Derby Day

Derby Day has just begun. Dawn is breaking over the Epsom Downs where, in a few hours, half a million people will be packed into the stands and enclosures . . .

Gilpin (Tom Walls Jr.) the trainer is up early, taking a final look around the stables.

Today, all roads lead to Epsom. Indeed they do and Peter Brown pinpoints this as Banstead Crossroads looking east along Winkworth Road . . .

. . . supporting with a shot from Google Earth and remarking that the bus stop remains in the same location. (RL)

John Lollard the chauffeur opens the door for Lady Helen Forbes (Anna Neagle) and Sir George Forbes (Edwin Styles) to get into the Rolls Royce to be driven to Epsom. Identified by 'DocRobertPepper' of BritMovie as Sussex Place, London NW1 with the houses now lost in favour of the London Business School. (RL)

In Hackney, Jim Molloy reads the newspaper while his wife Betty prepares breakfast for their lodger, Tommy Dillon. Is not Hackney at all says Dave W, rather Stebbing Street, London W11, now sadly lost but the name is preserved in what is now Stebbing House, Queensdale Crescent. Robert Rouse adds that this is number 32 which his grandfather James Rouse and father George occupied at the time of filming and that his family had lived in the street at various addresses since 1901.

Jim Molloy (Nigel Stock) sets off to work, suspicious about his wife and the lodger. With the chimney of Insulated Cables in the background, this is Stebbing Street advises Dave, specifically the basement of number 32 adds Robert Rouse. The street can also be seen in 'The Lavender Hill Mob' capture 105. (RL)

Newspaper cartoonist David Scott (Michael Wilding) hails a taxi to take him to The Derby. Fleet Street in EC4, also seen in 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire', 'Inquest', 'The Big Job', 'Locker Sixty Nine', 'Strange Bedfellows', 'Trent's Last Case', 'Children of Men' and many others.

And Peter has also been here before . . . several times.

At the apartment block where Mrs. Harbottle-Smith lives, the maid Michele Jolivet (Suzanne Cloutier) answers the front door to Jock (Ewan Roberts), the driver of a car sent from the film studio.

Sir George Forbes' Rolls Royce turns onto Chelsea Bridge from Grosvenor Road in SW1. In the background rises the chimney of the Western Sewage Pumping Station.

The chimney is still there. SJ

The camera tracks the car as Battersea Power Station comes into view.

The towers in mid-renewal, and the power station itself partially hidden by "luxury flat" development . SJ

Nearing work after a long journey, Jim's doubts get the better of him and he returns home to catch Betty with Tommy before being pushed to his death down the stairs. Grosvenor Road in SW1 also seen in 'The Deadly Affair'.

The power station is currently minus its chimneys. The embankement wall now has a concrete addition along its length. SJ

When Mrs. Harbottle-Smith falls and hurts her leg, Michele takes her place on a day out with film star Gerald Berkeley which was won in a raffle. Horse Guards Road with the South Block of the Government Offices forming the background.

Now. SJ

Gerald Berkeley (Peter Graves) takes a minute to admire himself before his guest arrives. In the background stands Hyde Park Corner Lodge off Knightsbridge in W1.

Peter found the same spot, now with added seating.

Bill Hammond (Ralph Reader) is shocked to find that Michele has turned up instead of Mrs. Harbottle-Smith. To the left stands the Entrance Screen of Hyde Park on South Carriage Drive. The location was seen in 'The Magic Box'.

Unfortunately, Peter found that the tree spoils the shot.

The Coalman (Cyril Conway) makes a delivers to the Molloy's where he discovers Jim's body in the cellar. Stebbing Street again says Dave with the chimney of Insulated Cables in the background. (RL)

Tommy Dillon heads for Epsom where he knows he can find Captain Goggs, a contact who will help him flee the country. Jonathan Horswell has puzzled for some time about this location and with the help of contacts at the Southern Electric history group, is certain that it is Richmond in Surrey with the SR13 style signal box in the background looking suspiciously like that which is still standing there today.

In a queue of vehicles, David Scott's taxi creeps closer to the race course. Barrie Gilbert identifies this as looking along Fir Tree Road from the Drift Bridge crossroads in Banstead, Surrey.

And confirmed by John Harwood. (SJ)

When the engine seizes up, Joe Jenkins (Gordon Harker) tries to fix his cab while David accepts a lift from Lady Helen.

Betty Molloy makes her way to Epsom to catch up with Tommy. Facing north on the A217 Brighton Road across Banstead Downs at Banstead Crossroads, identified by Barrie Gilbert.

Now a double dual carriageway as John H. observes. (SJ)

Tommy's train arrives at Tattenham Corner station. At the time of filming, the station stood on Tattenham Crescent in Tattenham Corner near Epsom, Surrey. The station has since been reduced in size with Emily Davidson Drive now occupying part of the site.

A colourful shot by John again showing the post-demolition results of the farther platforms. (SJ)

Thousands of people converge on Epsom for The Derby. The stand backed onto Tattenham Corner Road on Epsom Downs, Surrey. This footage was reused for 'The Calendar' in 1956.

The new stand now, captured by John Harwood. (SJ)

At the end of the meeting the crowds disperse.

A drone shot from John H. shows the changes. (SJ)