Our Miss Fred

With the sound of waves and seagulls in the background, Bob prepares to cast his line from the pier. Looking east from the Pier in Cromer, Norfolk.

Nobody fishing when Keith Prested arrived on the scene as the tide was out.

The camera moves to find Fred Wimbush (Danny La Rue) making his way to work. Facing inland from the Pier at Cromer with the Hotel de Paris on Jetty Cliff and the tower of St. Peter and St. Paul’s church in the background.

Keith Prested found that the pier buildings and decking have changed.

Fred says "good morning" to Jim as he reaches the theatre. The Pavilion Theatre on Cromer Pier.

The theatre survives in Keith Prested's comparison but has been altered externally and a sheltered dining area has been added in front.

Opening an envelope containing his call up to fight in the war, the actor leaves the theatre. Cromer Pier in Norfolk.

Keith Prested explains that the lifeboat station at the end of the pier was rebuilt in the 1990s.

The titles accompany Fred as he walks towards land. Cromer Pier stretching out into the North Sea from the Norfolk coast.

Only one of the covered benches remains in Keith Prested's shot.

The entrance to Cromer Pier on Esplanade in Cromer, Norfolk.

Keith Prested advises that the concrete columns from the screen capture are behind the advertising boards.

Holding on to a parked Rolls Royce's Spirit of Ecstasy, Fred looks up when an air raid siren begins to wail. Esplanade with West Cliff and the rear of properties on New Street to the top.

53 years on, Keith Prested discovered that the wall has has gone, as has the Rolls.

Getting into his rather more ancient vehicle, Fred starts the engine. Cromer Pier also features in ‘Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa’ and ‘The Flesh and Blood Show’.

Keith Prested's comparison shows roof domes either side of the pier entrance which are subsequent additions.

The shot follows the yellow car as it's driven from view. Esplanade in Cromer, Norfolk.

The lamppost has grown a bit in Keith Prested's shot.

Following his training, Fred appears driving through a town in northern France. Looking east on Shirehall Plain in Holt, Norfolk.

Keith Prested didn't have his step ladder, so this is taken at ground level.

Disturbing the Men playing boules, Fred steers the armoured car from the main road. Shirehall Plain in Holt.

Also taken from the ground, Keith Prested advises that it was impossible to get a better angle owing to tables outside a restaurant immediately to the left.

Two Soldiers at a gun emplacement wave at 61972 as he passes. Melton Constable Hall near Melton Constable in Norfolk.

Fred reaches RASC Headquarters where the R.S.M. hollers at him for being late for a performance. The grounds of Melton Constable Hall.

As they move across the land, enemy Troops takes over the building and captures the British Soldiers. Melton Constable Hall can also be seen in ‘The Go Between’ and ‘Revolution'.

The Nazi flag is unfurled from an upper window. The front of the Grade I listed Melton Constable Hall.

Still in his drag costume, Fred manages to evade capture. The Grade II* listed Stable Court South Wing of Melton Constable Hall in Norfolk.

As his Commanding Officer is driven away with Heinrich Schmidt, Miss Wimbush walks to freedom. The grounds of Melton Constable Hall with the Bath House in the left distance.

Beginning to suffer after walking miles in high-heels, Fred reaches a ford.

As Fred's feet are soothed in the cool water, a pair of Frenchmen look on before becoming suggestive.

After a misunderstanding that ultimately has the two Men removing their trousers, Fred runs away.

Fred reaches a main road where General Brincker saves the apparent fräulein from the pursuing Frenchmen.

As the General offers protection for the beautiful young woman, his advances are cut short by a squadron of Spitfires. Steve Randall noticed that the French “château” to the right looks very much like the dummy château built for the 1969 film 'The Battle of Britain', documented at http://www.daveswarbirds.com/bob/airfields.htm.

Having made a second escape from the clutches of the enemy, Fred meets up with Girl Guide leaders Miss Lockhart (Frances de la Tour) and Miss Jane Flodden (Lally Bowers). This is the farm road leading from Melton Road south of St. Peters Church, Melton Constable, Norfolk, which can be seen in the distance. The church also appears in 'The Go-Between'. (SR)

The two women explain that they and their Girl Guides have been hiding from British as well as enemy troops since being caught out by the invasion. In the distance is the Dairy Farm, Melton Park, where the farmyard scenes were filmed. (SR)

Stranded because of their broken down car, Miss Lockhart and Miss Flodden make sure the coast is clear before taking Fred to the farm where they are hiding. Looking northwards to the distant St. Peters Church, Melton Constable. (SR)

At the farm, a Prunella (Vanessa Furse) lifts up the car as Fred works underneath.

Emma (Sophie Batchelor), Judith (Jenny Twigge) and Elvira (Seretta Wilson) look on as Fred starts the engine after completing repairs.

The morning after being introduced to Herbert Smallpiece, a British airman being hidden at the farm, Frederica appears in a dressing gown after borrowing the Squadron Leader's razor. Identified by Geoff Dodd as Tyke's Lake, Aldenham Park, Hertfordshire, perhaps also seen in 'Double X: The Name of the Game'. (RL)

Geoff provides the off angle shot confirming his identification until and 'on angle' one can be provided. (RL)

Suitably disguised as peasants, Miss Lockhart, Miss Flodden and the Girls get into the car.

Joined by Miss Wimbush, the party set off for an airfield near Calais.

With Squadron Leader Smallpiece secreted in the boot, Frederica steers the car through the farmyard gate.

The 'girls' reach the local town after managing to get through an enemy road block. Elm Hill, Norwich in Norfolk.

Malcolm Tinnelly took this shot looking towards Wensum Street and notes that the rendering on the property to the immediate left is no longer white.

Parking up outside the Hotel de la Gare, Miss Flodden calls the Patron and orders luncheon for eight.

From an upper window of the hotel, Frederica whistles to the Squadron Leader that he's managed to obtain Heinrich Schmidt's uniform.

Following a fight with the Patron's Wife over lunch, the 'girls' leave the hotel.

At a derelict farm on the road to Calais, Frederica helps Miss Flodden from the car.

With Miss Flodden suffering from a bout of malaria, Frederica leaves the house to get a Doctor.

Frederica lets Squadron Leader Herbert Smallpiece (Lance Percival) out of the car's boot when hearing his cries.

With Smallpiece 'guarding' the women, Frederica drives from the abandoned homestead.

Evening has fallen when Frederica arrives in the town. A lightened view of Elm Hill, Norwich.

The rendering on the properties appears more or less the same in Malcolm Tinnelly's view. but the hanging lamp on the corner shop in the screen capture appears to have crossed the street to the property opposite.

Disturbing two Members of the Resistance painting a Lorraine cross on a wall, Miss Wimbush makes her way through the darkened streets towards the Doctor's house.

Fleeing from an enemy Patrol who mistake her for the perpetrator of the graffiti, Frederica runs into a courtyard as fighting breaks out.

Disturbed by the commotion outside, Doctor Préve (Cyril Shaps) looks from the window of his house.

An enemy Patrol enters the courtyard and Frederica is arrested.

Miss Wimbush is taken to General Brincker. The United Reformed church on Princes Street in Norwich, Norfolk.

In Malcolm Tinnelly's comparison the building appears much the same except that the wooden doors have been replaced by glass ones.

Plotting to steal passes that will enable them to travel, Wimbush and Smallpiece dine at Brasserie Mac-Mahon.

An SS Officer leaves enemy HQ before Wimbush enters for a tryst with General Brincker. Facing the United Reformed church on Princes Street in Norwich.

Malcolm Tinnelly returned to the United Reformed church on Princes Street.

Wimbush escapes from the building disguised as Obersturmbannführer Weiss. Elm Hill, Norwich.

Taken by Malcolm Tinnelly, looking away from the Wensum Street junction.

Having managed to fool the enemy by using the stolen passes, the 'girls' push the car into a petrol station when it runs out of fuel.

Oil is pored onto the road when motorcycles are heard approaching.

Having refuelled, Frederica calls everyone back to the car.

Miss Flodden is the last to get in before Miss Wimbush starts the engine.

Skidding on the oil, enemy Motorcyclists crash to the ground or career towards a timber mill.

Detached motorbike wheels roll across the road as Frederica accelerates away.

The 'girls' sing a merry but controversial song as they continue towards the airfield near Calais.

Having gained access to the enemy held airfield, Wimbush and the Girls are escorted to the mess hall.

The ambushed Motorcyclists arrive at the airfield's entrance. Panshanger Aerodrome to the east of Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire. The airfield is also seen in ‘The Devil Rides Out’, ‘Rentadick’ and ‘The Abominable Dr. Phibes’.