Spare a Copper
Date: 1940
Director: John Paddy Carstairs
Production Company: Associated Talking Pictures (ATP)
Stars: George Formby, Dorothy Hyson, Bernard Lee, John Warwick
Location(s): London, Merseyside
Region(s): London R-S, North, South East R-Z
Storyline:
A brave War Reserve Police Constable becomes a hero when he thwarts a plot to destroy a newly built battleship.
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson
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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.
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Being set on Merseyside, the film opens with an image of the Liver Building on Pier Head, Liverpool 3.
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War reservist Policeman George Carter takes his motorcycle test for the Flying Squad.
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George Carter (George Formby) competes against Shaw for the final place on the squad.
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An ambulance drives into position after an unfortunate incident involving George and Sir Robert Dyer.
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A lorry conveying propeller blades to the Britannic Shipyard is escorted by Police outrider Shaw, a plant in the pay of saboteurs.
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An identical lorry waits in a side road.
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When signalled by Shaw's accomplices, the substitute lorry turns onto the main road and positions itself in the convoy.
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With Shaw trailing behind, the substitute lorry follows the unwitting Police Officers leading the convoy.
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Having been captured by the saboteurs, George is taken for a ride by Shaw.
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Tricking Shaw, George escapes over a wooden footbridge driving a miniature car as the crook fords a stream.
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A pair of Walkers are encountered as George speeds along.
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The unlikely chase carries on through a series of country lanes towards road works.
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Shaw is thwarted when George drives through sewer pipes stored on the lane's verge.
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- 12 May 2020
The film heads towards it's conclusion as George encounters town streets. Antony Blair advises that this is facing north on Pottery Road in Brentford, Middlesex with the eleven story Wallis House under construction in the distance.
A different foreground greets the visitor in Antony's comparison.
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A slow moving tanker lorry blocks the roadway. Tonyk suspects that this is Distillery Road, Brentford.
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Two motorcycle Cops double take as George tears past. With the pattern of the terraces matching those seen on old maps, Tonyk is pretty certain that this is Distillery Road in Brentford, Middlesex. If it is Distillery Road, it has been built over but the name Distillery Walk has been incorporated in the development. (RL)
- Capture 17
- 12 May 2020
A Mounted Policeman fails to stop George and the pursuit continues. Antony Blair tells us that this is looking south on Clayponds Lane in Brentford with the corner of Greet Road to the centre and the double apex of The Pottery Arms public house in the left distance.
Antony took this view, with the pub being the only remaining building from when filming took place.
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The number of Officers following George grows as a car joins the chase.
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Another squad car pulls away from the kerb and speeds after George.
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George reaches the Britannic shipyard in Birkenhead in time to prevent the saboteurs blowing up HMS Hercules.