Water Babies, The
Date: 1978
Director: Lionel Jeffries
Production Company: Ariadne, Studio Miniatur Filmowych Warsaw
Stars: James Mason, Bernard Cribbins, Billie Whitelaw, David Tomlinson, Tommy Pender, Joan Greenwood
Location(s): North Yorkshire
Region(s): North
Storyline:
The story of a boy who discovers an underwater world where young children are held prisoner by an evil shark and an eel.
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
- 24 Jul 2021
An establishing shot of York Minster in the city where the early part of the film is set.
A street level comparison from the corner of Chapter House Street and Ogleforth. (PW)
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Tom (Tommy Pender) makes his way through a street market, thieving from stalls and shoppers.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
The chimney sweep's apprentice runs from a vendor after being spotted.
- Capture 4
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Bystanders watch a boxing match.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Tom hitches a ride to another part of the city.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Tom's drunken 'owner', Grimes, catches up with the young orphan and leads him away from the market.
- Capture 7
- 09 May 2017
The following morning, Mr. Grimes (James Mason) and his assistant Damiel Masterman (Bernard Cribbins) take Tom to their next job. Chapter House Street in York with the Minster in the background.
Lionel and Cynthia Sear took advantage of their steam train stopping at York to capture this shot for us. (RL)
- Capture 8
- 09 May 2017
Grimes leads Wilfred the donkey as the group head out of the city. Chapter House Street looking towards Ogleforth.
Lionel and Cynthia captured the same scene from ground level as they do not customarily carry a collapsible, adjustable eight foot selfie stick! (RL)
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Harthover Hall is seen in the distance. Denton Hall, Denton near Ilkley in Wharfedale, North Yorkshire.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Sladd (Paul Luty) opens the gates to the Harthover estate. Denton Road with the tower of St Helen's Chapel visible top left. Denton near Ilkley, West Yorkshire.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Grimes calls Tom back from the front door and continues on to the tradesman's entrance. The location was also seen in 'The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp'.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Mrs. Tripp (Billie Whitelaw) opens the door to Grimes.
- Capture 13
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As Tom climbs to clean the first chimney, Masterman waits for Grimes to pass stolen silverware though the window.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
Masterman examines the takings.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
Toby chases after Tom when he runs away after being accused of stealing the silver.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
After hiding the silver, Masterman runs from the rear of the house.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
Sir John Harthover (David Tomlinson) comes out of the house to search for Tom.
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required
Sir John tells Grimes "We'll hunt the young scoundrel, if necessary, across all Yorkshire!"
- Capture 19
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Masterman and Grimes set off in pursuit.
- Capture 20
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Tom runs further from the hall. This appears to be an ice house in the grounds of Denton Hall.
- Capture 21
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Young Ellie (Samantha Gates) joins in the chase.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required
Tom is halted when he comes across Dead Man's Pool. Gerard Killoran identifies location as The Strid, a spot on the River Wharfe close to Bolton Abbey in the Yorkshire Dales where the river is forced through a narrow gap in the rocks.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required
Sir John, Sladd and Ellie catch up and watch as Tom jumps into the water with Toby.
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required
After his adventures in the cartoon underwater world, Tom reappears near Harthover Hall. The lake in the grounds of Denton Hall near Ilkley.
- Capture 25
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After being recaptured by Grimes and Masterman, Tom is again forced to enter the house.
- Capture 26
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Grimes and Masterman are let inside by Tom where they are caught by Sladd.
- Capture 27
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After being freed from Grimes' grasp, Tom finds a new home with Ellie and her family.
- Capture 28
- 'Now' required
Tom and Ellie look into the waters where his earlier adventures took place. Denton Hall, Denton, North Yorkshire.