Family Life
Date: 1971
Director: Ken Loach
Production Company: EMI Films, Kestrel Films
Stars: Sandy Ratcliff, Grace Cave, Bill Dean, Hilary Martyn, Alan MacNaughtan, Michael Riddall, Malcolm Tierney
Location(s): Hertfordshire, London
Region(s): London E-G, South East E-L
Storyline:
A troubled teenager’s mental condition is exacerbated by her unfeeling parents and the cold, ineffective solutions of medical practitioners who prescribe drugs and electro-convulsive therapy.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
Also known as ‘Wednesday’s Child’ (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 titles appear over a montage of sepia stills.
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Up to date housing on modern estates fill the screen. Facing east on Burleigh Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire with the wall of an electricity substation on the right. (SR)
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Children cycle along empty streets. The substation is seen to the right as we face north on Burleigh Road. (SR)
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Open windows let in fresh air.
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An alley leading to, who knows where? In fact, towards the twin tower blocks of Pelham Court in Hemel Hempstead, with the alley running by the side of no. 26 Burleigh Road. (SR)
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A train bound for Ealing Broadway enters the station where 19 year old Janice Baildon is sitting on one of the benches. Westbound platform 1 at Bethnal Green Underground station on the Central Line.
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After the train departs, Janice Baildon (Sandy Ratcliff) is assisted along the platform by a member of Staff. Bethnal Green Underground station on Cambridge Heath Road, London E2.
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The unkempt girl is taken to the surface. The escalators at Bethnal Green Underground station.
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Another member of Staff comes to help. The sub-surface booking hall at Bethnal Green Underground station.
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Janice is escorted from the station. The booking hall at Bethnal Green Underground station beneath the junction of Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green Road and Roman Road in Bethnal Green E2.
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Following questioning by the Police, Janice is driven home.
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The shot follows the Morris Panda Car until it disappears from view.
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Continuing to pan left, the camera finds the back gardens of a row of houses.
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A WPC holds Janice by the arm she walks the young woman to her front door.
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Across the road, a Neighbour watches from behind his car.
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Vera Baildon (Grace Cave) opens the door and helps her daughter inside.
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On another day, the doors open to let Janice out of a lift as it arrives at the booking hall of an Underground station.
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Following other Passengers to the exit, Janice leaves the station and makes her way to see her friend Tim.
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Later that night, Tim (Malcolm Tierney) gives Janice a lift home on his scooter.
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When her Mother won't let her into the house, Janice returns to Tim and the two ride away together.
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Switching the hallway on, Mrs. Baildon looks out from the front door.
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Janice returns home at lets herself into the house where her parents ignore her as they eat their breakfast.
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Following a spell as a patient in a mental hospital, Janice returns to the Art College where she and Tim the two look through the window as he describes the view as being her Mum and Dad, early to bed, early to rise . . . normal. Dave W tells us that specifically we are viewing from an upper floor of the University Of The Arts London whose entrance is in Lime Grove W12 opposite the former Gaumont Film Studios. Looking north-west towards the distant chimneys and cooling towers of Acton Lane Power Station which closed in 1983. (RL)
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Tim explains to Janice that the streets are training camps where she is expected to do the same thing.
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A Man looks over the fence into the Baildon's garden where Tim and Janice are spray painting everything blue.
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Mr. Baildon (Bill Dean) arrives home from shopping with Vera.
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Janice's Father stares into the back garden in disbelief.
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Back in hospital, Janice approaches Paul Morris (Johnny Gee) as he sweeps one of the driveways.
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Another Patient watches the two as they clean up leaves together.
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The pair move on to the next place that needs sweeping.
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Janice asks Paul if he's finished brushing up before suggesting that they go for a walk.
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Arriving while her parents are visiting, Tim takes Janice from the hospital.
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Janice climbs onto the back of Tim's scooter.
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The two ride away as Mrs. Baildon complains to the Hospital Consultant.
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After dark near Tim's flat, a car indicates to turn right. Dave W places this as showing 43 and 42 Lansdowne Crescent, W11 on the left Lansdowne Rise falling away in the darkness behind them. (RL)
- Capture 36
- 12 May 2025
The Mk I Cortina Estate slows before parking behind an ambulance. While browsing Christopher Matheson's 'London On Location' website, Alan Bourke found that this is outside number 2 St. John's Gardens W11.
Looking west with ominous RS scaffolding to the left. SJ
- Capture 37
- 12 May 2025
Accompanied to Tim's front door by his Colleague (Edwin Brown), the Hospital Consultant (Bernard Atha) rings the bell. Facing number 1 St. John's Gardens W11 found by Alan Bourke on 'London On Location'.
And there it is, covering no1. This will need replacing in the future. SJ