Main Chance, The (An Edgar Wallace Mystery)
Date: 1964
Director: John Knight
Production Company: Merton Park Studios
Stars: Grégoire Aslan, Tracy Reed, Edward de Souza
Location(s): Kent, London
Region(s): London M-N, South East M-Q
Storyline:
A disgraced pilot is enlisted to carry a cargo of diamonds by an electronically sophisticated crook who has a room full of computers and recording devices to assist his smuggling.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
Can you help:
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
- 24 Sep 2023

After handing over a door key to Christine in a café, Miller (Bernard Stone) asks Michael Blake where he's from as they drive to the races. Richard Lovejoy (RL) identifies the scene as Queens Road, Hersham in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey with Sir Richard's Bridge taking Ashley Road across the South Western Main Line in the centre background.

Peter Bywaters found more trees which have been allowed to mature.
- Capture 2
- 24 Sep 2023

Miller continues to quiz Blake about his background. RL explains that the brick wall stands on the eastern side of Sir Richard's Bridge while the roof of number 101 Ashley Road can be seen to the left.

Behind the trees, Peter Bywaters explains that a row of new houses built along the railway embankment have obscured number 101 Ashley Road.
- Capture 3
- 24 Sep 2023

Blake tells Miller that there's only one thing he needs to know about him . . . "I don't like questions'. Mayfield Road in Walton-on-Thames located by RL, with Walton-on-Thames railway station in the background.

Peter Bywaters found that building upgrades to the station have already been made with more to come, it appears.
- Capture 4
- 02 Feb 2022

Watched by Christine, Michael Blake (Edward de Souza) leaves a bookmakers. The east side of Queensway in Bayswater W2 . . . .

. . . . facing number 74. (PW)
- Capture 5
- 02 Feb 2022

The gambler steps off the pavement to get into his car. Looking south on Queensway.

Parked vehicles obstruct the view. (PW)
- Capture 6
- 02 Feb 2022

Blake is surprised to see Christine (Tracy Reed) sitting on the back seat of his Triumph Vitesse. Queensway in Bayswater W2 with Bayswater station in the background.

The building seen under construction in 1964 still stands to the right. (PW)
- Capture 7
- 14 Feb 2022

With the radio playing, Blake drives to meet with Christine's employer. Looking east along the A244 Esher Road at Hersham, Surrey located by Richard Marum.

In Richard's comparison, Riverside Road can be seen to the left on the opposite side of the road.
- Capture 8
- 14 Feb 2022

As the Triumph speeds past the camera pans to follow. Esher Road in Hersham, looking west identified by Richard Marum.

Richard points out the junction for Hersham and Walton-on-Thames at the roundabout adjacent to the Texaco petrol station in the distance.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required

The disgraced ex-RAF pilot turns from the main road and follows a driveway to the house where Potter and his secretary Christine are waiting.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required

Outside the front door of the mansion, Charles the Chauffeur (Anthony Bailey) looks up from polishing the bumper of a Mercedes as Blake brings his car to a stand.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required

Declining Potter's offer of a job, Blake leaves a club after bookmaker Harry Carter demands that a gambling debt is paid. Not a stones throw from the Bayswater Road, in fact looking towards Bayswater Road and Kensington Gardens, Dave W finds Blake leaving 74 Queensborough Terrace, London W2 (RL)
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required

Watched by Christine, Blake gets into his car and drives home to find that his flat has been ransacked and his money stolen. Having found the previous capture location and Blake having to have fortunately been able to park outside Dave sees the view now to be that of the other side of Queensborough Terrace, the Bayswater Road and Kensington Gardens. (RL)
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required

Having returned to accept Potter's offer of work collecting a package by aircraft for £1500, Blake leaves the sophisticated smuggler's house.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required

Coming out of a property on the estate, Christine waves as Blake approaches.
- Capture 15
- 14 Feb 2022

Giving Christine a lift to town, Blake asks questions about her employment before she declines his offer of dinner. Richard Marum recognised this as the former A3 Hook Roundabout slip road which was replaced with Hook Rise North when the Esher Bypass opened in 1976.

The now closed A3 Hook exit taken by Richard.
- Capture 16
- 14 Feb 2022

Blake returns from another meeting with Potter during which the route he will fly is explained. Richard Lovejoy (RL) identifies this as the underpass at Hook in Surrey, at the junction where the A3 Kingston Bypass meets the A243 Hook Road.

Richard Marum explains that this is the A3 eastern approach to the underpass with the closed slip road on the right and the Esher bypass bearing off to the left.
- Capture 17
- 14 Feb 2022

Facing eastward along the Kingston Bypass at Hook identified by RL.

The A3 western approach to the underpass captured by Richard Marum.
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required

Following an initial flight, Potter and Christine arrive at a private flying club where Blake has just landed. Valerie Ryan explains that her brother John Stuart Hoare was the pilot for the flying scenes in this production which were shot at Biggin Hill in Kent. Sadly, John passed away in October 2023.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required

The next day, on the pretence of taking Potter on a business trip to France, Blake prepares the Piper PA-30-160 Twin Comanche. Biggin Hill confirmed by Valerie Ryan.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required

Potter (Grégoire Aslan) says goodbye to Christine. Biggin Hill airfield near Bromley, Kent found by Paul Brennan.
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required

Charles helps Potter into the aircraft. Recognised by Paul Brennan, this is Biggin Hill airfield.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required

Crossing the Channel, Blake lands in northern France.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required

A car approaches as Blake taxis from the runway. Biggin Hill airfield at Biggin Hill in Kent confirmed by Valerie Ryan who's brother John Stuart Hoare performed the flying in Twin Comanche G-ASLE.
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required

Potter gets out of the Piper and walks towards his French connection before Blake takes off again. Valerie Ryan confirms that the flying scenes were shot at Biggin Hill airfield.
- Capture 25
- 'Now' required

At a remote airstrip two Frenchmen (Alexander Juran and Makki Marseilles) light cigarettes as Blake comes in to land.
- Capture 26
- 'Now' required

The two Men drive up to the Piper after it touches down and a case full of diamonds is swiftly handed to Blake.
- Capture 27
- 'Now' required

Back in England, Charles answers a radio telephone call as he spots Blake coming in to land.
- Capture 28
- 'Now' required

With the case received by Charles. Ross (Jack Smethurst) knocks the chauffeur out and takes it before being driven away by his boss Joe Hayes (Stanley Meadows).
- Capture 29
- 14 Feb 2022

After Charles takes Hayes to Potter and they realise that they have both been double crossed, Christine is seen smiling as she drives away. Looking across Reigate Avenue recreation ground from Reigate Avenue in Sutton, Surrey with Glenthorne High School in the left distance located by Richard Marum.

Richard provides this matching view.
- Capture 30
- 14 Feb 2022

The camera follows the Austin Cambridge as Blake flies back to the Continent. Richard Marum identifies this as passing beneath the Blackfriars to Sutton railway bridge on Reigate Avenue in Sutton with the 1930s St. Helier estate in the right background.

The trees, graffiti and speed camera are the most notable changes in Richard's comparison.

