Percy’s Progress

Date: 1974
Director: Ralph Thomas
Production Company: Welbeck Films Ltd.

Stars: Leigh Lawson, Elke Sommer, Judy Geeson, Denholm Elliott, Harry H. Corbett, Vincent Price, Adrienne Posta, Julie Ege, Barry Humphries
Location(s): Alpes-Maritimes (France), Cyprus, Devon, District of Columbia (USA), Hertfordshire, London, Oxfordshire

Region(s): , , , , ,

Storyline:

Unaware that he is the only man on earth who can copulate, Percy comes up against the authorities when the human race in is danger of extinction.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

Also known as ‘It’s Not the Size That Counts’ (US Title)

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The story starts in Cannes, where Percy Edwin Anthony is being unfaithful to his wife Moira with Clarissa Cloughampton. Cannes in in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France with Boulevard de la Croisette curving around the Bay of Cannes and the red sign of the Carlton Hotel visible to the top right.

Royal Courts of Justice opposite St. Clement Danes church on Strand in WC2. Circa 1974

WPC 217, Iris, drives Percy from court during his divorce trial. The exit from the Royal Courts of Justice opposite St. Clement Danes church on Strand in WC2. The courts feature in numerous productions including ‘Genevieve’, ‘A Pair of Briefs’, ‘Brothers in Law’, ‘Steptoe and Son’, ‘The Assassination Bureau Limited’, ‘Black Orchid’, ‘Three on a Spree’ and ‘The Look of Love’.

Royal Courts of Justice opposite St. Clement Danes church on Strand in WC2.

Mark O'Neill's journey was 'necessary', so he took this shot for us that was even more 'necessary'. (RL)

Facing east along Strand with the entrance to Deveraux Court Circa 1974

Peering through the back door of the van, Percy Edwin Anthony (Leigh Lawson) is carried away into obscurity. Facing east along Strand with the entrance to Deveraux Court and The George public house just visible to the extreme right.

Facing east along Strand with the entrance to Deveraux Court

Whilst there it was only reasonable for Mark to take this shot as well for us. (RL)

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For World Wide news, Bernard Falk (Himself) interviews private eye Jeffcot (James Booth), the man who traced Percy to Cannes. Leeming Road looking towards the junction with Aycliffe Road, Borehamwood in Hertfordshire located by Geoff Dodd. (RL)

A Rolls Royce waits to collect Sir Emanuel Whitbread, Director of the Whitbread Institute. Geoff also identifies this location for us, Sussex Square, London W2 with the start of Bathhurst Street to the left. (RL)

Replacing Geoff's google from April 2020. SJ

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Bernard Falk broadcasts live from outside the institute. Geoff Dodd identifies this as Leeming Road looking towards the junction with Aycliffe Road, Borehamwood in Hertfordshire. (RL)

Leeming Road looking towards the junction with Aycliffe Road, Borehamwood, Herts Circa 1974

The reporter moves towards the entrance of the institute when he sees Sir Emanuel emerge. Geoff Dodd's had a long awaited flash of inspiration to realise that is Leeming Road looking towards the junction with Aycliffe Road, Borehamwood which is also seen in 'Confessions of a Pop Performer'. (RL)

Leeming Road looking towards the junction with Aycliffe Road, Borehamwood, Herts

Geoff provides this Google Earth View in support of his identification that show the confirmatory distinctive three windows on the left together with the pattern of square bricks. (RL)

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Accompanied by Miss Hanson (Julie Ege), Sir Emanuel Whitbread is questioned about Percy’s whereabouts. Leeming Road looking towards the junction with Aycliffe Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire recognised by Geoff Dodd. (RL)

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Carrying germ warfare chemical PX123, a United States B52 bound for Honolulu takes off from San Diego before exploding and spilling the toxic load into the Pacific Ocean. Mike Simpson advises that the aircraft is actually a Lockheed Starlifter C141.

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The US Government advises the world that PX123 has contaminated the world’s water supply causing the entire male population to become impotent. Looking along Pennsylvania Avenue NW towards The United States Capitol in Washington, DC from the intersection with Constitution Avenue NW.

Having spent twelve months in isolation on his yacht Ulysses II and drinking nothing but Bollinger, Percy heads for port to relieve his urges. This is Kyrenia in Cyprus.

A shot that Dave Buckley took back in 2009 when on holiday with his wife not knowing that it would be required for ReelStreets over 10 years on. Who knows when any of us will be able to travel again. (RL)

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Docking his craft, Percy notices that the men appear disheartened. Looking across Kyrenia old harbour from Temmuz Kordonboyu Caddesi with Kyrenia Castle in the right background. Both the harbour and castle can be seen in ‘Incense for the Damned’ and 'Ghost in the Noonday Sun'.

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Percy heads for a bordello where Barraclough, an inebriate ex-pat Foreign Correspondent witnesses his performance before calling a News Editor in London. Overlooking Kyrenia harbour from the direction of the Castle.

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Puzzled that the Girls in the brothel paid him, Percy leaves port before being pursued by the Navy when word of his exploits reach the British Prime Minister.

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Percy watches as a flotilla of small boats approaches.

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Ulysses II is escorted to land. Looking towards Drake’s Island lying to the south of Plymouth in Plymouth Sound, Devon located by Steve Randall.

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A lighthouse is passed. Steve Randall identifies this as a view of the lighthouse on Plymouth Breakwater in Plymouth Sound, Devon.

Another coastal view of small craft escorting Ulysses II into Kyrenia old harbour, Cyprus.

A further shot from Dave dating back to 2009, Kyrenia in Cyprus. (RL)

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Crowds gather to welcome Percy home. Hoe Park in Plymouth, Devon with Smeaton's Tower in the left distance.

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With Charles Bleeker (Ronald Fraser) standing behind him, Prime Minister Henry Snope (Harry H. Corbett) attempts to welcome Percy while onlookers surge forward.

A motorcycle escort rides ahead of Bleeker’s car as the Head of Special Branch takes Percy to the Grand Hotel. Geoff Dodd identifies this as High Street, Harpenden, Hertfordshire. (RL)

This shot, replacing Geoff's Google Earth View, shows a new roundabout at the junction, with the zebra crossing moved to accommodate it. (SR)

The small motorcade reaches central London. Looking south along Lancaster Terrace from the junction with Sussex Gardens and Westbourne Street in W2 with the Royal Lancaster Hotel to the left and the corner of Gloucester Terrace in the right background.

The same location. (PW)

The camera moves with Bleeker’s Daimler as it reaches the Grand Hotel where Percy is told about the effects of the chemical spill. In reality, the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Westbourne Street in Bayswater, which also appears in ‘The Italian Job’.

Taken from a similar position. (PW)

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A helicopter brings Jeffcot to the home of Stavos Mammonian, the world’s richest man, where he is hired to find Percy once again. An aerial view of Blenheim Palace, Woodstock in Oxfordshire. The home of also appears in ‘Diamonds for Breakfast’, ‘The Avengers’, ‘The Legend of Hell House', 'Barry Lyndon’, ‘Saraband For Dead Lovers’, ‘Half a Sixpence’ and ‘Spectre’.

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In an effort to save the human race, the United Nations decide to send one woman from each country to sleep with Percy. The United Nations Building in New York. This is likely to be a stock shot of the building that is also seen in ‘The Statue’ and ‘North By Northwest’.

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Travelling to a secret Government establishment south of Godalming, Percy spots old flame Maureen Sugden (Diane Langton) working at a garage on the A2301.

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The winners of the international Miss Conception contest arrive to be bedded by Percy. Geoff, in conjunction with Anthony McKay, have together established that this is the forecourt of what is now 'The Renaissance Hotel', Bath Road, TW6 2AQ. The 'Skyport Pools' building in the background has now long gone. (RL)

Sir Emanuel Whitbread visits the Prime Minister when a crisis occurs after Percy ceases to satisfy the women when only a third of them have been impregnated. The corner of Whitehall and Downing Street in SW1.

A wider pavement now. SJ

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In an underground car park, Sir Emmanuel meets with Jeffcot. To finish off the da, Geoff identifies this as the underground car park at Elstree Studios. (RL)

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As part of a plan to move Percy from the hotel, an ambulance draws up outside the hotel. See Capture 27. (RL)

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Hijacked by Sir Emmanuel, the ambulance pulls away with Percy on board. See Capture 27. (RL)

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Keeping a reasonable distance behind, Bleeker follows the ambulance. Looking south on Hampstead Road NW1 with the National Temperance Hospital on the left, the Lord Palmerston public house at the corner of Drummond Street in the right of centre distance and the Post Office Tower in the right distance. The pub had ceased serving by the early 80s and hospital closed in 1990 with demolition beginning in 2017.

Issuing threats, Bleeker tells his driver not to lose the ambulance. Shenley Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. The street appears in several films including ‘On the Buses’, ‘Mutiny on the Buses’, ‘Bedazzled’, ‘The Scamp’, ‘Confessions of a Driving Instructor’, ‘The Glitterball’, ‘Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World’, ‘The Boys in Blue’, ‘Kontiki Kids’ and ‘Love Thy Neighbour’.

Antony Blair found a different road layout but the same parades.

Harris agrees that would be more than his life’s worth. Through the passenger window can be seen the Red Lion public house opposite Elstree Studios on Shenley Road in Borehamwood.

A clearer view of the background by Antony Blair.

The film’s chase sequence continues. Facing north on Gower Street WC1 with Euston Road crossing the background and the entrance to Euston Square Underground station at the corner of the since demolished Babcock House to the right.

Many changes here. SJ

This is the junction of Stanhope Terrace, Sussex Place, Gloucester Square and Strathearn Place in W2 with Sussex Lodge to the right.

Also seen in "Percy". SJ

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Percy asks Sir Emmanuel “What’s going on?”

Looking from beneath Castleacre towards the junction of Hyde Park Crescent and Southwick Street in W2 with Somers Crescent in the left of centre background. The location is also seen in 'Percy' as well as 'No My Darling Daughter', 'Life with the Lyons', 'The Hangman Waits' and 'The Walking Stick'.

Now SJ

The street sign reads Cambridge Square and this is the view from between the pillars of Castleacre.

Castleacre featured in "The Internecine Project." SJ

Hyde Park Crescent with Hyde Park Street on the left.

An autumnal scene with the church to the left out of shot. SJ

Seen from outside the front of St. John’s church, this is Hyde Park Crescent with Southwick Place to the right.

Panning right. SJ

Sussex Gardens W2 with St. James’ church in the centre background. The church is seen in ‘Serena’.

Nice match of trees as well. SJ

Sir Emmanuel checks the location as the ambulance turns into a wide street. Radnor Place with Southwick Place crossing the background.

Only the parking arrangement has changed in this wide street. SJ

With Bleeker’s car closing in, the ambulance overtakes a stationary lorry. Radnor Place with buildings on Gloucester Square to the right.

Good old post boxes don't shift much. SJ

Harris drives straight into the back of the lorry. Radnor Place W2, facing buildings on Gloucester Square.

The trees rather obscure the window arrangements, which is how I worked out where to stand. SJ

As the ambulance escapes, the lorry pulls away. Looking north-east on Radnor Place with the corners of Gloucester Square to the left and Somers Crescent to the right.

And looking north to Sussex Gardens. SJ

The ambulance turns onto a main road. The junction of Gower Street and Euston Road in WC1 with buildings on North Gower Street in the right background.

The terrace to the right behind the tree survive. SJ

Heading out of London, Sir Emmanuel takes Percy to the home of Stavos Mammonian. Facing south-west on Euston Road NW1 with Warren Court to the top left and the junction of Tottenham Court Road and Hampstead Road in the right background.

Some trees have moved onto the dividing pavement for a greener Euston Road. SJ

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With Harris and Bleeker surrounded by sides of beef in the back, the lorry heads into the country.

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The lorry is brought to a stand and the Driver and his Mate get out after switching on the refrigeration motor.

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Getting into a waiting Rover, the Driver and his Mate are driven away.

At the Institute for Research into Procreation, Dr. Klein prepares to commit suicide. A second use for the Royal Lancaster Hotel in W2.

The two guys didn't mind the world fame. (PW)

The shot tilts up the building as Dr. Fairweather discovers that the effects of PX123 are wearing off. Looking up the at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Westbourne Street, Bayswater.

Design changes are evident on the left. (PW)

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Percy attracts the unwanted attention of Men as he escapes from the Grand Hotel wearing Miss Hanson’s clothes.

Rescued by WPC 217, Percy is carried away. Facing west on Connaught Street W2 with Connaught Square out of view to the left.

The trees have come from nowhere. SJ

Iris turns a corner and continues driving to the coast where Percy rejoins his yacht. The junction of Connaught Street, Portsea Place and Connaught Square with the entrance to Kendal Street car park to the right.

Looking north. SJ