Dick Barton Strikes Back

Dick Barton (Don Stannard) and Snowey White (Bruce Walker) arrive at the airport to meet an agent off the flight from Prague. This is the entrance to Heathrow, sorry, London Airport on Bath Road opposite the junction of Sipson Road. The background garage still exists, albeit enlarged and redesigned.

Following the deaths of an entire village population, Dick and Snowey head to investigate.

The car slows as a barrier manned by the military is encountered. Tim Penycate explains that the car is descending Museum Hill in Haslemere, Surrey with Hill Road in the distance.

73 years later, and a much larger hedge. (SD)

An Military Policeman moves the barrier aside and Dick drives on, into the village of High Glen. This is further down Museum Hill in Haslemere Tim Penycate advises, towards the Petworth Road.

Museum Hill was named after the Haslemere Educational Museum which was here from 1895 until it was relocated to the High Street in 1926. The museum buildings were replaced by these flats which are named Old Museum Court. (SD)

Dick and Snowey enter the centre of the deserted village. Facing north-east on High Street in Haslemere, Surrey.

Now, not so deserted. SD

Nothing moves as the two continue along the main street. Haslemere's High Street.

Still not looking very deserted. SD

High Street in Haslemere with the corner of West Street just visible to the right.

Seen on a busy Saturday afternoon. SD

Dick stops the Allard. High Street, Haslemere about 75 yards north of the White Horse Hotel seen later. Tim Penycate updates us in 2022 that the Midland Bank seen to the left, which became a branch of HSBC, has now closed down.

Now it's looking deserted. SD

The pair enter an unattended shop through the open doorway. The shops stand on High Street, almost facing West Street. Tim Penycate advises that the shop is now an art dealers but recalls that it was once a branch of Macfisheries.

34/36 High Street. The shop fronts were altered in the 1960s. SD

Continuing to explore, the detective and his sidekick pull up and enter a hotel where full glasses still sit on the bar. Facing Petworth Road from High Street in Haslemere, Surrey. Tim Penycate tells us that the Kings Arms public house on the left has gone and is now an Estate Agents, but what is interesting is the lettering on Lloyds Bank in the background. This branch closed in November 2021 and the newer Lloyds signage was taken down revealing the old carved lettering that can be just about made out in this capture.

Another deserted-looking view. SD

Lord Armadale (James Raglan) and Major Henderson (John Harvey) pull up outside the hotel and go inside to find Dick and Snowey. High Street in Haslemere with the, still trading, White Horse Hotel to the left.

The White Horse doing good trade today. SD

Whilst staying as a guest of Lord Armadale and meeting Tina, Dick walks through the grounds of the house.

The Army set up a base after another nearby village is wiped out.

Following a clue in Beach's Fair, Dick and Snowey drive to Blackpool. Facing north on the Promenade in Blackpool, Lancashire. A very similar view is seen in 'Sing As We Go'.

Paul Swailes ventured out for a walk and took this comparison along an eerily empty promenade.

Nicholas (Tony Morelli), one of the workers from Beach's fair, makes his way through the holiday crowds. Blackpool has been seen in a number of productions including 'A Taste of Honey', 'Holidays with Pay', 'They Met in the Dark', ‘Forbidden’, 'Cotton Queen', 'The Cuckoo Patrol', 'Dual Alibi', 'The Parole Officer' and ‘Love on the Dole’.

Moving down to the Pleasure Beach, Paul provides this shot showing the surviving background buildings.

When he's spotted by Dick and Snowey, Nicholas is followed. Victoria Street in Blackpool with Coronation Street and the Winter Gardens in the background. The location is also seen in 'Hindle Wakes (1952)'.

Paul Swailes continued his exercise, capturing this view from a similar position.

After she rescues the pair from Lord Armadale, Dick and Snowey comfort Tina (Jean Lodge) after she's shot by Fouracada.

Dick fights with one of the henchmen in the lift to the top of the Tower where Lord Armadale is operating his sonic device.

When the henchman is defeated, Nicholas appears and the fighting continues until Dick is victorious. Looking up at the structure of Blackpool Tower.

This comparison shot of The Tower is provided by Paul Swailes.

After Dick defeats Lord Armadale and switches off the machine, Snowey appears at the top of the tower. Looking north towards Fleetwood from Blackpool Tower in Lancashire.

Mark Gillatt provides this pretty good match which he took in 2013.