Trio
Date: 1950
Director: Ken Annakin (The Verger & Know It All), Harold French (Sanatorium)
Production Company: Gainsborough Pictures
Stars: James Hayter, Kathleen Harrison, Michael Hordern, Jean SImmons, Michael Rennie, Roland Culver
Location(s): London, Stirlingshire
Region(s): London T-Z, Scotland
Storyline:
Three short stories about the condition of observing peoples’ frailties. The first is about a verger who loses his job but ends up a successful businessman, the second involves someone who gets stuck with an annoying “know it all” on a cruise. The third tells the tale of love in a sanatorium. JT
Additional Information:
Initially loaded back in 2005, this is a reboot with added stills along with new discoveries by RL and SJ.
Jimmy Snow, special effects technician, for whom we have a fulsome summary of his career written by his granddaughter Brigitte, together with her memories of him, worked on this film. All that she has shared with us can be read here.
Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
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
- 'Now' required

After a shot of a church which looks like a studio painting, the action switches inside where Hordern has some bad news for Hayter.
- Capture 2
- 18 Mar 2019

Hayter leaves the church. This is looking north from Holy Trinity Brompton, Knightsbridge SW7 towards Ennismore Garden Mews.

The arch at the end of the path survives but the gravestones have gone. SJ
- Capture 3
- 18 Mar 2019

Hayter ponders his future. Initially thought to be Royal Avenue and remained so unchallenged, even with my sceptical now picture, for over ten years. But it wasn't after all. Brompton Square, found by RL.

RL managed to match not only the buildings but also the bisected on the right. The square is private so this is the best shot. SJ
- Capture 4
- 18 Mar 2019

Hayter finds that he is out of cigarettes. Brompton Square in London SW3.

The west side of Brompton Square. SJ
- Capture 5
- 21 Feb 2021

He sets off to look for some new supplies and finds there is a gap in the market . RL says Elystan Street, London SW3 looking towards Pelham Crescent. The building on the left remains.

A comparison sent in by Dominic Regan. (SJ)
- Capture 6
- 18 Mar 2019

Hayter and Harrison look for suitable premises to set up shop. 56 Walton Street and Glynge Mews . . .
. . . and just my luck the tell-tale corner brickwork is largely covered for the shot. Richard Lovejoy
- Capture 7
- 18 Mar 2019

A few paces further on to No 52 . . .

. . . in which I believe they set up shop. Richard Lovejoy
- Capture 8
- 18 Mar 2019

The balcony is behind James Hayter (The Verger) and is clearly seen a few frames earlier. Richard Lovejoy
- Capture 9
- 18 Mar 2019

And here is the first shop opened.

Perhaps better taken when the blind is rolled up but the left of the door can be seen to be match. SJ
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required

A shot from inside the first shop which shows the exterior which certainly looks studio-bound.
- Capture 11
- 27 Sep 2019

A second shop opens as business takes off. Suggested by JT as Pimlico Road in SW1.

Pimlico Road, number 28 to be precise. I falsely had photographed Tony Armstrong-Jones' old studio at number 20 but that, I now realise, was wrong and then earlier this year got it wrong again but only RL noticed. Top of the class he goes. This now should be the correct shot, but pity about the lights in the way. SJ
- Capture 12
- 18 Mar 2019

And Hayter enjoys stepping out in style. JT wrote "Don't know, but probably nearby. A shy submitter suggests Pimlico, the Ebury Street Winebar." But, click the dated tab . . .

. . . as, in fact, it turned out to be further north-west. The steps belong to 24 Beauchamp Place, SW3, passing San Lorenzo's at 22. SJ
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required

A third shop opens.
- Capture 14
- 27 Sep 2019

And a fourth, but hang on is this some trickery?

Yes it's the same place as the second shop, but from a different angle and different signage with the same advertisements in the window. Above the shop is Peabody Estate housing above called Coleshill House, part of Cundy Street Estate. This replaces my shot earlier in the year, which was not no28 though the scaffolding at the time did not help! SJ
- Capture 15
- 07 Jul 2024

21 Crisp Road, Hammersmith, London W8 (a confectionery shop at the time).

With thanks to Eamonn C and Ray K. (SJ)
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required

Hordern christens the baby of Hayter and Harrison in the same church as the first capture
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required

After the second segment which is set on a cruise liner, the action of the third segment of the trio is set in Scotland. Peter Brown picked up on the clue "Scotland" and found the station to be Killiecrankie. It was located between Pitlochry and Blair Athol on the Highland mainline and as he says, now sadly removed but the bridge remain. (RL)
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required

Scotland or certainly the north of England.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required

Culver arrives at the sanatorium. This has the look of Balmoral Castle mixed with Ardverikie House on Loch Laggan but is Blair Drummond House in Blair Drummond, Stirlingshire which was recognised by Anthony Spencer. The property also features in 'Runaway Railway'.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required

Culver alights from his carriage. Following Anthony Spencer's identification of Blair Drummond House, this looks to be a studio set using the castle as a painted backdrop.
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required

Simmons and Rennie explore a local waterfall as romance develops.

