Fast and Loose

The departure scene for Barbara Wickham (June Thorburn) and her husband Peter (Brian Reece) is set. James and Chris Churcher in providing the capture, advise, that this is looking across the I.K. Brunel terminus at London Paddington and shows what looks like a Hawksworth designed pannier tank reversing out of Platform 2 behind the parked coaching stock.

James Churcher provides this shot of the scene today enjoying a very much cleaner environment with overhead wires now very much part of the scene.

Peter, having met up with old flame Carol Hankin (Kay Kendall) at the newsstand watch the train depart. Accompanying this second capture James and Chris locate this as looking outwards from the buffer stops and shows Platform 1 (the Eastbourne terrace side of the station).

As it is today from James.

They hire a taxi to take them back to his apartment. Bayswater Road, London W2 near Inverness Terrace.

I nearly captured the taxi on the same spot.

As the taxi pulls in the concierge approaches to open the door. Porchester Gate, Bayswater Road, London W2

Subtle changes to entrance.

As it transpires that they are going to the same friends house for the weekend Peter hires a car but it suffers a number of flat tyres as it runs over broken beer bottles. Tempted to believe this is back projection but more real than others perhaps.

Peter and Carol find there way to the local hotel guided by Noony (Aubrey Mather). ‘The Bull at the Gate’ public house in the film. Maybe. maybe not.

Later that evening Barbara’s parents Major George Crabb (Stanley Holloway) and Mrs Crabb (Fabia Drake) arrive at Piddock station having failed to change trains en route. James Churcher identifies this as a Gresley designed 2-6-2 tank. John Horswell in his railwaymoviedatabase.com Website says that the station is Denham Golf Club. Both James and John believe the tank could be an “L1” class. The station also makes an appearance in 'Futtock's End' and 'Hot Fuzz' while the road passing the Down Side entrance can be seen in 'Get Cracking'.

“Mr Claude Hankin M.P” (Alexander Gauge) leaves his hotel to join his wife for the weekend. The 'Crown Inn' on Church Road, Penn in Buckinghamshire. Which is also seen in ‘The End of the Line’, 'John and Julie' and 'Haunted Honeymoon'.

Steve Randall found no activity during his visit and was left to wonder whether there was anyone to carry bags these days anyway.

He pulls into the road without due care and attention and drives away in his Bristol 402, The registration plate reads MPH 100, Bristol Cars' own registration. Outside the 'Crown Inn', Church Road in Penn.

Steve noted that there is now no trace of the ivy.

Further views of Church Road, for the record, as he proceeds to meet with his wife. Church Road in Penn, Buckinghamshire.

The screen capture was indeed only included for 'the record' and Steve's comparison shot reveals that, for the record, the houses to the right have been demolished.

After the “mix up” of Peter and Carol staying at ‘The Bull at the Gate’ as a 'Mr and Mrs Hankin' is explained, Barbara leaves duly upset. Even more convinced that this is dressed for the film or a set.

Peter and Major Crabb follow in hot pursuit in the only available car left driven by Lumper (Charles Victor).

Mrs Crabb, as pillion, follows on the motorcycle of the Rev. Tripp-Johnson (Reginald Beckwith).

Their eventful pursuit involves a very humped back bridge. Perhaps over a canal?

They meet Major Crabb and Lumper who are reversing their way back to the pub.