Secrets of a Door-to-Door Salesman

Having been woken by the shipping forecast on the radio, David and Martina are rudely interrupted in bed by his brother Anthony who tells him that their Dad has fallen overboard from his fishing boat. Annalong Harbour, County Down in Northern Ireland. (SR)

While Martina telephones for the lifeboat, David (Brendan Price) and Anthony Clyde (Steve Patterson) rush from the house.

Following Mr. Clyde's death by drowning, David drives to London after inheriting £3,000.

David picks up Martina (Jean Harrington) who tells him how she became to be dressed in just a blanket at the roadside.

Travelling together, the two reach London. Looking across the River Thames from outside County Hall towards Victoria Embankment with the Ministry of Defence on the left and Whitehall Court to the right.

The Charing Cross Station development fills the right hand side of the panorama as does the 'Thames Tideway Tunnel' the riverside. (RL)

Panning left, the camera follows the David's journey as the Albany crosses Westminster Bridge. Facing west towards SW1 with the Houses of Parliament to the left and New Scotland Yard on the right.

Street furniture once again takes centre stage but at least the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) is gradually being revealed again. (RL)

A Policeman (Chic Murray) walks towards David's parked car as Martina dresses beneath a blanket. Outside Morton's Gateway in SE1 with traffic on Lambeth Palace Road passing in the background.

Fewer flagstones here and the tree has swollen. SJ

While being questioned by the Officer, David explains that the car is brand new. The corner of Lambeth Palace Road and Lambeth Road with Imperial Chemical House, now Norwest House, across the Thames beyond Lambeth Pier.

A bus stop has added to clutter. SJ

The Constable asks for David's licence as Martina runs off to find Mrs. Henley's house where she is to begin work as an Au Pair Facing the wall of St. Mary's churchyard with Lambeth Road and Lambeth Bridge House in the background.

Only Eustace House (left of the churchyard's gateway) on the very unbusy Lambeth High Street remains as was in the background. SJ

An American Tourist (Ray Marioni) takes pictures of his Wife nearby. Looking towards Lambeth Bridge with Millbank Tower and Thames House in the distance.

A similarly clear day. SJ

The American's Wife (Anita St. John) poses in front of the Albany whilst her photo is taken. Facing Morton's Tower outside Lambeth Palace in SE1. The Tudor gateway also appears in 'Too Hot to Handle'.

The same dappled sunlight. SJ

With the Policeman sitting next to him, David set off to Mrs. O'Flaherty's boarding house in Haven Hill, Hamstead. Facing the junction of Lambeth Palace Road, Lambeth Road and Albert Embankment with the entrance to Lambeth Bridge indicated by the obelisks and Millbank Tower in the right distance. The location can be seen in many other films including 'Unearthly Stranger', 'A Dandy in Aspic', 'Seventy Deadly Pills', 'The Man Without a Body', 'The Naked Truth', 'Midnight Lace' and 'The Vault of Horror'.

Vauxhall Cross development extends into the skyline on the left. SJ

Dropping the Officer off on the way, David reaches Mrs. O'Flaherty's address. Antony Blair (AB) identifies this as looking south-west on Riverdale Gardens in Twickenham, Greater London.

The view now by Antony.

A sign at the gate indicates that there are no vacancies. This is Dalemead, a care home at 10-12 Riverdale Gardens in Twickenham. (SR)

Dalemead today, still going strong. (SR)

Feeling deflated, David looks along the street and spots a sign advertising accommodation next door. In the background stands number 3 Riverdale Gardens, found by AB.

Antony grabbed a clear shot of the property.

Knocking on the door at Mrs. Donovan's, David takes the room in the house where all the other lodgers are young women. 8A and 8B Riverdale Gardens. (SR)

The front wall removed to make way for parking. (SR)

After phoning film maker Jake Tripper as suggested by Penny, the former lobster fisherman heads for a side street off Edgware Road in the hope of getting a job. Wardour Street in W1 at the entrance to Bourchier Street with the corner of Old Compton Street in the right background.

Our hero appears to have been replaced by a pigeon! (PW)

Following Jake's instructions, David locates the kosher butcher shop at the end of a cul-de-sac. Looking north-east along St. Anne's Court in Soho, a passage that also features in 'Cover-Girl Killer', 'Where Strangers Meet', 'The Share Out', 'The Small World of Sammy Lee’, ‘Inadmissible Evidence’ and 'Son of a Stranger'.

St. Anne's Court now. (PW)

Entering the shop, David makes his way to the yard at the back. Facing 128 Wardour Street at the corner of St. Anne's Court. in W1.

A neater entrance. (PW)

In the yard, David searches for a small green door. Looking towards Dean Street along Bourchier Street W1.

Facing the same direction almost 49 years later. (PW)

Another direction is checked. Bourchier Street in Soho, which can also be seen in 'Last Night in Soho' and 'Where Has Poor Mickey Gone?'.

Recognisable as the same location. (PW)

David eventually finds Anglo-Titanic International Films. Facing east on Bourchier Street in W1.

Taken a little closer due to the redevelopment seen in the previous capture's comparison. (PW)

Leaving the film business behind, David gets a position with Mr. Vincent's vacuum cleaner business and makes his first call in Acton where Martina answers the door.

Leaving Martina inside the house to deal with the Children, David walks to his car to collect the Tidee-Up vacuum cleaner. Number 1 Ravensbourne Road in Twickenham located by Antony Blair (AB) . . .

. . . who revisited the property.

After cleaning up at Miss Henley's house, David drives on to his next call. Riverdale Road in Twickenham identified by Ananda Guha.

Ananda provides this comparison.

The Albany is parked outside the customer's house. Ananda Guha locates this as Riverdale Road, Twickenham.

The location now taken by Ananda.

Returning to collect the vacuum cleaner after ringing the doorbell, David finds it missing. Facing 18 Riverdale Road identified by AB.

The scene now. (AB)

Out on his beat, the Policeman again comes across David. AB recognised the background buildings as numbers 9 and 11 on Park House Gardens, Twickenham.

And this is what they look like now. (AB)

David demonstrates the Tidee-Up on the front path after the customer explains that her budgerigar has escaped from its cage. Across the road at 8 Park House Gardens. (SR)

A wider view of the property captured by Ananda Guha.

Daylight begins to fade as David moves on to another appointment. Tangley Grove in Roehampton, London SW15 located by Geoff Dodd. (RL)

Overton House was also seen in "Every Home Should Have One." SJ

Feeling wary, David parks before entering the high rise building where his customer is waiting. Geoff Dodd identifies this as Tangley Grove, Roehampton with the block to the left being Overton House. Geoff also tells us that the change-over scene from the ambulance to the Jag in 'Robbery' was also filmed on Tangley Grove. (RL)

Replacing a scaffolded Google shot sent in by Geoff. SJ

Inside the customer's flat, the Tidee-Up is switched on which causes the block's electricity supply to fail. Overton House on Tangley Grove in Roehampton SW15 located by Geoff Dodd. (RL)

The west side of Overton House. SJ

A taxi draws up outside the boarding house bringing air-stewardess Sally Cockburn back to her former lodgings. 8A Riverdale Gardens. (SR)

John Harwood took this view after the recycling lorry had been.

Getting up late after allowing Sally to share her old room, David heads to work. St. Margaret's Road in St. Margarets, Twickenham.

A sunny comparison taken by Richard Marum.

The camera follows the Albany. St. Margaret's Road with the corner of The Barons to the right. The area was seen in ‘Strongroom’, ‘Jungle Street’, 'Double Bunk', 'Emergency' and ‘The Vault of Horror’ amongst other productions.

Richard Marum follows the car's route.

David and his Tidee-Up approach the first call of the day. Looking from the frontage of number 5 Riverdale Gardens, identified by Antony Blair (AB).

The same spot now. (AB)

Picking up the machine, David carries it to the front door of the house.

Mrs. Green stands in the doorway eyeing up the salesman.

Making a break from the house, David speeds away. Antony Blair identifies this as looking down Riverdale Gardens with the white house on the left being number 7.

The location now. (AB)

On another day, David is happy to spend time with Martina beside the Thames. Recognised by Richard Marum, this is the riverside at Richmond with Richmond Mansions on the far bank. The spot is adjacent to 87 Petersham Road, site of the Three Pigeons Inn which was built in 1870 but gutted by fire in 1995.

There are more river craft in Richard's view.

Martina tells David that she is from Kiel and that her father was a fisherman. Richard Marum identifies this as the riverside at Richmond with Richmond bridge in the distance.

The metalwork barrier survives in Richard's modern shot.

David is disappointed to hear that Martina is returning home and the two agree to spend her last night on the town together. The entrance to the Grade II listed Terrace Gardens on Richmond Hill, Richmond, located by Richard Marum.

Richard's comparison features the current lamp-post.

Angry at the outcome of the previous evening, David arrives at his first customer.

Holding a book entitled 'The Sensuous Woman', Sandra Bell (Tara Lynn) answers the door.

Slipping through the window of Mrs. Bell's bedroom when her Husband arrives home, David checks that the coast is clear. Found with the help of Antony Blair, this is outside number 31 Arlington Road, Twickenham, adjacent to Howmic Court.

Without trespass, John Harwood centres on the corner of number 31.

Fleeing naked along the driveway, David runs to his car. Antony Blair locates this as facing properties at the junction of Ravensbourne Road and Arlington Road in Twickenham.

Taken from the mouth of the driveway, which seemed private, the comparison reveals a substantial extension across the road. (SR)

Putting on his coat when reaching the Albany, David turns to see . . . Arlington Road recognised by Antony Blair.

This is how the location appears in 2021. (AB)

. . . the Policeman. Arlington Road in Twickenham, found by Antony Blair.

John Harwood visited Arlington Road at the same time as Steve R but managed to get this one in. (SJ)

Fired from his job, David prepares to leave the lodging house. Outside numbers 9 and 11 Riverdale Gardens advises AB . . .

. . . who proves the identification with this comparison.

David's fellow boarders wave to him as he drives away. Riverdale Gardens again. (AB)

And again! (PW)

Setting off to return home, Martine walks to her taxi. Numbers 3, 5 and 7 on Ravensbourne Road, Twickenham in Greater London. (AB)

Antony captures the scene now.

The Au Pair climbs into the cab telling the Driver to take her to London Airport. Ravensbourne Road again. (AB)

A different vehicle obstructs the view in Antony's shot.

Catching up with Martine's taxi, David turns to pull up in front. Antony Blair identifies Arlington Close seen from the junction of Arlington Road and Ravensbourne Road in Twickenham with number 35 on the left.

Casting a shadow over the scene, John Harwood took this comparison.