Work is a Four Letter Word

Views of regeneration in a now disappeared Birmingham are shown as the titles roll. This is the rear of Cumberland House which stands on Broad Street in Birmingham, West Midlands.

From a similar viewpoint now, looking over Tennant Street in B15.

An unconfirmed location. After further redevelopement in the area, it is likely that the block seen here has since been demolished.

The film's Export Court is shown. Facing south west from a court off St Martin's Street. The building seen centre left background is Five Ways House on Islington Row Middleway.

A rather different sight today.

Another modern, high rise block is seen through gaps in the aging terraces. Panning from previous image wflw003 brings Auchinleck House at Five Ways into view from the court off St Martin's Street, looking over Tennant Street.

Taken from a little closer on Tennant Street.

In an undefined future overseen by DICE (Domestic Industries Community Estate), billboards advertise unfulfilled promises of new buildings. An unconfirmed location although, giving that other shots were filmed in and around Marylebone Goods Yard, this may be part of the same area during demolition.

Mounted 'DICE' Police patrol the empty streets. A very sorry looking St. Martin's Street in Birmingham B15. Vincent Boulton adds that the building on the corner with William Street is the Roebuck public house, his Mom and Dad's local.

A happier view of homes on Moss House Close and Roseland Way now.

Valentine Brose (David Warner) comes out of his home in the fictional Consumer Court to collect manure for his mushrooms. This looks like one of the numerous 'courts' once found in the city, featuring typical 'Brummie' back to back houses.

A publicity still, marginally clearer than the screen capture, of the same location.

The unemployed fungiculturist walks into the road. The now demolished, southern part of St. Martin's Street. Vincent Boulton remembers fifty years ago when his parents were asked to be extras in the film and were paid with food instead of money!

From about the same spot now. Behind the background buildings is the Five Ways Shopping Centre and the remaining part of St Martin's Street.

Valentine follows the horses along the street. St. Martin's Street near the junction with Tennant Street looking towards Broad Street with the Five Ways Shopping Centre to the extreme left. Vincent tells us "When I was 13 years old I came home from school early, and turned the corner into St. Martins Street from William Street to walk straight into a policeman who told me "You can't come up here" . . . . .

The staff of the DICE facility set off to work. St Martin's Street. Vincent continues "Yes I can, I live here" I said and wrestled myself free when he took hold of me. I ran up the road and could not believe what I was seeing. There were rows of weirdly dressed people sitting cross legged all over the road outside my house, holding what looked like very big and odd looking vegetables! I think I must have spoiled the take!"

The same area looks very different now.

Further along St Martin's Street, B15 near the junction with William Street.

As the workers head for their jobs, Valentine makes his way back to Consumer Court. Outside the entrance to Auchinleck Square in the Five Ways Shopping Centre at the corner of St Martin's Street and Tennant Street.

A screen shot, copyright Google Streetview, to show the former entrance as the complex is, as of August 2013, boarded up awaiting demolition.

Betty Dorrick (Cilla Black) leaves her house to join the others on the walk to work. This appears to be at the rear of a house between Bishopsgate Street and St Martin's Street with Cumberland House visible in the top left.

Cumberland House captured through a gap in properties on Roseland Way.

With only mushrooms on his mind, Valentine nears home. St Martin's Street.

It's difficult to take exact shots of the location as buildings now stand where the road once ran.

When the crop fails to develop, Valentine continues his search for the perfect mushroom growing environment. I am 99% certain that this is the wash plant to the north of Marylebone station, London NW1. The train that passes through the wash plant during the next few frames is one that was used on the routes to Aylesbury and Banbury from London's Marylebone station.

Rather than take a like for like comparison that would only show a wooden fence and lots of brambles, Greg Scott took this wider view of the area which gives a better idea of how the site has changed. Greg adds that the wash road was accessed through the centre of the image where two lamps can still be seen beyond the span of the bridge over the Grand Union Canal.

A Finnish Sauna is next on the list of likely places for Valentine's Mexican mushrooms to thrive. Incidentally, Bernard Harris advises that the boiler house scenes were shot at the since demolished Belvedere Power Station on Norman Road, Belvedere, Kent.

Valentine takes Betty along as he visits the DICE 'Centrepoint'.

Auchinleck House at Five Ways in Edgbaston, Birmingham as seen from the junction of St Martin's Street and Tennant Street.

The two turn a corner to enter the building. Auchinleck House at the corner of Broad Street and Islington Row Middleway, Birmingham.

Boarded up premises await demolition.

After mayhem is caused inside, Valentine attempts to leave the corporation's head office.

The same place now. The entrance to the Five Ways Shopping Centre, soon to be replaced by a hotel.

As part of the escape, Valentine gets carried up the block in a window cleaners cradle.

Looking up at Auchinleck House on Broad Street, Birmingham B15.

Betty has to drag Valentine to see the local Vicar about getting married. Unknown location.

The head of DICE, Mr. Price (David Waller), rides a miniature traction engine to his car. Unidentified location.

Mrs. Price (Jan Holden) watches as her husband leaves for the office. Unknown location.

Reverend Mort (Alan Howard) walks his dog past a building scheduled to be redeveloped years ago. Facing north-west from behind the main offices of Marylebone Goods Yard off Lisson Grove in London NW8.

At the registry office, Mrs. Dorrick (Julie May) and Pa Brose (Joe Gladwin) pose for the wedding photo with their offspring and families.

The Reverend's dog jumps into the happy couple's car as they drive away. St John's Wood Power Station on Lodge Road in London NW8 provides the backdrop. The power station also features in 'Postman's Knock' and was demolished in 1973.

This is an approximation of the same location, Grendon Street facing Jerome Crescent on the Lisson Green Estate in London NW8. The estate was built between 1970 and 1975.

The wedding car carrying Valentine and his Bride arrives at the reception. St Martin's Street.

The camera pans with the car from image wflw026. St Martin's Street, Birmingham.

An Undertakers limousine arrives at the same time.

The Undertakers take plants and cacti into the house.

Roseland Way in Birmingham.

As they get out of the car, Betty shares a tender moment with her new Husband. St Martin's Street at the crossroads with Tennant Street. In the background is Auchinleck House towering above the Five Ways Shopping Centre.

The rear of the now derelict and partly demolished shopping centre at the base of Auchinleck House.

Mrs. Dorrick and Pa Brose make their way to the reception. St Martin's Street, Birmingham, West Midlands. The site is now occupied by the Five Ways Estate.

This image is taken from between buildings on Roseland Way and Moss House Close with St Martin's Street and a corner of the Five Ways Shopping Centre visible behind the footbridge.