Doctor in Distress

Behind the titles, Sir Lancelot Spratt drives his Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn towards the film's Hampden Cross Hospital. The opening sequence takes place in Holtspur Lane, and The Green at Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire, discovered by Ian T.

Holtspur Lane, Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire, at the junction with North Croft. Now the location of Citygate Volkswagen Van Centre. (SR)

The pompous surgeon frustrates the Driver of an ambulance who's trying to overtake.

Whyteleafe at 57 Holtspur Lane has had extensions but is still recognisable. The hedge on the left has been replaced with a fence. (SR)

An Ambulanceman (Peter Butterworth) leans from the window in an attempt to catch the road hog's attention.

The houses at the rear feature in the film capture, but the cottages in the foreground were built in 2004. (SR)

The Ambulanceman shouts and gesticulates for Sir Lancelot to get out of the way. Holtspur Lane, Wooburn Green in Buckinghamshire discovered by Ian T.

This string of Victorian "villas" remains largely unchanged. (SR)

Sir Lancelot continues on his way, oblivious to the following vehicle. Looking north on The Green at Wooburn Green located by Ian T.

A triangular traffic island has been added at this junction. (SR)

The Ambulanceman threatens to report the careless driver to the police. Ian T. found The Green in Wooburn Green with Holtspur Lane in the background.

London House, 11 The Green, stands on the right. (SR)

Up ahead, a traffic signal turns from green to red which brings Sir Lancelot to a halt beside Dr. Simon Sparrow's Mini Minor. The Green in Wooburn Green, almost opposite the War Memorial.

I almost got the clouds to match. (SR)

When the lights change, Dr. Sparrow pulls away ahead of Sir Lancelot. Facing north-east on The Green at Wooburn Green identified by Ian T.

This totally unnecessary location for traffic lights is now enhanced with a circus tent. (SR)

The annoyance continues as the Rolls Royce stays ahead of the ambulance.

For some unfathomable reason we're back at the location for capture 1. (SR)

Dr. Sparrow arrives at the hospital. St. Ives Road in Maidenhead, Berkshire with the Town Hall to the left. In the distance, the junction with High Street appears in 'Delayed Flight'.

Now. SJ.

Getting out of his Mini Minor, Dr. Simon Sparrow (Dirk Bogarde) enters the building. In front of Maidenhead Town Hall on St. Ives Road.

Phil continues to 'put to bed' the outstanding comparative shots. (RL)

Sir Lancelot enters the hospital grounds to find that Dr. Sparrow has left little room to park. Maidenhead Town Hall can also be seen in 'Carry On Doctor', 'Carry On Behind', 'Carry On Again, Doctor' and 'Doctor in Clover'.

Now with more foliage. SJ.

With bells ringing, the ambulance finally arrives at the hospital. Phil Richards runs lots of quizzes in and around Maidenhead and during breaks usually shows old film clips that were shot in the location of the quiz. He tells us "I've done a few in Maidenhead so have a library of material. One of the best films is 'Doctor in Distress' and during a quiz at St. Mary's church, seen in the left background, the bonus question featured the previous church building, not the current one, so there was plenty of interest. What made it very interesting was that in a close up of the noticeboard outside the 'old' church was a poster advertising the 'new' church building."

The Cedar of Lebanon still stands but the house made way for an open space in front of the library which opened in 1973. SJ.

Trying to manouver his Rolls, Sir Lancelot Spratt (James Robertson Justice) looks back to find that the ambulance has stopped directly behind him. The car park at the front of Maidenhead Town Hall.

Phil Richards took a trip in Maidenhead town and in taking this shot found that the old library has been replaced by a modern building and the war memorial relocated to the west side of St. Ives road immediately outside the Maidenhead Town Hall. (RL)

Sir Lancelot vents his displeasure to Dr. Sparrow and a Medical Student (Richard Briers) after seeing his surname misspelt on the foundation stone he's laying for the hospital's new maternity wing. For this scene we're at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire.

Leaning on the incomplete wall, Sir Lancelot begins his speech before the stone gives way causing him to fall and injure his back. Still at Pinewood, in the background is the Art Department and to the right is the Tunnel Stage, later Stage H and the site of today's Richard Attenborough Stage.

Dr. Sparrow gives patient Delia Mallory a lift home from the hospital. Facing northward on Park Lane at Grosvenor Gate in London W1 with Upper Grosvenor Street to the right.

One never knows whether the Park Lane traffic will be busy or not. Some fortunate timing here. SJ

After chatting about her job on the way, Dr. Sparrow drives into the car park of the flats where the photographic model lives. Haven Green Court, Ealing W5 located by Simon James. The block of flats is also seen in 'Echo of Diana', 'The Wrong Arm of the Law', 'The Return of Mr. Moto', 'The Sicilians' and 'Danger Route'.

Yes, Haven Green Court. SJ

A police car enters the car park from the opposite direction. Facing east in front of Haven Green Court.

Spotting the notice in the Mini's window, a Police Officer (Victor Brooks) asks if the Doctor can assist with an old lady who has passed out along the street before Delia Mallory (Samantha Eggar) goes inside. Haven Green Court in Ealing W5 located by Simon James.

The very same by SJ.

Having made arrangements to see Delia again, Dr. Sparrow takes her to meet Mr. Luther Heilbronn, a film director friend of a friend. Looking north on Park Lane W1 with South Street to the right.

This replaces my pavement-restricted and traffic-clogged Park Lane shot, posted the previous month. What a difference timing can make. All architecture remains the same including Aldford House on the corner, as well as a decent tree match on the left. SJ

Dr. Sparrow calls on Sir Lancelot. Windsor End in Beaconsfield Old Town, Buckinghamshire, advises Nick Cox, with the swagged brick wall and stone ball finials of Hall Barn Cottage to the left.

Antony Blair replaces Nick Cox's Google image with this view full of cars.

Entering the house, Simon asks Sir Lancelot about the sleepwalking that his Housekeeper has spoken about. Hall Barn Cottage on Windsor End in Beaconsfield identified by Nick Cox.

The property's ornate porch captured by Antony Blair.

Realising that he's in love with his physiotherapist Iris Merchant, Sir Lancelot attends Dr. Blacker's nature clinic in an effort to lose weight. Fulmer Chase on Stoke Common Road, Fulmer in Buckinghamshire located by Steve Randall who adds that the property was a former home of the Wills tobacco family.

A few days later, Dr. Sparrow drives through town. The yellow sign for Achille Sierre, a dry cleaning firm, is one that JT remembers from his youth and this is the eastern end of High Street in Maidenhead, Berkshire. If you were to put your back against the Courts furniture shop shown in 'Carry on Camping' you would see this view.

Tony Winzar points out the still extant three story brick building with an unusual curved frontage in the right background.

The Doctor spots a familiar figure entering a café on the main street. Continuity is good as this is the corner of High Street and St. Ives Road.

A further shot from Phil reveals that 'Mums Diner' is now a Gentleman's clothing shop and 'Courts' furniture store is now 'Sports Direct'. (RL)

Stopping his car, Dr. Sparrow follows Sir Lancelot into the café to find he has ordered two huge plates of breakfast. Across from the café on High Street in Maidenhead with St. Mary's House on the left and the wall of St. Mary's church to the top right.

Accompanying this shot from Phil he tells us that St Marys' church (which is up the drive immediately opposite) was demolished shortly after the film was made as the structure was unsafe. The original tower in other captures (C10, C13) was replaced by a steeple in the 1964 rebuild. (RL)

Sir Lancelot returns home and orders a corset in an attempt to maintain a slimmer shape. Nick Cox explains that this delightful house stands at the junction of Windsor End and Hedgerley Lane in Old Beaconsfield.

Antony provides this shot showing the frontage of the 18th Century Hall Barn Cottage, which replaces Nick's Google image.

Dr. Sparrow arrives at Sir Lancelot's house as the Corsetiere departs. Facing north on Windsor End in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

Windsor End on a very dull day. (SD)

When she apparently fails to respond to his advances, Sir Lancelot hires Mr. Holly (Timothy Bateson) to keep an eye on Iris Marchant (Barbara Murray). Maidenhead Town Hall on St. Ives Road, Maidenhead.

Phil went to the exact spot to find that all the wall and features have been covered in general foliage growth, and a lamp post. Of course, we would have believed him but he has sent a shot from the other side revealing that the same frontage of the Maidenhead Town hall and the relocated war memorial remain to substantiate. (RL)

The a Private Detective follows Iris to the railway station before losing her when he's taken ill with appendicitis. This is Windsor & Eton Central station in Windsor, Berkshire.

On another day, Dr. Sparrow arrives at the station to catch the train to London. More of the often used Windsor & Eton Central station in Windsor.

Iris walks along the platform followed by Sir Lancelot. Most of Windsor & Eton Central station has since been converted into a shopping centre leaving just one platform for the service to Slough.

Sir Lancelot watches Iris from a suitable distance and dodges into a doorway as the young woman looks up from a news-stand. Windsor & Eton Central station at Windsor.

A train approaches the station at speed. Located by Jonathan Horswell on his Railway Movie Database, this is the up main line approaching Maidenhead station in Berkshire.

After bumping into a refreshment trolley whilst hiding behind his umbrella, Sir Lancelot walks towards the edge of the platform. The down main platform at Maidenhead station, Station Approach in Maidenhead identified on the Railway Movie Database.

A railway Porter (John Bluthal) and the Refreshment Woman (Denise Coffey) turn to Dr. Sparrow after he calls out from his compartment window. Working on the usual method of numbering, this should be platform 4 at Windsor & Eton Central station.

The train departs after Sir Lancelot boards. Windsor & Eton Central station in Windsor, Berkshire, which appears in many productions including 'Carry On Loving', 'Left, Right and Centre', 'The French Lieutenant's Woman', 'Upstairs and Downstairs', 'A Run for Your Money', 'Lease of Life' and 'That’s Your Funeral'.

Watched by Sir Lancelot, Iris passes through the ticket barrier at the London Marylebone. Not Marylebone, Windsor & Eton Central station again.

Iris walks towards the station exit. This area of Windsor & Eton Central station was seen in 'The Lovers!'.

Turning to see that Sir Lancelot is still following her, Iris hails a cab. The covered station approach outside Windsor & Eton Central station.

The taxi leaves the station as Sir Lancelot calls to the cab behind. Richard Lewis confirms Windsor & Eton Central station off High Street in Windsor and, as Richard points out, this part of the station can be seen in 'Two-Way Stretch'.

The approach road has since been pedestrianised.

Dr. Sparrow comforts a Passenger (Fenella Fielding) who was traumatised by Sir Lancelot when he entered her compartment. A last look at Windsor & Eton Central station in Windsor, Berkshire where Richard Lewis tells us that we're in front of the ticket office.

Iris pays the Cabbie when she arrives at her destination. Looking towards High Street in Maidenhead, Berkshire from beside the Boars Head public house. Tony Winzar tells us that this alley has since been converted to an outside seating area for what is now called the 'Maidens Head' public house.

Antony Blair took this view from inside the pub's seating area looking onto the High Street.

After Delia leaves for filming in Rome and the pair part company, Dr. Sparrow arrives at her flat to collect some belongings. Haven Green Court, Ealing W5 located by Simon James.

Yes, Haven Green Court. SJ

Gillibrand (Derek Fowlds) takes Dr. Sparrow to the hospital entrance after Delia arrives to collect her keys. The entrance to Maidenhead Town Hall on St. Ives Road in Maidenhead.

Now. SJ.

Getting behind the wheel of the Maserati, Dr. Sparrow drives Delia from the hospital. St. Ives Road in Maidenhead Berkshire. SJ explains that the scaffolding to the left is covering the construction of St Ives House, part of the Maidenhead Town Hall complex.

And then came York Stream House which was added to St. Ives House and a newer block which consumed the house at the far end of the road. SJ.

A slight pan right . . . .

. . . as Antony Blair shows us that the block under construction to the left didn't last very long!