Steel Key, The

After arriving in the country aboard the Queen Mary at Southampton Johnny O’Flynn (Terence Morgan) travelling under the name of Dr Metcalf arrives at his hotel by taxi. Lancaster Gate, London W2

Still an hotel, now the Thistle Hyde Park.

Posing as Dr Metcalf, he goes off to the home of a Professor Newman who was also working on the same project as the real Dr Metcalf, only to find that he had died. An unidentified location that SJ notes has similarities to High Canons near Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. However Anthony Spencer points out several features that High Canons lacks including the glazed panel above the entrance between each pair of columns and the full height glazing to the side panels.

The burial of Prof Newman. Perhaps near the house once we establish that. Unidentified location.

Upon returning to his hotel room Johnny realizes that someone is in his room, by chance Inspector Forsythe is there just before him and is hit over the head by the intruder, the chauffeur (Sam Kydd) to Prof and Mrs Newman, he escapes down the fire escape. The block at the rear of circa13 Queensway.

Not a NOW shot but Britain from Above clarifies the sequence shooting.

Johnny soon gives chase.

Johnny sees the chauffeur drive away.

The "service road" has now been built on.

On his arrival in the street two of Insp. Forsythe’s officers apprehend him. The sign says Scotsman Sales, 13 Queensway, London W2, who were in the telephone directory at that address.

More than just "Scotsmen" here these days.

After explaining the situation to the Inspector, Johnny leaves the hotel.

Very little has changed during those intervening years.

He sees the police are watching him.

Only CCTV watching me.

The police car follows Johnny’s taxi. Bayswater Road, London W2

Less traffic.........no, I was just lucky at that moment.

Johnny pays the taxi driver and hops out of the cab at the junction with Leinster Terrace, London W2. The police never noticed!

The traffic island remains, but more white lines.

Johnny establishes the name of the doctor who certified the death of Professor Newman and goes to visit him. No 36 where? Weymouth Street, London W1 says Dave W.

On the north side of the street. SJ

Having spoken to the Doctor Johnny leaves with his nurse, helping her with some parcels. A view of what would have been Johnny’s approach to the forecourt seen earlier. And another identification from Dave, Weymouth Street, London W1 looking west across Westmoreland Street. (RL)

Somewhat dominated by a parking suspension sign. SJ

The nurse is driven off in the shooting brake by Gilchrist (Arthur Lovegrove). On the back of the shooting brake is the name “Crabtree’s Sanatorium”. A further view of the road for identification purposes. So ably identified by Dave as +/- 36 Weymouth Street, London W1 looking eastwards across Wimpole Street.

All as was. SJ

As to be expected Johnny goes to visit the sanatorium. Old Quarry Hall on Springbottom Lane in Bletchingley, Surrey that was also seen in the film 'Blackout' and on which there is a comprehensive article that can be found by following the link in the header for this film.

Not a NOW shot but an original photograph from Patrick Steel who's Great Grandfather owned Old Quarry Hall.

Gilchrist emerges from the property to “tamper with the brakes” of a nurse Doreen Wilson (Joan Rice) who had just resigned from the Sanatorium as a result of her dislike of Gilchrist’s handling of one of the patients.

Not a NOW shot but an original photograph from Patrick Steel who's Great Grandfather owned Old Quarry Hall.

Johnny follows her in his car and recovers her after the inevitable accident. She agrees to take him back to the Sanatorium so that he can meet the patient that has been kept out of sight and looked after by Gilchrist. Old Quarry Hall in Surrey. Needless to say the patient turns out to be Professor Newman.

Not a NOW shot but an original photograph from Patrick Steel who's Gt Grandfather owned Old Quarry Hall.

Johnny and Doreen travel to Newhaven to find and search Professor Newman’s boat. High Street at the junction with Bridge Street in Newhaven, Sussex.

The Bridge Inn has been acquired by Harveys Brewery and is currently undergoing refurbishment. SD

They find the boat and Johnny goes on board while Doreen keeps watch.

Tony Helyar, Curator, Newhaven Museum advises that "the sheerlegs have gone and the large building behind them, the old marine workshops, is currently being rebuilt as a technical college".

Additional pov to assist with location.

Tony Helyar also sends this shot taken from the entrance to the pier.

Professor Newman's boat, additional point of view for location assistance and historic reference.

With sincere thanks to Tony Helyar, Curator, Newhaven Museum who not only researched the location for me but submitted his own NOW shots. Your help was very much appreciated.

With the arrival of the real Dr Metcalf on the scene, who goes to the police, they go to Johnny’s hotel with an arrest warrant. A very individual pillar.

That pillar remains but I was not prepared to book a room to get that higher shot.

After the eventual resolution of the deaths and killings on board, arrests are made and Johnny and the police return to their respective cars on the Newhaven quayside.

The sheerlegs crane was decommissioned in 1962 and scrapped. The Harbourside University Technical College opened in September 2015. SD

After duping the police and claiming the reward for the "Steel Key" formula Johnny and Doreen slip out of the hotel to be married.

More ornate and grand now.