Impulse
Date: 1954
Director: Cy Enfield
Production Company: Tempean Films
Stars: Arthur Kennedy, Constance Smith, Joy Shelton, Jack Allen, James, Carney, Cyril Chamberlain, Cameron Hall, Jean St. Clair, Bruce Beeby
Location(s): London, Surrey
Region(s): London H-L, South East E-L
Storyline:
An American realtor living in England is dissatisfied with what he believes to be his humdrum life. One weekend while his wife is out of town, he gives a ride to a woman he sees stranded on the road. One thing leads to another, and he soon finds himself enmeshed in a plot involving a diamond robbery, gangsters and murder.
Additional Information:
Screen captures and uncredited “now” shots uploaded by Richard Lovejoy
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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 11 Jul 2023
Lila (Constance Smith) arrives at a church. Website visitor Michael Knowles correctly identified this location as being St Peters & Andrews Church which is located on Church Road in Old Windsor SL4 2JW.
The approach to the church has changed to accommodate a new building on the right. (SR)
- Capture 2
- 11 Jul 2023
She enters the churchyard.
Taken from the same position today. (SR)
- Capture 3
- 26 Oct 2019
To deposit a suitcase. Antony Blair identifies this as St. Nicholas church on Church Street in London W4. The location is also seen in 'Time Bomb', ‘Quatermass and the Pit’ and ‘Victim’.
Anthony also provides evidence.
- Capture 4
- 26 Oct 2019
And selects a spot. St. Nicholas church in Chiswick located by Antony Blair who adds that the the tomb of William Hogarth stands to the right.
More proof from Antony,
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Having left the church she drives through the village of “Ashmore”.
- Capture 6
- 09 Dec 2018
To arrive at an hotel. Windsor Street, Chertsey
The corner property has been redeveloped but otherwise much the same albeit smarter.
- Capture 7
- 09 Dec 2018
As she leaves the hotel having booked a room for a “Mr Johnson” she crosses the path of Alan Curtis (Arthur Kennedy). Windsor Street, Chertsey, Surrey.
It was easier to park in Sainsbury's.
- Capture 8
- 17 Mar 2023
…….who turns back to look, just before he enters his estate agency office. Michael also identifies this, London Street, Chertsey with Alan about to enter No 3, now the 'Ocean Blue Fish and Chip' shop.
It is pleasing to note from Steve Randall's comparative shot that those distinctive windows remain.
- Capture 9
- 09 Dec 2018
…….. and she drives away. Windsor Street, Chertsey.
Another shop closed.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Elizabeth Curtis (Joy Shelton) calls at the office and she and Alan drive home. Michael Knowles has established the location of their house as No 3 Crofton Avenue, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, on the corner with Ringmore Road. (RL)
- Capture 11
- 27 Feb 2021
As Elizabeth arrives at the gate their neighbour Miss Birchington (Jean St. Clair) waves “Hello” from No 5 Crofton Avenue, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. See Capture 10. (RL)
No neighbours came out to wave at Phil Brothwell when he arrived there.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Elizabeth is about to spend a few days at her mothers so Alan takes her to the station. Glyn Horton has identified this as Taplow Station, the signal box viewed from the other direction can be see in 'Tiger by the Tail'.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
The train enters the platform as they leave the car. Taplow Station says Glyn, also seen in 'Highly Dangerous', 'No Trace', 'Shadow of Fear' and 'Tiger by the Tail'.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
They kiss “goodbye” at Taplow Station says Glyn, also seen in 'Highly Dangerous', 'No Trace', 'Shadow of Fear' and 'Tiger by the Tail'.
- Capture 15
- 09 Dec 2018
“Mr Johnson”, Harry Winters (Bruce Beeby) with the suitcase, pauses outside of the hotel. Windsor Street, Chertsey.
Without the parking I would have stood further back.
- Capture 16
- 09 Dec 2018
On his way home that evening Alan becomes involved with Lila. The following day he returns to her flat. Swan Walk looking towards Dilke Street, London SW3
An extension to the pink house and a greener garden.
- Capture 17
- 09 Dec 2018
Alan parks and approaches the apartment block. Swan Walk, London SW3
Thankfully the scaffolding did not get this far.
- Capture 18
- 09 Dec 2018
Lila borrows Alan’s car to go and meet Harry Winters, but movements are being watched. Swan Walk/Dilke Street, London SW3
But is spoilt this shot.
- Capture 19
- 09 Dec 2018
She stands on the banks of the Thames to meet up with Harry. Lower Mall, Hammersmith, towards Hammersmith Bridge.
The growth of riverside apartments.
- Capture 20
- 09 Dec 2018
Harry watches her from a distance, aware that the police are not far away. Lower Mall, towards Hammersmith Bridge.
Thankfully the nearby Latymer School fire drill ended, eventually.
- Capture 21
- 09 Dec 2018
The police stand nonchalantly by. Lower Mall, Hammersmith.
A moment to myself.
- Capture 22
- 09 Dec 2018
An additional capture of Lila looking into the River for historic record of the background. Lower Mall, Hammersmith and Furnival Gardens.
And as now.
- Capture 23
- 09 Dec 2018
Harry makes a run for it Lower Mall, Hammersmith, London W6
Significant changes to the right and, oh yes, 'The Dove' was heaving when I looked in.
- Capture 24
- 09 Dec 2018
As they didn’t meet up, Alan and Lila go to visit a mutual friend who runs a café in Bayswater. They clearly go via Marble Arch.
One soon realises just how many buses operate in London.
- Capture 25
- 09 Dec 2018
But pulls up in Church Street, Walton on Thames.
The 'Regent' garage' is now a pub of the same name. Church Street, Walton on Thames.
- Capture 26
- 09 Dec 2018
Crossing the road to Ron’s Café to meet Joe (Cameron Hall). Church Street, Walton on Thames.
- Capture 27
- 09 Dec 2018
Shortly after telling Joe that he was friend of Lila and wanted to help Harry, Joe leaves.. Church Street, Walton on Thames.
The Working Men's Club still survives but not Ron's.
- Capture 28
- 09 Dec 2018
..…and Alan follows him. Circa 110 Fulham Palace Road, London W6
Perhaps it is now "the wrong end of the road" for business.
- Capture 29
- 09 Dec 2018
Joe hurries between the rear of 113 to 127 Fulham Palace Road looking across Beryl Road, London W6
No longer can you traverse the length.
- Capture 30
- 09 Dec 2018
To the rear of some housing. Queen Caroline Street, London W6 and the Queen Caroline Estate in the background. The larger location is seen in number of films of this time, Riverside Studios were just down the road.
Post War redevelopment.
- Capture 31
- 'Now' required
Alan watches as Joe enters an house. 'Joanna House' is now on this site.
- Capture 32
- 09 Dec 2018
Having found Harry and disassociated himself from Lila he drives away. Swan Walk, London SW3
The Chelsea Physic Garden to the left looking towards Royal Hospital Road.
- Capture 33
- 24 Dec 2018
Passing an unknown location. Matt Pascal has located this as a much changed Walton Lane, Shepperton with only the telecoms mast and the crooked tree remaining. (RL)
True to his promise, Matt provides a "now" revealing the substantial changes to this once much quieter junction. (RL)
- Capture 34
- 'Now' required
A telegram at his office asks him to collect his wife from the station….he is late! Identified as Taplow Station by Glyn Horton, also seen in 'Highly Dangerous', 'No Trace', 'Shadow of Fear' and 'Tiger by the Tail'.
- Capture 35
- 27 Feb 2021
Following a telephone call from Lila he has to go to London to meet her. He clearly did not notice the only other car in the road drive off behind him. The corner of Ringmore Road and Crofton Avenue, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.
Phil Brothwell has provided this daylight shot of the same corner, now with added white lines.
- Capture 36
- 'Now' required
After a struggle and a shooting, Alan overcomes the men who are after the diamonds and he and Lila escape together.
- Capture 37
- 'Now' required
….eventually on foot.
- Capture 38
- 'Now' required
The neighbours telephone the police who are soon to arrive.
- Capture 39
- 'Now' required
The police tour the streets looking for Alan and Lila.
- Capture 40
- 'Now' required
They catch a train to return to ‘Ashmore’. Stock shot. This sequence also appears in 'Bond of Fear'.
- Capture 41
- 09 Dec 2018
The following morning Joe buys a newspaper and sees that Jack Forrester (James Carney) owner of the nightclub where Lila sings has been arrested and that Lila and Alan are wanted by the police. Turnham Green Terrace, London W5
I am sure somewhere else sells newspapers around there now.
- Capture 42
- 13 Nov 2024
Alan and Lila make their way to escape by boat. River Thames but which section? Ray and Ron Glenister can answer that question, the steps to the left are 'King's Stairs', Rotherhithe Street, Bermondsey, London SE1 looking towards Tower Bridge, the large white building center capture is Chambers Wharf.
"I couldn't see an easy way to get to the shore here but this is from the King's Stairs area looking at Chambers Wharf," as I wrote in Feb '24. John Harwood however found a better angle with his drone so this replaces my off angle. (SJ)
- Capture 43
- 'Now' required
He meets up with sailor Nicos (Michael Balfour) to arrange the ship. London Docks looking East. Now totally redeveloped into an housing estate.
- Capture 44
- 'Now' required
Alan tells Lila that he is not going with her. Warehouse on the North side of London Docks
- Capture 45
- 'Now' required
Nicos takes Lila’s arm as they part company. London Docks. No 1 stack, North Quay West End in the background.
- Capture 46
- 27 Feb 2021
Alan gives himself up to the police and his partner Freddie James (Jack Allen) takes him home to face the music with his wife Elizabeth (Joy Shelton). No 3 Crofton Avenue, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey identified by Michael Knowles. (RL)
Phil found that not surprisingly some cosmetic changes had been made during the intervening years. Phil, if you read this can you confirm your email address our response to you email is always rejected.