Hand in Hand

In a panic, young Michael O'Malley (Philip Needs) runs into view. This is St. Michael’s Bridge crossing the River Ver in St. Albans, Hertfordshire.

You walk a mile to take a comparison and not only are there roadworks but the encroaching greenery covers most of the background. (PW)

The boy runs through the streets as fast as he can. Looking west on Fishpool Street in St. Albans.

Antony Blair arrived on the same street at about the same time of day.

French Row running between Market Place and High Street in St. Albans with the Clock Tower to the top centre.

Very much an unchanged scene in Antony's shot.

This is Fishpool Street near the corner of Welclose Street.

Antony found the location and took a more colourful picture.

Coming to an abrupt halt when he sees a Policeman, Michael soon overcomes his fear and runs onward. Looking into Welclose Street from Fishpool Street.

No motorcycle copper in Antony's comparison.

Footsteps grow louder as Michael keeps up his pace. Rob Pr identifies this as the junction of Fishpool Street and Branch Road.

Rob continues that "The buildings opposite are the Kingsbury Water Mill which is now a museum and a Waffle House Restaurant."

The seven year old runs towards the film's St. Peter’s church. Identified by Geoff Dodd as the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady Help of Christians on Park Road, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. (RL)

Antony Blair replaces an earlier shot from Google Earth with this one, which is taken slightly off angle as the sun was playing up.

Opening the door, Michael goes inside where he finds Father Timothy and tells him that he has killed his friend Rachel. Identified by Geoff Dodd as the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady Help of Christians in Rickmansworth. (RL)

Geoff's Google Earth image is replaced by this one by Antony which shows that the doorway remains the same.

In flashback, Michael leaves school with Tom (Denis Gilmore) at the end of lessons. The now demolished and replaced Pemberton Primary School on Hatfield Road, St. Albans.

What a lovely view for today's pupils arriving for school. (PW)

In the playground, Rachel Mathias (Loretta Parry) turns her head when she hears her name. Looking towards Hatfield Road from Pemberton Primary School playground.

A dull shot taken on a sunny day. (PW)

Michael’s pals tease him after he rescues Rachel from their taunts. The site of Pemberton Primary School is now occupied by St. Albans City School.

The architecture of progress. (PW)

On her way out to get her Father’s evening newspaper, Rachel sees Michael in the street and starts to talk with him. Abbey View Road with the corner of Offa Road to the centre.

Antony found that another house has appeared on the right.

As he passes by, Father Timothy (John Gregson) stops to talk with the two children. Looking along Ver Road from Abbey View Road with the St. Alban’s Cathedral in the distance.

Looking East on Ver Road captured by Antony.

The Priest arrives in town. Church Green at the junction of St. Peter’s Street with Catherine Street and Hatfield Road. The location was also seen in ‘All the Way Up’ and 'Three Sundays to Live'.

The same scene, but Antony came across a newly built corner.

When Father Timothy bumps into Rabbi Benjamin (Derek Sydney) the two start to talk about football. Facing the corner of St. Peter’s Street and Hatfield Street.

Taken by Antony Blair from outside the Blacksmith Arms public house with the Cock Inn in the background.

Having given his newspaper to the Rabbi, Father Timothy goes to buy another from Tim the news-vendor. Market Place in St. Albans with the Corn Exchange in the background.

Market day was in full swing when I turned up. (PW)

When the children arrive, Tim tells Rachel that Father Timothy has bought the last paper and suggests that she goes to Pritchard’s shop. Facing north-east on Market Place, St. Albans.

The Market Place, now pedestrianised as Antony discovered.

Despite the owner being feared by children because of the tales told about him, Michael heads to Pritchard’s shop. French Row off Market Place, parts of which are also seen in ‘The Magic Box’ and 'Now and Forever'.

Looking south west on French Row, taken by Antony Blair.

Having successfully obtained the evening's news the two head towards home. The corner of Thorpe Road and Sopwell Lane in St. Albans.

Antony took this view of the same location.

Rachel asks about the magic he did before entering the shop and Michael explains that it was the sign of the cross.

Rob Pr provided this shot showing that the premises are now a private residence with a window replacing the door.

Mr. Reuben Mathias (Arnold Diamond) comes into view and greets his daughter. Outside the Hare & Hounds public house on Sopwell Lane.

Antony took this shot of the pub's frontage.

Michael smiles after his new friend gives him a kiss on the cheek. Looking west on Sopwell Lane.

A good match of the scene looking west from outside the Hare & Hounds by Antony.

Rachel walks away with her father and Michael continues home. Looking along Sopwell Lane to buildings on Old London Road.

Facing east now from Antony Blair.

On another day, Michael tells Rachel about his plans to visit Africa and she tells him about wanting to go to London to see the Queen. Bridge 167 at the tail of Iron Bridge Lock on the Grand Union Canal as it passes through Cassiobury Park in Watford, Hertfordshire.

RP provides this shot but acknowledges that undergrowth and trees prevent a clear view.

After pointing out the place where he will set off from the two carry on towards the park.

The same location now captured by RP.

Walking through the park, the pair come across an old, disused gateway.

Michael explains that the house once belonged to the Terrabell family but is now empty.

When Rachel’s father announces that the family are moving away, the children decide to visit the Queen and attempt to hitch-hike to London. Facing east on Hemel Hempstead Road, Bluehouse Hill with the tower of St. Michael’s Church on St. Michael’s Street visible to the right of centre.

Rob Pr advises that the children would have been standing just about where the end of the zigzag markings are on the opposite side of the road.

Eventually a Rolls Royce pulls over to give them a lift. Looking west on Bluehouse Hill with the junction formed by King Harry Lane ahead.

Comparison view by Rob Pr "Sybil Thorndike was here!"

Lady Caroline lets the children into the car and takes them home to a house that she says is owned by the Queen. The White Lodge in Richmond Park, Richmond in Surrey located by Steve Randall.

Taken by John Harwood (SJ)

Gregory the Chauffeur holds the car door open for Lady Caroline (Sybil Thorndike) and the children. Steve Randall found the White Lodge in Richmond Park, the birthplace of Edward VIII and home of the Royal Ballet School since 1955.

After their visit, Gregory drives Michael and Rachel home as the two talk about the time they spent with the Princess. The White Lodge in Richmond Park, Surrey identified by Steve Randall.

John H notes there are no changes. (SJ)

Out shopping, Mrs. O'Malley (Kathleen Byron) finds her son and asks him to help carry the groceries. St. Peter’s Street in St. Albans, Hertfordshire.

Taken by Antony Blair standing at the same bus stop.

Michael asks him Mum if carrots help you see in the dark. Facing south on St. Peter’s Street, outside the Council Offices.

Antony faced the same way.

At a corner Michael points on the Synagogue that Rachel attends. St. Peter’s Street in St. Albans.

Antony returned to the scene on a market day and found that the former B.H.S. building has now been demolished.

To his mother’s dismay, Michael says that he would like to go to a service there one day. Mill Hill Synagogue on Brockenhurst Gardens, London NW7.

The building has now been replaced. (RL)

At school, Tom asks if Michael is going to the pictures. The playground at Pemberton Primary School on Hatfield Road with the tower of St. Peter's Church in the background.

St. Peter's church tower proves the location. (PW)

Michael follows other boys from the playground after telling Tom that he’s meeting Rachel. Looking from the playground towards Marlborough Buildings across Hatfield Road.

The same buildings still stand across the same road. (PW)

On Saturday, Father Timothy talks football with a parishioner. Facing The Broadway from Station Road in Mill Hill, London NW7.

The M&S sign rather dominates now. (RL)

The two walk by while Michael conceals himself in a corner shop doorway. The corner of Station Road and Brockenhurst Gardens, Mill Hill. The M1 Motorway now occupies the background.

The M1 Motorway to the right now dominates. (RL)

After the Priest passes, a nervous Michael looks over to the Benjamin Rosen Synagogue. The corner of Station Road and Brockenhurst Gardens with The Broadway in the left background.

The premises remain but the businesses have changed. (RL)

Michael follows Rachel and her father as they head towards the Synagogue. Mill Hill Synagogue on Brockenhurst Gardens. The building was replaced in the 2010s.

A much changed view. (RL)

Pausing at the gate, Michael goes inside. Brockenhurst Gardens in Mill Hill NW7.

The wall has now been replaced with railings and a security guard. (RL)

The next day, Michael makes his way to Rachael’s house. Facing eastward on Abbey View Road.

Antony Blair came across just a few more cars on the same street.

Michael sneaks into the Mathias’ garden. Looking along Ver Road from the house at the corner with Offa Road.

A more colourful scene greeted Antony.

Holding his friend’s hand, Michael leads Rachel to St. Peter’s Church. Identified by Geoff Dodd as Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady Help of Christians on Park Road, Rickmansworth. (RL)

Antony Blair captured the same church.

The two approach the Church and enter. The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady Help of Christians on Park Road in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire located by Geoff Dodd. (RL)

Antony found that there hasn't been much change in nearly sixty years, apart from the trees, and replaces Geoff's Google Earth image with his own.

Having experienced each other’s religions the two youngsters know that their friendship is strong. Looking towards the Cathedral from the corner of Sopwell Lane and Thorpe Road.

How the corner looks now by Geoff Vickers.

In preparation for the trip to Africa, Michael buys an old helmet from Pritchard’s shop. Thorpe Road with the rear of properties on Bardwell Road in the left background.

Antony captured the same corner.

Rachel heads home, promising to be at the river later. Facing London Road and the junction with Keyfield Terrace and Cottonmill Crescent from Sopwell Road.

Geoff Vickers provides this comparison with the Hare & Hounds public house still pulling pints to the right.

Wearing his helmet, Michael approaches the river carrying his Father’s rubber dinghy. Bridge 167 crossing the Grand Union Canal in Cassiobury Park, Watford which is also seen in 'Single Handed'.

Taken on the bridge by RP.

When Rachel arrives the two climb into the small craft and set off for Africa with Michael pulling on the oars. The Grand Union Canal below Bridge 167.

RP shows that the eroded bank has been filled in. However, the small concrete 'jetty' appears to remain.

Tragedy strikes at a weir when Rachel falls into the water and a drenched Michael runs for help.

The devastated boy raises the alarm at a farmhouse before hurrying on to find Father Timothy.