Small Town Story

The credits play over various views of the story's small town. Richard Lovejoy identifies this as looking along High Street in Haslemere, Surrey with the King’s Arms public house immediately to the right.

David O'Donogue found the shot difficult to recreate from street level and suspects that the camera was positioned in an upper window of what was then Lloyds Bank.

Settling on a shot of the church, the titles end with a caption explaining that this is Oldchester and the year is 1948. St. James church in Shere, Surrey, recognised by RL, which appears in many other productions including 'Bachelor of Arts', 'Reunion at Fairborough', 'The Late Edwina Black', 'The Hypnotist', 'Monster of Terror', 'On the Fiddle' and 'The Wedding Date'.

Some growth means shooting from a higher spot. SJ

A train approaches Oldchester railway station. In what may be stock footage, this is Winchelsea station on Station Road, Winchelsea in Sussex. Other views of the station can be seen in 'The Quiet Woman'.

Alighting from the train, Bob Regan (Kent Walton) hands over his ticket and starts to narrate "Oldchester. Just a small town, several miles south west of London . . . " This is the side exit from Worcester Park railway station on Malden Road in Worcester Park, Surrey.

John Harwood finds a bike shed, through which one can see the other platform's canopy, at the exit now. (SJ)

"Nothing unusual about Oldchester. Not famous for industry. No world wide celebrity was ever born there. In fact, nothing outstanding ever happened here until one day in 1948 when . . . . but that comes later . . . " Steve Randall found Shepherds Hill in Haslemere, Surrey.

Still a picturesque scene, captured by David O'Donogue.

"Much of the local interest centres around Oldchester United Football Club. A non-league club consisting of a group of enthusiastic part time players . . . "

"For example, Les Smith, the speedy left winger owns and runs his own grocery store. Al Brookes, United centre half and captain, has his own hairdressing business . . . ." RL advises that this is outside 36 High Street in Haslemere, Surrey next to Green’s Garage at 38, as per the sign, looking across to Causewayside in the High Street and The Georgian Hotel.

David O'Donogue returned to the location 69 years on.

"Inside right Billy Carter, schemer of the forward line, keeps the townsfolk supplied with fish . . . . " Number 36 High Street with the pumps at Green's Garage and number 35 opposite on the corner of West Street. Location found by RL.

"While old George Taylor, between milk deliveries, keeps the turf up to standard. And of course many others . . . "

"But none so important as the manager, secretary and general organiser, Michael Spencer Collins. He lives for football and the future of the United . . . " This is Melbourne Road in Bushey, Hertfordshire, located by Stephen Honeyman.

"As I approach his house I wonder whether or not he still runs his small garage business, which during the war employed one motor mechanic, with his daughter Jackie serving the petrol." Stephen Honeyman advises that this is one of two pairs of semi-detached houses that stand on Melbourne Road, Bushey adding that the homes were built by artist and engraver Hubert Von Herkomer for his staff and stand opposite the world's oldest film studios which were operational until the 1980s.

The house as it appears now by Pete Hammond.

Soon after Michael Collins gives Bob a place on the team he appears in his first game. This is Hayes Football Ground on Church Road in Hayes, Middlesex with properties on Freemans Lane in the left background and The Royal Oak public house to the top right.

Declining the offer of a trial with the Arsenal, Bob takes up his old job at Michael's garage.

As a car stops for fuel on the forecourt, Bob's old girlfriend Pat Lane approaches him in the workshop.

To the disappointment of Jackie Collins, Bob moves to London with Pat. St. Paul’s Cathedral at the eastern end of Ludgate Hill in EC4.

Really rather tricky aligning all up with the correct persepctive. SJ

The camera moves to St. Paul’s Church Yard, where London House stands to the left, and settles on the building where Bob and Jean talk about Al Benson's offer for a trial at Arsenal Football Club. The same footage appears in 'Recoil' released in the same year.

Contacting Denis Compton, the next day Bob arrives to look for him to ask advice.

Bob finds the friend he made during the war at the nets.

Preparing to bat, Denis Compton (Himself) looks up and spots Bob.

Accepting the talent scouts offer, Bob joins in with training at Arsenal's ground.

Highbury Stadium with buildings on Avenell Road in the top left background.

The Coach looks on as Bob skips with the other players. In the top background ticks the old clock at Highbury Stadium.

Throwing practice appears to take place at a different location.

When Dougie Lichman pulls a muscle, Bob appears in his first game for Arsenal. Arsenal's Highbury Stadium in Highbury, London N5 with the Baptist church at the corner of Aubert Road and Highbury Hill in the left distance.

The game continues with exceptional playing by newcomer Bob Regan. The stadium also appears in 'Jackpot' and, appropriately, 'The Arsenal Stadium Mystery'.

From the empty stand after the match, reformed prisoner Tony Warren sits deep in thought. Arsenal Stadium was home to Arsenal Football Club between September 1913 and May 2006. The location has since been redeveloped as Highbury Stadium Square incorporating the Grade II listed East and West Stands.

Becoming aware of Pat's real intentions and her involvement with Nick Hammond, Bob returns to Oldchester.

Carrying his belongings in a suitcase, Bob gets of the train. Picking up that John Street & Co. were estate agents in Worcester Park, Richard Lovejoy confirms that this is Worcester Park railway station on Malden Road in Worcester Park, Surrey.

John Harwood finds a similar look. (SJ)

Leaving the station, Bob heads to find Michael Collins and a place on Oldchester United's team. This is a reverse point of view at the location of the shot featuring the station's exit which was seen earlier. The side exit of Worcester Park station with Malden Road and Malden Green in the background.

John H. again who notes the bus stop aligns. (SJ)

Crowds head towards Oldcastle's ground to watch the match that will decide if the small town side gain promotion.

Tickets are purchased and spectators begin to fill the stadium.

The match between Bearhampton and Oldcastle gets under way. Facing north at Hayes Football Ground with the rear of houses on Freemans Lane crossing the background.

Bob scores for Oldcastle and half time ends with the local team ahead. Hayes Football Ground with The Royal Oak in the top left distance and buildings at the junction of Church Road and Longmead Road to the top right.

Nick Hammond (Alan Wheatley) and his sidekick Turner (Michael Balfour) follow Bob as he leaves the stadium when told that Denis Compton wants to see him. The alley alongside the Gaumont Cinema on The Parade in Watford with the Fire Station across the road on High Street. The cinema and the alley are glimpsed from the Fire Station in 1962's 'Go To Blazes'.

Leveling a gun at Bob, Nick forces the footballer into their car. The alley to the southern side of the Gaumont Cinema in Watford, Hertfordshire. The cinema closed in 1983 after being rebranded as an Odeon.

With Bob held at gunpoint, Nick and Turner make their getaway. The junction of Bushey Mill Lane and Radlett Road in Watford with Munden Drive heading away to the right.

A few alterations to the road layout at this junction, which also appears later, including better lighting as Simon Edwards' comparison shows.

Having witnessed the kidnapping, Tony Warren and Jackie Warren set off in pursuit. The public house in the left distance is The Fishery Inn on Watford Road, Elstree identified by Anthony Spencer who adds that the premises were closed and sold in 2020 but have since reopened as an Indian restaurant. The building can also be seen in 'Cross-Roads'.

Changes are apparent in Antony Blair's comparison.

The Austin A70 Hereford manages to clear a level crossing just as the gates are being closed. The level crossing is adjacent to Watford North station in Watford, Hertfordshire and carries Bushey Mill Lane over the railway running between Watford and St. Albans.

In Simon Edwards' modern view, unmanned automatic gates have, of course, replaced the manned gates.

Traffic lights delay the crooks' progress. The junction of Chalk Hill and Aldenham Road in Oxhey, Watford identified by Alan Twinam.

Simon Edwards notes that there are many changes here including the junction now being part of a one way system.

Tony Warren (Donald Houston) and Jackie Collins (Margaret Harrison) are held up at the crossing. Facing west at the level crossing on Bushey Mill Lane with Watford North station out of shot to the right. The location is also seen in 'Simon, Simon'.

Simon Edwards provides this current shot of Watford North level crossing.

Still with a gun pointed at him, Bob is marched into a suburban house. This is 21 Grange Road in Bushey, Hertfordshire found by Pete Hammond.

The house today boasts a smart hedge. (SR)

Tony wonders which way to go at a roundabout. Approaching the roundabout at the junction of Elstree Road and North Western Avenue in Bushey Heath. The location can be seen in 'Murder at the Grange' and 'Cross-Roads'.

A very changed view in Simon Edwards' image where today's roundabout can just be made out through the gloom of the M1 motorway which has been built over the scene.

Swerving to avoid a lorry, Tony is forced to take the first turning from the roundabout. John Beecham identifies this as Aldenham Road, Bushey in Hertfordshire.

John captured the view now explaining that the houses visible through the trees are on The Avenue in Bushey.

The second half of the game gets underway without Bob Regan. The south stand at Hayes Football Ground on Church Road, Hayes in Middlesex.

Tony and Jackie spot Nick's car before the reformed ex-con heads for the building to rescue Bob. Pete Hammond identifies this as looking towards number 21 Grange Road, Bushey.

Pete proves the location with this matching view.

Jackie turns the car around as Bob appears from the house before he jumps into the driving seat beside her and accelerates away. Looking towards the hedge surrounding the garden of number 1 Woodlands Road at the corner of Grange Road, Bushey discovered with the assistance of Pete Hammond. The corner plot is now occupied by several properties.

The two speed back to match between Oldchester and Bearhampton. Looking southward along Radlett Road from the junction with Bushey Mill Lane in Watford, Hertfordshire.

Simon Edwards took this comparison of the location, which was also seen earlier, where it can be seen that the junction has gained multiple keep left signs and a left turn filter lane.