Calling All Cars

As the voice of "Freddie", a retired taxi, Spike Milligan narrates "Well, this is the end, the very end." Burnt Oak Broadway on Edgware Road in Edgware, Middlesex.

Denis Hoare waited hours for a trolleybus to come along only to realise that they don't run anymore. (RL)

"And after all I've done for romance. You know, three times round the park and don't look back." The site of the Allweather Motor Cars' business is currently occupied by a Citroën dealership.

Denis found that whilst the car dealership had been modernised he could still line up the houses behind. (RL)

The camera moves around the presentable cars on offer until finding the source of the voice. The premises of Allweather Motor Cars on Burnt Oak Broadway, Edgware.

The fronts of the cars in the original picture would be approximately where the shadow line is in this shot from Denis. (RL)

"But 3/9d and a 2½% discount for cash! I ask you." The building to the left can be seen in the background of the second capture. Edgware Road in Burnt Oak, Middlesex.

Denis advises that the corrugated iron shed in the original picture would be approx. where the second van from the right is, placing the 3/9p car inside where the tyre bay is today.

Freddie tells his story . . . . Shy Reggie Ramsbottom (Cardew Robinson) hovers around Beryl Grant (Adrienne Scott), the blonde who he has a crush on, as she speaks with her sister Marjorie Grant (Pauline Olsen) outside a travel agency. Regent Street in London W1.

The window shape of "W. Hinds" survives. SJ

After being told by Marjorie to remember to drive on the right on the Continent, Beryl walks away followed by Reggie. Regent Street with the corner of Cavendish Place and Langham Place to the left of centre and All Souls’ church in the right background. The church also makes an appearance in 'Follow Me', 'Helter Skelter', 'Josephine and Men', '29 Acacia Avenue', 'Man on the Run' and 'The Hypnotist' while the spire can be seen in 'Carry On Emmannuelle'.

Quite crowded with clutter. SJ

Reggie follows Beryl home, amazingly without being noticed! Passing 34 and 36 Springfield Road in London NW8 located by Geoff Dodd.

On the north side. SJ

Missing his chance after building up the courage to speak to Beryl, Reggie crosses the road to Mrs. Flit's house where he has a room. Geoff Dodd identifies this as the front of number 43 Springfield Road in St. Johns Wood. The location also appears in 'Adventures of a Taxi Driver'.

A little less open now. SJ

Over dinner, Reggie recalls the last time he took a car on a Cross-Channel ferry from Dover.

Fellow lodger Tom Lester explains that a new Car Ferry Terminal had since been built the port of Dover.

Tom tells Reggie that four ships had been commissioned and new facilities provided at the port before a montage of construction footage is shown.

Looking through the window at Mrs. Flit's, Tom spots the car that Reggie has bought being delivered. Found by Geoff this is facing Springfield Road from the garden of number 43.

Tree rearrangement. SJ

Marjorie and Beryl load their car ready for the journey. Looking across to number 38 from number 43 Springfield Road in NW8 identified by Geoff Dodd.

Much leafier as is often the case. SJ

With Reggie and Tom on their tail, the sisters set off for Dover, stopping off at a department store on the way. Facing north on High Street in Bromley, Kent.

I think it is fair to say that there have been some changes. (RL)

Leaving a nearby park, a young Boy approaches a zebra crossing in his pedal car. Bill Lee tells us that this is the path leading to Watermeadows Open Space and through to Sevenoaks Way from Main Road in St Paul's Cray, Orpington, Kent.

No such entertainment whilst I was there. (RL)

A Constable orders Tom Lester (John Fitzgerald) and Reggie to get back into their car after they stop to help the Lad when he pretends to break down. This shot Bill says is Main Road, St. Paul's Cray in Orpington taken adjacent to the shopping parade and wall shown to the right of shot is the boundary to the Redemed Christian Church of God. Formerly St Paulinus Church.

With even a sufficient break in the traffic. (RL)

Beryl and Marjorie pull away after purchasing their forgotten items. Attwoods stood at 53-57 High Street in Bromley, Kent.

The top left hand corner is identifiable, but that is all. (RL)

Cut to another street where two shady looking Men get out of a car outside a jewellers. The corner of High Street and White Hart Road in Orpington, Kent with The Artichoke Inn to the left. The pub was renamed twice before closure in the 2010s and is currently a restaurant.

Social distancing taken to the extreme. (RL)

Having engine trouble, Reggie and Tom stop just around the corner from the jewellery shop's door. White Hart Road in Orpington.

Reggie and Tom would have needed a permit to park there now. (RL)

A shot causes the two Men put their hands up when the gun that Reggie is using to fix the engine goes off. White Hart Road with The White Hart public house to the right.

Some in-fill in the background but otherwise much the same. (RL)

The Police arrive and apprehend the would be Robbers. White Hart Road, Orpington.

It remains a NO ENTRY streets. (RL)

Leaving Reggie and Tom to get back into Freddie, the Humber Super Snipe departs. The junction of High Street, Church Hill and White Hart Road in Orpington, Kent.

Another bank converted to a restaurant. (RL)

Elsewhere, a Police Car signals the girls' Jaguar XK to stop. High Street, Green Street Green, Orpington with The Royal Oak public house out of sight to the left.

Taken just before the bus parked up and would have ruined the visit. (RL)

As Freddie passes, two Officers ask the women if they have seen a black Buick. High Street, Green Street Green, Orpington, Kent. (RL)

That is a bus stand so the chances of having a clear view through is very limited. (RL)

Reggie and Tom make good progress towards Dover before being overtaken by the sisters.

A little less obviously a farm these days. The bank this side is now so heavily overgrown that it is not possible to take the shot from and elevated position. (RL)

Beryl and Marjorie decide to stop for coffee. Outside the Fantail Restaurant on Farnborough Common, Locksbottom near Orpington.

As can be seen, significant changes have been made to make an accurate comparison shot impossible. (RL)

Freddie passes the restaurant as the two women enjoy their drinks. Looking from the Fantail Restaurant towards the junction of Farnborough Common and Crofton Road.

Changes to the restaurant, changes to parking, changes to the junction so this is the best that can be achieved. (RL)

Reggie and Tom spot Beryl and Marjorie as they drive by. The Fantail Restaurant, presently know as Chapter One, on Farnborough Common, Locksbottom in Kent.

Some aspects of the building remain recognisable. (RL)

Noticing a diversion sign, Reggie tells Tom to stop the old taxi before running across the road. Farnborough Way at the junction with Shire Lane. (RL)

Trust me, the houses are still there, but yes, the junction has been changed significantly. (RL)

Reggie places the sign on the opposite side of the road.

How did we manage without all those street lights? (RL)

On their way again, Beryl and Marjorie are taken in by the diversion and turn from the main road. RL locates this as Farnborough Way, Orpington in Kent. Howard Baker points out that the XK120 starts out with rear wheel spats but has lost them by the time the girls arrive in Dover and, not only that!, George Smith observes that the car started off with wire wheels, magically changed to pressed steel half way through, and back to wires at Dover!

A somewhat smaller operation these days. (RL)

Tom realises that they haven't got a GB plate on their vehicle. Frognal Corner on the Sidcup By-Pass looking north west. (RL)

Freddie is steered onto a garage forecourt. Sidcup By-Pass with the houses in The Green, Sidcup in the background. A similar view these days would be a wall of the by-pass. (RL)

The taxi is brought to a stand at the petrol pumps and the two young men are taken in by the garage's gimmicky Girls as they polish Freddie's chrome and clean the windscreen. Hubert Dees was close to Crittall's Corner, Sidcup in Kent, long gone and the location all now changed as a result of the Sidcup By-Pass. Re-developed into commercial units with security cameras. (RL)

Coming across a signpost, Beryl and Marjorie consult a map and discover that they are miles off route. The junction of Farnborough Hill and Shire Lane to the south of Orpington.

A change in road priority. (RL)

Tom and Reggie set off after the service, leaving the Girls to attend to another car. Hubert Dees garage, close to Crittall's Corner, Sidcup. Re-developed into commercial units with security cameras. Such a shot would be non PC anyway. (RL)

The sisters return to the main road for Dover.

The location now.

Tom brings Freddie to a stop when he realises that they forgot to buy the GB plate. As termed at the time of filming, this is Sidcup By Pass Road and in the background can be seen the rear of houses on The Green, Sidcup. (RL)

On the move once again, the boys are overtaken by Beryl and Marjorie. Sevenoaks Road, Orpington with The Hillside off to the right. (RL)

Taken from the safety of what is now a very busy road. The house is still there looking very much the same. (RL)

Ignoring the film crew's shadows to the bottom left, we focus on Freddie as the ancient can approaches a roundabout. The junction of Leesons Hill, Clarendon Way and Sayes Court Road in Orpington, Kent located by Mike Green.

Interesting to see first hand the softness and colour that had been introduced since filming. (RL)

The taxi's steering seizes and Tom struggles with the wheel. Mike Green identifies this as the junction of Leesons Hill, Clarendon Way and Sayes Court in St. Paul's Cray adding that the roundabout has since been removed.

The roundabout has indeed since been removed. (RL)

A couple of circuits of the roundabout . . . . The junction of Leesons Hill, Clarendon Way and Sayes Court Road in St. Paul's Cray, Orpington found by Mike Green.

No by-standers to watch me filming. (RL)

. . . . seem to cure the fault.

When Reggie smells burning rubber, Tom brings Freddie to a stand.

After Reggie and Tom solve the engine problem, two young Boys laugh as the dustbin they have attached to Freddie's bumper is dragged along the road.

The dustbin breaks free further on.

With the old cab running very low on fuel, Tom stops near a firework shop. Lessons Hill in St. Paul's Cray, Orpington looking towards Chislehurst Road recognised by Mike Green.

Keith Prested remarks that the area was in the throws of being developed at the time of shooting. The houses at a higher level on the left are now partly obscured by undergrowth on the banking, but the house at the top still gives away the location.

Reggie purchases a rocket from the store.

Fixing the rocket to the back of Freddie and lighting it gives enough force to get moving again. Mike Green locates this as Lessons Hill in Orpington Kent.

Trees now obscure the houses in Keith Prested's view.

Right behind Beryl and Marjorie, Reggie and Tom reach Dover. This is Folkestone Road with Dover Castle on the distant hill and Priory Station Approach Road ahead to the left.

Howard Baker wasn’t prepared to stand in the road to take this one so castle is not quite in the right spot. (RL)

The gates to Dover College are passed. The gates stand at the junction of Folkestone Road and Priory Station Approach Road in Dover, Kent.

Howard found changes during the intervening years, the copper beeches have grown a lot, the gates are new and minus the text.

Reggie and Tom recall their schooldays as views of Dover College are shown.

Howard provides this replacement shot having, by chance, obtained the caretakers permission to have access for the exact shot. Our thanks and those of Howard go to the caretaker, very much appreciated. (RL)

Freddie passes the gate of Dover College. Folkestone Road with Priory Station Approach Road to the right.

Howard tells us that the gap in the street on the left about to be filled with overpriced flats. The gap nearer the middle is the railway cutting leading to the tunnel. (RL)

Reggie keeps his eyes peeled for signs to the docks as they pass the Market Square. Looking from New Bridge into Bench Street with the corner of Snargate Street to the left and Townwall Street to the right. Although there has been much destruction of the town's architecture since the 1950s, on Google Streetview the building to the top left was seen to stand derelict between 2009 and 2019 and the right hand side of the capture to be a vacant lot during the same period.

Now that Snargate street is a dual carriageway Howard had to take this shot from the other side of the road. The old Bench Street is pedestrian only and has an underpass to get to… captures 55 and 56.

Finding a sign directing them to the docks, Tom turns left from New Bridge onto Waterloo Crescent on the sea front.

This is the actual view at the end of New Bridge, only one 'shelter' now remains says Howard but it is not here! (RL)

Preempting the turn in the previous capture, this view is of the junction formed by New Bridge, Cambridge Road and Camden Crescent with Cambridge Terrace as the background. The junction also makes an appearance in 'Contraband – Spain'.

A perfect comparison shot from Howard. (RL)

Reggie catches sight of the girls' Jaguar ahead. Marine Parade with the gates to Eastern Docks in the right background.

This shot from Howard confirms the redevelopment of the Dock, at least twice since 1954 says Howard. The cliffs confirm the camera location. (RL)

Beryl stops at the gate and asks an Official where she can get some petrol.

Howard took this from the other side of the roundabout looking into the port, once again the cliffs are fairly constant. (RL)

Tom and Reggie follow Beryl and Marjorie into the dock complex. Facing west towards the gates of Eastern Docks at the junction of East Cliff and Marine Parade in Dover.

A shot from Howard looking back from the roundabout at the bottom of Jubilee way. (RL)

Moving forward, Beryl parks next to one of the pumps at the petrol station. The Petrol Station at Dover Eastern Docks. Not much, if anything, of the dock complex from the 1950s now survives.

Beryl and Marjorie turn around when the noise from Freddie's engine startles them. Looking towards the Reception Hall at Dover's Eastern Docks.

Leaving the petrol station, the Jaguar and Freddie join other waiting motorists. In the background stands the Reception Hall.

After Reggie and Tom let a tyre down on the girls' car to initiate helping them, a Patrolman arrives to fix the flat. Outside the Reception Hall of the Car Ferry Terminal at Dover Eastern Docks.

Boarding commences and cars begin to drive onto the ferry. One of the pair of ferry ramp portals at Dover Eastern Docks.

Passing through customs, Beryl heads towards the ferry ramp. The Customs Shed at Dover Eastern Docks which, along with the rest of the complex, is also seen during 'San Ferry Ann', 'Contraband - Spain', 'Johnny English', 'Bond of Fear', 'Diamonds are Forever' and 'The Fourth Protocol'.

With nothing to declare, Tom and Reggie leave the Custom Shed. Facing the white cliffs bellow Cliff Road in Dover, Kent.

The camera pans with Freddie as he follows the Jaguar towards the ferry loading ramp.

Beryl and Marjorie drive onto the ferry as Freddie approaches the ramp.

On board MV Lord Warden the girls are introduced to the boys by a mutual friend and they all decide to make for the south of France in the back of the Jaguar XK.

Not wanted on voyage, Freddie returns to England and propels himself ashore. Another view of one of the port's ferry loading ramps.

Freddie passes through the gates of the docks. The gateway of Eastern Docks where East Cliff and Marine Parade meet in Dover, Kent.

On the road again, Freddie makes his way back to London . . . where he ends up in a second hand car lot.