Theatre of Blood

With the titles over, the production opens with a view of a removals lorry crossing Hammersmith Bridge. The bridge also appears in 'Curse of the Golem', 'Sliding Doors', 'Burnt Evidence' and 'A Nice Girl Like Me' and is seen here from inside Digby Mansions on Hammersmith Bridge Road W6.

We couldn't get into the flat in Digby Mansions, but this is a pretty close view.

Reading the Financial Times over breakfast, theatre critic George William Maxwell (Michael Hordern) exclaims "That damned editor has cut the best part of my review." Through the window of the apartment in Digby Mansions stands Hammersmith Bridge.

Whilst involved with filming in the flat, Lee Langton captured a similar view.

After receiving a phone call, George Maxwell leaves home to deal with a problem in Bermondsey. Digby Mansions, Hammersmith Bridge Road, Hammersmith W6.

Yes, Digby Mansions. JT

Edward and Edwina Lionheart disguised as policemen meet George Maxwell as he arrives at a warehouse in Bermondsey. Members of the Britmovie Forum place this location off Weimar Street in Putney SW15.

This would have been better taken in winter: looking north-east with Hamilton Court which I think one can make out to the right of the original and the rear of Kenilworth Court hidden by the trees. SJ

In his apartment, Peregrin Devlin (Ian Hendry) discusses this years awards with Oliver Larding (Robert Coote) and Chloe Moon (Coral Browne). This is Alembic House at 93 Albert Embankment in SE1,

Larding admires a bottle of 1952 Chateau Latour before news arrives of Maxwell's death. Alembic House, since renamed Peninsula Heights, also appears in 'Joanna', 'Allez France!’, ‘Playbirds’, 'A Touch of Class', 'The Italian Job' and 'Sweeney!'.

Now disguised as a hippy, Edwina Lionheart leads Hector Snipe (Dennis Price) to the Burbage Theatre.

The Putney Hippodrome played The Burbage and was in Felsham Road, Putney, London. The building was demolishd in 1975.

Meredith Meredew (Robert Morley), Peregrin Devlin, Rosemary (Madeline Smith), Trevor Dickman (Harry Andrews) and Chloe Moon attend Maxwell's funeral. Kensal Green Cemetery on Harrow Road, London NW10. Also seen in 'Savage Messiah', 'The Lady in the Van' and 'Steptoe and Son Ride again' amongst others.

Taken from a similar position.

On the steps of All Souls Chapel, Inspector Boot (Milo O'Shea), Sergeant Dogge (Eric Sykes) and Devlin react as Horace Sprout (Arthur Lowe) and Dickman turn when a horse gallops into view dragging a body. Kensal Green Cemetery on Harrow Road.

Kensal Green Cemetery, Harrow Road NW10.

Having examined Hector Snipe's mutilated corpse, Devlin tells Inspector Boot that critics are likely to make enemies. Kensal Green Cemetery in NW10.

The same location now.

Spotting her in the chapel, Devlin approaches Edwina Lionheart (Dianna Rigg). All Souls Chapel at Kensal Green Cemetery in NW10.

No one here to mourn Lionheart today.

As he enjoys a brandy with his coffee, Dickman is approached by Edwina. The Pergola, or new Serpentine, Restaurant Restaurant south of the Serpentine Bridge in Hyde Park, London W2.

After telling the critic that Sprout has been discovered with his head cut off, Dickman is persuaded by Edwina to accompany her to the theatre and watch her rehearse. Outside the Pergola Restaurant off Serpentine Road in Hyde Park, London W2.

A Policeman arrives at the restaurant too late to save Dickman. The Pergola Restaurant in Hyde Park W2. A lost location that also appears in 'Two Gentlemen Sharing', 'Alfie Darling'. 'Diamonds for Breakfast' and 'Robbery'.

The police escort Oliver Larding to a wine tasting.

Justice Walk, Chelsea, London SW3.

Larding enters the wine shop on Justice Walk, Chelsea.

Doesn't look as inviting now. The building has a sign above the door that reads 'The Courthouse'.

Whilst Edwina is at work as a makeup artist on a film set the police arrive and take her away for questioning. Windsor Great Park looking towards Windsor Castle along The Long Walk. The location features in ‘The Mudlark’, ‘Yesterday's Hero’, ‘Carry On Henry’ and ‘No Sex Please, We’re British’.

And it is a long walk.

Devlin enters his fencing club as one of Lionheart's 'followers' (Eric Francis) stands by. Members of the Britmovie Forum identify the building as The American School on Loudoun Road in London NW8 but it has since been rebuilt.

The rebuilding prevented Martin Skipper any further back as it is now a gated property. For the record Martin took this in July 2018 and overlooked sending it. Better late than never! (RL)

In flashback, a group of meths drinking down and outs find Edward Lionheart after his failed suicide. IMDb says near Dock Road, Brentford in Greater London.

Martin apologises for the angle as he didn't take his waders but the 'shed" and buildings to the right are clearly visible. (RL)

The meths drinkers revive Lionheart. Thames Dock in Brentford.

Solomon Psaltery (Jack Hawkins) arrives home after being told of his wifes alleged adultery. Cheyne Walk, Chelsea SW3.

A similar view now.

Edwina Lionheart (Vincent Price) arrives at Psaltery's house. Cheyne Walk in Chelsea.

The location after almost 40 years.

Maisie Psaltery (Diana Dors) greets Lionheart. Cheyne Walk in London SW3.

It is the window right of centre. Notice the vent in the wall.

Lionheart runs from the Psaltery's house to inform a policeman that Soloman has murdered his wife. Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.

The lamp in the doorway has shrunk.

A Police Car brings Chloe Moon to her hairdressers appointment. Brompton Road, London SW1.

In the salon, Chloe Moon meets her death beneath a hair dryer. The salon stands across the road from Harrods on Brompton Road.

I was at a loss with this shot and asked London film location expert Simon James for help. He says "Paul's Patisserie has replaced the hairdresser's and the door has moved out flusher with the rest of the parade. I remember using the adjoining column on the next building (Dreams), which may well have been rebuilt but stuck to the same width (the focal lengths of cameras aims to confuse this), to get close. I think the slightly raised stepped pavement in front of Paul's also matches."

Inspector Boot briefs his men outside the house of Meredith Meredew. London Movie Guide locates the house as in Charlwood Road at the corner with Lacy Road in Putney SW15.

Foliage and renovation work spoils the view.

Chaos ensues as the police see who they think is Lionheart drive past in a taxi. Charlwood Road, Putney.

No such confusion today.

Meredew arrives home with a Police Escort. Charlwood Road in SW15.

A similar now shot.

A Meths Drinker drives the decoy taxi. IMDb suggests Westway in North Kensington W10.

Not exactly the same scene, but taken to show the style of buildings as seen in the screen capture.

Inspector Boot apprehends the taxi's Driver. In his book 'London Movie Guide' Simon James identifies the location as near Darfield Way in W10.

And this is the place. Landscaped and utilised for buildings and sports grounds.

Devlin drives to meet Edwina. The Causeway in Wandsworth, London SW18 with Wandsworth Gas works in the background. Also seen in 'The Optimists of Nine Elms'.

Only the shape of the road remains. SJ

Parking up, Devlin waits for Edwina to arrive. The Causeway, Wandsworth, also seen in 'Three Hats for Lisa'.

I remember the delight with which I stumbled onto this many moons ago after frustrating fruitless searches including a similar one off Lots Road. SJ

A pair of Down and Outs adjust the load on their cart as a taxi approaches bringing Edwina to the rendezvous. Wandsworth, London

Now. SJ

With Devlin knocked unconscious by one of the Down and Outs, Edwina drives the Jaguar XK to the Burbage Theatre. Wandsworth, London

Another shot from Martin taken in July 2018 when he joined a locations tour lead by Peter Fuller, curator of the Vincent Price Legacy UK website. He admits that he could not have found the locations without Peter. (RL)

Devlin and Inspector Boot watch as Lionheart climbs onto the roof of the Burbage Theatre. Felsham Road in Putney SW15.

Outside the site of Putney Hippodrome.

The theatre becomes engulfed in flame. The Putney Hippodrome in Felsham Road, London SW15.