Little Red Monkey (aka The Case of the Red Monkey)

Date: 1955
Director: Ken Hughes
Production Company: Merton Park Studios

Stars: Richard Conte, Rona Anderson, Russell Napier, Sylva Langova, Colin Gordon
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

A mysterious assassin is targeting eminent British atomic scientists, leading to fears for the safety of Leon Dushenko, a Russian defector and guided-missile expert who is passing through London en route to the United States. Can Special Branch and the US State Department stop Dushenko from becoming the assassin’s next victim?

Additional Information:

Screen captures and uncredited now shots uploaded by Richard Lovejoy

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  • 'Now' required

The police arrive with representatives from the State Department to collect Dr Samuel Schuman direct from his plane following the death of Dr Clement Barnes a physicist . Presumably London Airport.

Hyde Park corner. Grand Entrance Screen and Apsley House in the background. Circa 1955

They drive to London. Hyde Park corner. Grand Entrance Screen and Apsley House in the background. The screen features in many films including ‘The Man in the Road’, ‘Joanna’, 'The Magic Box', ‘Little Red Monkey’, ‘The Fourth Protocol’, 'Escape!', 'The Wildcats of St Trinian's' and 'The Lady with a Lamp'.

Grand Entrance Screen and Apsley House in the background

Rather more difficult to get a break in the traffic these days.

Arriving at their destination, but overlooked by the little red monkey and his handler who immediately shoots Dr Schuman. Beaumont Street, London W1

Beaumont Street, London W1

An extension in the same style has replaced the houses.

Derby Gate, London SW1 Circa 1955

After a press conference Supt. John Harrington (Russell Napier) arrives back at Scotland Yard. Derby Gate, London SW1.

Derbt Gate, London SW1

The building work just goes on.......

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin as seen from the Unter den Linden. Circa 1955

Harrington is appointed to ensure the safety of Prof. Leon Dushenko a Russian physicist who is stopping off in London en route to the USA after giving a talk in Berlin. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin as seen from the Unter den Linden.

Malcolm Tinnelly realised a long awaited wish to visit Berlin and kindly took ReelStreets with him and sent us this outstanding shot on his return.

Augustus Street, London NW1 Circa 1955

A Russian control crossing to the US Sector. Genuine or staged in the UK? Staged in the UK of course, says Denis Hoare, this is Augustus Street, London NW1 with 'Tintern House' on the immediate left with apartment block 'Mackworth' further on.

Denis provides an immediate "now" revealing the bomb sites infill.

Park Village East as viewed from Augustus Street, Camden, London NW1 Circa 1955

The lorry, diverts the guards attention and a Mercedes car, with Dushenko aboard, races through the crossing. That background is distinctive. Indeed it is says Denis that is Park Village East as viewed from Augustus Street, Camden, London NW1

The ornate wall in the background was the clue to Denis, who says that it still exists behind the hoarding, erected while work on HS2 is in progress.

Trafalgar Square, London WC2 Circa 1955

News is broken in London that Dushenko has escaped. Trafalgar Square, London WC2

Trafalgar Square, London WC2

If only I could have been above ground level.

  • 'Now' required

Dushenko (Arnold Marlé) arrives in London to met the waiting Harrington. Presumably London Airport once again.

  • 'Now' required

At the same time Bill Locklin (Richard Conte) of the US State Department is collected. London Airport again?

The car is pulling up outside 18 Manchester Street, London W1 (here looking North) Circa 1955

Delivering him to his hotel. Dave W has found that the car is pulling up outside 18 Manchester Street, London W1 (here looking North) with a view to dropping him off at what was Fords Hotel (now Hannah House).

The background has filled with building on Chiltern Street. SJ

Looking across the Thames to the north bank with Waterloo Bridge on the right hand side. Circa 1955

Harrington meets up with Locklin at the hotel where, by chance Harrington’s niece Julia Jackson (Rona Anderson) is the receptionist so they all go to lunch together at the Royal Festival Hall. Looking across the Thames to the north bank with Waterloo Bridge on the right hand side.

Looking across the Thames to the north bank with Waterloo Bridge on the right hand side.

The background remains much the same.

With Harrington returning to “The Yard” Bill and Julia have the afternoon to spend together after he pays “an official visit”. 41 Grosvenor Sq, London W1. Demolished Circa 1963

41 Grosvenor Sq, London W1.

The replacement building.

Grosvenor Square, London W1 Circa 1955

Waiving to Julia as they catch sight of each other. Grosvenor Square and the statue of President Roosevelt.

Preparations for 'Summer in the Square' are in hand.

They exchange ‘getting to know you’ comments.

The redeveloped background buildings hidden by summer foliage.

They approach the statue of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

At least Roosevelt still stands firm.

Bill tells Julia how much he like the peace of the London squares.

Not quite so peaceful with all the preparations for the Summer Fair in hand.

The scene closes with a close up of the statue and background buildings.

Background building now barely visible.

Manchester Street, London W1 with the action taking place at what was Fords Hotel Circa 1955

After the evening out together they pull up at Bill’s hotel to find considerable activity, Dushenko’s guard has been shot dead. As per Capture 11 Dave found Manchester Street, London W1 with the action taking place at what was Fords Hotel, now Hannah House.

In daylight. Hannah House now homes part of Wetherby School. SJ

  • 'Now' required

With planes grounded due to fog Dushenko is taken to a Sanatorium for safety.

Manchester Street, London W1 looking north Circa 1955

Bill is unexpectedly called back to the Embassy from his hotel, taking Julia with him for lunch. Once more (See also Capture 11), Dave places the location as Manchester Street, London W1 looking north.

The terrace is unchanged but new building on Dorset Street at the north end of Manchester street. SJ

Queen Anne Street, London W1 with Mansfield Street off to the left. Circa 1955

The taxi driver abducts them. Queen Anne Street, London W1 with Mansfield Street off to the left.

Queen Anne Street, London W1 with Mansfield Street off to the left.

A greener view these days.

Bill demands he stops the cab. Devonshire Street, London W1

A little less easy to park these days.

Devonshire Close, London W1 Circa 1955

The cab turns off into Devonshire Close, London W1

Devonshire Close, London W1

Slightly off angle due to parked cars.

Devonshire Close, London W1 Circa 1955

The cab pulls up to a waiting car. Devonshire Close, London W1, which also makes an appearance in 'Clue of the New Pin', 'The Man Who Was Nobody' and 'The Hypnotist'.

A blissfully quiet mews.

  • 'Now' required

They are taken to the Russian spy head quarters where Bill is beaten up. The picture of Dushenko hits the evening papers. The bus numbers on the board would suggest that this could be Oxford Street.

Oxford Street outside John Lewis Circa 1955

Bill is “sent back to Harrington” with a proposition. Julia remains captive. This looks like Oxford Street outside John Lewis to me.

Well, that is the location I have taken.