Port of Escape
Date: 1956
Director: Anthony Young
Production Company: Wellington
Stars: Googie Withers, John McCallum, Bill Kerr, Joan Hickson
Location(s): London
Region(s): London O-Q
Storyline:
Following a dockside fight in which a man is killed, two sailors take three women hostage while they hide out on their barge.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
Michael Jaffé has very kindly agreed to share with us his memories of ‘Grandfather Carl’ who features in this film, they can be read by clicking here.
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- Capture 1
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Evening draws in as a freighter docks in London having completed the long voyage from Algiers.
- Capture 2
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John Mitchell Gillis (John McCallum) and Jeff "Dinty Missouri" Lloyd (Bill Kerr) are ordered off the ship by Captain Van der Eijk (Carl Jaffe).
- Capture 3
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With little hope of another ship to take them on to America, Mitch and Dinty head to a pub. Ray and Ron Glenister, admit based on other declared locations, tell us that this was 'The Blue Anchor' public house at 1 The Highway, London E1 on the corner with Dock Street. (RL)
- Capture 4
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When Dinty almost causes a fight with Field in the bar, the two return to the streets. The corner of The Highway and Dock Street. (RL)
- Capture 5
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In a darkened street, Mitch and Dinty part company.
- Capture 6
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Field (Doug Robinson) appears from the shadows and stalks Dinty before attacking him.
- Capture 7
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Anne Stirling (Googie Withers) runs from the scene after she sees Mitch stab Field during a fight.
- Capture 8
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Having followed Anne, Mitch and Dinty hide out in the converted barge where she lives with her daughter Daphne and Rosalie Watchett. This seems to be Bow Creek on the River Lea as it curves through E14 alongside Poplar Gas Works in the gloom to the left.
- Capture 9
- 01 Jul 2021
The following day dawns. Upper Pool of the River Thames, looking upstream towards Tower Bridge. The shot seems to have been taken from King’s Stairs or Prince's Stairs off Rotherhithe Street is SE16.
This shot was taken from Prince's Stairs. (PW)
- Capture 10
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Searching for Field’s killer, the Police arrive across the river from the wharf where Mitch and Dinty are hiding.
- Capture 11
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Officers check out stranded vessels. Bow Creek with Bow Creek Mills on the left side of the far bank and Crown Wharf to the right.
- Capture 12
- 09 Jul 2021
A radio call goes out and more Police join the hunt. Looking along Tower Bridge Road in SE1 towards the junction of Tooley Street with Tower Bridge in the left distance. The location is also seen in ‘Circus of Fear’.
As so often happens, the focal length of the different lenses distorts the background, plus the hinderance of street furniture. (RL)
- Capture 13
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On the Thames, the River Police begin their search. London Bridge can be made out to the bottom left of this view along with and The Monument to the right of centre.
- Capture 14
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Inspector Levins (Alexander Gauge) takes a drink from his flask. Bow Creek on the River Lee in E14.
- Capture 15
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The Inspector and Detective Sergeant Shafto (Gerald Andersen) walk along the shore. Possibly alongside Orchard Wharf on Bow Creek with the chimneys of Brunswick Power Station in the centre distance.
- Capture 16
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Detective Sergeant Crawford questions Captain Van der Eijk about Mitch and Dinty and learns that the American almost stabbed a crew member. This appears to be the East Quay within the East India Dock Basin in E14.
- Capture 17
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Inspector Levins asks a Constable if he knows anything about a barge across the river.
- Capture 18
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The shot cuts to Anne's houseboat. Looking across Bow Creek towards Crown Wharf with Bridge Wharf to the right.
- Capture 19
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Bringing criminal files with him, Detective Sergeant Crawford (Basil Dignam) tells Inspector Levins that Dinty is wanted in Sydney. Facing northward on Learmouth Road E14 with the wall of East India Import dock to the left and a gasometer at Poplar Gasworks on Leven Road in the right distance.
- Capture 20
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Crawford explains that Dinty has a head injury and that Mitchell is taking him home to Missouri. Looking across Bow Creek from Learmouth Road.
- Capture 21
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With music coming from the houseboat, a Constable comments to the Inspector and Shaftoe that Miss Stirling is always playing the piano. Looking across Bow Creek from Crown Wharf / Bridge Wharf with West Ham Power Station in the right distance.
- Capture 22
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When a launch approaches, the Inspector decides to let the Thames Division interview Anne Stirling. This is the middle part of the double loop on Bow Creek on the River Lea in E16 with West Ham Power Station on the skyline to the top right. The long shed to the top is a warehouse and in front of that can be made out the bridge carrying the railway to Blackwall Goods Depot over Bow Creek after it loops back north.
- Capture 23
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Inspector Levins and Detective Sergeant Shafto leave the wharf after asking Sergeant Rutherford if the occupants of the houseboat had heard anything the previous night. Looking south from Crown Wharf / Bridge Wharf on Bow Creek with the chimneys of Brunswick Wharf Power Station in the centre distance.
- Capture 24
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Another morning dawns as police investigations continue after Mitch's plan of escape fails. West Ham Power Station seen across the River Lea.
- Capture 25
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Returning to the wharf, Inspector Levins ponders how the suspects would get out of the country. Looking west from the bridge carrying East India Dock Road over Bow Creek with West Ham Power Station to the top right.
- Capture 26
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When Inspector Levins learns that Mitch Gillis is a piano player, the net closes in on the two wanted men.
- Capture 27
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As Policemen arrive at the wharf, Dinty attempts to escape between the warehouses
- Capture 28
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The appearance of a Constable causes Dinty to stop in his tracks and double back into one of the buildings, shooting a Night Watchman as he enters.
- Capture 29
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Using a police loudspeaker, Mitch pleads with Dinty to give himself up.