Weaker Sex, The

A convoy moves to “A Navel Base somewhere in England”. What was the main A27, Southampton Road, Portsmouth looking in the Cosham direction.

James and Chris Churcher provide the same view 'now' scene showing the port solent area on the right hand side and a lot of changes to the road surface!

After it passes a bus pulls up at the nearby bus stop. Southampton Road, Portsmouth. James and Chris point out that the destination blinds display North End and it has just arrived from the Portchester and Fareham direction.

And James and Chris reveal that the stop doesn't appear to have been moved during the intervening years.

Mrs Gaye (Thora Hird) alights and walks towards the home of her prospective employer. Southampton Road, Portsmouth

The bus stop still as prominent, although wooden fences appear to have been removed in favour of more robust structures, evidenced by James and Chris.

She turns to approach the front door to the home of Geoffrey Radcliffe (Cecil Parker). Previously thought to be 188 Southampton Road by Chris and James Churcher but Sam Ward confidently tells us that it is 180, certainly the features would support this.

The house seems to have undergone a number of external alterations over the years but is indeed still very much here today, as revealed by Mark Alford. (RL)

Whilst Mrs Gaye assesses the extent of her potential workload Martha Dacre (Ursula Jeans) is leaving the Forces Canteen in the town where she works. She is met by a soldier (Bill Owen). Whether or not this is a studio set with back projection or a set on a genuine dock Chris and James know the background.

Taken from Bath Square in old Portsmouth looking towards the Isle of Wight terminal, Portsmouth Harbour station, and the south end of the dockyard. In the original "then" shot can be seen the paddle steamer Shanklin (later to become PS Monarch)

An additional capture from Chris and James, this one looking towards what is now the Gunwharf Shopping Center.

Again taken by Chris and James from Bath Square but looking towards Gunwarf quays shopping centre and the Spinnaker Tower, this site use to form HMS Vernon.

The milkman looks up….but it’s a night mission!

Against stock footage of bombers flying on a night mission, besides Martha rising from her sleep to view from her bedroom window there is, probably Mr Bragg himself looking skyward. Looks like a genuine piece of footage, but where was his shop? I now believe that it was at 30, The Ridgway, Wimbledon SW19, there was a butcher of that name there in 1939, the pilasters are of the same design as is the plinth in the current shopfront.

With thanks to Peter Bywaters for so promptly capturing the changes to Mr Bragg's butcher's shop.

Here, Lolly, (Lana Morris) is correctly inside the then operational part of the naval dockyard in Portsmouth to undertake her duties.

The view today looking east from Chris and James.

As Lolly closes the lorry tailgate the bows of HMS Victory come into view.

James and Chris reveal that it would be difficult to park lorries so close now.

News comes that there is fish at the fishmongers, so Mrs Dacre joins the queue, talking to (Gladys Henson) to her right. A back projection, but of what shopping parade?

Antony Blair recognised Uxbridge High Street looking NNW from outside Tesco and adds that the same projection appears in in 'Eyewitness'.

Attention is drawn back to Martha at home by a view looking west along Southampton Road from her house.

Thanks Mark, it is hard to believe that we are looking at the same road....progress! (RL)

Stock footage of what are supposed to be VE Day celebrations but where? Is that sign top left a clue?

Daughter Lolly (Lana Morris) marries Roddy (John Stone). St Mary’s Village Road, Denham, Buckinghamshire seen here with Geoffrey and Martha. The church is also seen in 'Great Day', 'Captain Clegg', 'Woman Hater' and a number of others.

Antony Blair provides this longer shot of the church over 70 years later and still looking lovely.

And everyone waves them off. Village Road, Denham various sections of which feature in 'The Look of Love', 'The Square Peg', 'Four Sided Triangle’ and ‘Made in Heaven’ amongst others.

Sir John Mills' former home looking majestic in bloom and captured by Antony Blair.

Presumably sometime later they picnic overlooking the sea and discuss the future.

Celebrations follow the surrender of Japan. No doubt more stock footage but where was this bandstand?

News breaks about the new ration books for 1946 and perhaps the end of queues. No doubt stock footage, St James Street, Derby north side towards Cornmarket.

Martha and Geoffrey have now moved into his house. Squires Mount, London NW3

Needless to say, parking requirements have changed.

Margate and supposedly Easter Weekend 1946….. This is actually Brighton, Sussex. The same view was seen in 'Millions Like Us' (SD)

Mark Alford avoided the Easter Weekend 2024 crowd by a week to capture a shot of Margate. Due to stock footage of Brighton beach used for the film I had to replace Mark's photo with this shot viewed from the Palace Pier, also avoiding the Easter weekend. SD

….and Nigel (Derek Bond), Helen (Joan Hopkins) and their son Rupert are on holiday. Marine Drive, Margate, Kent

It looks as though Mark managed to line up that very same street lamp, now repaired. (RL)

Good to see that that are suitably dressed for the beach.

Mark was denied a paddle on the day of his visit as temporary building work prevented access to beach. However, he is relaxed if someone is able to take a more accurate comparative shot when they visit. (RL)

Geoffrey makes his way home from his office. Bank, London EC3 looking up Cheapside with Mansion House extreme left.

From a safe ground level location.