Johnny on the Spot

Johnny Breakes (Hugh McDermott) walks along a beach having just finished his prison sentence in a South American jail. The Sussex coast looking east towards Littlehampton.

There is no sign of the groyne and the contours have changed completely.

He is here to visit Mr Lewis Osborne who had had him imprisoned on a “trumped up” charge. A wide view of the coastline. The Sussex coast looking east towards Littlehampton.

Coastal change.

Johnny approaches the house, Osborne was clearly not alone as he was hoping. What was Climping Mill, Near Littlehampton, Sussex The height was reduced to two stories not long after filming.

I believe this is now a college but whatever its use work is being undertaken and closer access is not possible.

He waits and sees Joan Ingram (Elspet Gray) and Walter Tyler (Valentine Dyall) leaving hurriedly.

The drive as now seen.

Upon entering the house he finds Osborne dead, slumped over his desk and loses no opportunity to start looking for the diary that might clear his name. Having found the diary and the body of a woman he is attacked by a blind man and he also makes a hurried escape from the house.

Best possible comparative view.

Johnny makes his way to the “local” village to rest and enjoy a “double scotch”. The Two Brewers in Chipperfield, Hertfordshire.

Fortunately some important things in life do not change.

He then makes his way back to his hotel. Geoff Dodd swiftly establishes the location as Common Wood House in Sarratt, Hertfordshire

The location now by Antony Blair who replaces an earlier Google capture.

When he sees the car he saw earlier being cleaned by mechanic (Patrick Connor) he seeks to find out more about the owner.

Joan drives Walter to the station where they say goodbye. It looks like Radlett station to me, which is also seen in 'The Password is Courage'.

The police “invite” Johnny to the local police station where they propose to confront him with Lewis Osborne’s “heavy” Otto Dessau (Frederick Schrecker). Common Wood House, Sarratt identified by Geoff Dodd

There are more cars in Antony Blair's comparison.

As he arrives in town he sees Sergeant Walsh (Conrad Philips) with Otto approaching the police station. High Street, Bushey in Hertfordshire.

All happily retained and cared for.

Keeping his head down, he drives off. High Street in Bushey. A street that can be seen in 'Man Accused', 'Three Crooked Men' and 'Two Wives at One Wedding'.

Well yes, another bank closed. The blue plaque says "This building was the first Metropolitan Police Station in Bushey 1840-1884". So presumably they were making their way to that seen in 'Innocent Meeting', rather further than "approaching" they were walking in the wrong direction!

Johnny telephones Joan to tell her what he saw and that Otto would have recognised him. The location is . . .

. . . Bushey House, to the left in the screen capture and here hidden by growth, which became The Bushey House Beaumont, Bushey Park, Care Home in 1996.

His friend Paul Carrington (Paul Carpenter), following an earlier telephone call, collects some of Johnny's belonging from his home. 62 Marlborough Place, London NW8

Now with the provision for off road parking.

Meanwhile he is being watched by Steve (Graham Stark) and Bert (Larry Taylor) Marlborough Place, London NW8

The same scene today.

At a junction they overtake him. Marlborough Place approaching the junction with Abbey Road, London NW8.

Traffic lights take over from "Slow Major Road Ahead".

Johnny approaches a garage. Keith Howard identifies this landmark building as the Junior and Infants School on The Common in Chipperfield, Hertfordshire which remains as a private residence.

Pulling up in the forecourt, Johnny asks for a quick service with a “view to selling the car”, basically to hide it! Panning with the vehicle brings the since demolished garage into frame which Keith Howard advises stood on The Common in Chipperfield. The still extant Martlets Cottage and Little Cot stand in the left background.

The police appear to be following him but, as a result of the previous capture, they lose him. The Common, Chipperfield in Hertfordshire.

Pity about the cars spoiling the scene, it remains tranquil . . . until school comes out!

He looks to catch a bus outside The Fishmongers Arms at 132 High Street in Bushey, Hertfordshire . . . which can also be seen in 'Skid Kids' and 'Cross-Roads'.

Pete Hammond provides this comparative shot, replacing the previous one, proving that re-development has not completely taken over but this is now circa 160 High Street. (RL)

Meanwhile Paul returns to his home with the items he has collected for Johnny. Ryder Terrace, London NW8. Roy James (the Weasel) was the uncoupler and getaway driver of the Great Train Robbers in 1963 and used 14 Ryders Terrace as an hideout when he was on the run. With thanks to John Disson for the further information.

Mews will always be desirable places to live.

Johnny arrives to find Paul “roughed up” and two packages stolen whilst the house is unobtrusively watched from the other side of the Terrace by a plain clothes policeman.

And conversions effected to accommodate even more living space.

In order to escape the watchful of the policeman, Sally Erskine (Jean Lodge) Paul and Johnny exit via the fire escape to go and visit Joan Ingram at her apartment.

Exiting the other end of Ryder’s Terrace where they would certainly had been seen by the policeman.

The waste bins unfortunately still have to be on show.

Ducking into Blenheim Passage.

Why were the bollards changed?

Emerging into Carlton Hill and Sally’s waiting car.

No cars waiting during my visit.

They arrive at “Hamilcar House”. Sally and Paul leave Johnny in the car in case the police are waiting for him there. 29 Abercorn Place, London NW 8 also seen in 'Assignment Redhead' and 'Behind the Headlines'.

There is no Restaurant there now but that feature of the time is retained at Oslo Court in Charlbert Street.

Not content to sit in the car Johnny wanders off but soon sees Paul leave the apartment block with Walter, Steve and Bert.

I waited for similar activity to subside.

Sally exits the building to see Johnny drive off giving chase.

I certainly did not want the embarrassment of capturing a resident.

With somewhat delayed continuity she sees Paul’s car turning right into Abbey Road whilst Johnny is still parked behind the camera.

Similar parking during my visit.

The two cars speed along Abbey Road, London NW8

The pedestrian crossing remains.

Both cars turn into Hamilton Terrace from Carlton Hill, London NW8. With thanks to John Disson for directing me to the location

Cars can still and do, whip round that corner!

And race down Carlton Hill, London NW8

Orderly motoring.

Into the countryside where Steve shoots at Johnny’s tyres to force him to a standstill. Unknown location.

In the dark he walks to a local house called “Mallards”, having learnt that it is the home of Diana Townley (Vanda Godsell) who sends a grey Humber car to collect a blind man who plays in the local pub. Does that plaque help identification? The film concludes in studio sets.