Naked Edge, The

In court, George Radcliffe gives evidence after businessman Jason Root is stabbed to death whilst working late at the office. The Central Criminal Court on Old Bailey, London EC4. The location appears in many features including 'The Blue Lamp', 'The Jokers', 'Ring of Spies', 'Three Sundays to Live', 'Hostile Witness', 'Night, After Night, After Night', 'Seven Days to Noon' and 'Brothers in Law'.

"Almost the right angle" comments Peter.

The testimony convicts Donald Heath, the only other person in the building at the time of the murder, except for George. Old Bailey in EC4.

The same location from Peter.

In flashback to the scene of the crime, George (Gary Cooper) calls to a policeman for help.

Martha (Deborah Kerr) and George 'Cliff' Radcliffe leave the court.

Old Bailey in EC4 by Peter.

Before getting into the car, George asks his wife to go with him to the river side. Facing north on Old Bailey with St. Sepulchre's church in the left distance.

Panning slightly, Peter captured the same location but most of the church is now hidden by greenery.

The Sales Manager tells his Wife of his company's plans. Facing London's Tower Bridge from Tower Wharf. Also seen in 'A Run for Your Money', 'The Buttercup Chain', 'Jazz Boat', 'The Diamond' and 'Alfie'.

Peter took this comparison.

Land purchased by International Freight Forwarding is pointed out. Looking west on Tower Wharf EC3.

A lucky break in the crowds allowed this shot by Peter.

George intercepts Jeremy Clay (Eric Portman), a man who has been following the couple. The archway leading to St. Katharine Docks under Tower Bridge approach road with the Tower of London to the left.

Peter found more low buildings filling the location today.

Clay, a disgraced lawyer, hands over his card, explaining that he has an interest in the court case. Looking onto Tower Wharf in EC3.

Looking out from the same spot, with more trees. Picture from Peter.

Years later, after receiving a delayed letter from Clay accusing George of murdering Roote, Martha meets Lilly Harris (Hermione Gingold) and the two go shopping.

Henrietta Place, London W1 opposite Vere Street looking east. (RL)

Lilly chatters about Paris, as George is there on a business trip.

Henrietta Place, London W1 a few paces back westwards. (RL)

Martha stops walking, telling Lilly that she just saw her husband in a taxi.

Regent Street at the cross roads with and looking towards Margaret Street, London W1. There is no way Martha could have seen the occupant of the taxi from where she was standing! (RL)

Searching for Clay, George arrives in a less well appointed part of town. Dave W found a link with 'Alfie' Capture 8 and so was able to place this as Denmark Grove, N1 looking towards Dewey Road. (RL)

The rebuilt line on the right follows the west side of the narrow Denmark Grove while the terrace on the capture's left is now a small green and parking. SJ

George pauses before entering the building. Denmark Grove, N1 as identified by Dave in the previous capture. (RL)

Panning a little to the east shows a view of the green and a rebuilt row following the old line on, behind it, Dignum Street which is mostly greenery now. SJ

Returning home, suspicions grow in Martha's mind. The Holme, Inner Circle, Regent's Park NW1. Also seen in 'The Breaking of Bumbo', 'Enchantment' and 'Operation Third Form'. (SR)

Continuing his search, George arrives outside the bookshop where he finds Clay.

A cab is hailed to take George to the airport, and on to Paris.

George rushes from the house as his wife leaves to visit a newspaper records office. The Holme, Regent's Park. (SR)

Believing that her husband played a part in the murder of Roote, Martha visits Donald Heath's wife. We learn from Annii Parrish, 'little sis' to the little girl to the left, forward of the girl skipping, that this was Grosvenor Buildings, Manisty Street, Poplar, London E14. This view would have been taken from Cotton Street. Further information about 'big sis' Jacqui, the filming and Grosvenor Buildings can be read via the link in the Header Section of this film. (RL)

Phil Evans tells us that Grosvenor Buildings gave way to Robin Hood Gardens, which is now in the process of becoming Blackwall Reach. The view east from Cotton Street.

Martha leaves Mrs. Heath after more doubt is caused by their conversation. Grosvenor Buildings, Manisty Street, Poplar, London E14. Assuming the specific area in the next capture is correct it would seem that Martha is exiting via the western end of block (261 to 300). (RL)

Manisty Street captured by Phil Evans who adds "The street disappeared along with Grosvenor Buildings and the landscaping of the open space in the new development is not complete so this is as close as I could approximate looking north."

The distressed wife makes her way through the warren of pathways running between the tenements. Grosvenor Buildings, Manisty Street, Poplar, London E14. The archway to the left would appear to be to Manisty Street and between the blocks (211 to 260) and (301 to 340).

Looking east to the remaining block of Robin Hood Gardens taken by Phil Evans.

As she passes closed gateways, Martha bumps into her husband. Grosvenor Buildings, Manisty Street, Poplar, London E14. Again, assuming that the specific area in the previous capture is correct, here we are looking across Manisty Street to the block containing Nos. 455 to 494. (RL)

Phi Evans took this view facing south, to where Manisty Street roughly stood.

George takes his wife for a drive to the coast where he insists that she join him at the edge of a cliff. Beachy Head, near Eastbourne, East Sussex. The location is seen in 'Quadrophenia', 'The Upturned Glass' and 2010's 'Brighton Rock'. (SD)

Photographed in 2019 when I was here for 'Brighton Rock'. (SD)

Knowing that Martha is now convinced that he is a murderer, George returns to Clay's shop.

A short PostScript in which ‘Jimmika’ writes to say “I was behind the camera when this was being filmed at the tower, and my little brother was in the pram: I recognised him but not her. The clapper board said ‘Circle of Deception‘ so when that opened at the Elephant, I went to see it, but as you know it was the wrong film.” Simon James notes that it is possible that ‘Circle of Deception‘ was filmed at the same time, however, Phil Wilkinson discovered that 'Circle of Deception' has no scenes filmed at the Tower. Further investigation is necessary. Mary French also contacted us to say that she must have been at the Tower at about the same time as ‘Jimmika’:- “It was late October 1960 just after my 21st birthday. A day out in London with a friend is how I came to have a photo of Gary Cooper grabbing Eric Portman by the coat collar (rehearsal for scene in capture 9). I did see the film, but all I can remember was a fight in a bathroom, with someone slashing about with a cut throat razor. Really scary!”