Nearly a Nasty Accident

Date: 1961
Director: Don Chaffey
Production Company: Bertram Ostrer Productions, British Lion, Marlow Films Ltd.

Stars: Jimmy Edwards, Kenneth Connor, Shirley Eaton, Eric Barker, Jon Pertwee, Ronnie Stevens
Location(s): Buckinghamshire

Region(s):

Storyline:

A mechanically minded but accident-prone aircraftman causes chaos.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson

 

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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
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In a remote corner of England, the new Banwell Rocket Base is being opened.

  • Capture 2
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Lady Trowborough (Joyce Carey) makes her speech, as Aircraftman Wood accidentally launches the weapon.

  • Capture 3
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That evening, an ambulance arrives at Crybwyth Air Base.

  • Capture 4
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The vehicle comes to a halt outside the main gates.

  • Capture 5
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Staff in the Guardhouse are alerted to the unexpected arrival.

  • Capture 6
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Aircraftman Alexander Wood (Kenneth Connor) gets out of the ambulance as is met by Sergeant (Vincent Ball).

  • Capture 7
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Inside Crybwyth base, Flight Lieutenant Pocock interrupts Group Captain Kingsley's golf practice to tell him of the mishap at Banwell.

  • Capture 8
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Fearing for his promotion after Wood's posting to Crybwyth, the Group Captain races to prevent another disaster.

  • Capture 9
  • 09 Sep 2020

At Crybwyth railway station, two Service Policemen (Robert Desmond and Fred Abbott) keep an eye on the Aircraftman after he's discharged from the RAF. Marlow station, Marlow in Buckinghamshire.

Andrew Price found that a plaque now marks where Marlow station once stood with the only feature remaining of the old station being part of the platform that is now within a private car park out of view beyond the left of the picture.

  • Capture 10
  • 09 Sep 2020

Group Captain Kingsley (Jimmy Edwards) returns to the platform with the tickets. Marlow station with buildings on Station Road in the distance. Phil Richards has provided us with an additional comparative shot showing the buildings in Station Road, see Capture 23. (RL)

Houses now occupy the site of the platform and track bed in Andrew Price's comparison.

  • Capture 11
  • 22 Mar 2023

Not allowing Aircraftman Wood off the train home, the Group Captain disposes of a chocolate wrapper. Marlow station in Buckinghamshire. The station has since been re-sited but was also seen in 'Four Sided Triangle', 'Child's Play' and 'Death of an Angel'.

Phil Richards send us this shot revealing the properties seen in the background of the Capture, adding that the property on the extreme right has been redeveloped. (RL)

  • Capture 12
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The train pulls into the next station and the Service Policeman ensure that Wood doesn't leave the train.

  • Capture 13
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Group Captain Kingsley telephones the base after being left behind at an unpronounceable station. This appears to be the old engine shed at Marlow station.

  • Capture 14
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As Wood continues his journey on foot, servicemen are mobilised to search for him.

  • Capture 15
  • 04 Oct 2019

After "borrowing" a sports car from the retired General Birkinshaw, Wood attempts to drive to London. Di Davies has identified this as Uxbridge Road, Slough in Berkshire.

On a lovely sunny day, Antony Blair set out to replace Di's sequence of Google images and started with this capture of the same stretch of road.

  • Capture 16
  • 04 Oct 2019

As the Group Captain and his men question General Birkinshaw, Wood speeds on his way. Di locates this as Uxbridge Road in Slough, north of the bridge over the Great Western Main Line.

Facing houses in Victoria Road, Antony took this view.

  • Capture 17
  • 04 Oct 2019

The sports car attracts the attention of the police and a car sets off in pursuit. Di Davies locates this as facing the railway bridge on Uxbridge Road noting that the brickwork and the distinctive pole fence remain.

From the safety of the footpath, Antony captures the crest of the bridge.

  • Capture 18
  • 04 Oct 2019

Outside a car dealership, a tractor unit is detached from a loaded transporter. This is George Green along Uxbridge Road to the north-east of Slough recognised by Di Davies.

This is what Antony Blair found some 58 years later.

  • Capture 19
  • 04 Oct 2019

After turning a corner, Wood looks back as he drives the MG towards the transporter. Di remembers the garage at George Green from back in the 60s, now replaced by Luigi's Car Wash. (RL)

And here's the same location taken by Antony.

  • Capture 20
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Wood's car travels up the rear ramp onto the transporter, pushing a similar car onto the road at the front.

  • Capture 21
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The police car overtakes the transporter and comes to a halt.

  • Capture 22
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When he approaches the car, the Officer is puzzled as to where the driver is.

  • Capture 23
  • 22 Mar 2023

Phil Richards provides us with this comparative shot, also seen in 'Four Sided Triangle'. Not disagreeing, with the comparative shot to Capture 10, Phil says "if you go to the other end of those houses to the car park, then the same roof line is apparent AND (believe it or not) some remains of the old platform is visible visible between the house wall and the red car to the right." (RL)