March Hare, The

"Royal Ascot, and what a picture it is on this sunny July afternoon . . . . " is where Sir Charles Hare gives final instructions to his Jockey before Enchanting begins to race.

Along with other bidders, Lady Anne and Colonel Keene and arrive at Wolfshill in Kildare for the sale by auction of Sir Charles Hare's estate including pedigree horses and valuable mares.

Colonel Keene (Wilfrid Hyde-White) and Lady Anne (Martita Hunt) walk through the estate. Through the trees to the right can be seen Littleton Park House at Shepperton Studios in Littleton, Surrey. The building can be seen in many productions including 'Allez France', 'The Earth Dies Screaming', 'Make Mine a Million', 'Cockleshell Heroes' and 'The Great St. Trinian’s Train Robbery'.

Having an idea, Lady Anne and the Colonel seek out Lazy Mangan at the village's Grand Hotel.

At her Irish home, Lady Anne and Lazy Mangan (Cyril Cusack) walk to meet Colonel Keene as he arrives with a horse box containing a foal. St. Hubert's House on St. Hubert's Lane, Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire identified by Steve Randall. The building also appears in 'Just My Luck', 'Island of Terror', 'Devils of Darkness' and 'The League of Gentlemen'.

The morning after Mangan takes the foal to the stable where he lives, the now penniless Sir Charles Hare (Terence Morgan) arrives from England to visit Lady Anne.

Mangan helps Sir Charles as he collects his remaining possessions from Wolfshill.

Given a job as a stable hand by Pat McGuire (Peggy Cummins), the daughter of Wolfshill's new owner, she and Sir Charles return from a ride.

In London, Captain Marlow asks bookmaker Hardwicke for help after betting a large sum of money on Enchanting in a race against McGuire's Starlight. Completed in 1843, this is Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square WC2.

Here's Nelson on a gloomier day. SJ

Captain Marlow is told that he must learn to bear his losses. Trafalgar Square with the National Gallery providing the background.

From ground level. SJ

Hardwicke ponders on what happened to Enchanting's former owner and the scene cuts to the Irish coast where Sir Charles and Pat sit talking together on the rocks. Pat Cleary recognised the ruins of the Black Castle on the clifftop above the harbour at Wicklow in County Wicklow and adds that the fortification also appears in 'Taffin'.

Pat provides this comparison explaining that Black Castle was constructed in the 12th century after the Norman invasion and was ravaged by war with local tribes for hundreds of years. It was so named by the locals due to the atrocities that took place there.

After Starlight wins the Cambridgeshire, Lady Anne vists Wolfshill to learn that Mr. McGuire's horse was disqualified and that Hardwicke may be involved.

Mangan continues with the foal's training.

Sir Charles flies home from South America and phones Lady Anne to arrange a meeting at Wolfshill. With EI registered aircraft in abundance, this is likely to be Dublin Airport.

During a break from training the colt now named The March Hare, Lazy Mangan is tempted to take refreshment.

Riding in a trap, Sir Charles, Colonel Keene and Lady Anne are shocked to see Mangan and The March Hare approaching from the opposite direction.

Holding his prisoner upright, P.C. Dooley (Harry Towb) explains that he has arrested Mangan but is unsure what the charge will be.

Following a win for The March Hare at Killkennon Park's Spring Meeting, Sir Charles and Pat celebrate in Dublin. This is looking north from O'Connell Bridge along O'Connell Street towards Nelson's Pillar, a view seen in many productions including 'Dublin Nightmare', 'The Quare Fellow', 'Rooney', 'I See a Dark Stranger', 'Dead Man's Evidence' and 'Johnny Nobody'.

From ground level with the O'Connell Monument in the centre background and The Spire of Dublin replacing Nelson's Pillar in the distance. (PW)

Rushing with blankets for Mangan when he comes down with pneumonia, Pat is delayed when her ancient car stalls in a watersplash.

In London, Colonel Keene visits insurance broker Mr. J. Blacker in an attempt to insure Mangan's memory of the words that calm The March Hare. The oft seen Piccadilly Circus in W1 with the London Pavilion on Coventry Street to the right.

A more sober Circus nowadays. SJ

After five of Hardwicke's most valued clients bet £5000 on The March Hare at 20/1, Derby Day gets under way. Several establishing shots are seen of the grandstands at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey.

A drone shot from John Harwood shows, as with most stands, much change. (SJ)

A view of Epsom's 330ft long Grand Stand with the East Stand to the right, both dating from 1927. The location is confirmed by Susan Pemble who tells us that her Dad, William Haley, was a tick tac man and that he appears in the film.

John returned with his drone to show the new stand changed out of recognition. (SJ)

As tick-tack men signal the odds, Commentator Raymond Glendenning looks over the course as they take up their positions in the stands. Looking onto the junction of Chalk Lane, Derby Stables Road, Derby Arms Road and Tattenham Corner Road.

John H. had more fun with his drone: the roads are right but the layout is now totally different. (SJ)

The camera pans right to bring the Derby Stables into shot. The Derby Stables with Derby Arms Road crossing the bottom of the capture.

John's drone shot of the stables shows some faint markings on the original buildings to the left. (SJ)

A Groom helps Sir Charles and Tim Doughty (Charles Wade ) as they struggle to persuade The March Hare into the stables.

As Lady Anne and Mangan drink whisky in one of the course's bars, Doughty and Sir Charles take The March Hare to the paddock. In the left of centre distance stands the Downs Hotel on Langley Vale Road.

The Colonel and Pat tell Sir Charles that they need to find Mangan. In the distance stands the 1927 Grandstand at Epsom Downs Racecourse.

Sir Charles and Pat arrive at the bar where Lady Anne and Mangan have started singing. Peter Brown advises that this is 'The Goat', Upper Halliford Road, Upper Halliford, Shepperton TW17 that also appears in 'The House in Marsh Road', 'Bond of Fear', 'The Happiness of Three Women' and 'Appointment in London'. (RL)

The pub forecourt now, captured by Antony Blair on a cold January morning.