Private Function, A

Date: 1984
Director: Malcolm Mowbray
Production Company: HandMade Films

Stars: Michael Palin, Maggie Smith, Denholm Elliott, Richard Griffiths, Tony Haygarth, John Normington, Bill Paterson, Liz Smith
Location(s): Lancashire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

Region(s):

Storyline:

In a small Northern English town in 1947 the citizens endure continuing food rationing. When local businessmen want to hold a party to celebrate the royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Prince Philip, they decide to illegally raise a pig for the occasion.

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.

  • Capture 1
  • 28 Feb 2017

Chiropodist Gilbert Chilvers (Michael Palin) cycles along a road above the town. Nigel Rowe advises that this is the view down the Keighley Road above Ilkley in West Yorkshire.

And Nigel provides this shot of the same place now.

  • Capture 2
  • 28 Feb 2017

The postman delivers a parcel to Gilbert's house.

With information from the Ilkley Gazette Neil Rigby sends this Google Earth shot of Moorfield Road, Ilkley. (RL)

  • Capture 3
  • 'Now' required

Joyce Chilvers (Maggie Smith) accepts the parcel whilst her Mother (Liz Smith) looks on. See prifu002n

  • Capture 4
  • 28 Feb 2017

A closer view of the town's gas works over the rooftops. Ilkley as seen from Keighley Road recognised by Nigel who adds "The gasometer has been demolished and replaced by a Booths supermarket".

A general view from above the town by Nigel Rowe.

  • Capture 5
  • 'Now' required

Gilbert arrives at his next patients home. Unidentified location.

  • Capture 6
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Joyce and her mother queue at Barraclough's butchers whilst Mrs Allardyce (Alison Steadman) leave the shop. Bolling Road, Ben Rhydding, West Yorkshire.

  • Capture 7
  • 'Now' required

Inspector Noble (Jim Carter) arrives to close the shop after advice is received about the butcher selling horse meat. Bolling Road, Ben Rhydding, West Yorkshire.

  • Capture 8
  • 'Now' required

Gilbert admires his new premises on The Parade. Albert Road, Barnoldswick, Lancashire.

  • Capture 9
  • 'Now' required

Henry Allardyce (Richard Griffiths) approaches Gilbert on The Parade. Albert Road, Barnoldswick.

  • Capture 10
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The exterior of Douglas J. Nuttal's butcher's shop. Neil Rigby places this as Church Street, Ilkley and Andrew Scull explains that the location was a genuine butcher's shop named Rosenthal's at number 27.

  • Capture 11
  • 'Now' required

Gilbert speaks with Frank Lockwood (John Normington) outside Nuttal's shop whilst Nuttal the Butcher (Pete Postlethwaite) busies himself inside. Neil Rigby identifies Church Street in Ilkley which is confirmed by Andrew Scull.

  • Capture 12
  • 'Now' required

Dr Charles Swaby (Denholm Elliott) departs after visiting a patient. The corner of Bridge Lane and Lister Street in Ilkley. (RL)

  • Capture 13
  • 28 Feb 2017

Dr Swaby drives away.

Once again with the help of the Ilkley Gazette Neil places this as the corner of Bridge Lane and Lister Street, Ilkley which he supports with the help of Google. (RL)

  • Capture 14
  • 28 Feb 2017

Gilbert struggles up the hill to Sutcliff's farm. Keighley Road again, located by Nigel Rowe.

The scene is similar to image 001 so Nigel pans to the right for this comparison.

  • Capture 15
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Dr Swaby, Lockwood and Allardyce visit Leonard Sutcliff (Tony Haygarth), the farmer who is looking after the illegally kept pig. This is Laund House, Beamsley, Skipton, North Yorkshire, one of the principal homes on the Bolton Abbey estate. Beatrix Potter stayed here in 1902. (SR)

  • Capture 16
  • 28 Feb 2017

The queues grow outside Nuttal's shop as the other butchery businesses are closed down. Neil Rigby places this as Church Street, Ilkley and Andrew Scull confirms the address as number 27.

Neil Rigby supports with this capture. Image copyright Google. (RL)

  • Capture 17
  • 'Now' required

Dr Swaby and Lockwood the Solicitor watch as Gilbert is evicted from his premises on The Parade. Albert Road, Barnoldswick, Lancashire.

  • Capture 18
  • 04 Mar 2017

Meat Inspector Morris Wormold (Bill Paterson) watches from his car as Dr Swaby, Lockwood and Allardyce enter the Grand Hotel. Nigel Rowe recognised the building as the King's Hall and Winter Gardens in Ilkley.

Nigel also provides this image of the King's Hall on Station Road.

  • Capture 19
  • 04 Mar 2017

Nuttal leaves the hotel after killing the pig. The King's Hall in Ilkley dressed for the occasion.

This is a closer view of the entrance. Picture by Nigel Rowe.