Man’s Affair, A

Following on from scenes of holidaymakers at the beach, we're treated to a trip to the fun fair. The Scenic Railway at Dreamland Funfair in Margate, Kent located by David John Bassett.

Other rides appear, including the Octopus, as two coal miners, Jim and Ted, and two young women from London, Sheila and Phyl, collide with each other whilst sliding down the helter skelter. David Bassett again identifies as at Dreamland, Margate.

Ted Davies (Cliff Gordon) watches his mate Jim Murdoch (Hamish Menzies) have a go at ringing the bell on the 'Test Your Strength' machine. Dreamland in Margate recognised by David Bassett.

Drivers of all ages enjoy the Brooklands Speedway. David advises that this is Dreamland at Margate in Kent, a location that also appears in 'Jazz Boat'.

Throughout their visit, the two pairs of friends keep on bumping into each other. A final view of Dreamland, Margate located by David Bassett.

Followed from the fair by Ted and Jim, Sheila and Phyl head for Ramsgate's beach as sunbathers continue to enjoy the good weather.

Nearby, Leonard (Wallas Eaton) arrives in the resort looking for the girls. David Bassett tells us that this is facing the Coronation Ballroom, part of Merrie England, on Marina Esplanade in Ramsgate. The venue was relaunched as Pleasurama in 1966 and later became a bingo hall. The building can also be seen in 'À nous les petites Anglaises'.

The start of another weeks has Jim and Ted returning to the coalface. As suspected by Karl Williams, this is a distant view of Chislet Colliery at Hersden in Kent which closed in 1969.

More Miners arrive for work as shifts change. Jonathan Dent discovered contemporary newspaper articles advising that filming was taking place at Gedling Colliery in Nottinghamshire which confirm the location.

Emerging at the pithead, Ted and Jim leave work behind for the day. Gedling Colliery in the Nottinghamshire Coalfield.

After Ted's young brother Joe fires his catapult at Jim, the camera follows the two pals as they head home. Reports in the Nottingham Guardian and the Daily Mirror found by Jonathan Dent confirm the location as Gedling Colliery to the north of Gedling in Nottinghamshire.

As the two Londoners continue with their holiday, Sheila (Diana Decker) returns to the Balmoral Private Hotel. David Bassett advises that the hotel stands on Eastern Esplanade, Broadstairs in Kent.

Greg Pryce found a replacement shelter in the background.

Called over by Phyl (Joyce Linden), Sheila admires the 'Sultan's Blush' applied to her friend's nails. The garden of the hotel on Eastern Esplanade in Broadstairs located by David Bassett.

Minor alterations are apparent in Greg Pryce's comparison.

Sheila apologises to landlady Mrs. Emily Mustard (Pat Nye) when asked not to dry her bathing dress from the window. David Bassett identified this as looking along the frontages of neighbouring properties on Eastern Esplanade.

Walking with Ted's sister Joan after she meets the two miners on the road from the colliery, Jim spots Joe Davies (Malcolm Thomas) in his front garden.

The two young men wrestle on the lawn.

Setting off to band practice, Evan Davies (D.L. Davies) sees the pair fighting before laughing and telling Jim to keep Joe in order.

Jim calls "hello" to George (Jack Vyvyan) as he walks to the station with Ted.

While the pair wait for the train to Ramsgate, Ted worries about Sheila turning him down because he is a miner.

Whilst taking Sheila for a drive, Leonard's car breaks down. Identified by David Bassett, the North Foreland Lighthouse stands in the right background. The lighthouse also features in 'Cry Wolf'.

Changes to the lighthouse are apparent in Nick Boorman's comparison.

Leonard watches Sheila disappear after she gets a lift from a passing truck. David Bassett explains that this shot is taken along the B2052 road with a view over Joss bay and North Foreland Golf Club.

The scene now by Nick Boorman.

Getting back into his Singer Roadster, Leonard starts we engine without trouble and speeds away. The road running north from Broadstairs to Kingsgate Bay with the North Foreland Lighthouse to the left, located by David.

John Harwood took this shot while scouting for "Cry Wolf." (SJ)

With Jim held up at work by a gas leak, Ted runs to catch the 4 o'clock train. The bridge taking Hill Road over the railway in Chinnor, Oxfordshire.

Antony Blair returned to the bridge 73 years on.

Ted crosses the road and opens the gate to the steps leading to the station. The railway bridge on Hill Road as it runs south-east from Chinnor.

Once through the gate, Ted resumes his pace. The Watlington branch line from Princes Risborough.

The best shot available to Antony Blair due to the reconfigured platform, embankment and hedge.

Asked by Jim to tell Sheila that he will be late, Ted sprints towards the train. Chinnor station on Station Road in Chinnor, Oxfordshire.

Antony Blair captured a similar scene with the station on the right.

Signalling “right away” to the Driver, the Guard steps back into the carriage as the train pulls away. Facing north-east at Chinnor station with the bridge carrying Hill Road in the left background.

Ted rounds the corner of the station building and reaches the platform. Chinnor station closed to passengers in 1957 but was reopened in 1994 by the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway Association and has been used for filming various television series’ including ‘Miss Marple’ and ‘Midsomer Murders’.

Too late, Ted watches as the train gathers speed. Opened in 1872. Jonathan Horswell points out that "Despite all other scenes being filmed at Chinnor station, this is a different station. Chinnor only ever had one platform and one track, even today."

Looking back, the Guard shouts to Ted that the next train is at five thirty. The north end of the platform at Chinnor railway station in Oxfordshire with properties on Wykeham Rise to the top right.

The truck drops Sheila on Ramsgate's Prince Edward's Promenade, near the West Cliff Bandstand, a location identified by David Bassett.

Thanking the Driver, Sheila gets out to wait for Jim. Located by David Bassett, this is Prince Edward's Promenade, Ramsgate with the West Cliff Bandstand and terraces to the right.

While Jim finishes clearing the gas from the mine, Sheila continues to wait. David Bassett tells us that West Cliff Bandstand has since been replaced by a Boating Pool but the pavilions on either side still stand.

Moving down to the sea front, Sheila checks her watch. Western Undercliff in Ramsgate located by David Bassett.

Running two hours late, Jim travels into Ramsgate with Rose Davies (Joan Dowling) and the two look for Sheila. The shore below Western Undercliff in Ramsgate with the lift to Prince Edward's Promenade to the top right. David Bassett explains that rather than the stone and shingle seen here, a sandy beach was created in the late 1950s which is now known as Western Undercliff beach, Ramsgate's artificial beach.

Jim asks Rose why she's crying. The beach below Western Undercliff in Ramsgate, Kent located by David.

Leonard approaches Sheila after spotting Jim with his arm around Rose. The much changed Western Undercliff, now known as Royal Harbour Road, with the path leading up West Cliff to Prince Edward's Promenade in the background recognised by David Bassett.

Having told Sheila that Jim was on the beach with Rose, Leonard drives her back to the Balmoral Hotel where Ted is getting to know Phyl. David Bassett explains that this is facing north on Eastern Esplanade, Broadstairs.

Sheila gets out of the Roadster and tells before telling Ted's that she's not interested in the message from Jim. Currently known as the East Horndon Hotel, the building stands on Eastern Esplanade in Broadstairs, Kent as identified by David Bassett.

Greg Pryce matches the screen capture with his shot taken 73 years later.

With both of them losing their sweethearts, Ted and Jim walk to the pier. Ramsgate’s East Pier recognised by David Bassett, with Merrie England alongside Marina Esplanade in the background and Wellington Crescent behind the East Cliff Bandstand crossing the top of the frame.

Greg Pryce captured the East Pier now.

Eyeing up other prospects as he walks, Ted attempts to console Jim. The East Pier in Ramsgate with the now Grade ll listed Royal Victoria Pavilion in the left background.

Another view of the East Pier by Greg Pryce.

Climbing up from his boat after mooring up in the harbour, Leonard is confronted by the two miners. The East Pier in Ramsgate, Kent.

A fight breaks out between Ted and Leonard. East Gulley below Ramsgate's East Pier.

With Leonard left lying in fish at the bottom of a boat, Phyl follows Rose and Sheila onto the pier after Jim wanders away. Again identified by David Bassett, this is East Pier, Ramsgate in Kent.

Greg Pryce provides the comparison.

Disheartened, Jim walks alone as Rose and Sheila run to catch up with him. Outside the Merrie England Funfair on Harbour Parade facing Ramsgate's seafront located by David Bassett.