Four in the Morning

Date: 1965
Director: Anthony Simmons
Production Company: West One

Stars: Ann Lynn, Judi Dench, Norman Rodway, Brian Phelan, Joe Melia
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

As dawn breaks, two unrelated couples’ problems are put into context as police recover the body of a young woman found drowned in the River Thames.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson

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Two River Police Officers walk towards a young woman’s body on the shingle at Millwall. Looking north along Blackwall Reach, London E14 with Brunswick Power Station in the right distance.

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The body is dragged on board the launch. Facing Northumberland Wharf on the River Thames.

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Waves crash against the hull as the launch makes for shore.

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The Port of London Authorities West India Dock Pier at the end of Cuba Street in E14.

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The launch approaches the pier. With the docks now redeveloped, West India Dock Pier is now known simply as West India Pier.

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Across the Capital, Norman (Norman Rodway) brings his pal Joe (Joe Melia) home after an all-night drinking party. The background properties stand on Deodar Road in London SW15.

Norman shoots Joe with his pointing finger. Looking onto Deodar Road in Putney with railway arches under the District Line in the background.

There's little change in Andrew Price's view.

The two young men continue to lark about. The steps lead up to the footbridge alongside the District Line as it crosses the Thames by Fulham Railway Bridge between East Putney and Putney Bridge stations.

Andrew points out that a green ramp has been added for cycles.

Joe chases Norman along the street. Looking westward under the railway bridge on Deodar Road SW15.

Taken from a similar position by Andrew Price.

A Boy (Brian Phelan) waits outside The River Club where the Girl that he is interested in is about to finish work. Outside The White Elephant on the River restaurant at 129 Grosvenor Road, London SW1.

This is what 128 looks like now. Taken by Peter.

As one of the last customers leaves, the Boy turns to watch him walk away. Facing east along Grosvenor Road in Pimlico with the sign belonging to the still standing petrol station in the left background.

Peter moved into the road to get this view of the petrol station.

The Girl (Ann Lynn) appears from the building. This side of Grosvenor Road has been redeveloped.

This looking east from outside 128 Grosvenor Road. Picture by Peter.

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The couple walk towards the river. Grosvenor Road in London SW1 with a gas holder belonging to Nine Elms Gas Works to the top right across the Thames. A closer view of the location was seen in 'It's Not Cricket'.

With the sounds of industry drifting across the river, the Boy asks if the Girl is cold. Looking across the River Thames from Pimlico towards Imperial Wharf on Nine Elms Lane.

Peter found that tower blocks had replaced the cranes across the River. (RL)

The Boy enquires what the Girl does on other mornings after work. In the right background stands Battersea Power Station in SW8.

As Peter found the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station continues. (RL)

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Meanwhile, the Doctor arrives at West India Dock Pier to examine the body.

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The Doctor speculates that the woman has been in the water for up to thirty six hours. West India Dock Pier, Cuba Street on the Isle of Dogs.

Strand-on-the-Green in Chiswick W4. Circa 1965

After a cup of coffee the two walk along the Thames. Strand-on-the-Green in Chiswick W4.

Strand-on-the-Green in Chiswick W4.

The railings have been changed and the tree has grown but essentially the same. (RL)

Strand-on-the-Green, next to the footpath leading to Thames Road. Circa 1965

The Girl listens to the Boy as he tells her about his life. Strand-on-the-Green, next to the footpath leading to Thames Road.

Strand-on-the-Green, next to the footpath leading to Thames Road.

And now without attractive foreground. (RL)

A bus ride brings the pair to Lion Wharf. This is Old Isleworth, Greater London with Isleworth Ait to the right and the tower of All Saints church in the centre left distance, which is seen in 'Sebastian'. Just along Lion Wharf Road scenes from 'The Hi-Jackers’ and 'White Cargo' were shot.

No longer a working wharf other than being developed into apartments. (RL)

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Coming to co collect the girl’s body, Undertakers carry a coffin onto West India Dock Pier. Across the river lies Rotherhithe.

Continuity does the location hunter no favours as the Girl and the Boy continue the struggle to get to know each other better. Ray and Ron Glenister place this as facing east toward Barnes bridge. By Lonsdale Road close to Gerrard Road. (RL)

I can't quite make anything match except the curve of the Thames. This was taken facing south-west between Gerard Road and Nassau Street on Lonsdale Road, SW13. SJ

Strand-on-the-Green where the riverside pathway meets Thames Road. Circa 1965

The Girl watches as the Boy jumps onto the mud flats from the bank. Strand-on-the-Green where the riverside pathway meets Thames Road.

Strand-on-the-Green where the riverside pathway meets Thames Road.

Not quite the correct angle but the clearest view and the firmest ground I could find, not necessarily in that order! (RL)

Strand-on-the-Green Circa 1965

Strand-on-the-Green was also seen in ‘The Third Secret’, ‘Father Brown’, 'Walk a Tightrope', ‘The Jigsaw Man‘ and ‘Darling’.

Strand-on-the-Green

Impractical to be any further backward. (RL)

Strand-on-the-Green Circa 1965

The Boy runs across moorings to find a speedboat.

Strand-on-the-Green

No quick escape. (RL)

Strand-on-the-Green Circa 1965

The Girl calls that she doesn’t want the chosen boat but another one further downstream.

Strand-on-the-Green

Some background redevelopment. (RL)

Strand-on-the-Green Circa 1965

The two pull a boat in before the Girl climbs on board.

Strand-on-the-Green

Once again, impractical to move to the left. (RL)

The River Thames with Fulham Railway Bridge crossing in the background. Circa 1965

After pushing the speedboat into the river, Brian jumps aboard. Confirmed by Mark Roscoe, this is the River Thames with Kew Railway Bridge crossing in the background.

The River Thames with Fulham Railway Bridge crossing in the background.

That is why the camera positions were selective. (RL)

Having managed to start the engine, the Boy drives the boat past The River Club. This is the rear of The White Elephant on the River with the top floor of Hawkins House on Dolphin Square in the background.

Virtually impossible to achieve a similar shot now given the redevelopment but Peter found his way to the entrance of an underground car park to achieve the best possible "now". (RL)

The speedboat trip along the river begins. The River Thames between Kew and Chiswick with Kew Railway Bridge in the distance.

John Harwood with a clever drone shot. (SJ)

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The Boy spins the boat around.

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The scenic ride continues. In the left background stands Colonial Wharves in Wapping E1.

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As they travel down river the Houses of Parliament are passed.

This is Blackfriars Bridge with Milroy Wharf in the centre background.

Peter notes the considerable amount of rebuilding in background.

Approaching Tower Bridge in the Upper Pool with the south bank’s travelling cranes on the right.

HMS Belfast can be seen to the right in this comparison from Peter.

The boat speeds beneath Tower Bridge. The Tower of London is just visible to the right and the Dome of St. Paul’s can be seen in the left distance.

Peter found it hard to distinguish the bridge from all the background buildings.

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Rounding the coaster Bismarckstein brings Fulham Power Station into view.

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The Boy slows the boat. This is Victoria Wharf with the holders of Greenwich Gas Works in the right background.

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After an amorous moment, the Boy gets out of the boat when the Girl pushes him away. Looking down river at Enderby's Wharf in London SE10.

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As he looks away from the Girl, the Boy sees the stolen boat drift into the river. Enderby's Wharf in Greenwich, just across the river from where the film started.

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The Boy returns after securing the boat. pathway is now known as Olympian Way and this is Enderby's Wharf which is currently undergoing redevelopment.

The two walk in silence. This isn't the same corner. This is where the footpath from Lovell's Wharf ends at the junction of Ballast Quay and Pelton Street in SE10.

The wall on the right, seen looking the other way in "The Silent Partner" has been shortened as part of the new development of Lovell's Wharf. SJ

Lovell’s Wharf in Greenwich SE10 with Greenwich Gas Works in the distance. The wharf was also seen in ‘The List of Adrian Messenger’, ‘Bronco Bullfrog’, ‘Secret Partner’, ‘Terry on the Fence’ and ‘Plenty’.

This no longer looks the same and I would refer you to "Bronco Bullfrog" (q.v.) comparison 63 for a changed scenario. SJ

After the pair begin their conversation again they reach Greenwich. Outside the North Gate, now Water Gate, of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

Hands-free. SJ

The Girl tells the Boy that she's afraid as he tells her that he stayed up all night to meet her. Looking into Grand Square at the Royal Naval College in SE10.

With the doors open. SJ

The Girl asks the Boy if he'd like to live in a big house. Looking into the Queen's House at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich SE10.

Taking a second look at this, i think the brickwork is slightly different so I may've chosen the wrong arch. SJ

Then there's talk about their first loves. The east colonnade of the former Royal residence in Greenwich, now forming part of the National Maritime Museum.

The east colonnade today. SJ

Greenwich has featured as a location in many films and the colonnades at the Queen's House were seen in 'Pool of London', 'No Love for Johnnie', 'Sunday Bloody Sunday', 'Sense and Sensibility', 'The Lost Language of Cranes' and 'The Music Lovers'.

I haven't quite got the background right here. SJ

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The Boy and Girl reach a market where they decide to buy provisions for breakfast. Greenwich Market in SE10, identified by RL.

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Costermongers continue their work as the Girl persuades one of the wholesalers to sell her two grapefruit. RL advises that J. Ripper traded at 20 Greenwich Market.

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Riding on the back of a horse drawn cart, the Girl is asked if she can cook.

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The first leg of the journey towards Hammersmith Broadway continues. Mick Lemmerman identifies this as Greenland Dock Bascule Bridge on Redriff Road that crosses the cut between Greenland Dock and Canada Dock in Rotherhithe SE16. The bridge was moved from Deptford to replace an earlier swing bridge in 1959.

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The Boy and Girl reach the Woolwich Ferry. This is the North Pontoon of the Woolwich Ferry and to the right stands the Royal Pavilion Hotel on Pier Road in North Woolwich. The building was demolished in 2003.

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On board the Woolwich Ferry berthed at the South Pontoon in SE18. To the extreme right can be seen the high rise buildings of Woolwich Polytechnic on Beresford Street.

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As the Boy looks at the Girl before they kiss again, much to the amusement of onlookers. The south bank of Woolwich Reach with Woolwich Power Station to the right.

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The Girl laughs as she watches the Boy run after dropped grapefruits. Pier Road, North Woolwich E16.

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The grapefruits are safely returned. Facing southward on the North Pontoon of the Woolwich Ferry. The present terminals replaced the North and South Pontoons in 1966.

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After another kiss the Girl tells the Boy that she thinks she loves him. Pier Road with the Woolwich Ferry North Pontoon in the background.

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The mood changes again when Boy finds it difficult to say that he loves her in return.

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Following a row with Judi, Norman leaves the matrimonial home with his friend. Looking onto Deodar Road in London SW15.

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Judi (Judi Dench) leaves the claustrophobic flat. The footpath running next to the District Line on Fulham Railway Bridge.

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A train rumbles over the bridge. The south bank of the Thames in SW15, beneath Putney railway bridge.

Cut to the inside of a train. This is taken on board an East London Line train heading south to either New Cross or New Cross Gate with the line running between London Bridge and Deptford crossing by the background viaduct.

The train is different but the arches are the same. (PW)

As the train heads towards the City the Boy looks across to where the Girl sits smoking. Looking out onto Russia Wharf with the bridge over Trundleys Road coming into view on the extreme right.

The bridge is to the right but the rest of the former timber yard has been . . . is redeveloped the right word? (PW)

The train arrives at Aldgate, where the two change. A ‘CO’ Stock train departs from Aldgate station on a Metropolitan Line service to Hammersmith.

With the cutting now covered over with buildings the view has changed and without walking off the platform, this is the best shot possible. (PW)

The conversation is stilted as the two prepare to part company. This is the intermediate landing at Aldgate station, then on the Metropolitan and Circle Lines.

The same location. (PW)

The Boy takes a last look back as he walks away to catch his Inner Circle train. Aldgate station on Aldgate High Street, London EC3.

Changes to the signage and a walkway across the far wall in the same place. (PW)

The Girl stands alone as newly arrived commuters leave the station. Aldgate was opened in 1876 by the Metropolitan Railway.

The same stairs and landing, but no kiosk. (PW)

The boy’s train departs, taking him to work. An ‘A’ Stock Metropolitan Line train departs towards Liverpool Street.

The modern offices built above the station darken the view. (PW)

Descending onto the opposite platform, the Girl goes to catch her train home to Hammersmith. The steps down to platforms 3 and 4 at Aldgate station in EC3.

A quiet moment between trains. (PW)

A train leaves Cannon Street station. This is Cannon Street railway bridge with Southwark Bridge visible up stream.

From a higher angle, Peter shows that many of the old features still stand.

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Judi and Norman try to answer the problems within their relationship. Looking out onto the River Thames and Putney railway bridge from a property on Deodar Road in London SW15.

Traffic builds as morning commuters arrive in the City. This is the ‘new’ London Bridge which was dismantled in 1968 to be replaced by the current structure that opened in 1973.

And Peter captures the 'new', new bridge complete with a very different skyline.