Recoil

As John Talbot (Ian Fleming) secures his jewellery shop for the night, Paul (John H. Watson) and Nicholas Conway (Kieron Moore) loiter on the pavement. Norris Street in London SW1 identified by RL.

Rather a different scene today. SJ

A passing Policeman causes the suspicious looking men to return to their car before a taxi draws forward to take Talbot for an appointment with importer Henry Farnborough. Norris Street looking towards St. Alban's Street with the corner of St. James's Market to the right. Location found by RL.

The building on St Alban's Street (or St James's Market: the maps and signs are not completely clear) has not changed. SJ

The cab drives away followed by the men and their driver, Roger. RL locates this as Norris Street in SW1

Sort of green now. SJ

Reaching the story's Clayton House, Nicholas and Paul get out of their car and approach the jeweller. Nell Gwynne House on Sloane Avenue SW3. The building also features in 'Invisible Asset', 'The Firechasers' and 'Delayed Action'.

Easier to identify nowadays. SJ

Paul grabs Talbot’s briefcase and a struggle ensues. The entrance to Nell Gwynne House in Chelsea.

This replaces my shot from June '21 which simply wasn't good enough. SJ

Taking the briefcase and knocking the old man to the ground, the Nicholas, Paul and Roger escape in their getaway car when Talbot’s daughter Jean arrives. RL identifies this as King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 with what was Hammersmith Grove, now Lyric Square, off to the left and 'The Hop Poles' public house extreme right.

Looking east. SJ

Police arrive outside the apartment block, followed by an ambulance. Nell Gwynne House on Sloane Avenue in Chelsea.

On the east side of Sloane Avenue. SJ

A car pulls out of a side road forcing the crooks’ car to swerve onto the pavement. This sequence at the junction of Hazlitt Road and Maclise Road is taken from 'The Lost Hours' released the year previous and also seen in 'Murder on Approval/Barbados Quest'.

Looking from the corner south-west towards Blythe Road, but without the elevation. SJ

Roger reverses back onto the roadway . . . .

This is Hazlitt Road opposite Maclise Road. SJ

. . . . and drives on.

Some more of Hazlitt Road. SJ

As Talbot lies fatally injured, the villains continue their escape. The corner of West Cromwell Road and Cromwell Crescent in SW5.

The same corner captured by Neil McPherson.

The police begin their pursuit and its not long before the criminals are spotted. RL locates this as Harrowby Street, London W1 looking towards Mertoun Terrace/Seymour Place. Also seen in 'Murder on Approval'.

I didn't deliberately chose a wet day. (RL)

In their Wolseley Wasp, the Police gain on their target. That's a branch of the jewellers Saqui and Lawrence to the right. Possibly Hammersmith Broadway in another sequence borrowed from 'Tiger By the Tail'.

On one of the darkened streets seen during this sequence, a 667 trolleybus passes confirms that some of the action took place in Hammersmith.

The murderer’s limousine speeds alongside a church before turning into a side street. RL recognised Crisp Road in London W6, just a few yards away from Hammersmith's Riverside Studios.

Now one way. (RL)

The police car arrives at the end of the road . . . . . Crisp Road that is.

Crisp Road at the junction with St James St, London W6. 'The Chancellors' public house to the extreme left. (RL)

. . . . missing the road that the crooks have taken. RL locates this as Crisp Road, London W6 outside the Riverside Studios facing Queen Caroline Street and "The Cannon" public house also seen in 'Home to Danger'.

The recently totally redeveloped Riverside Studios site on the left hand side. (RL)

After almost hitting a cyclist, Roger loses control of the car. Crisp Street in Hammersmith W6 found by RL.

A home for 'Boris Bikes'. (RL)

Escaping from the burning car, Nicholas looks back at the wreckage before running away with the stolen jewels.

With the haul hidden at his brother Michael’s surgery, Nicholas takes a cab home. RL recognised Troy Court off Kensington High Street in W8, looking towards the ruin of Our Lady of Victories church.

Looking south across the street to the restored screen and rebuilt Our Lady of Victories. SJ

Nicholas pays the Taxi Driver before entering the building to find Farnborough’s henchmen Crouch and Bentock waiting for him. Troy Court in Kensington W8.

More pedestrianised. SJ

In the City, Nicholas calls on rival gang leader Henry Farnborough. Looking up at St. Paul’s Cathedral at the eastern end of Ludgate Hill EC4.

Had to stand near the middle of the road for this one. SJ

The shot moves to find Farnborough’s office where Nicholas threatens his former boss before hitting him. St. Paul’s Church Yard to the north of the Cathedral with the gables of London House to the left. The short sequence also appears in 'Small Town Story'.

All that remains is the line of the buildings. PW

Jean Talbot (Elizabeth Sellars) calls on Farnborough to follow up her father’s prior engagement. Facing east on St. Paul’s Church Yard to the south of the Cathedral.

All intact. SJ

The young woman enters the building and recognises her father's killer as he passes her when leaving the elevator. St. Paul’s Church Yard EC4.

About here I think on the corner with Dean's Court. SJ

Outside the offices, Nicholas gets back into his Hillman Minx. St. Paul’s Church Yard with St. Paul’s Cathedral in the background.

Looking north-east. SJ

Following her father’s attacker, Jean sees the murderer’s car turn in the street and head away. St. Paul’s Church Yard in EC4.

A slightly wider view. SJ

Jean hails a cab. Looking across St. Paul’s Church Yard towards the since lost London House Yard with the bank at the corner of Ludgate Hill to the left.

The Hillman heads out of the city. Dave W places this as 166 Earls Court Road, London SW5. (RL)

Neil McPherson avoided the traffic by crossing the street for this shot.

As the shot pans with Nicholas's car, the Austin taxi comes into view.

This is the pan right from the previous shot but, after some rebuilding, there's not a lot to see here really, and the traffic doesn't help. SJ

Nicholas turns into the road on which his brother’s surgery stands. Hollywood Road in Kensington SW10 with the junction formed by Tregunter Road and Harcourt Terrace to the bottom left.

A good match by Neil McPherson.

Jean’s cab continues to follow. Tregunter Road with the corner of The Little Boltons to the left.

Neil McPherson took this view from the safety of the pavement.

The Hillman is brought to a stand outside Dr. Michael Conway’s surgery. Facing north-west on Hollywood Road SW10.

Building alterations to the left are apparent in Neil McPherson's comparison.

Nicholas enters the practice. Hollywood Road in Kensington, just a one minute walk from The Hollywood Arms public house which appears in ‘The Human Factor’.

The same location captured by Neil.

Jean walks across to Dr. Conway’s premises where she is admitted after ringing the doorbell. The corner of Cathcart Road and Hollywood Road.

Neil McPherson found a suitable extra for this shot.

A few days later, Jean takes a room at Mrs. Conway’s guest house next door to the surgery. The Royal Albert Hall on Kensington Gore SW7 seen from the, officially named, Prince Consort Memorial.

A brighter clearer view with changes in surrounding building development. (RL)

One afternoon, Jean spots the Doctor near The Albert Memorial. These are the steps to the south of the Memorial in London W2. The location appears in many productions including ‘Jubilee’, ‘The Shakedown’, ‘The Hour of 13’, ‘Three Hats for Lisa’, 'Joanna', ‘The Million Pound Note’, ‘Radio Cab Murder’ and 'The Assassination Bureau Limited'.

I realise now that I am just a bit off angle. (RL)

Dr. Michael Conway (Edward Underdown) tips his hat and asks Jean if she would like to accompany him to an afternoon concert. Below The Albert Memorial on the north side of Kensington Gore.

You would have to look long and hard to find a "gentleman" tipping his hat these days. (RL)

Nicholas and Jean leave a club after she establishes a relationship with him to infiltrate his gang.

Crouch and Bentock appear from the shadows and attack Nicholas before being fought off, allowing the pair to escape with Jean at the wheel.

Jean drives the Hillman at speed through the dark streets. The film here has been reversed, the car is exiting Crisp Road and entering River Terrace that was by the side of Riverside Studios. The background building is the south west end of Caroline House part of the Caroline Estate. (RL)

Following the redevelopment of the Riverside Studios site River Terrace no longer exists. One cannot therefore stand any further back for this shot. I have reversed the image to match the screen capture. (RL)

Nicholas leaves his Barber followed by Wilbur, one of his gang members. RL advises that this is around 188 Kings Road in London SW3, outside Cygnet House.

I've gone for the west side of the main central door of Cygnet House, but perhaps I should've plumbed for a wider shot. SJ

As Nicholas gets into the car, Jean sees her father’s Taxi Driver, Travers (Mike McCarthy), react when he recognises her. King's Road in Chelsea.

Looking west down King's Road from Cygnet House, also seen in "Sebastian" (1968). SJ

Having gained Nicholas’s confidence, Jean takes a taxi to meet with Chief Inspector Trubridge.

Nicholas parks his Hillman outside The Six Bells. The public house stood on Queen Caroline Street in Hammersmith W6 and St. Pauls Mansion on Fulham Palace Road fills the background.

This is as reasonably near to accurate as one can get given the enlarged roadway and the Hammersmith flyover above. (RL)

Getting out of the car, Nicholas enters the pub to find Farnborough's gang member Walters. Facing north on Queen Caroline Street with the corner of Fulham Palace Road to the right.

At least I was able to get a reasonable shot of Bradmore House. (RL)

Having overheard the conversation in the pub, Bentock picks up informant Walters (Bill Lowe) in his Morris Oxford and drives him to see Farnborough. Chancellors Road, Hammersmith, London W6 with the Hammersmith Distillery in the background that was also seen in 'Tiger By The Tail'. (RL)

Another sign of changed times. (RL)

Bentock and Walters arrive at Goring's Depository after setting a trap for Nicholas.

Following a gunfight inside the warehouse, Nicholas escapes onto the roof.

Fleeing from the surgery following treatment by his brother, the injured Nicholas telephones for Jean meet with him. The corner of Cathcart Road and Hollywood Road in SW10.

Avoiding parked vehicles, Neil McPherson captured the same corner.

Sitting in the parked Morris, Henry Farnborough watches as Jean hails a cab. Cathcart Road in Kensington.

Neil found more cars to contend with.

Jean walks up to the derelict house where Nicholas is hiding.