Who Done It?

Just sacked from his job as an ice-rink attendant, Hugo Dill is dragged along the street after winning a bloodhound and a cash prize in a detective magazine competition. A studio set included to start the story.

With the prize money, the would be detective establishes himself as a private investigator in London. Identified by Edward Bryant, this is the view south-east along Haymarket in W1 with the Gaumont cinema to the right.

The view now from the top of Haymarket with some new building. The corner on the right with Jermyn Street was seen in reverse pov in Verrätertor. The Gaumont closed in 1959, was the Odeon Haymarket until 1996 and, after a spell as a bank, looks vacant. SJ

Police are called when Hugo is mistaken for a robber whilst choosing a weapon in a gun shop. Christopher Matheson places this as Harrow Road with Sutherland Avenue off to the left behind the Humber Super Snipe, JKM 841, that also appears behind the credits of 'The Blue Lamp'. It is possible that it is part of this same sequence, which can also be seen in 'The Professionals' from 1960.

Christopher provides this Google Earth capture taken at the junction of Sutherland Avenue with Harrow Road, London. (RL)

The Shop Assistant (Ronnie Brody) meets Detective Inspector Hancock's car on the street.

Assistance is called and a nearby officer responds. Ian Hedgcock identifies this as St James's Square in SW1, looking east from the junction with Duke of York Street. The square features in ‘The Walking Stick’, ‘Nobody Runs Forever’, ‘Encore’ and ‘The Man in the Road’.

Peter was at the junction too.

On his first job, Hugo Dill (Benny Hill) is spotted by Zacco as he looks through the window of the 'Uralian' consulate across the road. Another studio set.

Hugo heads to meet Frankie, a girl that he first met at the ice-rink and encountered again at his new office.

The Broadway in Ealing W5. (PW)

Zacco engages Hugo when it's noticed that the private detective resembles Otto Stumpf, a defecting scientist.

An old film favourite, Haven Green Court, on the north side of the green. SJ

The Uralian plans call for a double of Stumpf to be killed during the demonstration of a weather controlling machine.

A little further to the east on Haven Court Green. SJ

Hugo arrives at the Royal Scientific Institute accompanied by Wilhelm Gruber. Pitzhanger Manor House, Ealing W5.

My shot of 2016 was marred by renovation work so, as promised, I returned but there was still hoarding so this was taken over it and slightly off angle. SJ

Pitzhanger Manor in Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, Ealing. The frontage was seen in 'White Corridors' while the back of the property was used in 'Dead of Night'.

The best I could manage with the Pitzhanger due to re-open in March 2019. SJ

Sir Walter Finch (Ernest Thesiger) talks with Hugo, disguised as Professor Otto Stumpf. Pitzhanger Manor, redesigned and rebuilt in the early 1800s by Sir John Soane.

Another view compromised by a lack of access. SJ

Hugo runs from the demonstration as Gruber is killed when the plan goes wrong. Pitzhanger Manor in Walpole Park, Ealing.

Simply dreadful now, to be replaced when the works are over. SJ

When the real professor is later killed by mistake, Zacco decides that a microfilm in Stumpf's possession must be transmitted to Uralia. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but not Dave W whether in colour 'Out of the Clouds' Capture 17 or Black & White, he still feels that this rather looks as though it may be from the roof of 25 Sheffield Terrace, London W8 looking towards the three square blocks of the Lisson Grove power station left of center horizon and therefore the rise of Hampstead on the extreme left horizon. (RL)

Hugo and Frankie head to a radio show being held at Earls Court when they deduce Zacco's intention. Kensington Park Road in W11.

Looking south-east. SJ

With Fabian the bloodhound looking out from the boot, the pair continue their journey. The corner of Elgin Crescent and Kensington Park Road.

Turning east. SJ

A policeman stops traffic for pedestrians to cross the road. Westbourne Grove W11 at the junction with Colville Road and Denbigh Road with Westbourne Grove Church in the right background.

The same block now. SJ

Hugo disturbs Frankie whilst she is driving and the officer is bumped into. Colville Gardens W11 at the junction with Lonsdale Road looking towards All Saints church in the distance.

The crossing is still there. SJ

As Hugo dons a disguise, the policeman picks himself up and approaches the car. Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill.

Now: the old post office, seen to the far right of the then is hidden behind the bus-stop and it no longer sticks out as its neighbour has extended its frontage. SJ

A nearby police box light flashes as Detective Inspector Hancock puts out a call for Hugo to be found. Westbourne Grove W11.

No call-box. SJ

When the officer answers the call, Frankie drives away. Facing Talbot Road from the junction of Colville Gardens and Lonsdale Road.

And a clearer shot of All Saints Church. SJ

The Detective Inspector heads towards Earls Court when news of Hugo's whereabouts is broadcast. Wilton Road, Pimlico SW1 with the corner of Longmoore Street to the centre, identified by Michael Bradley.

Michael's comparison updates the scene with almost every building surviving.

Earls Court Exhibition Centre where Dr. Fedor Broznik is demonstrating the transmission of pictures and film by radio. Warwick Road, London SW5.

A good comparison of the same location by Peter.

Hugo and Frankie finally arrive at Earls Court. Warwick Road SW5.

Looking north with Earl's Court tube (Warwick Road exit) out shot to the right. SJ

When Fabian isn't allowed into the show, Hugo finds Frankie Mayne (Belinda Lee) just as she notices Zacco arrive with Barakov. To the left of the Lillie Road entrance of Earls Court Exhibition Centre.

Peter found what looks like a bit of refurbishment.

Zacco (David Kossoff) and Barakov (George Margo) get out of their car to enter the show and find Dr. Broznik.

The car park at the Warwick Road entrance to Earls Court. Picture by Peter.

Detective Inspector Hancock (Garry Marsh) arrives on the scene soon after. The New Inn on Saint Mary's Road, Ealing W5 serves as the backdrop.

The same pub almost opposite St. Mary's Church. (PW)

During a fight inside the exhibition centre, Barakov is thrown through a window. Looking along the east side of Earls Court Exhibition Centre from the Lillie Road entrance.

Demolition of the exhibition centre started in late 2014, despite local opposition. Since then redevelopment appears to have stalled. This was taken by lying down on Lillie Road's pavement manoeuvring the camera under the gap at the bottom. All that remains are some steps on the left. SJ

Zacco and Barakov run from the show. Earls Court Exhibition Centre from Warwick Road.

Peter captured the same location.

The two Uralians head for a truck shaped as a beer barrel. Saint Mary's Road in Ealing.

The New Inn now. (PW)

Detective Inspector Hancock watches with Police Constables Coleman (Stratford Johns) and Roberts (Warwick Ashton) as Zacco and Barakov escape in the truck.

Earls Court from Warwick Road by Peter.

Police all over the city are alerted. Christopher Matheson places this as looking west along Upper Thames Street, EC4. The bollards at the left are in the middle of Queenhithe and the narrow street at right is Little Trinity Lane.

All replaced. Little Trinity Lane still exists and originally ran under the pedestrian walkway's steps under the building and up north to Queen Victoria Street. Now the south end deviates east as it meets Upper Thames Street. Queenhithe stills runs left/south to the Thames. SJ

Police cars set off in pursuit, their occupants eager to find the beer barrel. Mark Amies believes that this is Old Oak Lane in Harlesden NW10, looking towards Willesden Junction.

Hugo and Frankie join the chase.

Hancock spots the beer truck as it speeds through the streets. Ledbury Road facing the junction with Westbourne Grove with Westbourne Grove Church to the right.

Taken in front of the old Pembridge Castle pub seen in 'Adventures of a Taxi Driver'. SJ

A police car comes up behind Hugo and Frankie's car. Ladbroke Grove W11 with a gasholder at Kensal Green gasworks in the left distance. The road was seen in 'The Blue Lamp'.

The camera crew chose the highest point of the hill for this shot. SJ

The beer truck turns off the main road. This is the junction of Bramley Road and St. Ann's Road in W10, which can seen in colour in 'Callan'.

Antony Blair took this comparison facing south.

A Lady (Helene Burls) attempts to cross the road as the convoy races through. Colville Road opposite Westbourne Grove in W11 with Portobello House in the background.

An impressive match after so many years. SJ

The beer truck takes a sharp corner. The corner of Wornington Road, centre, and Portobello Road, to the right, in W10 with Kensal Dye Works on the extreme left.

Looks a bit different now. (PW)

Hugo and Frankie follow the truck. The former northernmost extent of Portobello Road in W10. This rarely captured part of the street was lost beneath the Wornington Green estate, construction of which was started in 1964.

From a similar viewpoint. (PW)

Fabian follows faithfully. The corner of Wornington Road, left, and Portobello Road, right, with The Prince of Wales public house standing at 424 Portobello Road. The location also appears in 'The Blue Lamp'.

No drinks to be had here now. (PW)

The police close in on Zacco and Barakov. Facing north west on Wornington Road W10 with the gas holder seen in image an earlier capture to the left.

The building is named Murchison House, after one of the streets that disappeared in the redevelopment. (PW)

The barrel shaped truck approaches a stadium. Stadium Road in Canning Town E16 with Ripley Road to the left.

Zacco turns into the stadium where stock car trials are being held. Sterne Street in W12, also seen in 'The Blue Lamp'.

The same location now. (PW)

Police near the stadium as the beer truck gets caught up with stock cars on the race track. Looking towards the junction with Caxton Road on Tadmor Street W12.

Antony Blair found a few more cars on the road when he paid a visit and the Westfield shopping centre dominating the skyline.

Zacco and Barakov are captured when the truck, Hugo's car and the police cars collide. West Ham Stadium on Stadium Road E16, now Nottingham Road, was home to stock car racing in the 50s and 60s and closed in May 1972 to be demolished soon after. The location is where Atkinson Road, Croombs Road, Young Road and Wilkinson Road now stand.