Case of the Missing Scene, The (Children’s Entertainment Films)
Date: 1951
Director: Don Chaffey
Production Company: GB Instructional Ltd.
Stars: Ivor Bowyer, Susanne Gibbs, Stephen Bourne, Noel Johnson, Tony Quinn, Peter Butterworth
Location(s): Buckinghamshire, Norfolk
Region(s): South East A-D
Storyline:
A film crew is sent to Norfolk to make a short film about the bittern but during their stay poachers attempt to shoot the bird and their efforts are recorded by the camera.
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson
The film is available to watch on the East Anglian Film Archive website here http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/213709
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If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
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
- 'Now' required
Most of the action takes place around the film's Bittern Inn in fictional Poldyke, Norfolk. In reality this is The Ferry House Inn next to the River Yare on Ferry Road, Surlingham, Norfolk.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Mary (Susanne Gibbs) says 'bye to Johnny (Stephen Bourne) as he sets off on his bicycle.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
At the fictional Imperial Studios of Regent Instructional Films Ltd., a crew gets ready to travel to Norfolk to capture scenes of a bittern. Denham Film Laboratories at Denham Green in Buckinghamshire.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
George (Peter Butterworth) climbs down from cleaning the inn's windows when he's called to help with the film crew's luggage. This 45 minute short was produced by Children's Entertainment Films, part of the Rank Organisation and the forerunner of the Children's Film Foundation.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Boven, the leader of a gang of poachers, drives away after demanding that George capture a bittern for a client.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Crawford (Noel Johnson) and his assistant Tony (Ivor Bowyer) return to The Bittern Inn after a days filming.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
When a clue to finding the poachers is found, Johnny calls on the village constable, Sam (Norman Pierce).
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Johnny follows Boven's car when he drives past Sam's house.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Boven arrives at the barn where he collects the latest catch from the poachers.
- Capture 10
- 05 May 2017
The first of Crawford's footage arrives at the labs from Norfolk. Denham Film Laboratories at Denham Green in Buckinghamshire. The location was also used in 'Third Party Risk', 'Spaceways' and 'Q Planes'.
The building survives, albeit in the process of peing converted into residential accommodation. (PW)
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
After Crawford's unexposed film stock is stolen, Tony heads to Poldyke to collect the replacement cans.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Tony arrives at the station in time to see the train from London approaching. This N2 locomotive hauling a train of Gresley Quad-Art stock is more at home on the suburban services out of Kings Cross or Moorgate than it is in Norfolk!
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
The Porter (Sam Kydd) loads the consignment onto a barrow.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
Tony follows the Porter to the station's parcel office.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
When the Boven and the poachers are spotted on rejected scenes from the film, Crawford and Tony return to Poldyke to tell Sam.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
Boven (Tony Quinn) is finally apprehended outside the village hall after a rough cut of the finished film is shown, including the rejected scenes.