Something Always Happens

Date: 1934
Director: Michael Powell
Production Company: Warner Brothers-First National Productions

Stars: Ian Hunter, Nancy O’Neil, Peter Gawthorne, John Singer, Muriel George, Barry Livesey
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

An unemployed car salesman is encouraged by his girlfriend to approach the head of a petrol company with his plan for making petrol stations more attractive to customers.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

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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

Remaining behind after all the other Children are called home by their mothers, Billy (John Singer) stares at a hopscotch court drawn on the pavement. Dave W and I believe this to be the Peabody Buildings, Bedfordbury, London WC2, and this more specific location likely to be the Estate courtyard with the entrance to Block D behind the boy. (RL)

  • Capture 2
  • 'Now' required

Looking down from her tenement flat, a Mother (Maire O'Neill) sees the lonely street urchin playing on his own. Again, the Peabody Buildings, Bedfordbury, London WC2, although a little less specific as to the particular face of the building, but as Dave says,"appears to be that on Bedford Court but solid evidence has yet to reveal itself". (RL)

  • Capture 3
  • 'Now' required

Feeling hungry, Billy wanders the streets before being caught stealing from a fruit stall. Whereas all other locations at the beginning of the film seem to be genuine places, this has the appearance of a set.

  • Capture 4
  • 'Now' required

Rescuing Billy from the angry Street Vendor, Peter Middleton (Ian Hunter) takes him along to Mrs. Badger’s lodging house where the pair take a room.

  • Capture 5
  • 16 Oct 2021

Cynthia Hatch (Nancy O'Neil) gets out of her Bentley on the north side of St. James’s Square in London SW1.

Looking towards Duke of York Street. SJ

  • Capture 6
  • 16 Oct 2021

While her Chauffeur parks the car, the shot follows Cynthia as she disappears into the building. The steps of 12 St. James’s Square.

Different railings but the lamppost remains. SJ

  • Capture 7
  • 16 Oct 2021

When an acquaintance tells him that he has a client looking for a 1934 Bentley, Peter seizes the opportunity to earn some commission and begins to search the streets. St. James’s Square in SW1.

This definitely needs a return in winter to compare the buildings but this may have to suffice for now. Taken from just inside the railings. SJ

  • Capture 8
  • 16 Oct 2021

The unemployed car salesman continues to check parked vehicles until spotting Cynthia‘s Bentley and approaching her Chauffeur. Looking north on the west side of St. James’s Square.

The centre of the square appears to be "squarer" now. SJ

  • Capture 9
  • 16 Oct 2021

Cynthia turns up while Peter is inspecting her Bentley and the two begin to hit it off before being driven away to an expensive restaurant. St. James’s Square SW1 with King Street to the top left.

A brighter day in a different era. SJ