Once a Sinner
Date: 1950
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Production Company: John Argyle Productions
Stars: Pat Kirkwood, Jack Watling, Joy Shelton
Location(s): Essex
Region(s): South East M-Q
Storyline:
A bank clerk marries a good time girl but she two-times him for her crooked former boyfriend.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
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- Capture 1
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Once the titles end, an evening view of the Kursaal amusement park in Southend-on-Sea, Essex is revealed.
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To set the scene, holidaymakers are shown enjoying the seaside.
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- 03 Jul 2022
A busy promenade. Looking east along Marine Parade in Southend-on-Sea, opposite Marine Gardens, with the frontage of the Olympia entertainment venue to the right of centre.
Not quite as busy in Jon Wennington's comparison.
- Capture 4
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More merriment at the Kursaal amusement park in Southend-on-Sea.
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One of the Kursaal’s Roller Coasters with the incline of the Water Chute in the top background.
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In a small room overlooking the amusement park in fictional Eastport, Irene James tells Jimmy Smart that she's landed a job at the Imperial Hotel and won't be coming to see him again. The Water Chute at Southend-on-Sea’s Kursaal with properties on Woodgrange Drive in the left background.
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Irene leaves Jimmy in his bed-sitting room and makes her way to the hotel.
- Capture 8
- 03 Jul 2022
Looking towards Western Esplanade in Southend-on-Sea, Essex with the Palace Hotel on Royal Hill in the background.
Although Jon Wennington was hemmed in by hoardings, the hotel is still recognisable and currently going under the cumbersome name of "Park Inn by Radisson Palace, Southend-on-Sea".
- Capture 9
- 03 Jul 2022
Irene James (Pat Kirkwood) runs along the promenade chased by Jimmy. Facing east on Marine Parade, Southend-on-Sea with the Kursaal in the centre distance.
Marine Parade as it appears 72 years on, taken by Jon Wennington
- Capture 10
- 03 Jul 2022
Looking over the Boating Pool in Marine Gardens with Marine Parade in the background.
Jon Wennington captured a rather different view..
- Capture 11
- 03 Jul 2022
A Policeman approaches when he spots an altercation between Jimmy Smart and John Ross who has intervened in the growing argument between Irene and her lover. Marine Parade in Southend-on-Sea. The premises in the background now form the Monte Carlo Amusement Centre.
It's hard to miss the Monte Carlo in Jon Wennington's shot.
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While the two men face each other, Irene boards an open top bus. Marine Parade, opposite Pleasant Road.
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John jumps onto the bus as it pulls away and sits down opposite Irene. Western Esplanade running between Southend-on-Sea and Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex.
- Capture 14
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At the film's Seacliffe, Irene and John Ross (Jack Watling) alight from the bus together. Chalkwell Esplanade in Westcliff-on-Sea, opposite Crowstone Avenue. The bus is a Brighton, Hove & District AEC Regent, re-bodied in 1942 with ECW convertible coachwork identified by Howard Berry.
- Capture 15
- 03 Jul 2022
On a evening out at the Imperial Hotel with his girlfriend Vera Lamb, her Parents and his friend Lewis Canfield, John spots Irene in a glamorous dress. The Palace Hotel on Royal Hill in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, which also features in 'Killing Dad or How to Love Your Mother'.
The same hotel with added floors by Jon Wennington.
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With the dance over, John escorts Mrs. Lamb (Rose Howlett) and her daughter Vera (Joy Shelton) home.
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Mrs. Lamb follows her husband Hector (Charles Paton) into the house while John and Vera say goodnight.
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Walking home along the promenade, John crosses over to Irene after seeing her leave the Wellington public house.
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On another night, John arrives at the Imperial Hotel and asks for Miss James after ordering a drink in the bar.
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At the end of a late night out with John, Irene gets out of the taxi after the pair kiss and enters the Imperial Hotel.
- Capture 21
- 03 Jul 2022
The next morning, John wakes late and has to run to work at the bank. Western Esplanade in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex with buildings on Shorefield Gardens and San Remo Parade to the top right. Rossi’s ice creams are still sold at the location.
With cars parked all around, Jon Wennington found the angle awkward but managed to provide this view of the modern Rossi’s.
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That evening, John runs towards Irene after Lewis Canfield drops her off.
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After John asks Irene to marry him, the two make their way to see her Father.
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The couple walk along a gangway towards the houseboat where Ticker James lives with his partner Lil looking after a baby girl.
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Following their wedding, John and Irene visit her Mother and brother Bill where he is warned about his new bride.
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When the couple split after the marriage turns sour and it's revealed that the baby looked after by Ticker is Irene's, John goes looking for his wife on the story's Blaver Street.
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Dropped off by Irene driving a stolen car, Jimmy Smart (Sydney Tafler) makes his way to meet a contact and collect some money
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Watched from the shadows, Jimmy looks around the darkened street.
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Three Men approach Jimmy forcing him to back up against a wall before being set upon.
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Fleeing after stabbing one of the Thugs, Jimmy is pursued by John and the remaining Men.
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Injured after being shot, Irene drives Jimmy back to Blaver Street.
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Irene runs away when John catches up with her at the house.
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The couple are reconciled and catch a train to Seacliffe to start their life afresh . . . .