Window in London, A (aka Lady in Distress)

Date: 1940
Director: Herbert Mason
Production Company: Greenspan & Seligman Ent. Ltd

Stars: Michael Redgrave, Sally Gray, Paul Lukas, Hartley Power, Patricia Roc
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

Peter (Michael Redgrave), is a crane operator on the construction of Waterloo Bridge. While on his way to work one morning he witnesses from the railway carriage what he believes is a young woman being murdered. (RL)

Additional Information:

Screen captures and uncredited ‘now’ images uploaded by Richard Lovejoy

 

Nick Stanbury has advised us of his observation regarding this film:

The initial view through the window of the Underground train (before the ‘murder’ is sighted) is not captured but clearly that of the disused railway viaduct between Hammersmith and Ravenscourt Park Stations on the Westbound District Line.   This does not accord with the train being boarded at Chiswick Park as that station lies further west!   Scarcely the way of reaching Waterloo Bridge from Chiswick!

 

Can you help:

If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

The film starts with a view of the Thames to the east, St Paul’s top left hand side and the construction of Waterloo Bridge foreground.

Taken FROM Waterloo Bridge. Perhaps when someone next stays at the Savoy they could provide replacement shots for the first the Stills.

A second shot viewing west, County Hall left of centre and Hungerford Railway Bridge in pride of place.

Another shot FROM the bridge.

The third shot closes in on the Hungerford Bridge and brings the Houses of Parliament into view.

Hungerford Bridge now with Golden Jubilee Walkways.

The gates of Westminster Underground station are opened for the days traffic. From where there are “Frequent Electric Trains To All Parts Of London”

Can't quite replicate the shot since redevelopment of the site and station.

The day also dawns on Grosvenor Road

Rather busier now.

and Dolphin Square in particular where Pat (Patricia Roc), Peter’s (Michael Redgrave) wife works as a telephonist.

Still rather "select"!

After finishing her night shift she sets off for home and the Westminster Underground station. She tips the road sweeper as she passes (those were the days!).

Peter grabbed this shot taken from north west corner of Lambeth Bridge SW1 with Horseferry Road on the left.

She reaches Parliament Square which then had metal railings around it.

With the railings subsequently removed just prior to the Festival of Britain (1951) I believe.

Pat gives a cheery wave and a smile Benjamin Disraeli’s statue as she passes.

1st Earl of Beaconsfield now re-located to the western side of the green.

And a smile to the policeman on duty at the Houses of Parliament.

No policeman on duty there today.

Then disappears down the subway to the station. Bridge Street, London SW1

The subway has gone and security barriers erected.

She emerges from her home station. Martin Kent is the one to put me out of my misery.....it is Chiswick Park.

Thanks again Martin, changes indeed.

She walks down what appears to be a passageway with shops on one side.

Kensington Church Walk off Kensington High Street in W8 found by Peter with assistance from the Britmovie forum. The lady is still walking!

After tucking his tired wife into bed Peter leaves for work and enters the same station as Pat had exited earlier. Martin Kent identifies this as Chiswick Park and has supported with excellent references to the London Transport Museum website.

Progress.

As his journey progresses he sees what he believes is a young woman being murdered on a balcony.

The rear of Barons Court Road (Between Barons Court and West Kensington - District Line) with grateful thanks to Patrick Brown for establishing and later confirming the exact location.

Further picture included in case it helps identification.

Patrick and I still wonder what that box was for.

Peter alights at the next station to inform the police only to find out that it was a jealous foul-mouthed illusionist Zoltini (Paul Lukas) rehearsing an act with his wife Vivienne (Sally Gray) who is part of his performance.

Earl's Court Station, Warwick Road entrance.

Peter then carries on to his place of work, Waterloo Bridge, here looking north.

The skyline is much the same.

There follows general scenes of the construction work. In the event an interesting historic piece of location filming.

And Now!

The building contractor was indeed Peter Lind & Co. Ltd.

Peter Lind & Co also built the Post Office Tower and is still in existence today.

A reporter interviews the site foreman about the building of the bridge and learns that the cost of the construction is £670,000 and total costs £1,200,000. Whilst there, the reporter hears Peter’s story and turns it into a “tabloid feature” (nothing changes!) from which he gains a days leave.

It turns out that his quoted costs were quite accurate, no "project over runs" in those days!

Somewhat “taken” and sorry for Vivienne, Peter goes to see the show and persuades her to leave the show early and he has a night out with her. As result he has to walk home in the early hours of the morning. Horseguards Road on the edge of St James's Park in SW1.

Now, with thanks to Phil for establishing the location.

He leaves behind what looks like a park with an impressive entrance. The steps running down from Carlton House Terrace to The Mall with the Royal Artillery Boer War Memorial the background. London SW1. The location can be seen in several productions including ‘Brannigan’, ‘Man on the Run’, ’28 Days Later’ and 'Innocent Bystanders',

Now, with once again, thanks to Phil.

Peter climbs a few steps to arrive on what looks like part of the Thames embankment. 'Our' Peter confirms that over the river is Battersea Power Station when it only had two chimneys. The second chimney is obscured by the tree.

Battersea Power Station viewed from the widened pavement on Grosvenor Road in SW1 with the same Battersea 'A' chimney hidden by the tree. The power station in the foreground is Battersea 'B' which was built in the 1950s. Information and picture from Peter.