Whispering Smith Hits London (aka Whispering Smith Investigates)

Date: 1952
Director: Francis Searle
Production Company: Hammer-Lesser

Stars: Richard Carlson, Greta Gynt, Herbert Lom, Rona Anderson, Alan Wheatley, Dora Bryan
Location(s): Berkshire, London

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

A well known American investigator arrives in the UK for a holiday but reluctantly gets drawn into an investigation in London. A New York publishers daughter had been pulled out of the Thames three weeks earlier and he believes she was murdered.

Additional Information:

Screen captures and uncredited now shots uploaded by Richard Lovejoy

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  • Capture 1
  • 17 Apr 2015

Whispering Smith (Richard Carlson) arrives at his hotel and books in. Maitland Court, Gloucester Terrace, London W2 which also appears in 'Three Stops to Murder', 'Song of Paris', 'Paul Temple Returns', 'Hammer the Toff', 'Salute the Toff', 'The Italian Job', 'The Saint’s Return', 'Operation Diplomat' and 'Flannelfoot'.

Now by RL.

  • Capture 2
  • 17 Apr 2015

Smith and Anne (Rona Anderson) leave the "Plaza Hotel".

Actually Maitland Court, Gloucester Terrace, London W2.

  • Capture 3
  • 17 Apr 2015

An attempt is made to run down Smith and Anne. Compare the background buildings to Mantrap 011 a year later.

Not quite the right angle as I forgot to include it on the day.

  • Capture 4
  • 17 Apr 2015

He is met by Anne (Rona Anderson), the publishers London Representative and manages to interest Smith into investigating the circumstances of the daughters death. After the attempt to knock them down as they leave the hotel, they hail a cab. The housing terrace is also seen in Mantrap at 007.

Looking down Lancaster Terrace, London W2 towards Kensington Gardens.

  • Capture 5
  • 12 Dec 2014

Hearing more of the story as “they drive around” Smith signals an agreement to accept the invitation and orders the cab to Golden Square, London W1 to drop in on a lawyer.

I am sure the old method of parking was easier.

  • Capture 6
  • 12 Dec 2014

Smith gets out and sends the taxi off. Golden Square, London W1.

A white van spoils the shot once again.

  • Capture 7
  • 'Now' required

The lawyer, Reith (Alan Wheatley) has left for the day and is playing at his club, “The Greenfields” near Windsor and Smith goes to visit him there. Steve Randall resolves another nagging mystery for me, identifying Bray Studios itself.

  • Capture 8
  • 'Now' required

Smith catches up with Reith. As per the previous capture, Bray Studios made to look up-market, as identified by Steve.

  • Capture 9
  • 18 Dec 2022

Eventually Reith remembers the address of the daughters friend Louise Balfour (Greta Gynt) and he heads off to her address. No longer an unknown location, Ray Glenister finds her address to be 19 Albion Mews, Bayswater, London W2

Rather a general shot of 19 Albion Mews. SJ

  • Capture 10
  • 18 Dec 2022

Having spent the evening with Louise he heads back to his hotel. Following on from the previous capture Ray identifies him now looking north in Albion Mews towards the only entrance/exit.

Swinging left to the north. SJ

  • Capture 11
  • 07 Aug 2018

He walks through a railway station but is followed. The exit of Windsor & Eaton Central station at the top of Goswell Hill in Windsor. The location was seen in 'Five Days', 'From Beyond the Grave' and 'Allez France!' amongst many others.

exit of Windsor & Eaton Central station at the top of Goswell Hill in Windsor.

A widened flight to accommodate what is now a shopping center.

  • Capture 12
  • 07 Aug 2018

And starts to run away from his pursuer. Goswell Hill in Windsor, Berkshire which can be seen in 'The Quatermass Xperiment' and 'All Coppers Are . . . '.

Now a little less sinister.

  • Capture 13
  • 'Now' required

Capturing his pursuer Smith finds that he had been hired via the “Star Opaque Nursing Home” and decides to pay it a visit. Unknown location

  • Capture 14
  • 12 Dec 2014

The scene is set for his meeting the following morning at Scotland Yard with Supt. Meaker (James Raglan).

It is unusual to have less greenery in a Now shot.

  • Capture 15
  • 12 Dec 2014

Smith establishes that Louise is actually the “murdered” daughter who took the identity of the friend that she murdered because she knew too much. Other guilty parties being shot dead Smith and Anne head off for an holiday from Paddington Station.

Platforms 1 and 2 awaiting arrivals.