Perfect Strangers

Date: 1945
Director: Alexander Korda
Production Company: London Film Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios

Stars: Robert Donat, Deborah Kerr, Glynis Johns, Roland Culver
Location(s): Buckinghamshire, London

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

Separated by their enlistment during World War II, a dull married couple reunite after three years to find that they have become very different people.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

Also known as ‘Vacation from Marriage’ (US Title)

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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.

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The view of the smoking chimneys of 1940 London from the rooms where the mundane Robert and Cathy Wilson have lived for almost four years since their wedding.

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Leaving his wife in their flat, Robert Wilson (Robert Donat) leaves for work, touching his hat as he greets Mrs. Hemmings (Elliott Mason).

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Cathy watches from a window as Robert joins the growing queue at the bus stop. 'Kinematograph Weekly' Thursday 24th August 1944 states, "At Denham, Construction Manager Frank Gibson is meanwhile building the huge exterior Kensington Street setting for shooting on the unit's return." (RL)

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The bus deposits Robert in the City where he is employed as a book-keeper by Jones & Hargrove. Looking along Mansion House Street towards the junction of Threadneedle Street and Cornhill, London. EC3 with the Royal Exchange in the left background. Other views of the location can be seen in many productions including 'The Mackintosh Man', 'What's Good for the Goose', 'Two Gentlemen Sharing', 'The Green Man', 'The Passionate Friends', 1951's 'Scrooge', 'Wanted for Murder', 'A Touch of Class', 'Circus of Fear', 'Tube Tales', 'Der Gorilla von Soho', '28 Days Later . . .', 'The Lavender Hill Mob', 'Monsieur Ripois' and 'Bobbikins'.

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Cathy sees Robert off at the station when he enlists to join the Navy. A matte covers the top part of the scene that appears to have been shot at the studio.

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Leaving Cathy behind in London, the train carries Robert off to Rockhampton to begin his training at HMS Benbow.

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Bored housewife Cathy Wilson (Deborah Kerr) joins the WRENs.

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Air raid sirens sound at home. Looking south along the Thames with Hungerford Bridge crossing the bottom centre. Brettenham House to the bottom right and the Houses of Parliament in the right distance.

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A bomb falls on the street where Robert and Cathy's flat stands. Another matte shot which appears to include the Kensington Street built at Denham, Buckinghamshire. (RL)

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In the devastated street, an ARP Warden (Vincent Holman) reads out telegrams from Cathy and Robert to Mrs. Hemmings.

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Having served many months in the the Women's Royal Navy Service, Cathy gets to know Richard (Roland Culver).

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When Cathy arrives with the mail, Meg (Mollie Munks) and Jeannie (Jeanine Carre) read letters from home.

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A double headed express takes Robert and his pal Scotty McAllister back to London on leave.

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Reaching the studio street on which he lives, Robert shows Scotty where his flat is.

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Post Script. Anthony McKay discovered this article from The Sphere newspaper, dated 23rd March 1946, which reports on the building of the set at Denham used in the production.