Without a Clue

Date: 1988
Director: Thom E. Eberhardt
Production Company: Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Stars: Michael Caine, Ben Kingsley, Jeffrey Jones, Lysette Anthony
Location(s): Avon, Cumbria, Gloucestershire, London, Oxfordshire, Somerset

Region(s): , , ,

Storyline:

A drunken Sherlock Holmes is really just a cover for the real detective – Dr Watson.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson

Lionel and Cynthia Sear draw our attention to the fact that the stills that involve water, other than those specifically located were taken on Keswick Water and this Website http://www.fast-rewind.com/locations_withoutaclue.htm

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After thwarting a robbery at The Royal Gallery, Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson make their way back to Baker Street. The archways beneath Church House on Dean's Yard in SW1 identified by Judith Scheepstra.

Sherlock Holmes (Michael Caine) and Dr Watson arrive home to be met by reporters. Confirmed by Edward Lucas-Smith who lived in the house on the corner, this is Barton Street SW1 which also appears in 'Murder by Decree' featuring another incarnation of the famous, fictional detective.

The same street. SJ

A merry group of journalists . . . but not outside 221b Baker Street. JT

Barton Street more peaceful than the roar of Baker Street. SJ

Sherlock Holmes, in reality a drunken actor named Reginald Kincaid, is thrown out by Dr Watson. Barton Street SW1.

The Holmes from each production could have waved to each other. SJ

After throwing Reginald Kincaid out, Doctor John Watson reinvents himself as 'The Crime Doctor' and goes to solve the case of a fire at a paper mill. Gary York identifies this as the southeast corner of the former Canon's Marsh Gasworks on Lime Kiln Road / Gasworks Lane in Bristol. A listed building that has since been "brought back into use". (RL)

The renovation completed. (PW)

'The Crime Doctor' is on the case with Baker Street Irregular, Wiggins (Matthew Savage). The eastern wall of Canon's Marsh Gasworks, wall looking south located by Gary York. (RL)

The same wall. (PW)

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After failing as 'The Crime Doctor', Dr John Watson (Ben Kingsley) arrives at The Criterion, a bawdy drinking house, to ask Kincaid to return. The Old India on St. Nicholas Street, Bristol in Avon advises Judith Scheepstra.

Inspector George Lestrade (Jeffrey Jones) and Lord Smithwick (Nigel Davenport) leave 221B Baker Street.

In reality, Barton Street, London SW1.

Outside the Royal Mint, Dr Watson walks with Hadlers (Richard Henry) and Lord Smithwick as Inspector Lestrade follows. Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

All a little more casually dressed today. (RL)

Holmes is prompted to speak with Peter Giles. Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.

The statues are back and the lamppost has gone. (RL)

Lestrade and Lord Smithwick look shocked as Holmes only just remembers that the Psalms are in the Bible. Blenheim Palace, Woodstock.

An "extra" waits to be called. (RL)

Holmes and Watson visit the home of Royal Mint printing supervisor, Peter Giles. Steve G advises that this is Crescent Grove in Clapham SW4.

The bench is in the same position. There's a dip in the lawn (I checked) where the foreground tree on the left was but the other two survive. SJ

The pair knock at the door of Peter Giles' house. Crescent Grove off Clapham Common located by Steve G.

On the east side of Crescent Grove. SJ

After finding a clue at the vacant home of Peter Giles, the game is afoot. Holmes and Watson travel to the Lake District and arrive in Windermere. Lakeside station on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway in Cumbria. The heritage line can also be seen in 1974's 'Swallows and Amazons'.

A double track and double platform small railway station in the Lake District looking at a steep curve as the lines leave the station.

This is Lakeside Station on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. Lionel and Cynthia Sear are looking south towards Haverthwaite. (RL)

Lord Mayor Gerald Fitzwalter Johnson (Harold Innocent) and his daughter Christabel (Jennifer Guy) accompany Holmes and Watson.

This is Lakeside Pier looking south from Lionel and Cynthia. (RL)

The Mayor rides with Holmes and Watson towards the finest hotel in town.

The Derwentwater Hotel, Portinscale, Cumbria. I could only muster a reverse pov, as Street View limits access! Google copyright. TonyK. At least a good clue.

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Holmes and Watson arrive at their hotel, a rather dilapidated Shakespeare Arms. Fawe Park, Portinscale, Cumbria identified by british-film-locations.com

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Dr Watson surveys the view from the hotel balcony. P. Hubbard advises that this is the flat roof on top of the Victorian house, Fawe Park near Keswick in Cumbria adding that the railing was a prop.

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Professor Moriarty's henchman, Sebastian Moran (Tim Killick), watches and waits outside The Shakespeare Hotel. Fawe Park at Portinscale, Keswick located by R. Hubbard.

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Holmes and Watson visit The Plough Inn to eat. Stephen Wilders identifies this as The Farmer's Arms on the A5092 at Lane Head, Lowick Green to the north of Ulverston in Cumbria.

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Dr Watson leaves Holmes drinking and spinning yarns with the locals.

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A pleasant thought occurs to Watson, when the case is solved he can be rid of Kincaid.

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Holmes and Watson visit the cottage that Giles rented. Judith Scheepstra found the boathouse at Millerground on Lake Windermere in Cumbria.

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Mayor Johnson greets Holmes and Watson. The boathouse at Millerground located by Judith Scheepstra.

An engine shunts as Watson goes to the station booking office. Looks like the station in Lakeside, Cumbria.

A railway station with a long platform next to a Lake District Lake

By coincidence it is "Lakeside Station" on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. Lionel and Cynthia Sear were looking south towards Haverthwaite when they too this. (RL)

Watson sees Moran at the station after buying tickets to London.

A lake side pier that looks more like a Victorian railway station.

Lionel and Cynthia provide Lakeside Pier again but looking north. (RL)

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Holmes and Dr Watson return home by train. Judith Scheepstra explains that this is looking towards the Water Side House at Newby Bridge in Colton, Cumbria.

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After Dr Watson divulges that the evil mastermind Professor Moriarty is involved, Holmes pulls the communication cord and stops the train before running into a field. Taking a closer look at the buildings in the right distance, Judith Scheepstra believes this to be Newby Bridge.

An impostor arrives at Peter Giles' home by cab one night and claims to be his daughter when met by Holmes and Watson. Ray and Ron Glenister thank Steve G for finding C12 and hence also identify this as Crescent Grove, London SW4. (RL)

Even in spring the trees obscure the left side. Looking north. SJ

Another night time shot. Two heavies escape after attempting to snatch Miss Giles. Once again Ray and Ron Glenister thank Steve G for finding C12 and also identify this as Crescent Grove, London SW4. (RL)

And bins obscure the pavement on the right. SJ

The fake Lesley Giles (Lysette Anthony) watches outside 221B Baker Street as Holmes and Watson ride away. Barton Street in SW1.

From Barton Street to the corner with Cowley Street. SJ

Wiggins waits for Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. Great College Street, London SW1.

At the east end of Barton Street. SJ

Wiggins clambers into the hansom cab when Holmes and Watson turn up. Great College Street in SW1.

Now. SJ

And again . . . . without the actors or hansom. Great College Street, London.

Same season. SJ

Holmes, Dr Watson and Wiggins arrive at Southwark Docks. This appears to be the Docks on the River Severn in Gloucester, Gloucestershire.

Gloucester Docks, facing Reynolds Warehouse and the Mariners Church. (SD)

Holmes and Dr Watson make their way into the docks. IMDB states Gloucester as a location and this looks suspiciously like the docks there.

Facing Shipton Warehouse, Reynolds Warehouse and the Mariners Church. The warehouses and mills of Gloucester Docks have now become luxury apartments, retail outlets and restaurants. (SD)

After learning of Dr Watson's apparent death, Holmes makes his way from the docks. Highly likely to be Gloucester Docks.

Definitely Gloucester Docks. Facing Biddle Warehouse and Reynolds Warehouse. (SD)

Wiggins finds a five pound note in the river. Camden Lock on the Regent's Canal between West Yard, off Camden Lock Place, and Jamestown Road, London NW1.

The same location now. (PW)

Holmes, Wiggins and Housekeeper Mrs. Hudson arrive at the Orpheum Theatre. A suitably dressed building on Corn Street in Bristol.

A coffee shop, and looking nothing like a theatre. SD

Professor James Moriarty (Paul Freeman) arrives outside the theatre with Moran. A location that may be a studio set.

A real street. All Saints Lane, Bristol, off Corn Street. SD

Wiggins does a runner from the theatre. british-film-locations.com identifies this location as Corn Street in Bristol, Somerset and a look at Streetview confirms it.

And now I confirm it too. SD

An explosion destroys Professor Moriarty's hideout.

See image wac038, Camden Lock in London NW1. (PW)

Holmes and Dr Watson return home after solving the case. Barton Street in London SW1.

From a lower level. SJ