River Beat

Setting the scene through the titles and credits, Tower Bridge and the Pool of London

A similar shot from the shore.

Christopher Matheson has identified Judy (Phyllis Kirk) to be filmed leaving the London Docks entrance on the corner of Thomas Moore St and East Smithfield although said to be arriving to deliver packets of cigarettes that unknowingly contain diamonds.

Christopher has never viewed the entrance from the inside and neither had I........until now.

Det. Insp. Dan Barker (John Bentley) and Det. Sgt. Mack McLeod (Leonard White) of Thames Division pass Thames Tunnel ventilation shaft (North Bank) with St Paul's, Shadwell at its left.

A similar shot from the shore, with substantially changed surroundings.

They alight at a police pontoon on the south bank. Rob Jefferies, Hon Curator of Thames Police Museum, Wapping advises that it would have been a set as there was no genuine police pontoon there then.

It is likely that Cherry Garden Pier was used, a similar shot from the river steps.

Working with Judy, Dan uses her to try and spot the people who are involved with the diamond smuggling. She fails to recognise Maclure (David Hurst). Bert Fisher (Patrick Jordan) exits shortly after. Corner of Raynham Road, London, W6

No "corner shop" these days.

A scan right down Raynham Road included only to show more property.

All rather smarter now.

Dan, Mack and Judy arrive to see Bert Fisher at Tower Bridge Buildings, Mill Street, Bermondsey, SE1

The redevelopment has incorporated much of the original building.

The film cuts to them leaving the car, still in Mill Street but parked further down the street.

All now a little more "gentrified".

Judy is unable to recognise Bert Fisher so the police speed off with Judy to see if she recognizes Charlie Williamson (Glyn Houston) in "Poplar". Hardinge Street in E1 with St. Mary's Church on Cable Street in the centre distance. The other side of the railway bridge features in 'Burnt Evidence', 'The Stateless Man' and 'Full Circle'.

Substantial redevelopment north side of the bridge but the Convent of Mercy remains on the south side.

The film cuts to near where Charlie lives where the locals are clearly interested in the filming. Royal Jubilee Buildings, Wapping High Street, London E1 confirmed by James Collinson. The buildings can also be seen in 'Pit of Darkness' as well as 'The Stateless Man'.

Ray Glenister trawled the streets of East London with the aid of Google and with added research found this to be what was Royal Jubilee Buildings, Wapping High Street, London E1. Once one of the worst slums in Wapping and the last to be demolished in the 1960s. (RL)

The film once again cuts to their arrival so rb010 and rb011 may not be near to each other. Arriving “just around the corner” from Charlie’s they stop. Judy, Mack and Dan stand outside premises already boarded up for redevelopment.

Yes, it was redeveloped.

Mack goes around the corner into Jacob Street to “cover the back end” which puts the previous capture as George Row SE1.

Another "corner shop" disappeared.

A cut, but scanning right from an earlier capture Dan goes to visit Charlie. Wapping High Street, London E1 and the "COL" of Colonial Wharves. Further thanks to Ray. (RL)

A rather different view today. (RL)

Judy sees Charlie “slip out” while Dan goes up to his apartment. The sign on the left says “………….Court E1. Orange Court, Wapping High Street, London E1 confirmed by James Collinson.

Wapping High Street, London E1 with thanks to Ray Glenister.....and it is Orange Court, a name that still stands today. Replacing Google Earth. (RL)

As Charlie escapes Ben and Mack, Judy follows him....passed Ben Garman (Men's Wear), 483/485 Commercial Road, E1

Redeveloped and change of business use obtained but it looks as thought some of the tiles may be the original.

Charlie passes S Zelinsky, 5 Cable Street.

Now given way to the Docklands Light Railway.

Trying to cross Cable Street and follow Charlie down Ensign St, Judy is concerned as she views traffic.

She would have had just as much trouble today.

Eventually she is successful. The corner of Cable Street and Leman Street in E1 with Royal Mint Street ahead, Leman Street which is also seen in ‘On the Fiddle’ and ‘Children of Men’.

A quiet moment for me too.

Dan and Mack fortunately end up in the right place as they enter Cable Street from Leman Street E1. To the centre is Mill Yard which appears in 'The Stateless Man' and 'A Prize of Gold'.

A one way street now.

Judy hurries along Chaseley Street E14, passing Raby Street

Well, I am getting exhausted, there is a good distance between this disorganised chase sequence. And another "corner shop" gone.

With the Chaseley Street railway bridge in front of her.

Now.

Charlie gets held up, with others, as tries to cross the Garnet Street, Shadwell, E1 bascule bridge that is raised for shipping. With thanks to Christopher Matheson for his powers of deduction.

Phil Evans visited to replace the long outstanding 2014 Google Earth View and found a continued growth in street furniture and customary line of parked cars. The docks having closed in 1969, Phil was not expecting the bridge to open to complement the screen capture.

Judy "starts to catch up with Charlie", she crosses Cable St again but the film is reversed, for in reality she is nowhere near him.

"Now" reversed.

Dan and Mack realize the futility of “cruising around” and head back to “a” Police Station. A National Savings Centre and Smarts (Tobacconist and Confectioner) in the main road. Marc Maitland has resolved this location as Fulham Road, London SW6 with the car entering Heckfield Place.

Having spent so much time trying to establish this location, and failing, I just had to support Marc's identification with a "now" shot. (RL)

and pull up outside before heading off on a river chase to capture the guilty and recover Judy. Marc advises that this is Fulham Police Station in Heckfield Place which remains in use today, but says there is a proposal to close it and convert it into a free school!

If it is to be converted let us hope that this building is retained. Note the archway at the end has been converted into a window. (RL)