Pot Carriers, The

The opening scenes to this 1960s movie provide some good shots of London from the air. From above Belvedere Road, Lambeth, London SE1, looking across the River Thames with the Houses of Parliament on the right.

The camera pans round to see the railway viaduct approaches to Waterloo Mainline Station with Waterloo Signal Box prominent on the left hand side.

The camera continues to pan around bring Waterloo Mainline Station into view, steam locomotives still around at the time this movie was produced.

Inside Waterloo station the arrival of a typical London Suburban train. Waterloo station features in many other productions including ‘Seven Days to Noon’, ‘Miss London Ltd.’, ‘One Exciting Night’, ‘The Good Die Young’, ‘Return of a Stranger’ and ‘The Party’s Over’.

Platform 2 at Waterloo Station, a frequent stopping point for ReelStreets phototakers, now including Dave W. (RL)

Searching for his ticket, Rainbow (Paul Massie) heads for the ticket barrier having arrived off the train.

Following Rainbow out of Waterloo Station onto Mepham Street SE1.

On the steps of Waterloo Station. The pleasant view towards Festival Hall and South Bank taken by Dave is spoiled by the mismatch clutter of the subway entrance and its surrounds. (RL)

On Waterloo Bridge. A typical foggy, or is it smoggy, day in London.

Dave W found just enough detail in the foggy capture to see the match here, especially the curved roof of the Festival Hall and the windows of The Whitehouse apartments on the extreme left. (RL)

Rainbow crossing Waterloo Bridge with the then relatively new Royal Festival Hall building in the background. In 1966, 'Alfie' also walked the same route.

There are changes, but there were points of reference aplenty for Dave to line things up for taking the "now" photo. (RL)

Rainbow continues is walk to his final destination along this London street. Dave W locates this as Ludgate Circus looking north along Farringdon Street and hopes to provide a "now' later this week. (RL)

Dave provides the now remarking that it is not an obvious visual match due to substantial changes made to the ground floor frontage of 1 - 6 Farringdon Street, plus the now elevated roadway. But the first floor's three window ledges tell us we are in the right spot. (RL)

Rainbow, partially hidden by a man with a hat, in Ludgate Circus, London EC4, walking to turn under the railway bridge just past the Old King Lud public house. The bridge is seen from a distance in 'Defence of the Realm' and in the views east along Fleet Street that feature in many other productions.

Embellishments to the elevation of 11 Ludgate Circus plus the al fresco life make this a more attractive prospect than 1962 could offer. Dave highlights the fact that train spotters will be disappointed that the bridge has gone. (RL)

Having walked under the footbridge, Rainbow walks up Ludgate Hill, London EC4 towards his last turning into Old Bailey.

Dave W sees a re-arrangement of buses in this scene, and wonders whether the gradient of Ludgate Hill has changed since City Thameslink station was constructed underneath it? (RL)

Having made his appearance in court Rainbow exits the Central Criminal Court on Old Bailey EC4 in a Black Maria van. The often seen location features in many other productions including ‘The Naked Edge’, 'Pure Hell of St. Trinians', 'Sentenced for Life', 'Game for Three Losers' ‘The Long Dark Hall’, 'The Walking Stick', ‘Black Orchid’, 'The Great Defender', ‘Pressure’, 'Never Look Back' and ‘Gideon’s Day’.

Another shot from Dave witnessing that delivery and removal arrangements for official guests have changed since the Central Criminal Court had a partial rebuild in the 1970s. (RL)

Rainbow continues his journey in a Black Maria van. The van is passing Brettenham House, 1 Lancaster Place WC2, heading for Waterloo Bridge. (SR)

Unsightly barriers have replaced the rather charming cars but the tree has the same shape. SJ

The transport arrives at Rainbow's new home for the next twelve months. This is the entrance to Her Majesty's prison Wandsworth in Heathfield Road, London SW18. The majority of the rest of the movie takes place inside prison using a mixture of actual and stage shots.

This replaces my poor effort from Jan '21. SJ

Having just gotten of the bus, Rainbow's partner, Wendy (Carole Lesley) crosses the road to visit Rainbow. Wandsworth Prison also makes an appearance in many other films including ‘The Dark Stairway’, ‘Poor Cow’, 'Two Letter Alibi', 'Don't Ever Leave Me', 'The Price of Silence', 'The Spaniard's Curse', 'Dentist On the Job', ‘Emergency’, ‘Daybreak’, ‘Law and Disorder’, ‘There Was a Crooked Man’, ‘Calculated Risk’ and ‘The Cracksman’.

More of a closer detail omitting the street. SJ

Wendy approaches the entrance to Wandsworth prison.

Rather the same as 14. SJ

These next two screen captures I have added because unusually they are shot from within a real cafe, the only evidence for where the cafe might be located is through the cafe's windows. Wendy and Mrs Red Band (Vanda Godsell) have a cuppa together after visiting their partners in prison. Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Herts, I think the background buildings have been demolished. (RL)

Wendy and Mrs Red Band taking from a different view point. Maybe someone can locate this cafe from the buildings and shops seen through the windows. They are in Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Herts looking across to 144 that is now Medivet Borehamwood. The cafe was presumably what is now a Turkish Restaurant. (RL)

Final view point of Red Band (Ronald Fraser) walking along Heathfield Avenue, London SW18 having just been released from prison.

This rather needs a winter shot as well as a crane. SJ