Father Came Too

Dexter Munro and his wife, Juliet, live together with her overbearing father in his country mansion. Sarah Beeson recognised Dorney Court on Court Lane, Dorney in Buckinghamshire.

As it is raining heavily, Sir Beverly Grant deigns to give his son-in-law a lift to work. The Broadway, Beaconsfield, it would appear that the road priority favoured Warwick Road that is off to the right out of shot. (RL)

The road configuration has changed here to give more room to pedestrians. (SR)

Dexter Munro (Stanley Baxter) is dropped off ten minutes from the office and Sir Beverly drives away. 'Broadway Dairy' was at 4 The Broadway, Beaconsfield. (RL)

The brickwork above the shopfronts confirms the spot. (SR)

A decision is made, Dexter will buy his own home. Unknown location.

Sir Beverly Grant (James Robertson Justice) walks towards his daughter Juliet Munro (Sally Smith) whilst she sits in the garden. Dorney Court located by Sarah Beeson.

Estate agent Roddy Chipfield arrives for an appointment with Dexter. Located by Sarah Beeson, this is Dorney Court in Buckinghamshire which also features in 'The Missionary', 'The Black Cat', 'Norbert Smith: A Life', 'Number 13' and 'Sliding Doors'.

Chauffeur Lang (Sydney Bromley) stands by as Sir Beverly cancels his golf to go with Dexter, Juliet and Roddy Chipfield (Leslie Phillips) to view a house. More of Dorney Court which is situated south of Taplow between Maidenhead and Windsor.

Rose Cottage, for sale with vacant possession. This is a set based on Misbourne Cottage in Denham, Buckinghamshire identified by Mark Whiston.

Dexter and Juliet fall for the property that is soon to be auctioned. Constructed for the film, this building is based on Misbourne Cottage at Denham in Buckinghamshire.

For comparison, Mark Whiston provides this image of the real Misbourne Cottage in Denham.

Sir Beverley and his family leave the cottage as Mr and Mrs Trumper turn up for a second viewing. The entrance to the set based on Misbourne Cottage, a familiar building seen in the Miss Marple films featuring Margaret Rutherford.

Dexter visits his Bank Manager to arrange a mortgage. 1 The Highway, Beaconsfield, on the corner with Post Office Lane, now the 'Halifax' with only the pillars remaining. (RL)

No more mortgages here. The blue notice says "This branch is now closed". (SR)

On the way to the house auction, Dexter spots the last parking space in the street. A studio set which appears, differently dressed, in 'The Fast Lady'.

As Dexter is about to reverse into the space, the Trumpers turn up in their car.

Mr. Trumper (Geoffrey Dunn) tries to claim the space by putting money in the parking meter. Maybe a studio backlot or set but included for completeness.

A Traffic Warden (Arthur Mullard) sees the altercation.

Dexter and Juliet make their way to the auction after being made to move their car by the Traffic Warden. A studio set with a Goods Depot in the background, which is seen in 'The Fast Lady' as a hotel!

After a successful outcome at the auction, Dexter and Juliet move in to their new home. The fake Misbourne Cottage recognised by Mark Whiston.

Builder Josh Wicks (Ronnie Barker) and his assistant Ron (Kenneth Cope) are called in to renovate the cottage. The appears to be the roof of the set built for filming.

The house and garden become a building site as Josh continues his, seemingly, never ending and expensive work. A set based on Misbourne Cottage identified by Mark Whiston.

When the renovation is complete, Dexter causes an electrical fire and runs to call the fire brigade. The Misbourne Cottage set.

Dexter approaches the fire station. As so often happens for us all, Phil Richards research for the location brought on a wave of depression. Finding Oak End Way, Gerrards Cross which, by 2019, had been sadly replaced. The fire station was, in 2008, 'Saffron Service Centre'. (RL)

59 years later, Antony Blair found a totally rebuilt scene, with only the dropped kerb and gully remaining!

The station appears deserted as all the firemen are attending the Pilsbury Pageant. Regrettably, even the fire station or the later 'Saffron Service Centre', was not safe from a developer as Phil Richards found out. It was boarded up in 2019 and another new office block rose from the ashes during 2023. (RL)

And this is a closer view of the replacement building, captured by Antony Blair.

Josh and Ron dance around the maypole at the Pageant. Turville, Buckinghamshire.

Now. SJ

A parade passes through the village. Holloway Lane, Turville, about five miles west of High Wycombe.

The Bull and Butchers pub on the left. SJ

Dexter and the Fire Officer arrive in Pilsbury on the fire engine. Turville in Buckinghamshire.

This replaces Clive's kind google shot and funnily captures the same red car. SJ

A lorry nearly collides with the fire engine. Holloway Lane in Turville.

Now, with thanks to Clive for the google shot previously here. SJ

Pageant Director Roddy Chipfield gets involved. Bernard Braun tells us "I would have been about 12 years old when filming took place and recall cycling down School Lane in Turville, at the bottom of which the crew had painstakingly created a puddle from sand and filled with water. I didn't see the puddle and rode straight through it which allowed the water to escape, whoops! They weren’t shooting at the time and I suppose someone had to rebuild the puddle. I also remember that there was an actress wearing a skin coloured body suit and long wig, she was playing the “naked” Lady Godiva. As kids, we all joined in the scene where the villagers threw fruit during the pageant. The fruit was made out of sponge and I collected several items which I kept at home for a number of years as a memento."

Now. SJ

Roddy, ever the gentleman, covers a puddle with his cape. Turville, which was also seen in 'Dead of Night', 'The Pumpkin Eater', 'Calendar Girls' and 'Went the Day Well?'.

Not the best match and the clouds grow heavy. SJ

Now complete with Firemen in their Pageant dress, the fire engine is driven towards Rose Cotage. This track leaves Holloway Lane opposite School Lane in Turville, Buckinghamshire.

Now. SJ

The Firemen tackle the fire in vain. Through the conflagration can be seen the set resembling Misbourne Cottage in Denham, recognised by Mark Whiston.