King of the Underworld

Mrs Gray has just been given “until noon tomorrow” to give her husbands family diamond to Terence Reilly (Tod Slaughter) as a blackmail payment. Boulter’s Lock at Maidenhead in Berkshire, a location that also features in 'London Town' and 1956's 'Three Men in a Boat'.

Pretending to be “Mr Trent”, Inspector Morley (Patrick Barr) arranges to meet Reilly to acquire Mrs Gray’s letters for £20,000 Unknown location, probably now demolished.

Reilly arrives.

Having tied Reilly up he borrows his car…. By virtue of Ray's identification of Capture 6 this can now be identified as 14, 12 and 10 Pembridge Villas.

Someone saw the development potential of that middle block. (RL)

….and left it at the “Star Garage” for repairs. A flat tyre! After lengthy "discussion" with Ray Glenister based upon all evidence and probability we have agreed that there is every good reason for "Star Garage" to be the Lex Garage in Pembroke Villas from which he exits in Capture 6. The garage also appeared in 'Daybreak'.

As revealed in 'Daybreak' the Lex Garage has long gone and been replaced by this terrace.

And hailed a cab. So far I cannot link what appears to be the No4A bus and the branch of Westminster Bank. Probably because it is a 27A bus, Ray Glenister, he admits with a little good fortune, identified the location as Pembridge Villas, London W11 looking towards the junction with Westbourne Grove.

In many respects not much has changed. (RL)

“With everything going wrong”, Morley is held at lights. Holborn Circus and the statue of Prince Albert. Looking down St Andrew Street rooftops. The junction also features in 'The Primitives' and 'Wide Boy'.

The buildings on St. Andrews Street have been demolished, St. Andrews Street no longer enters Holborn Circus and the Statue has been moved. A wider shot to reflect the changed scene.

And then in a line of traffic. The No8 and 17 buses both travelled High Holborn so this could be before the significant re-development of the area or another part of their joint route. Does the overhead central street lighting help? Whatever the clue Ray Glenister found the location to be New Oxford Street, London WC1 circa No 80. (RL)

Not much has changed in nearly 70 years! (RL)

Frustrated he pays off the taxi and walks. It certainly was all “going wrong” it appears to be a different taxi. A branch of J. Lyons top left hand corner. Ray Glenister provides the location as Oxford Street, London W1 taken from Winsley Street across to Hills Place just past J Lyons at No 215. (RL)

The Congestion Charge has had some effect. (RL)

Finally he arrives at Reilly’s offices. Andrew & Co Ltd were at 102 Hatton Garden, London. Hatton Garden has appeared in many films including 'The Hatton Garden Job', 'King of Thieves', 'A Fish Called Wanda', 'Dateline Diamonds', 'The Diamond', 'The Secret Place' and 'Eyes Wide Shut'.

Unfortunately a part of Hatton Garden that has been redeveloped.

Reilly was already there but after a fight Morley escapes and waits for Reilly’s next move. St. Paul’s Cathedral from Cannon Street. The location is also featured in 'The League of Gentlemen', 'Tiger in the Smoke', 'Dark Passage', 'The Lavender Hill Mob', 'Eight O'Clock Walk', 'Stranger in the City', 'Stage Fright', 'The Hostage' and 'The Oracle'.

Now with updated buses and greenery.

Morley, on his way to his office, muses on what might be ahead. St. Paul's Cathedral looking into St. Paul’s Churchyard

All very much the same despite the passing years.

Susan (Anne Valery) calls upon her uncle Mr Blandford as arranged, but he is not at home, although Reilly is waiting for her. Ray Glenister provides the location as "South Lodge", Circus Road, London NW8

And I provide the "now" shot taken from the pavement.

Blanford visits Morley at his office to show him a letter saying the writer will exchange Susan for an emerald. Is this doorway really opposite the distinctive railings in the next two captures?

Meanwhile his maid Marie (Ingeborg von Kusserow) watches on from across the road.

Morley and his secretary Eileen (Tucker McGuire) watch her from the window as she moves off.

Morley watches Marie leave Reilly’s office and follows her. Hatton Garden, London EC1

The result of "progress".

He follows her back to the Blandford’s apartment where she works. "South Lodge", Circus Road, London NW8 says Ray Glenister.

Supporting Ray's identification but taken from the pavement as the Porter of "South Lodge" wouldn't allow me to take the shot from the grounds.

Morley “takes the afternoon off”, when he sees “Spike” Mullins (Leonard Sharp). Pavement exit of what was North Ride in Hyde Park looking towards the buildings at the junction of Gt Cumberland Place, London W1

A much changed area to accommodate buses.

And follows him. Great Windmill Street/Brewer Street, London W1.

An updated "No Entry" sign.

Brewer Street and Green Court.

Now with 'al fresco' eating.

Morley sees Spike enter 5 Meard Street, London W1. The thoroughfare can also be seen in 'King of the Underworld', 'The Moon Over the Alley', 'Saturday Night Out', 'Decline and Fall . . . of a Birdwatcher', 'Two Left Feet', 'Man at the Carlton Tower', 'Danger by My Side', 'The Six Men', 'Last Night in Soho', 'All You Need Is Cash' and 'Don't Open till Christmas'.

It makes a change to include this side of the street.

After leaving, “Spike” just cannot resist a drink. I thought that I knew this pub but can’t find the evidence! Wm. Younger “Scotch Ales”. Peter Brown recognised it, despite the loss of brickwork, the Winnett Street entrance of the Duke of Wellington, 77 Wardour Street, London W1.

Some of the mock Tudor frontage design of John Quilter has been lost. (RL)

Morley visits Scotland Yard who were already on to two of Reilly’s associates.

You just have to wait for a break in the traffic.

As part of another investigation Eileen (Tucker McGuire), Morley’s secretary, sets out to ascertain the make of a typewriter used for a threatening letter.

Having found the facts she goes visits the shop from where it may have been purchased. 74 Chancery Lane, London WC2

A little off angle but totally dependent on the road works ending.

That evening Reilly is waiting for Eileen as she makes her way home.

Morley’s two investigations start to come together and could perhaps be solved through the common denominator, Roger, as he leaves Reilly’s office. Hatton Garden, London EC1

Another view of "the Boris bikes".

Roger enters Holborn Circus from Hatton Garden, London EC1

The far corner building line of Hatton Garden has given way to pedestrians.

Roger starts to run as he realizes that he is being followed by Morley. Portpool Lane, London EC1

'Redman Buildings' of the Bourne Estate to the right.

He runs through the ruins behind. The Bourne Estate.

The rear of 'Nigel Buildings' now given over to sport.

Pursued by Morley. Portpool Lane.

Now redeveloped.

Roger exits what was Baldwin’s Place into Baldwin’s Gardens.

Now absorbed into the school.

And steals a convenient car. Baldwin’s Gardens looking into Gray’s Inn Road, London EC1

66 years on.

Morley is too far behind and on reaching Verulam Street, London EC1 gives up the chase.

It just had to be developed.

But appears to exit Brooke’s Court to hail a cab and go off to resolve the case in Studio situations. Gray’s Inn Road and an entrance to Gray's Inn Square.

And finally the obligatory scaffolding for an RS shot.