Touch and Go

Still angry after his modern furniture designs are turned down by his boss Mr. M. B. Kimball, Jim Fletcher leads his family to the Australian Embassy. Australia House on Strand, London WC2 which is also seen in 'No Place for Jennifer', 'The List of Adrian Messenger', 'The Trygon Factor', 'Castaway', 'The Common Touch', 'Nobody Runs Forever' and 'Final Appointment'.

The trees are threatening to take over. SJ

The camera tilts down the building as the family approach the Embassy. Australia House with Strand and St. Mary Le Strand church on the left and Aldwych heading off to the right.

Now. SJ

Having quit his job at Bell & Carruthers, Jim Fletcher (Jack Hawkins) takes his wife Helen (Margaret Johnston) and their daughter Peggy (June Thorburn) to make the necessary arrangements for them to emigrate. The corner of Strand and Aldwych in WC2.

No phone box but more bollards now. SJ

Having purchased tickets for the long voyage, the Fletcher's get into their car and drive back to their studio home. The junction of Spring Gardens and Cockspur Street with the National Gallery and St. Martin-in-the-fields church providing the background on the far side of Trafalgar Square in SW1.

A shot improvable by standing further back and in a different season. SJ

Peggy takes the household cat, Heathcliff, to Mrs. McCormick's house. The view up river along the Thames from Albert Bridge in SW3 with Morgan's Battersea Crucible Works in the left background and Lots Road Power Station in the right distance.

Pinker now. SJ

The shot moves to follow Peggy as she starts to cross the Thames. Albert Bridge crossing south from Chelsea to Battersea, which also appears in 'The Mutations', 'Passport to Treason', 'The Bliss of Mrs Blossom', 'The Party's Over', 'Absolute Beginners', 'The Man Who Was Nobody', 'I Don't Want to Be Born' and 'That Kind of Girl'.

Taken at a different time from the others in the Albert Bridge sequences, hence the less gloomy sky. SJ

At home, Jim thinks about selling his car to a neighbour while Peggy makes her way over Albert Bridge. The Grade II listed suspension bridge was built in 1873 and modified by addition of two concrete piers in 1973.

Looking towards Battersea Park, SW11. SJ

In the left background the Pier Hotel stands at 31 Cheyne Walk SW3 while just to the right, Oakley Street heads towards Chelsea.

Now a lost hotel. Shame, good views from the rooms. SJ

Peggy looks down at the bag and strokes Heathcliff's head. In the background stand properties near the corner of Chelsea Embankment and Royal Hospital Road.

The trees dominate the view-line now. SJ

When a noisy lorry passes, the cat makes a successful bid for freedom. Looking north on Albert Bridge with Chelsea Embankment crossing the background.

I think the lamppost has moved. SJ

After Richard Kenyon (John Fraser) rescues Heathcliff, he and Peggy walk past one of the bridge's Tollbooths towards the Chelsea bank of the Thames. In the right background is the clock that told the time on Prince's Wharf SW11.

No clock but otherwise quite similar. SJ

Richard watches as Peggy walks homeward. Looking up the steps from Chelsea Embankment onto Albert Bridge.

I do hope the telephone box survives. SJ

The young man runs after Peggy who is happy that he has pursued her. Facing Albert Bridge from Chelsea Embankment in London SW3.

Benches have been rearranged. SJ

With the Fletchers emigrating in a few days, Richard and Peggy spend as much time together as possible. The Italian Renaissance Garden at the boundary between Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, London W2.

The fountains don't seem as spectacular as they once were. (RL)

The Italian Gardens also appear in 'Two Gentlemen Sharing', 'The Big Sleep', 'Trottie True', 'Joanna', 'Climb Up the Wall'. 'The Astonished Heart', 'Yield to the Night', 'Follow Me!' and 'Three Hats for Lisa'.

I should have been a little further to the left but it was biting cold and 'my companion' was very eager to move on! (RL)

Richard tells Peggy that his ambition to be an engineer and asks if she will ever return to England before he takes her to dinner.

Once again a far from spectacular fountain and a few paces to the left would have helped. (RL)

With Helen as a passenger, Jim takes neighbour Reg Fairbright (Roland Culver) on a test drive when they spot Richard. Near the corner of Cheyne Row and Cheyne Walk in SW3, which is also seen in 'What a Whopper'.

The leafier look today. SJ

Richard is offered a lift to the Secretarial College where Peggy is saying goodbye to her friends. Cheyne Walk at corner of the exit road from Shrewsbury House.

Supplied by Graham Etchell who took this from the exit of Shrewsbury House. Added here, though the angle and growth hiding Albert Bridge may mean there could be a replacement in winter. (SJ)

Reg smiles as Richard gets out of the car after pointing out several mechanical faults on the Vauxhall Cadet. Eaton Square in SW1 with the corner of Eccleston Street in the left background.

This replaces my shot from April 2019, where spring growth had already hidden the south side of Eaton Square. This is probably as clear a view as we'll manage. SJ

Horrified at Jim's reaction to his engineering skill, Richard watches the car drive away before entering the college to find Peggy. Eaton Square with St. Peter's church in the distance.

St Peter's was there in April 2019 behind spring foliage: now it's only slighter clearer in mid March. SJ

Richard and Peggy leave The London Secretarial College. Eaton Square in London SW1.

I think it's here. SJ

Walking to a coffee bar, Peggy listens as Richard explains that he's upset her father. Facing south-west on Eaton Square in Belgravia.

Taken in the afternoon at 4 so the filming was in the morning. SJ

Jim and Reg discuss the sale of the Vauxhall . . . . for a lower price than anticipated. Dave W quickly identifies this as Royal Avenue SW3 east side, with the rounded corner of Tryon Street and Kings Road in the background. (RL)

No sooner identified and covered with a "now" shot but he says "Surprisingly tricky to match. This north stretch of the terrace is a rebuild, not just an uptarting. The break in the balcony line has gone. Repaved, and the kerb looks to have been relaid too so we're missing the lip seen in the capture. Going by the position of the telecoms pavement cover, this appears to be it. Or should I have been one doorstep nearer Kings Road?" We won't quibble Dave. (RL)

On the day of the family's departure, Peggy runs to meet with Richard. Chelsea Embankment with Albert Bridge Gardens in the right background. An almost identical view is seen in 'The Optimists of Nine Elms'.

Equally deserted. SJ

Richard surprises Peggy as she emerges from beneath the bridge. The steps leading up to Albert Bridge from Chelsea Embankment.

There's the telephone box again! SJ

The lovers walk together along the embankment. Facing east on Chelsea Embankment in London SW3.

A nice quiet morning in SW3. SJ

Mr. Kimball is driven away after Jim Fletcher refuses to accept his generous offer to return to his job. Looking east from the corner of Cheyne Row and Cheyne Walk in Chelsea.

Just a little further west from capture 17. SJ

As a postscript, this is a publicity still of the stars in Trafalgar Square.

Peter provides this view taken from the south east corner of Canada House in WC2 with a background just like in the still . . . . only in colour.