Someone at the Door (1950)
Date: 1950
Director: Francis Searle
Production Company: Hammer Films
Stars: Michael Medwin, Garry Marsh, Yvonne Owen, Hugh Latimer, Danny Green, Campbell Singer, John Kelly
Location(s): Berkshire
Region(s): South East R-Z
Storyline:
When Sally inherits a country house, her young brother Ronald, an aspiring journalist, hits on a sensational way to make his first big scoop: Sally will ‘disappear’ and he will be arrested for her murder! At his trial she will reappear, his acquittal will follow and he will be able to supply his paper with an exclusive story. Sally and her fiancé Bill fall in with the scheme. However, there are complications which they had not foreseen. A gang of criminals attempts to get them to move so they can get the loot for themselves.
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Richard Lovejoy.
More locations than the 1936 production but much takes place in Denham Studios or the darkened interior of Oakley Court.
Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
The cast is introduced as they pass through a door, as the camera pulls back revealing a set, that is then lifted clear to show the cast (lastly Michael Medwin) and crew behind in the grounds of Oakley Court, Windsor, Berkshire. Irene Restall advises that Oakley Court is now (2026) a renovated luxury hotel.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
The scene of events is established by a night shot of Oakley Court.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
The local police constable O’Bien (John Kelly) comes to investigate the reported disappearance of “Soames” the house caretaker.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
The constable finds Ronnie Martin (Michael Medwin), Sally Martin (Yvonne Owen) and Bill Reid (Hugh Latimer) in the greenhouse establishing where Ronnie is to hide “the body”. The exterior of the greenhouse can be seen in ‘The Man Who Finally Died’ but now regrettably demolished.
- Capture 5
- 20 Sep 2024
Kapel (Garry Marsh) who seeks to rent the house in order to gain time to find the stolen goods is sent away with a major rejection. Phil Richards tells us that this wall in the drive of Oakley Court still exists but the courtyard has been filled in with a building extension.
In providing the comparative shot Phil remarks that the apex roof of the building in the courtyard can still be seen but the decorative feature in the top half of the wall has been simplified and all the decorative urns distributed elsewhere on the site. He couldn't get exactly the same angle due to the fencing on the left. (RL)
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Before getting too far he meets with Price (Danny Green), a ‘plant’ replacement for “Soames”.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Inspector Spedding (Campbell Singer) calls on Martin to continue enquiries about the disappearance of “Soames” he looks out to “the lake”, with the idea of dredging it. This looks like the Thames that runs besides Oakley Court.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Kapel calls at the house and the door is opened by Price. They learn that “Soames” has been found in the “lake”. Oakley Court on Windsor Road, Oakley Green in Berkshire which appears in 'Half a Sixpence', 'The Mutations', 'Room to Let', 'The Road Builder', 'The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978)', 'The Gambler and the Lady', 'The House in Nightmare Park', 'Witchcraft', 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', 'What the Butler Saw', 'And Now The Screaming Starts' amongst many other productions.