Sinister Man, The (An Edgar Wallace Mystery)

Something appears to be floating in the turbulent water near Marlow Weir on the River Thames at Marlow in Buckinghamshire.

Steve Randall found that it's possible to access this view of the weir from the overflow parking area of the Compleat Angler Hotel.

On closer inspection, a tarpaulin tied to a bough can be made out. The Thames at Marlow with Marlow Bridge to the top left and All Saints’ church top right. The location also features in 1933’s ‘Three Men in a Boat’ as well as 'Purab Aur Paschim' and 'Sailing Along'.

The closest angle Steve Randall could get without getting wet.

At Parsons Green, the Lock Keeper (Wilfrid Brambell) replaces a lifebuoy before drawing on his cigarette. This is Marlow Lock on the River Thames in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.

Phil Richards found a perfect day to visit Marlow Lock. In view of the limited scene in the screen capture Phil took this wider shot for us. (RL)

One last drag is taken before the nub end is flicked into the canal. Marlow Lock on the River Thames in Marlow.

Nobody 'flicking nub ends' whilst Phil was there. (RL)

The Lock Keeper's Assistant (Keith Faulkner) crosses the canal before the hoot of an approaching boat sounds in the distance. Marlow Lock with buildings on the north bank of the river in the right background.

Steve Randall discovered that the lock itself and the surrounding properties show many changes.

As he leans on the balance beam of one of the lock paddles, the Lock Keeper's Assistant spots the floating bundle in the water. Marlow Lock, Buckinghamshire.

The background house remains in Steve Randall's comparison.

The Lock Keeper goes to fetch a hook to retrieve the wood.

Phil found a significant number of changes since filming took place. However, he was pleased to see that houses seen elesewhere in the sequence remain with immaculate frontages. (RL)

Superintendent Wills (John Bentley) and Detective Sergeant Stillman (Brian McDermott) leave the scene as the body is taken away. Marlow Lock on the River Thames in Buckinghamshire.

The lock now appears cluttered in Steve's shot.

The two Detectives look up river to where their investigation will start. Looking west from Marlow Lock with Marlow Weir to the left and the steeple of All Saints’ church in the distance.

The view from the footbridge leading to the lock by Steve Randall.

While the Superintendent learns that the body had been in the water for around two weeks, the news reaches the streets. The bridge across King Charles Street linking North Black and South Block in London SW1.

Unchanged but perhaps a little cleaner looking. SJ

The camera tilts down to where a Vendor (Ernie Rice) sells a newspaper carrying headlines about the murder victim discovered at Parson's Green. The entrance to King Charles Street at the junction with Parliament Street and Whitehall.

The phone box to the left has gone. SJ

Major Paul Amery (Gerald Andersen) buys a copy of the paper. Facing south on Parliament Street with the Houses of Parliament in the left background.

And the phone box has moved around the corner and the one in the background has moved out a little. SJ

Reading the headline, the Major stops in his tracks before hailing a cab to take him to the Kytang Embassy. The junction of King Charles Street, Whitehall and Parliament Street in SW1.

Looking north. SJ

Major Amery sends a message to Superintendent Wills to meet him at the Kytang Embassy on the film's Consort Gate SW1... Indeed SW1: 17 Belgrave Place (SJ) and Dave W came up with that while you were editing! (RL)

Grade one listed. At the time of filming was the Institute of Metals but it looks empty or is very private at the moment. Also seen in The Counterfeit Plan, Breaking Point and All Night Long. SJ

After the Major identifies the murder victim as Professor Neil Rayburn, the Superintendent heads for Oxford. Facing Balliol College Porter's Lodge on Broad Street.

David Steers found the Balliol skyline unchanged.

Various establishing shots of the city set the scene. This is Broad Street with Balliol College to the left and the Clarendon Building in the extreme right distance.

The view along Broad Street now by David Steers.

Looking east along Broad Street. Other parts of the street feature in 'Who Killed Lamb' and 'Sebastian'.

David Steers returned to Broad Street.

Catte Street with the spire of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin beyond the Radcliffe Camera in Radcliffe Square.

Catte Street where David Steers points out Hertford College on left and the Bodleian library to right.

Looking beneath Hertford Bridge on New College Lane with New College Chapel Bell Tower in the distance.

Underneath the bridge at Hertford taken by David Steers.

At the College of Oriental Studies, Superintendent Wills questions Doctor Nelson Pollard, Doctor Maurice Tarn, John Choto, Elsa Marlowe and Mitch Hallam who worked on ancient artefacts alongside Professor Rayburn. This building stands at the corner of Catte Street and New College Lane in Oxford, a location that appears in ‘The Mind Benders’ and ‘Sebastian’.

David Steers captured the unchanged wall and sign.

Doctor Maurice Tarn (John Glyn-Jones) watches in the background as Detective Sergeant Stillman tells Superintendent Wills that the tarpaulin has been traced. The entrance to Brasenose College on Radcliffe Square.

The Superintendent and his Sergeant return to Scotland Yard. Radcliffe Square with the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin in the background.

University Church from Radcliffe Square by David Steers.

Superintendent Wills is driven to a boatyard near Windsor. Richard Marum identifies this as looking north on Straight Road, Old Windsor in Berkshire.

Richard found that the house opposite is virtually obliterated by tree growth.

Entering the premises, the Superintendent is told that that the tarpaulin was undoubtedly sold by the company. The sign to the top right reads Clevald Services which Richard Marum advises stood at 105 Straight Road in Old Windsor and, as far as he can tell, was still trading in the mid 80s.

The site has been redeveloped as Richard's comparison view shows.

At the Kytang Embassy, His Excellency Mr Nam Lee demands answers about the missing artefacts as the Superintendent continues his investigation... From 17 Belgrave Place looking south-east on Eaton Place, SW1. (SJ) and Dave W came up with that while you were editing! (RL)

One of those frequent moments when one returns to the "editing" room to discover one's not captured enough on Eaton Place for a completely accurate match. Perhaps one to return to, but later in the day if sunny. SJ

At Martins Boat Hire in Cookham, Vera Martin (Lesley Nunnerley) descends from the office to call her father Joe to the phone.

'Martins Boat Hire' is now 'Volvo Penta' boat house replacing the original so Phil Richards did his best to replicate the scene in this wider shot. (RL)

On their way to Martins Boat Yard, Superintendent Wills, Detective Sergeant Stillman and Major Amery are held up at a level crossing. Station Road, Bourne End in Buckinghamshire with the gable of the station building to the top.

Phil captured the same scene today even managing to include what looks like the same telegraph pole. (RL)

The train gathers speed as it leaves the station. The level crossing on Station Road adjacent to Bourne End station with the signal box just visible to the top right.

Now in Bourne End Phil found that the train tracks no longer cross the road. (RL)

At the boat yard, the Superintendent learns that Joe Martin has gone to rescue a Honeymooning Couple who have run aground.

A wider shot from Phil as it is not now possible to replicate the screen capture following redevelopment of the site. (RL)

Long after Joe Martin fails to return, the Honeymooners (Timothy Parkes and Jane Murdoch) arrive back at the yard and explain that they had no problems during their trip. Across the top of the capture, Cookham Bridge takes Ferry Lane across the Thames.

A more colourful shot from Phil revealing that the pipe once joined to the side of the bridge has been disposed of. (RL)

At Scotland Yard, the Superintendent's enquiries focus on John Choto and his knowledge of martial arts before the young man is arrested. New Scotland Yard seen from the corner of Derby Gate and Victoria Embankment in SW1.

Returning to Oxford, Superintendent Wills and Detective Sergeant Stillman head to the travel agency where Doctor Pollard had booked several trips abroad. The Old Quad at Brasenose College, a location that also appears in 'Another Country'.

As the Detectives' car departs, Dr. Pollard arrives outside the college. Facing north in Radcliffe Square, Oxford.

Tris captured the view north from Radcliffe Square.

Dr. Nelson Pollard (Patrick Allen) makes his way through the college. The New Quad at Brasenose College.

Entering the building, the Doctor hears about the latest visits from the Police from Mitch Hallam and Dr. Tarn. In the background stands Brasenose College Chapel.

Taking Miss Marlowe with him, Dr. Pollard drives to the judo club where he's a member.

Directed by Dr. Pollard, Elsa Marlowe (Jacqueline Ellis) is led towards the entrance of the Bushido Judo Club.

As they approach the door, Elsa struggles to escape.

A Bystander (Paula Wright) spots smoke pouring from Dr. Pollard's car after a discarded cigarette end falls onto the carpet.

The Fire Brigade are called as Passers By attempt to put out the fire.

As the Superintendent faces Dr. Pollard inside the club, Nam Lee's chauffeur Soyoki (Arnold Lee) arrives on the scene.