It’s Hard to Be Good
Date: 1948
Director: Jeffrey Dell
Production Company: Two Cities Films
Stars: Anne Crawford, Jimmy Hanley, Raymond Huntley
Location(s): Hertfordshire, London, Middlesex
Region(s): London H-L, South East E-L
Storyline:
A conscientious captain emerges from the war with ambitions to spread peace and goodwill, but finds that his message is misunderstood.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
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
With shells falling all around, a Private approaches Captain James Gladstone Wedge (Jimmy Hanley) to advise that the ammunition trucks can't get through as the enemy has taken the bridge.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
After the war, Alice Beckett (Joyce Carey) natters with Mrs. Peak who tells her that she has heard that Tom and Ethel's son James is coming to live with the Becketts in their overcrowded house.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
Having been waiting with Jimmy at the station, Mary Leighton (Anne Crawford) stands up when his train approaches.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
As the train pulls out of the station, Jimmy calls back to Mary but his words are drowned out by the whistle of a passing engine. Jonathan Horswell identifies this as looking north from the down platform at Cowley station on the Uxbridge Vine Street branch.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Mary waves back at Jimmy from the platform. Facing south towards West Drayton on the down platform at Cowley station on Station Road, Cowley in Middlesex located by Jonathan Horswell.
- Capture 6
- 15 Aug 2020
While walking alongside the canal with Daphne, Jimmy helps an old woman struggling to maneuver a barge. Recognised by Antony Blair, this is facing west along the Grand Union Canal as it passes through Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire with The Fishery Inn in the right background.
A similar view from Antony who replaces his Google shot.
- Capture 7
- 15 Aug 2020
Jimmy struggles to get the blue and red barge up to speed. The Grand Union Canal at Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead with the River Bulbourne running adjacent beyond the wall.
A peaceful scene from Antony with the Fishery Inn car park on the far bank of the canal.
- Capture 8
- 15 Aug 2020
Spotting Jimmy from a bridge, Tommy Beckett (Cavan Malone) calls back to Alice, Edward and Ellen. Facing north on the bridge taking Fishery Road over the canal with The Fishery Inn to the right.
The rebuilt bridge by Antony Blair.
- Capture 9
- 15 Aug 2020
The barge continues towards the lock gates dragging Jimmy along the tow path. The Grand Union Canal running beneath the bridge carrying Fishery Road with the walls of Fishery Lock on the left.
Antony captured the scene beneath the bridge, now with added graffiti.
- Capture 10
- 15 Aug 2020
After a collision with the lock gates, the Bargee (Howard Douglas) pushes Jimmy into the water. The Fishery Inn alongside the Grand Union Canal in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire identified by Antony Blair.
Again replacing his earlier Google capture, Antony took this shot of the pub which dates from 1905.
- Capture 11
- 27 Aug 2020
Jimmy runs from the Post Office after phoning Mary and telling her that he has found a house and has been called to an interview for a job at the Gazette. Antony Blair advises that the building is the Head Post Office standing at the corner of Windsor Street and Cross Street in Uxbridge, Middlesex. The building also appears in 'Chain of Events'.
The evidence from Antony, who replaces his earlier Google shot with this original.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Running around a corner Jimmy finds a crowd gathering to watch a fight along the street.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
Sergeant Todd (Geoffrey Keen) and the Gazette's Photographer accompany Jimmy as he leaves Buckingham Palace after receiving his Victoria Cross. This view appears to be a set of the roadway outside Buckingham Palace.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
After explaining that, during the war, Jimmy was unwittingly involved in a black market racket, Todd is driven away in his car. Following on from a back projected scene, this is outside the gates of Buckingham Palace at the end of The Mall in SW1.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
Punched by an irate Husband following a misunderstanding, Jimmy staggers back and falls into a dustbin.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
Two Officers approach Jimmy and salute him as he attempts to extract himself from the dustbin.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
Along the road, the Husband (Sam Kydd) catches up with his Wife.
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required
Mary romantically envisages her marriage to Jimmy.
- Capture 19
- 13 Aug 2020
Returning from their honeymoon, Mary and Jimmy arrive back in Langham. Hayes and Harlington station on Station Approach in Hayes, Middlesex located by Antony Blair.
To prove the location, Antony provides this capture of the station building before demolition. Image copyright Google.
- Capture 20
- 01 Sep 2020
Outside the station, Jimmy looks at a poster advertising a meeting at which he is principal speaker.
Moving on from the previous comparison, Antony took this wider shot of what the location currently looks like.
- Capture 21
- Pre 2008
A Lad selling pin badges featuring the Captain watches the couple's taxi drive away. Station Approach outside Hayes and Harlington station in Hayes, Middlesex
