Black Orchid

This ‘B’ feature opens with an evening shot the house where Dr. John Winnington lives in a loveless marriage with his wife Sophie. The house, now demolished, Ron and Ray Glenister tell us, was 12 Avenue Road, London NW8. (RL)

On Avenue Road, to the bottom left, Tris found a wall pillar is all that remains of the scene, and now there's a zebra crossing too.

A Delivery Boy arrives at the house with a black orchid for Mrs. Winnington. Ray and Ron Glenister tell us that this is Avenue Road, London NW8 looking across the junction with St. Edmund's Terrace. (RL)

Tris pointed his lens along the site of the property's former side wall on St. Edmund's Terrace.

Dr. Winnington is driven home from Wharf Street Clinic by family friend Eric Blair. Ron and Ray Glenister have placed this as Kingsway, London WC2 looking north with the distinctive roof line of circa No: 99 on the corner with Great Queen Street still apparent. (RL)

Peter found it impossible to duplicate the screen capture due to clutter on the central reservation.

When her husband becomes emotionally involved with her sister Christine, Mrs. Winnington seeks a divorce. The Royal Courts of Justice on Strand WC2, also seen in ‘Genevieve’, 'The Look of Love', ‘The Assassination Bureau Limited’, ‘Steptoe and Son’ and 'Action for Slander' amongst others.

Taken from ground level in front of The George pub, though I should be on a roof on the west side of Essex Street for the exact angle. SJ

After toasting the success of Eric's latest book, Dr. John Winnington (Ronald Howard) leaves the offices of Vincent Humphries, his friend’s publisher.

Dr. Winnington is leaving No 19 Dorset Square, London NW1 the Blue Plaque home of Dodie Smith (RL)

Christine Shaw (Olga Edwardes) waits in the car to drive the eminent specialist home.

Replacing my earlier shot with one from Christopher Matheson, without leaves the comparison is much easier to view. I was with him when he took it! Dorset Square, London NW1 (RL)

The Morris is parked on the driveway outside the Doctor’s house. Jules Ballantyne points out that there is a distinct similarity in the gateposts here to those in 'Its A Boy' and 'Danger by my Side'. From 12 Avenue Road, London NW8 looking across to 19 Avenue Road. (RL)

Facing west towards the junction of St. Edmund's Terrace and Avenue Road taken by Tris.

The two enter to find Sophie collecting her clothes and belongings. 12 Avenue Road, London NW8 which was also seen at the beginning of the film. (RL)

Captured by Tris, this is the view northwest from St. Edmund's Terrace across what was once the original building's entrance.

Soon after walking out of the family home, Sophie Winnington (Mary Laura Wood) becomes faint. Grove End Road in St. John’s Wood with Eyre Court to the right. Also seen in The Challenge.

Needless to say the greenery behind has been built upon. (RL)

The view of the station becomes blurred as Sophie struggles onward. St. John’s Wood station at the corner of Finchley Road and Acacia Road in London NW8. The station appears in 'The Diamond' and 'It's Never Too Late' from 1956 as well as 'One Way Out', 'The Strange Case of Blondie' and 'Mantrap'.

Quite a few changes have been made over the years. (RL)

Sophie begins to cross a main road. The junction of Finchley Road, Acacia Road and Wellington Road in St. John’s Wood with Grove End Road to the left.

A much leafier corner now. SJ

As Sophie steps from the refuge, a lorry approaches. Looking north along Finchley Road from the junction with Acacia Road, Wellington Road and Grove End Road.

The trees have really taken over. SJ

The Truck Driver brakes too late and Mrs. Winnington is run down and killed. Facing Wellington Road at the junction with Grove End Road, Finchley Road and Acacia Road in NW8.

The fatal junction. SJ

After being charged with his wife’s murder by poisoning, Dr. Winnington is sentenced to death. The Central Criminal Court seen from the corner of Holborn Viaduct and Old Bailey at London’s EC1 and EC4 boundary. Various aspects of the building have been seen many times before including in ‘The Naked Edge’, 'Murder in Reverse', 'The Walking Stick', ‘Seven Days to Noon’ and ‘Front Page Story’.

Peter has been there "many times before" as well but this is his latest shot from there. (RL)

As they endeavour to prove John’s innocence, Eric and Christine arrive at the café where the Winnington’s former Maid works. Kensington High Street in W8 with the corner of Earl’s Court Road in the centre background.

The corner is intact. SJ

Christine tells Eric Blair (John Bentley) that she will go in and question the Maid on her own. Outside Troy Court on Kensington High Street with the rear of buildings on Pater Street in the left distance.

The rear of Pater Street is obscured in this current view outside Troy Court, W8. SJ

Mrs. Humphries (Mary Jones) potters about the garden as Christine and Eric arrive to speak with her husband.

Vincent Humphries (Patrick Barr) makes an excuse to leave the cottage momentarily.

Leaving the Humphries', Eric and Christine discuss their suspicions about Vincent as they head on towards Chichester. Highwood Hill, London NW7. Out of sight to the left is the start of Marsh Lane. (RL)

The road layout has been completely changed but the house and the post box remain. (RL)

As the car begins to descend a steep hill, Eric finds that the brakes are not working. Highwood Hill, London NW7 (RL)

The house IS still there.....honest! (RL)

Careering out of control, the car crashes and the pair are seriously injured. This location also appears in 'Lost Hours'. Trevor Farr unravels this long outstanding mystery to tell us that the building is now known as 'The Mission Hall', Steam Farm Lane, Feltham, TW14 0PW (RL)

A comparative Google Earth View shows a distinct change in traffic flow. (RL)

Eric leaves hospital to follow Christine when he learns that she was discharged earlier and has set out for Vincent Humphries' London home.

Having taken an ambulance, Eric sounds the bell as he approaches a junction and a Policeman on point duty stops traffic to let him through.

The film concludes with a scene outside the gateway to Wormwood Scrubs Prison on Du Cane Road in Shepherd's Bush W12.

The lamp bracket fixing points remain visible. (RL)

Christine is reunited with her lover. The entrance road to HMP Wormwood Scrubs with Du Cane Road just visible on the extreme left. The famous prison also features in ‘The Horse's Mouth’, ‘Jungle Street’, ‘Bullseye’ and ‘Hot Millions’.

It appears that the truck was sentenced to remain static whilst Antony Blair captured the scene now.