Peril for the Guy (Children’s Film Foundation)

Freddie (Christopher Warbey) pushes his cart Comet towards the shed where his friends have accidentally set off the fireworks they have bought for Bonfire Night, destroying their guy at the same time.

A wipe transition finds Ali Alleney (Ali Allen) dressed as a guy and Pat (Mandy Harper) carrying a collecting bottle while Kim (Frazer Hines) helps Freddie push the cart into town to raise money to buy more fireworks. Looking into Gayton Road from Hampstead High Street in London NW3.

I see that Bill Stickers has been up to his old tricks again. (PW)

The youngsters round the corner onto the High Street asking "Penny for the guy". The corner of High Street and Gayton Road in Hampstead.

Its been a while since 'Gold Leaf' was sold here. (PW)

Thanking those that contribute, the friends continue along the busy street. Hampstead High Street NW3.

The shop frontages remain pretty much the same. (PW)

More pennies are gratefully received. Outside what became a branch of the NatWest bank on Hampstead High Street.

The building is no longer a bank. (PW)

Freddie suggests that they try inside the bank. In front of Barclays Bank on Hampstead High Street in NW3.

These premises remain in the hands of Barclays. (PW)

The camera tilts up before Pat returns holding up half a crown.

The assumption seems to be that we all know what Barclays do. (PW)

Pleased with the money collected so far, the four make their way from the bank. Hampstead High Street seen from outside Barclays Bank.

A closer view due to the prevailing pedestrian traffic. (PW)

A stuffy Lady isn't as forthcoming. This is Hollybush Hill in Hampstead. This property and the roads nearby also appear in 'The Walking Stick', 'The Smallest Show on Earth', ‘Les Bicyclettes de Belsize’, 'The Killing of Sister George', 'For Them That Trespass' and ‘The Collector’ amongst many others.

Leaning over one of the many parked cars has the desired effect. (PW)

Across the road, a Man (Arthur Mullard) putting up a notice helps the children's cause. Windmill Hill with Heath Mansions at the junction of Hampstead Grove and Hollybush Hill in the background.

From a similar position, avoiding the thorns. (PW)

A Woman cleaning her windows throws down a coin. Flask Walk with The Wells and Camden Baths and Wash Houses in the left background.

Its usually cars and vans that get in the way of a comparison shot! (PW)

Emptying the collection tin, the pals begin to count the money. Tris believes that this may be at the bottom of Flask Walk with the buildings in the background having been replaced by garages . . . . the investigation continues.

Denis Hoare confirms that Tris is correct, bottom of Flask Walk at the junction of Murray Terrace. Unfortunately a bush now occupies the spot where the kids were sitting but Denis advises that distinctive railings and posts that are seen in the background of the screen capture remain. (RL)

Feeling fed up, Ali wriggles about in Comet as the tally reaches 5/2d . . . . which even in those days wasn't enough.

Whilst taking the Capture 12 'now' Denis by chance took this shot to almost match, being Flask Walk looking across to Murray Terrace. (RL)

When Ali agrees to carry on being the guy, Comet is pushed towards larger houses. Denis advises that the boys are pushing the cart up Murray Terrace from Flask Walk, towards New End school. (RL)

A second 'chance' shot taken by Denis whilst visiting the area. Murray Terrace, London NW3

Turning off the roadway Freddie comments that "This place looks well off." Geoff Dodd identifies this as Heathside at the junction with East Heath Road, London NW3 (RL)

Denis Hoare provides a comparative image to replace Geoff's Google Earth View to supporting his identification. A little more green today, and the posts on the right have been replaced, otherwise as it was 55 years ago. (RL)

Pausing at the sign reading N. L. Picton PhD, the children enter the grounds of the house. Another from Geoff, South Lodge on Heathside, London NW3 (RL)

Another Google Earth View from Geoff replaced by Denis for whom the gates were closed, but he adds that Esther Rantzen once lived here, which is confirmed by Tris. (RL)

Kim knocks at the door. See Capture 16 (RL)

With the gates shut, this was the best Denis could manage. Looks pretty good without being invited in for tea. (RL)

After explaining that he's working on an secret oil detector, Professor Picton (Paul Daneman) gives the children 2 shillings, telling them that Ali is the best guy he's seen. See Capture 16 (RL)

Again with the gates shut Denis couldn't get quite the right angle, but it looks like they've planted a new climbing plant to replace the overgrown 1956 one. (RL)

Having bought Roman candles, squibs and golden rain fireworks with the proceeds so far, Kim checks their map to see where they should head to next. The corner of Gayton Road and Willow Road NW3.

The shop is now occupied by The Well Walk Pottery. (PW)

Overhearing his mates talking about them doing all the work while he is sitting down, Ali climbs out of Comet. The corner of Gayton Road and Willow Road in Hampstead with New End Square heading off to the left, Burgh House to the top right and the southern end of Well Walk on the extreme right.

Taken from a similar position. (PW)

Ali turns to see the children as they discover the empty cart. Facing north along Well Walk with The Wells House in the right background.

The same lamp post now carries different signs. (PW)

Kim, Pat and Freddie spot Ali a short way along the road. The junction of Willow Road and Well Walk in NW3.

Far more cars now populate the streets. (PW)

Having called him back, the others persuade Ali to get back into Comet. Looking towards New Square from Well Walk.

A little redesign has been carried out in the background. (PW)

The friends start to run when they see Constable Durrant in the distance. In front of The Wells House on Well Walk.

The trees remain standing. (PW)

Talking with Signor Caspinelli (Richard Molinas), Police Constable Durrant (Meredith Edwards) turns when he hears the children approaching. Looking east from Windmill Walk along Admiral’s Walk with Rickford Lodge to the right.

And this is their future, 63 years from then. (PW)

Wondering who lives inside, Freddie, Kim, Pat and Ali stop outside the gates of the film's Kemble House. Denis Hoare has established that these are the gates to 'The Elms', Columbus Drive, Spaniards Road, London NW3. He has established that the property itself remains and has an significant history. "It stands on the site of Mother Huff’s Tea Garden, which flourished for 50 years from 1678 and was mentioned in a play in 1706. By 1728 Mother Huff herself had moved to the ‘Hoop and Bunch of Grapes’ at North End. The Elms House was home to Thomas Erskine (later Lord Chancellor) from 1811-1819, became St Columba’s hospital in 1957, and was later owned, but rarely inhabited, by Woolworths heiress Barbara Hutton. In April 1981 it was Grade II listed and was sold to the president of the United Arab Emirates but it remained unoccupied and in 1987 was sold to developers who have converted it into a series of luxury flats." (RL)

Following identifying the location Denis wasted no time in providing us with a current shot. Security prevented his gaining any further access but luck was with him as the gates opened almost to match the capture. Unfortunately although he had access to the outer perimeter, the evergreen trees planted prevented any pictures of the main building. (RL)

As the youngsters walk towards the front door of the huge building, Mr. Cook (David Bird) and his colleague Rupert (Ian Whittaker) appear and shout at them to clear off before beginning to chase them. 'The Elms', Columbas Drive, Spaniards Road, London NW3 See Capture 26. There are comparative photos on the Internet but copyright might preclude us from reproducing on the Reelstreets website. (RL)

Freddie returns to rescue Ali as the men go back into the house. See Captures 26 and 27 (RL)

After overhearing the two Men talking about taking Professor Picton and his oil detector away, Freddie decides to investigate the house. See Captures 26 and 27 (RL)

The young lad makes his way to the rear of the building. See Captures 26 and 27 (RL)

A door is tried but found to be locked. See Captures 26 and 27 (RL)

Freddie peers through a window to see Mr. Ritter and his two henchmen holding the Professor hostage. See Captures 26 and 27 (RL)

Returning to the others, Freddie tells his friends and they set off to find P.C. Durrant. Looking from Upper Terrace into the northern end of Windmill Hill in Hampstead.

Taken from a similar position. (PW)

Ali speeds ahead along Admiral’s Walk NW3.

The best comparison possible due to renovation of and extension to a property out of view behind and to the left. (PW)

This is Flask Walk in Hampstead and this section also features in ‘Smashing Time’.

Denis Hoare provides a slightly wider view of the location given the passage of time. (RL)

The search for the Policeman continues. The junction of Holly Mount and Holly Hill in NW3.

The same location now. (PW)

Looking from Mount Vernon down onto Holly Hill in Hampstead.

Only one of the trees has survived. (PW)

Police Constable Durrant wearily pushes his bicycle along a nearby road. Outside the gateway to Upper Terrace House with Lower Terrace to the right and Upper Terrace continuing in the distance.

The leafy suburb is even more leafy. (PW)

Ali and Comet lead the way along the pathway running from Mount Vernon to Hollybush Hill.

Several alterations to the wall are obvious. (PW)

Looking from the pathway onto Hollybush Hill with Holly Mount to the right.

The wall to the left has been rebuilt. (PW)

The children help Ali after Comet crashes into the Policeman before they begin to explain that Professor Picton is being held prisoner at Kemble House. Windmill Hill looking across Upper Terrace, London NW3 identified by Denis Hoare. (RL)

Denis patiently waited until the leaves had fallen before taking this shot partly, because the strip of grass and trees in the background of the screen capture no longer exists. He now realises that boundary wall of the building behind, The Admiral's House, has been extended forward out to the boundary of 'Lower Terrace' to incorporate this piece of land into their estate. A few more trees and shrubs have been added to this 'island', but the main tree with the bent branches remains, as does the original lamppost. (RL)

While Constable Durrant calls on Mr. Ritter, the children run to the rear of the property to see what's happening inside. See Captures 26 and 27 (RL)

Satisfied by Mr. Ritter's story, Constable Durrant leaves the house and shouts after the children that he'll lock them up after falling over Comet. See Captures 26 and 27 (RL)

Mr. Cook follows Kim along the back of the house as he returns to try and catch sight of the Professor. See Captures 26 and 27 (RL)

After the children are all captured by Mr. Ritter and his men, Ali makes a bid to escape. See Captures 26 and 27 (RL)

Leaving the Professor and his pals locked in the attic at Kemble House, Ali sets out to get help. The Mount Square looking towards Admiral's Walk recognised by Tris . . .

. . . who captured the scene as it appears now.

For a second time, Comet collides with Constable Durrant and Ali is taken to the police station where he is locked in a cell. Facing the junction of Windmill Hill and Upper Terrace.

Items of street furniture that rarely move include Post Office telephone or telegraph manhole covers. (PW)

In an effort to attract attention, the Professor and Freddie launch a rocket from the attic. See Captures 26 and 27 (RL)

Seeing the distress signal, Signor Caspinelli drives off to call for help. See Captures 26 and 27 (RL)

The baker speeds towards the nearest telephone box. The vehicle is a Gordon three wheel car manufactured by Vernon Industries, of football pools fame, between 1954 and 1958. See Captures 26 and 27 (RL)

Signor Caspinelli reaches the call box too late. In front of The Wells and Camden Baths and Wash Houses on Flask Walk with Gardnor Road to the left.

A realigned pathway has been promoted to roadway causing the telephone box and its new found friend to migrate. (PW)

Another phone box is found to be out of order. Primrose Gardens in NW3.

The phone box is the focus, not my misaligned buildings in the background! (PW)

Signor Caspinelli gets back into his car. The northern end of the green on Primrose Gardens in Belsize Park.

Same street, same telephone box, different parking arrangements. (PW)

Reaching another telephone box, Signor Caspinelli finds a Schoolboy inside when he opens the door. Downshire Hill with East Heath Road crossing the background. The location with telephone box was also seen in 'On The Run (CFF)' as advised by Denis Hoare. (RL)

Denis Hoare provides the now, so was the telephone box a prop or for real? (RL)

Driving onward, Signor Caspinelli reaches a Fire Station. Geoff also finds that the electricity substation has been developed to become 30 Lancaster Grove, London NW3 (RL)

Denis actually beat our Google Earth View by a day. (RL)

Running into the building, Signor Caspinelli alerts the Firemen inside who immediately respond. Geoff finds another, 36 Lancaster Grove, London NW3 (RL)

Denis replaces Geoff's Google Earth View, both finding that yet another piece of the past is being converted into luxury apartments. (RL)

A fire appliance speeds towards Kemble House. It has taken Denis Hoare sometime to reconcile his recognition of the location and it actual situation, but he has finally resolved it - North End Road, Golders Green, NW11. The archway to the right was an entrance to the grounds of the Manor House hospital that stood on the site, now demolished along with the wall, and replaced with a new build of flats . (RL)

To confirm his identification Denis took this shot for us hoping that we would accept a parked blue Transit van as his patience for a fire engine was not rewarded. By way of further information Denis tells us that the property to the left with the distinctive chinmey and wood decoration on the gable end of the roof is Ivy House, once the home of Anna Pavlova. (RL)

This is Admirals Walk running between Windmill Hill and Hampstead Grove.

The same corner showing the work mentioned earlier. (PW)

The camera follows the fire engine as it negotiates the narrow road. Looking north towards Hampstead Grove from Admiral’s Walk.

The leaves are clinging on this year. (PW)

Bells grow louder as the appliance approaches the camera.

Unaware that he has been kidnapped, Professor Picton's housekeeper Anita Fox watches the fire engine pass as she returns home. Whitestone Walk looking across into Lower Terrace, London NW3 identified by Denis Hoare with Tris adding that the Hampstead Scientific Society's Astronomical Observatory & Meterological Station's mound can be seen in the distance.

Denis took this shot from Taken from Whitestone Walk looking across into Lower Terrace. (RL)

The Sergeant and Constable Durrant head to Kemble House after a call is received from Anita when she finds the Professor missing. Identified by Tris, this is looking towards the junction of Frognal Rise and Branch Hill from the corner of Lower Terrace in NW3 with the gates of Branch Hill Lodge to the right.

Denis provides the "now" with added parking. (RL)

Having escaped from Kemble House when Mr. Cook and Rupert were taken into custody, Professor Picton, Freddie, Kim and Pat are joined by Ali before running to find Signor Caspinelli. The junction of Upper Terrace and Windmill Hill in NW3.

Not as much activity when I arrived on the scene. (PW)

The children, the Professor and Signor Caspinelli set off in pursuit of Mr. Ritter who had escaped with the oil detector. The crossroads formed by Upper Terrace and Windmill Hill.

They haven't got around to sweeping up the leaves yet. (PW)

Smoking heavily, the overcrowded car makes is way to the old airport where a helicopter is planned to pick Mr. Ritter up. Upper Terrace with the gateway to Upper Terrace House on the left and Lower Terrace crossing from the right.

Changes to the gateway are apparent. (PW)

The children give directions. The junction of Lower Terrace and Admiral’s Walk in Hampstead NW3 with Windmill Hill crossing left to right. From another angle, the location is seen in 'Its a Boy'.

The same junction. (PW)

Signor Caspinelli, the Professor and the children arrive at the old airport. Gatwick Airport near Crawley in Surrey.

The three-wheeler is parked outside the old terminal and everyone enters the building. This is the Beehive, the original terminal building at Gatwick Airport.

When they split up to search the terminal, Professor Picton, Kim and Ali look around one side of the ground floor. The interior of The Beehive.

Signor Caspinelli, Pat and Freddie search the other side. The Beehive opened in 1936 but a replacement terminal was built between 1956 and 1958 after Gatwick became London’s second airport.

Moving upstairs, the hunt continues. The Beehive had recently closed when filming took place.

The Sergeant (Lee Fox) and Constable Durrant arrive on the scene and climb onto the roof of the terminal where Mr. Ritter has been spotted. The roof of The Beehive.

Discarded by the crook, the Professor retrieves the oil detector as Mr. Ritter (Peter Copley) signals to the approaching helicopter. The Grade II* listed Beehive at Gatwick Airport.

The Policemen watch as the helicopter draws near. A closer view of the roof of The Beehive at Gatwick Airport.

Holding on to a rope lowered from the helicopter, Mr. Ritter's grasp fails and he falls into a pond.

Mr. Ritter is captured and led away by Constable Durrant. Outside The Beehive at Gatwick Airport in Surrey.