunnel shield system that was used for much of London's Underground railway construction. Information and image by Peter.

Steve spots Vickie on a passing number 15 bus and the two acknowledge each other. Cornhill in EC2. The Royal Exchange and the streets around appear in many films including 'The Mackintosh Man', 'What's Good for the Goose', 'Two Gentlemen Sharing', 'The Green Man', 'The Passionate Friends', 1951's 'Scrooge', 'Wanted for Murder', 'Perfect Strangers', 'Circus of Fear', 'Tube Tales', '28 Days Later . . .', 'The Lavender Hill Mob', 'Monsieur Ripois' and 'Bobbikins'.

Nice greenery added and the railings around Wellington's statue removed. Picture from Peter.

Just another establishing shot as the title sequence ends. Facing north towards towards Trafalgar Square from Spring Gardens in SW1.

Now: that left tree's doing well. SJ

On a rainy day, Vickie Allessio (Glenda Jackson) and Steve Blackburn wait in separate doorways as they attempt to hail a cab. Grosvenor Street, London W1 looking towards the junction with Avery Row on the left. (RL)

Simon Edwards sends us this shot of a now redeveloped part of Grosvenor Street adding that the grey office in the capture was No 6 and the shops had consecutive numbering up to No 9. However, Glenda Jackson and George Segal told the taxi driver to go to 80 Grosvenor St; but that address, with consecutive numbering on that street, is over the road from where they got into the taxi! So a journey they need not have taken! Simon also notes that the postbox has been removed and replaced by two telephone boxes. (RL)

After sharing the same taxi, Steve invites Vickie to tea. Grosvenor Street, London W1 looking towards the junction with New Bond Street. (RL)

Simon captures an equally quiet scene remarking that the white corner building, once the Midland Bank is now HSBC Bank and the brown building, once the 'Grosvenor Arms' is now 'Agent Provocateur'. (RL)

Having meet for tea, Vickie heads to her next date with Steve. Warrington Crescent just south of the junction with Formosa Street in London W9.

Now. SJ

The divorced mother of two children enters 'The Churchill' hotel. On Warrington Crescent between Warrington Gardens and Formosa Street in Maida Vale.

The near column's gained some flutes. SJ

An establishing shot outside Vickie's workshop where she 'steals designs from people like Dior, Cardin, and Givenchy'. Geoff Dodd has established the location as Grosvenor Street, London W1 with Bourdon Street going off to the right. (RL)

Simon provides this replacement shot for Geoff's Google Earth View commenting that this is the building, 80 Grosvenor Street that the taxi driver was asked to drive to. Remarkably, it has been completely rebuilt in precisely the same style. It is now an office building in its entirety, but in the 1980s the ground floor, and the lower ground floor, was occupied by the popular "The Chalet" cafe/restaurant. (RL)

Steve arranges a trip to Málaga with Vickie but his plans are put out when his wife and in-laws arrive from the States. The junction of Chester Street and Upper Belgrave Street in SW1 identified by Simon James in his book 'London Movie Guide'.

And that's the embassy of the Ivory Coast. SJ

Gloria Blackburn (Hildegarde Neil) gets out of the car with her children and parents. Looking towards Belgrave Square on Upper Belgrave Street.

Back in June 2014 I took a comparison too far back and promised a future replacement (which took nearly 7 years to honour!) SJ

On the afternoon before the flight, Vickie leaves the house with her dog, cat and bird. Hillgate Place, London W8. The location was seen in 'Dracula AD 1972'.

A parked car rendered a slight tilt here. The houses seemed to have swapped paint jobs. SJ

The menagerie is taken to the house of her assistant Cecil.

Whilst Steve has problems getting away from his family, Vickie leaves her house and heads to the airport. Hillgate Place in W8.

Looking east down Hillgate Place, with the "Dracula 72 AD" location behind me. SJ

After bumping into old friend Walter Menkes at London Airport, travelling with him to Málaga and letting him have the last good car for rent on arrival in Spain, Steve finally gets to be with Vickie and drive her to their hotel in a small Fiat. Málaga Airport, now Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport in Andalusia, Spain, which also appears in 'Innocent Bystanders' and 'The Running Man'.

Steve and Vickie struggle with their luggage outside the film's Golf Hotel in Guadalmina.

Following a stressful start to the week away, Vickie accompanies Steve when he goes out to play golf. Manuel Gurtner explains that this is the Hotel Guadalmina golf course which is located on the east bank of the Río Guadalmina, the river that marks the border between the municipalities of Marbella and Estepona.

The tension continues as the pair make their way back from the golf course. Manuel Gurtner advises that the 1965 Seat 600 D Descapotable runs over the major road, now the Mediterráneo motorway, between Fuengirola and Marbella. The view is toward Punta de Calaburras near Mijas and has the Lighthouse dating from 1928 in the right distance.

After a day out on business, Steve pulls up outside Antonio's Restaurant to meet Walter where inside, he finds that Patty Menkes has also invited Vickie.

Vickie and Steve attend a bullfight and are spotted by Walter and Patty. Possibly Plaza de toros de La Malagueta in Málaga.

The Menkes see that the couple are getting along rather well.

On the waterfront, Steve and Vickie become more affectionate.

Walter Menkes (Paul Sorvino) watches as Steve and Vickie embrace.

Walter confides to Steve that he once had a holiday romance.

BRITISH FILM POSTER - A TOUCH OF CLASS; Original poster, 65cm x 100cm, about 27” x 39”, good unused near mint condition. €75.00, + p+p

When they return to London, the two rent a secret flat together on Macclesfield Street. Gerrard Street facing Wardour Street in W1.

Rather revamped. SJ

The affair continues in the Soho building occupied by prostitutes. Macclesfield Street looking towards Dean Street and the junction with Shaftesbury Avenue.

Sun glare has made the BT Tower vanish. SJ

Steve moves his golf clubs in.

Upper Belgrave Road, SW1. I remember the redesign of the front causing several doubts during London Movie Guide's incarnation. SJ

And Vickie moves her pets in. Farm Place in Holland Park, at the junction with Hillgate Place.

Looking north up colourful Farm Place. SJ

More furniture is moved into the couple's flat. Macclesfield Street W1.

Very hard to compare. SJ

Steve arrives late to a Beethoven concert that he is attending with his wife after visiting Vickie. The Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7. The location is seen in 1978's 'The Thirty Nine Steps' as well as 'The Seventh Veil', 'The Ipcress File', 'The Mutations' and 'To Catch a Spy' to name just a few.

The same spot captured by Peter.

The end of the affair. Looking out the window of their flat, Steve sees Vicki waiting for a taxi. Supposedly the corner of Macclesfield Street and Gerrard Street, but confirmation is required.

The column looks the same, and this would be the view from the flat. SJ