Three Sundays to Live

After saying goodnight to his girlfriend Judy Allen at the Flamingo Club where he works, Band Leader Frank Martin is visited by Ruth Chapman before witnessing his employer Nick Barnes being shot by an unseen assailant. Piccadilly Circus in London W1.

A gloomy day to match the dark. SJ

Following Franks arrest in connection with the murder, Judy breaks into the Flamingo Club to search Nick's office for clues that may lead to the real killer and the mysterious Miss Chapman. With apologies for the poor quality of the print, this is supposedly in the Piccadilly area.

As a Policeman patrols the building, Judy escapes with letters to Nick written by several women.

The next morning, Judy drives to visit her boyfriend. Looking through gateway bars of Wormwood Scrubs Prison onto Du Cane Road in W12.

Antony Blair spent time behind bars to get this shot.

Finding a space, Judy parks outside the prison where Frank is being held whilst awaiting trial. HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs, seen many times before in films such as ‘Seven Keys’, ‘Frenzy’, 'Go to Blazes', ‘The Italian Job’, ‘The Horse’s Mouth’, 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square', 'The Challenge', 'Rotten to the Core', ‘Jungle Street’, 'Doctor in Clover', ’13 East Street’, 'The Hi-Jackers', 'Adventures of a Taxi Driver', 'Adventures of a Plumber’s Mate', 'Seven Green Bottles', 'Strictly Confidential', 'Three Steps to the Gallows’, 'Man Accused' and ‘Morgan, A Suitable Case for Treatment’.

Wormwood Scrubs now by Antony Blair.

Judy Allen (Jane Griffiths) gets out of the car and enters the prison to tell Frank about the letters. Looking east from the entrance road to Wormwood Scrubs Prison with the rear of properties on Du Cane Road in the background.

At the Old Bailey, Frank is sentenced to death for the murder of Nick Barnes. The dome of the Central Criminal Court on Old Bailey EC4, a location that features in 'The Blue Lamp', ‘Smart Alec’, ‘The Night of the Party’, ‘The Verdict’, ‘Flat Two’, 'Circumstantial Evidence', 'Never Look Back', ‘The Naked Edge’ and ‘The Pot Carriers’ amongst other productions.

Waiting for three Sundays to pass before he is hanged, Frank exercises accompanied by a Warder (John Longden) and an Assistant Warder (George Roderick).

Taking a break from playing cards, Frank looks through the window of his cell and sees a van enter the prison yard. The former St. Albans Gaol on Grimston Road, St. Albans in Hertfordshire, which also appears in 'Heaven's Above'.

Still recognisable from ground level. (PW)

The brings fresh meat, fruit and vegetables for the prison kitchen. The yard of the former St. Albans Gaol.

The best shot possible of the same location now. (PW)

When Frank feigns stomach pains, a Doctor is sent from the prison hospital. Opened in 1867, St. Albans Prison had become council premises by the 1920s.

Two Warders stretcher Frank towards the infirmary before he overpowers them. Part of the former prison is now St. Albans Register Office with an address of The Gatehouse at 1 Victoria Square.

Running to the delivery van, Frank pulls the driver from the cab and drives through the open prison gates. The Gatehouse of the St. Albans Prison on Grimston Road which found fame as Slade Prison in the television series ‘Porridge’ and also appears in 'Burning an Illusion'.

Escape through the gateway would be impossible now. (PW)

Frank escapes onto the main road outside the prison. Facing Grimston Road from Victoria Street in St Albans towards the gatehouse of the former prison.

A few changes to the layout here. (PW)

The camera pans with the van as Frank accelerates away. The bridge carrying Victoria Street over the Midland Main Line with the spire of the Trinity Congregational Church in the right of centre distance.

Looking across the same bridge. (PW)

Police cars are alerted to the escape by a radio message from headquarters.

Another wireless car begins to search for Frank.

The shot follows the car as it speeds from view.

Frank reaches a roundabout. Facing the corner of Hatfield Road and St. Peter’s Street in St. Albans with The Cock Inn as the backdrop.

The Cock still serves ale on the same corner. (PW)

The roundabout at the junction of Hatfield Road, St. Peter’s Street and Catherine Street.

A more colourful shot of the location now. (PW)

Panning with the van the shot moves around the roundabout at the junction of Hatfield Road, St. Peter’s Street and Catherine Street, a location that also appears in ‘All the Way Up’ and ‘Hand in Hand’.

No ABC cinema at the junction today but the building survives. (PW)

Looking towards the corner of St. Peter’s Street and Catherine Street in St. Albans, Hertfordshire.

Changes are apparent on this corner. (PW)

After negotiating the traffic on the roundabout, Frank continues to flee. Looking towards Church Green on St. Peter’s Street, St. Albans.

Taken from a similar position. (PW)

The camera finds the van a little further along the road. This is adjacent to The Pemberton Almshouses on St. Peter’s Street.

Looking across the road at the same buildings. (PW)

At a corner, Frank turns from the main road. The corner of St. Peter’s Street and Grange Road in St. Albans.

The ornate lamp post is no more. (PW)

Frank speeds onward, towards a waiting car that he asked Judy to arrange.

Looking back, Frank sees a police car in his side mirror.

Another corner is taken in an attempt to shake off the pursuing Officers.

Frank approaches a junction where he pulls up. Facing south-east on Harpenden Road at the junction with Townsend Drive and St. Bernard’s Road.

Taken during a lull in traffic. (PW)

Jumping out of the van, Frank runs to Judy in the waiting car. The northern end of the gated St. Bernard’s Road in St. Albans.

No waiting car when I visited . . . no gates either. (PW)

As Police Offices find the van, Judy drives away with Frank safely in the car. Holywell Hill in St. Albans with Holywell Lodge to the left of centre.

A remarkably preserved view. (PW)

Frank tells Judy to take the next left turn.

Judy brings the car to a halt after entering a mews. Dave W led me to SW7 with the later location identifications and he confirms my thoughts that this is Stanhope Mews East, London SW7 looking towards Stanhope Gardens. (RL)

The buildings on Stanhope Gardens confirm. SJ

As Frank prepares to get out of the car in his prison clothes, a Police patrol passes the end of the road. The end of the road Stanhope Gardens, London SW7 viewed from Stanhope Mews East. (RL)

And a little further to the left is the Adria Hotel seen in 'Undercover Girl'. SJ

Judy tells Frank that she's taking him to her Uncle's empty house where his solicitor, Howard Davitt, will meet them. Stanhope Mews East looking towards Stanhope Gardens once again. (RL)

Some changes here. SJ

The camera watches as Judy and Frank pull away and leave the mews. And finally, Stanhope Mews East, London SW7 looking towards Cromwell Road. (RL)

And more changes again. The mews arch has been preserved. SJ

Davitt tells of his progress towards a reprieve before Frank and Judy go to the film's Victoria Row in search of Ruth while following a lead from underworld connections. Too grainy to make out the location, this capture serves as a place marker in case we ever get a better copy of the film.

When news is released that Judy was shot by mistake after Ruth is found, Detective Inspector Morgan arrives to question Davitt about Frank Martin. Dave W tells us that this is Prince Consort Road, London SW7 looking east towards Exhibition Road. (RL)

Whilst we do not usually upload Google Earth Views for locations already identified, such is the extent of my INBOX having been away from the 'coal face', it is appropriate to acknowledge that Ray Glenister also identified the location and provided this View in support. (RL)

Watched by the Inspector from a nearby car, Davitt leaves his office. Given the previous capture, this, Dave says, has to be Imperial College of Science and Technology, once the 'Royal School of Mines' that also appears in 'The IPCRESS File'. (RL)

Once again and exceptional upload of a Google Earth View, for reasons explained above, sent by Ray who also identified the scene. (RL)

After Al Murry (Hal Ayer) turns up at the address where Frank and Judy are hiding, a fight breaks out between the two men on the roof.

While the Inspector questions Davitt after following his car, a Sergeant alerts them to the fight on the nearby roof.

Judy appears at the door of 85 Victoria Row as Davitt and the Inspector arrive. Outside the Lamb & Flag public house on Rose Street in London WC2. The street and pub are also seen in ‘The Black Windmill’.

It appears that the pub's frontage has been remodelled at some point. (PW)