13 East Street

The scene is set on Scotland Yard where the story unfolds. Derby Gate, London SW1

The building work continues.

It “begins in March, March the 23rd to be exact”. Supt. Duncan (Hector MacGregor) watches from the corner of Hampstead Road and Eden Street, London NW1 to see Gerald Blake (Patrick Holt) arrive in his car. The location appears in '13 East Street'.

A very much changed view. An excellent report on the changes that occurred with this junction together with photographs can be had at "A London Inheritance" website. In view of the length of address a direct link can be found in the "Extras" section in the Header of this film.

“It was on that date that the name of Gerald Blake first appeared on police records.” Hampstead Road looking across to the Westminster Bank that was on the corner with Euston Road.

More or less the correct location now. A photograph of the bank as it was on the corner with Euston Road can be seen in the report referred to in Caption 2 and available via the "Extras" section in the Header to this film.

A policeman stands watching events unfold. Ray Glenister has determined the exact location and tells us that the policeman is standing on the eastern side of Hampstead Road in front of either shop 8,10 or 12. The reflection in the shop window captures the front of building 1 to 13 in Hampstead Road on the corner of Euston Road.

Denis Hoare did well to establish camera positions for this location that has changed beyond all recognition. This is an horizontally flipped shot replicating approx what was reflected in the window.

Supt. Duncan continues to watch. Probably still the corner of Eden Street but now looking north along Hampstead Road. Specifically says Ray, Duncan stands outside No.15 Hampstead Road. Behind him can be seen the driveway entrance to Gills Yard.

Denis advises that Duncan would be standing approximately where the location sign is, with the old shops now replaced by Euston Tower, set back on the left. This is looking north up Hampstead Road. "

“At 11 o’clock exactly” Blake enters the jewellers as an armed robber. Hampstead Road. Opposite the bank, the jewellery shop is either 5 or 7 Hampstead Road says Ray. Kelly's tells us that Robinson Bros were at both.

"The shop at numbers 5 and 7 would be here on the west side of the road with the Euston Road underpass passing underneath. Warren St underground station is on the left." Thank you Denis, but very hard to imagine given what is there now.

He is captured and sentenced to three years in prison. Wormwood Scrubs Prison, Du Cane Road, London W12. The famous prison features in many productions including 'Frenzy', 'Adventures of a Taxi Driver', 'Adventures of a Plumber’s Mate', 'Fool's Gold: The Story of the Brink's-Mat Robbery', 'Seven Keys', 'The Constant Husband', 'The Italian Job', 'Dr. Crippen', 'Three Sundays to Live', 'Black Orchid', 'Hot Millions', 'Jungle Street', 'Nothing Barred', 'The Horses Mouth' and 'Three Steps to the Gallows'.

A capture that I took in 2014.

Blake and Joey Long (Michael Balfour) are “taken on a nice train ride” by the prison authorities. Unknown location.

Having overtaken the warders they jump from the train and steal a delivery van. Unknown location.

They are flagged down by the police for speeding, only afterwards are the police aware that it was a stolen van and set off in chase. Unknown location

Gerald and Joey give the police the slip and Joey takes them to meet “the gang” in “East Street E1”. Rainville Road, London W6

A little more colourful now.

A delivery of stolen goods is made to the location before they arrive. Rainville Road, London SW6.

The Crabtree is now a much more trendy establishment.

Shortly afterwards they arrive and are taken up to meet the boss Larry Conn (Robert Ayres). Crabtree Lane, London SW6

Re-developed as can be seen.

With George Mack (Michael Brennan) Gerald is assigned to “a job”, some nylons are being delivered to “Grahams Warehouse”. Black’s Road, Hammersmith London W8

The terraced houses in the background remain.

Gerald distracts the van’s driver (Edward Evans) while George highjacks the van. Looking back to the opposite side of Black’s Road. Now built on by Marks and Spencers

Without the development I should have been further back but this is the view now across the road.

They drive off turning into Angel Walk, but as the sign says it's a “No Through Road”!

And still a "No Through Road".

Not least, they manage to rendezvous with a waiting lorry. Unknown location.,

In which they travel to the deliver the van and stolen nylons. Unknown location.

The house and presumably “the fence”.

Having tipped the police off and learned of the next “job” Gerald visits Larry Conn’s apartment to gather some evidence. Kensington High Street, London

"Kenton Court" can now be clearly read.

Luckily, he escapes with the help of Judy (Sandra Dorne) and hails a cab as Larry returns to find Mack drunk and asleep. Kensington High Street looking towards the junction with Warwick Road.

The same spot now.

Gerald takes the cab to the library in Westminster Council House to pass on information to Sgt. Follett (Alan Judd) not knowing that Judy is following in her own car. Marylebone Road looking towards Gloucester Place, London NW1

I still can't work out how things have changed with that balustrade.

“The boys” learn that Larry wants them all at the flat. Judy has already told Gerald about Larry’s “big and final job”.

Subsequent development of the yard prevented be standing further back.

After the meeting they disperse, Gerald to meet up with Sgt. Follett but Mack sticks right with him. Kensington High Street, London W8

The entrance to Holland Park and the pavement alignment has all been changed.

Upon leaving the restaurant Mack is concerned that they are going to walk “5 miles to East Street”. Victor (Charles Victor) looked in that very window two years later in "The Embezzler".

A less stressful air today.

To add tension, Gerald’s wife Joan (Sonia Holm) and her friend Valerie (Dora Bryan) walk towards them. In reality not a problem as they are some 100 metres behind him. Kensington High Street.

The corner with Earls Court Road going in the right midground.

Valerie recognizes Gerald but Joan manages to hold her back…… Gerald and Mack have changed location to appear with Valerie and Joan.

I am sure it will smarten up in due course.

…….and hurries her across the road but Mack is sure he heard one of them “call him her husband”. Kensington High Street looking towards Edwardes Square, London W8.

A very brief break in the traffic flow.

Mack gives chase. Kensington High Street at its corner with Edwardes Square.

And the retail name still begins with a "K" but a different line of business.

But his progress is halted when he bumps into a less than sympathetic security officer who recognises him as the van driver in Capture 15

No such altercation when I was there.

Having received instructions regarding the next “job” the gang leave Larry Conn’s office and Gerald sees Sgt. Follett looking inconspicuous. The corner of Holyport Road and Crabtree Lane in London SW6 which also appears in 'They Made Me a Fugitive'.

On my second visit the "Openreach" van had thankfully been replaced by a car.

He holds back to scribble a note giving details of the robbery. 81 Crabtree Lane

The bars have been removed and parking is now very much in evidence.

Meanwhile Mack storms back and catches sight of Gerald. Crabtree Lane having just passed Woodlawn Road.

No one has bothered to repair that window sill.

Gerald throws the paper into a convenient dustbin. Holyport Road.

No even a convenient "wheelie bin".

With a gun, Mack intercepts the “copper” and takes him to a disused house where he shoots him dead. Dave W, king of the street lamps, took himself off to Fulham to find that the camera position was circa 16 Mulgrave Road, London W14 and here we are seeing the front of 32 - 38 Pownall Place. Needless to say all this has now gone in favour of Clem Atlee Court, probably formerly known as the Clem Atlee Estate. (RL)

Larry leaves his office to join “the boys” and the lorry. Crabtree Lane

The background is right but I could not replicate the foreground.

Tower Bridge and the Thames to establish the wharf location.

Not quite from water level.

Finding everyone has gone Mack grabs handy Ford “woodie” station wagon and sets off for the warehouse. Crabtree Lane towards the junction with Rainville Road, London W6

Further improvements are being made to that building.

Mack arrives at the warehouse. Supposedly Upper Thames Street, London actually Little Trinity Lane off Upper Thames Street in EC4.

All now redeveloped.

Sgt. Follett’s body having been found Supt. Duncan goes immediately to Larry Conn’s offices and meets with Judy.

Cars, as always, dominate the scene.

After the furs are loaded into the lorry and Gerald is revealed as a “cop” Mack chases Gerald over the rooftops. This looks like it could have been the rooftop of Sunlight Wharf that specialized in furs and other products. The Tower of St. Mary Somerset Church, Upper Thames Street, London to the left of Gerald. David Smith advises that this was the roof of the Hudson's Bay Fur Company, Little Trinity Lane. Other views of St. Mary Somerset appear in 'Inadmissible Evidence' and 'The Salvage Gang'.

Gerald races on with the dome of St. Paul’s as a background. David Smith advises that this was the roof of the Hudson's Bay Fur Company, Little Trinity Lane. See also subsequent captures.

He looks down at the road below. Queen Victoria Street at its junction with Cannon Street.

The same junction from ground level.

Meanwhile the police turn up at the warehouse to provide a larger picture of the background buildings and arrest the gang. Little Trinity Lane, London EC4 David Smith confirms that it is indeed Little Trinity Lane, the outside of the warehouse entrance, the inside and the roof were of the Hudson Bay Fur Company. He worked in the building from 1967 to 1971.

Some older premises remain, particularly and thankfully, Painter Stainers Hall out of frame to the left.