Escape! (1930)

Date: 1930
Director: Basil Dean
Production Company: Associated Radio Pictures (ARP), Associated Talking Pictures (ATP)

Stars: Gerald du Maurier, Edna Best, Gordon Harker
Location(s): Cambridgeshire, Devon, Huntingdonshire, London

Region(s): London E-G, South East E-L, South West

Storyline:

Whilst working in a group in the grounds of a prison, a convict manages to escape and is hunted down.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Ray Edwards

The film was remade as ‘Escape’ in 1948

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Capture 1
'Now' required

During the opening scenes of the movie, we see riders gathering for a fox hunt. Steve Randall has identified this location as Fitzwilliams Kennels in Milton Park near Peterbough.

Capture 2
14 Jul 2020

The hunt gathers in the village outside a hotel. This is the village of Wansford near to Peterborough, partly in Cambridgeshire with this section of Bridge End in Huntingdonshire at the time of filming.

Looking north on Bridge End, Wansford, towards the bridge over the River Nene. SJ

Capture 3
14 Jul 2020

Wansford, with The Haycock Hotel in the background.

In the midst of renovation on my visit. SJ

Capture 4
14 Jul 2020

The hunt continues to gather outside the houses opposite The Haycock Hotel on Bridge End. In the distance stands the Church of St. Mary The Virgin.

One can just make out the spire peeping out over the greenery. SJ

Capture 5
11 Jul 2020

The movie now cuts to London where the crime is committed. Outside Hyde Park Corner tube station in Knightsbridge W1. This entrance was closed after 1932.

Now the Wellesley Hotel. SJ

Capture 6
11 Jul 2020

Entering Hyde Park via Decimus Burton's Gate. The location features in 'Joanna', 'Toomorrow', 'The Magic Box' and the 1948 version of 'Escape' while the screen is also seen from the other side during 'The Sandwich Man', 'The Lady with a Lamp', 'The Wildcats of St. Trinian's', 'The Optimists of Nine Elms' and 'Brannigan' amongst other productions.

Looking east towards Apsley House, where the Wellesleys live, on the left. SJ

Capture 7
11 Jul 2020

Crowds gather in Hyde Park beneath a statue. This is the statue of Achilles in the south-east corner of Hyde Park, London W1 which is also seen in 'Wanted for Murder'.

With the Hilton peeping up on the right. SJ

Capture 8
19 May 2021

The "Convict" to be (Gerald du Maurier) smartly dressed in top hat and tails walks past the Bandstand in Hyde Park. The bandstand is located near Serpentine Road in Hyde Park also appears in 'Wanted for Murder', ‘The Alphabet Murders’ and 'Joanna'.

I was not too sure of the angle here so chose a bending tree trunk and random lamp-post. SJ

Capture 9
19 May 2021

Local police receive information of a crime having been committed.

The clock face on the café is hidden behind the tree. SJ

Capture 10
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News of the crime committed in Hyde Park hits the streets of London along with the sentence given to the Convict. Newspaper vendors outside a "Grill Room". The "Grill Room" of the 'Piccadilly Hotel' (now 'Le Meridian') on the north side of Piccadilly Christopher Matheson tells us and supports with a 1935 photograph with all the essential confirmatory evidence. (RL)

Capture 11
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The movie now turns to the prison with this view of the Gatekeeper's Lodge.

Capture 12
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The camera pans right and we see the prisoners inside the prison, walking towards the gate before exiting to do some work outside the prison. This is Dartmoor Prison, Devon. Beyond the gates are the administration buildings. Two years after this movie was made, there was a riot at the prison and these administration buildings were destroyed by fire along with the complete files of every prisoner ever held there. The prison makes an appearance in the 1948 version of this production 'Escape' as well as 'Lucky Break' and 'They Made Me a Fugitive'.

Capture 13
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After escaping in the fog, the Convict awakens beneath this water wheel.

Capture 14
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Heading towards The Warren House Inn, our convict looks for somewhere to hide. This is the Warren House Inn on the B3212 road in a very remote location of Dartmoor, Devon.

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Making his way to the local village, he hides from others behind the field wall.

Capture 16
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The Convict having crossed the river makes for the roadway. This is the East Dart River in the hamlet of Postbridge on Dartmoor in Devon. There are two bridges shown here. The one in the foreground is an ancient 13th Century Clapper Bridge. The other bridge is old too, having been built in the 1780s.

Capture 17
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Dressed in clothes and carrying fishing gear given to him by the lady of the house, the Convict leaves the property where he was hiding.

Capture 18
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The Convict commences fishing beside a bridge. Steve Randall with his good detective work discovered this is bridge is a Grade II listed building. It is Dartmeet Bridge in Dartmeet, Widecombe in the Moor, Devon. It was built in 1792 and is adjacent to an even older bridge Dartmeet Clapper Bridge ( possibly Bronze Age).