Don’t Open till Christmas

Dressed as Santa Claus, a Man (John Aston) blows into his cold hands while waiting for his Girlfriend to arrive. Bourlet Close in London W1 identified by Simon James.

The cool round window has given way to the mundane. (PW)

The Man and his Girlfriend (Maria Eldridge) climb into the back of his Volvo Estate before the two are attacked and killed by a masked Assailant. SJ recognised this as Bourlet Close off Riding House Street in Fitzrovia.

The same dead end. (PW)

Following the murder of Mr. Briosky who was dressed as Father Christmas at party, Chief Inspector Ian Harris is given the job of tracking down the killer. The former New Scotland Yard that stood on The Broadway SW1. The building can be seen in 'The Sex Thief', ‘Columbo: Dagger of the Mind’, 'Frenzy', ‘The File of the Golden Goose’, ‘Don’t Open till Christmas’ and ‘Hennessy’.

The old New Scotland Yard has been moved to the new Scotland Yard which was originally the old Scotland Yard. (PW)

The Detective Inspector and Detective Sergeant Powell visit the man’s daughter Kate who lives with her boyfriend Cliff. The junction of Marshall Street and Broadwick Street in W1.

Apart from the addition of cakes and greenery there isn't much change here. (PW)

Questions are asked about Mr. Briosky's death but no clues are forthcoming. William Blake House rising above Marshall Street.

A very similar view. (PW)

As the two Policemen return to the "Yard", reports of the murders are broadcast on the radio. To the left stands Dickins & Jones at the corner of Regent Street and Little Argyle Street. The department store closed in 2006.

A daylight shot but the Christmas decorations are on display again. (PW)

Nearby, another Santa (George Pierce) roasts chestnuts before the masked assassin strikes again. This is the right hand side of Bourlet Close W1. The dead end also appears in 'Blue Ice'.

No nuts here now . . . . except me reflected in the window. (PW)

A Motorcyclist sets of to make a delivery. Wardour Street, London W1 with Flaxman Court going off between the Volvo and the motorcyclist.

The same location captured on a busy Christmas Eve. (PW)

Secured on the Yamaha's pillion, a Christmas present with a label reading ‘Don’t Open till Christmas’ is carried through the streets. Facing south on Regent Street at the junction with Foubert's Place and Conduit Street.

A pause in the traffic allowed this shot to be taken. (PW)

The Rider leans into a corner.

Taken on the north spur of Holland Park looking west. The building on the corner with Holland Park Avenue was once the Halycon Hotel seen in "The Saint." SJ

Reaching his destination, the Motorcyclist delivers the package to the home of Chief Inspector Harris. Holland Park, London W11

A closer shot than I had imagined when I was taking it! SJ

With pressure mounting from the Assistant Commissioner, the investigation continues. Looking up at New Scotland Yard from in front of St. Ermin's Hotel on Caxton Street. The building also features in 'The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It', 'White Cargo', ‘Hennessy', ‘Columbo: Dagger of the Mind’, ‘The File of the Golden Goose’ and 'Frenzy'.

Now you see it, now you don't. The building was demolished in 2017. (PW)

Dressed in his festive outfit and laughing to himself, a Drunk (Ashley Dransfield) staggers along an alley before meeting his doom at the hands of the killer. Kemp’s Court, looking from Hopkins Street toward Berwick Street in Soho.

Modernisation has attacked both sides of this passage. (PW)

Friends greet Kate Briosky (Belinda Mayne) as she walks through Middleton Place W1.

Recognisable as the same place. (PW)

Giles Harrison (Alan Lake) catches up with Kate claiming to be a reporter from the Daily News. Middleton Place running between Riding House Street and Langham Street in Fitzrovia.

Plants adorn the location now. (PW)

After leaving Scotland Yard, Chief Inspector Ian Harris (Edward Purdom) pauses to watch the Police Band play carols. The Broadway SW1 with the corner of Caxton Street to the top centre. A similar view is seen in 'The File of the Golden Goose' and the Post Office at the corner appears in 'Diamonds for Breakfast'.

A little quieter now that New Scotland Yard's band has moved away. (PW)

Chief Inspector Harris walks past shop windows decorated for the festive season.

As Gerry (Kevin Lloyd) leaves a tube station he comes across Cliff Boyd (Gerry Sundquist) and Kate busking. The entrance to the Bakerloo Line within Marylebone station in NW1.

The entrance that opened in 1943 was redesigned in the late 1980s. (PW)

Cliff introduces his old friend to Kate. Marylebone station has been seen in many films including 'We Joined the Navy', 'The Day of the Triffids', 'Postman's Knock', 'Ring of Bright Water', 'The Internecine Project', 'Rotten to the Core', 'A Hard Day’s Night', 'The IPCRESS File' and 'One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing'.

Due to obstacles, this is looking in the general direction of the screen capture. (PW)

Kate leaves the two pals alone and the pair head for the station bar. The then spacious concourse of Marylebone station on Melcombe Place NW1.

A little more 'occupied' these days. (PW)

Talking over a pint, Gerry tells Cliff that he has his own studio and invites him round that evening. This is the station bar at Marylebone station.

The 'Travellers Fare' decor that had lingered on from the 1970s has long given way to something easier on the eye. With thanks to the management and staff of the Victoria and Albert at Marylebone. (PW)

Cliff and Sharon (Pat Astley) are spotted by a Constable and a WPC when they get locked outside Gerry’s small studio following a photo shoot. Meard Street W1. The short street features in 'Last Night in Soho', 'Saturday Night Out', 'Man at the Carlton Tower', 'Two Left Feet', 'The Moon Over the Alley', 'All You Need Is Cash', 'Danger by My Side', 'Decline and Fall . . . of a Birdwatcher', 'The Teckman Mystery', 'The Hippopotamus' and 'Something in the City'.

And now in daylight. (PW)

Running from the Officers, the model hides in an alley where the masked murderer is waiting. Portland Mews in Soho which is also seen in 'Where Has Poor Mickey Gone'.

Some alteration are apparent but it's recognisable as the same location. (PW)

The two Police Officers find Sharon after her encounter with the serial killer. Portland Mews W1 with D’Arblay Street visible in the left background.

On the left hand side in the entrance to the mews, the same old sign is sill fixed to the wall. (PW)

The following day Detective Inspector and Detective Sergeant Powell make their way to Sharon's flat to ask questions. Portobello Road in W11 with the corner of Lonsdale Road in the right background. Various parts of the famous thoroughfare appear in many other films but this section is seen in 'Otley', 'The File of the Golden Goose', 'Villain', 'West 11', 'The Mine and the Minotaur', 'The Moon Over the Alley' and 'The Gentle Trap'.

Looking north. SJ

Santa visits Sherry Graham at a peep show during his lunch break from a department store. Looking from Brewer Street into Walker’s Court W1. The narrow alley is also seen in 'The Look of Love', ‘The Small World of Sammy Lee’, and ‘Say Hello to Yesterday’.

Walker's Court is currently boxed in due to massive reconstruction as more buildings with character are torn town to be replaced by the bland. (PW)

Pondering the case and his future, Harris walks through Covent Garden. This is the lower level of the former fruit and vegetable market.

Decorated for Christmas and accompanied by flute and violin. (PW)

Feeling that he's being followed, the Chief Inspector continues his window shopping. Covent Garden in London WC2.

A quieter moment on the lower level. (PW)

On the advice of Giles Harrison, Detective Sergeant Powell (Mark Jones) follows the Inspector.

A quick mover, this Inspector. He's now been spotted in Sloane Square SW1. The Peter Jones department store stands at the corner of King’s Road SW3 in the background.

A daytime shot. SJ

Detective Sergeant Powell loses Harris . . . I'm not surprised really as we're now back in Covent Garden. Looking towards Covent Garden Piazza from the corner of King Street in WC2.

The same location 34 Christmases later. (PW)

A little worse for drink, Santa (Sid Wragg) leaves a pub in the East End. The Town of Ramsgate public house on Wapping High Street in E1.

The open door is a torment. (PW)

The sloshed Santa wobbles away on his bike. Facing the Grade II listed Town of Ramsgate at the top of Wapping Old Stairs on Wapping High Street. Facing the Grade II listed Town of Ramsgate at the top of Wapping Old Stairs on Wapping High Street.

Knowing a little about the history of the surrounding buildings, the streets around here are eerily quiet in the daytime. (PW)

A group of Punk Rockers make fun of the costumed cyclist and begin to chase him. Looking towards Wapping High Street from Wapping Pier Head.

The best possible shot without trespassing. (PW)

Santa steers his way through muddy puddles until falling from his bike.

Running from his pursuers, Santa reaches London Bridge. Seen from the junction with Tooley Street, this is Joiner Street running beneath London Bridge station in SE1.

Not as quiet, the road now forms part of the undercroft in a redeveloped London Bridge station. (PW)

Finding an unlocked door, Santa takes refuge in the London Dungeon. The entrance to the original London Dungeon on Tooley Street.

After 39 years, in 2013 the "Dungeon" was relocated to the former County Hall building on the South Bank. (PW)

Aware that he is being stalked, Santa makes his way through the maze of tunnels before being attacked with a machete. The inside of the original London Dungeon in the days before the three hour queues arrived.

In an effort to trap the killer, Undercover Officers (Adrian Black and Derek Ford) are sent to a circus dressed as Father Christmas.

While busking on Portobello Road, Cliff and Kate wonder if they are being followed when they spot the Chief Inspector browsing at an antique stall. The corner of Portobello Road and Denbigh Close in Notting Hill.

Alice's remains unchanged and also appeared in 'The Italian Job' and 'Paddington'. SJ

After being questioned by Detective Sergeant Powell following the murder of her client, sex worker Sherry Graham (Kelly Baker) makes her way back to Soho. Dave W says "outside 59 Riding House Street W1 with the art nouveau gilded lettering just out of shot above the doorway." (RL)

Dave took a step back to add some perspective to the street scene. (RL)

The camera follows Sherry as she turns a corner on the way to the club where she is a stripper in a peep show. Outside York House in Candover Street W1 with Foley Street in the distance. If Sherry is on her way to Soho she is going the long way round, says Dave.

Dave found that horticulture abounds in Candover Street and a rainshower has enhanced the scene's colours. (RL)

Running from the club after being attacked, Sherry hides behind a wall as her attacker follows. Dave moves on to "the wall of All Souls Primary School in Riding House Street W1 looking west towards Great Titchfield Street. In this capture part of a ghost advertisement is visible on the adjacent building." (RL)

Nice bit of wall that is, now with added murals. The ghost sign is still there. Dave spots it all. (RL)

When the coast is clear, Sherry continues to flee before being captured. In Nassau Street W1 facing Riding House Street with its highly desirable architecture." Dave has added this to his "I will live here" list. (RL)

An oriel window in Fitzrovia, ideal for impressing visitors. So that is why Dave wants to live there! (RL)

Evening falls and the West End comes to life. Piccadilly Circus in W1.

The advertisements of a different era display themselves to the public. (PW)

In theatreland, a show is about to commence when a man dressed as Santa Claus enters through the stage door. The junction of Sherwood Street and Denman Street W1. The corner also appears in 'The Next Man'.

Same junction, same theatre. (PW)

Santa Claus (Ricky Kennedy) is ejected from the theatre just as the Masked Assailant appears. Staff at the Piccadilly Theatre were unsure whether this was was part of the premises as alterations have been made over the years.

This is the passage off Denman Street on which the Piccadilly Theatre's stage door is situated. (PW)

When Kate phones the Chief Inspector at home, his Maid answers and tells her that once a month he visits Parklands Mental Hospital. With the same railing design as capture 44, Dave identifies this as one of the former Middlesex Hospital buildings in Nassau Street. (RL)

Dave found a match but there is some deception: the facade has been retained but the building's innards are completely new. (RL)

The streets are busy with shoppers as the run up to Christmas continues before a portly Father Christmas is murdered. Great Marlborough Street in W1 with the Liberty department store to the right.

On the run up to Christmas once again. (PW)

After calling on Harris at home, Kate learns that the Inspector has been suspended when they talk over dinner. The Café Royal on Regent Street W1 which also features in 'A Dandy in Aspic'.

No canopy to keep the rain off nowadays. (PW)

When the phone goes dead while Powell is calling Kate, police cars rush to her flat. Looking into Regent Street (South) from Oxford Circus.

Different businesses occupy the background shops now. (PW)