Guilty Party, The (The Scales of Justice)

"Wherever men live and work, one priceless possession makes civilized existence possible . . . the rule of law." A collage of stills depict civilized existence in the Capital. The collage is reproduced as individual Captures 19 to 27 below to facilitate identification and comparative shots. (RL)

"Here in London, at the very heart of the city, are the buildings that symbolise this great tradition. The Law Courts in the Strand, the historic Inns of Court where, for centuries, lawyers both for the prosecution and the defence have prepared their cases to put before judge and jury . . . "

I will leave you to consider the changes that may or may not have taken place during the intervening years. (RL)

". . . and the most famous criminal court in the world, the Old Bailey." The entrance to the Central Criminal Court on Old Bailey in EC4 which appears in a good number of other productions.

As an aerial view is unlikely, here's one from the road. SJ

"Dominating the city stands the symbol of justice. In her right hand, the sword of power and retribution . . . in her left 'The Scales of Justice'."

Taken from Holborn Viaduct. SJ

On location, famous authority Edgar Lustgarten walks towards camera to introduce the case of Sinclair versus Sinclair and Dobbs. Looking north on Ennismore Gardens Mews SW7 with properties on Prince's gardens in the distance.

Returning to the mews, PT found that the facades have changed to varying degrees.

Around the corner, Thelma Sinclair (Zena Marshall) and Henry Dobbs (Derek Francis) go out together after her husband Edward packs a bag and leaves home to escape his creditors. Facing 26 Ennismore Gardens Mews in Knightsbridge.

Around the same corner by PT.

Rather than having an interest in the property deal that Edward was proposing, Dobbs was more absorbed by Thelma and this included taking her to fashionable restaurants. The Mirabelle at the corner of Curzon Street and Bolton Street in W1. Opening in 1936, the restaurant became popular during the 1950s and 1960s but after closing for refurbishment in 2008, remained so until the building was demolished in 2017. Manuel Gurtner notes that the restaurant's original street-side appearance can be seen in 'The Seventh Veil'.

With new building and pavement arrangement, the extreme right looks like the only match here. SJ

There were shopping expeditions during which Dobbs proved himself a generous friend. We're opposite South Kensington station and this is facing furriers Theodore Roach at 15 Melton Court on Brompton Road SW7.

Hmm, I'm a little concerned about the well-established tree, even after 60 years, but the doorway seems right. SJ

With motives other than business, Dobbs opens the door to his Mercedes. Outside Melton Court on Brompton Road with buildings on Old Brompton Road in the right background.

PT discovered that a chain had taken over the location.

Pleasant strolls in the park follow and with every meeting, Dobbs' infatuation grows. Kensington Gardens with the Italian Gardens showing in the background. (RL)

The railngs have been removed for access to the Serpentine and the Royal Lancaster Hotel appeared four years after shooting in 1966. SJ

After an overheard telephone call confirms to Dobbs that Edward was in debt, the pair go to the races at Lingfield. The course stands on Racecourse Road, Lingfield in Surrey.

Thelma and Dobbs collect their winnings before moving on to stay overnight at The Chequers. Lingfield Park Racecourse in Surrey.

Arriving home the next day, Thelma finds that Edward has returned. The corner on Ennismore Garden Mews SW7. The mews also appears in 'Nowhere to Go', 'The Fourth Square', 'Stock Car', 'The Vicious Circle', 'Frenzy', 'That Kind of Girl' and 'The Sex Thief.

Ennismore Garden Mews now, captured by PT.

In front of a back projection of the Royal Courts of Justice on Strand WC2, Edgar Lustgarten explains that Henry Dobbs is cited as co-respondent in the Sinclair's divorce case as Edward plans to capitalise on the presumed relationship.

Initially, proceedings go in Edward's favour, but evening newspapers print the result of the case after his wife's counsel Mr. Jepp calls her friend Madge Petworth. Standard House at the junction of Shoe Lane and St. Andrew Street in EC4.

Looking south-east from the junction of Shoe Lane and St. Andrew Street. The Clock and signage as seen in Profile would have been to the left of this. SJ

Bedford vans distribute news of Edward losing his case. Outside Standard House on Shoe Lane. The building also appears in 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire' and 'Profile'.

Zooming out and tilting down on what is now the vast Plumtree Court, 25 Shoe Lane, one of the homes of Goldman-Sachs. SJ

Peter Naylor (Basil Henson) reads that Edward's costs amount to £7,000. Ray Glenister finds the newspaper vendor in Thurloe Place, South Kensington, London SW7. Looking NE with Thurloe Square on the right. (RL)

Pp posts have changed position in PT's comparison.

Edgar Lustgarten concludes by explaining that an open verdict was returned by the Coroner's Jury after Edward Sinclair was found to have taken a fatal combination of sleeping pills and whisky. Facing east on Ennismore Gardens Mews in Knightsbridge SW7.

A last view of the mews from PT.

An enlarged extract from Capture 1 collage. The displayed quality is the best that can be achieved from what is essentially a poor original. Dave W has found this to be Looking towards the railway viaduct in Borough High Street SE1 from the southern end of London Bridge. (RL)

A lull in traffic found a fairly empty junction. SJ

An enlarged extract from Capture 1 collage. The displayed quality is the best that can be achieved from what is essentially a poor original. Dave W finds Vickers House SW1 now Millbank Tower seen from 13 Thorney Street SW1. (RL)

Looking south from Thorney Street, SW1 with a corner of Thames House to the left. SJ

An enlarged extract from Capture 1 collage. The displayed quality is the best that can be achieved from what is essentially a poor original. Outside Temple Underground Station WC2 looking up the steps of Temple Gardens to Arundel Street, established by Dave W. (RL)

Arundel House still matches on the right. Also seen in Alfie, Lunch Hour and The Squeeze. SJ

An enlarged extract from Capture 1 collage. In very poor definition, elements of the scene suggest Victoria Tower Gardens SW1 with its Thames Embankment wall, looking towards the Lambeth side and the tower building of St Thomas' Hospital.

Amid correspondence on a tentative identification, Dave W made the journey to Victoria Tower Gardens SW1 to weigh up possible camera positions. Examination of the resulting images suggests that this viewpoint offers a possible match to the foreground. But the low definition of the original prevents any certainty in placing its background objects and therefore in pinning down the location itself. We welcome discussion on this.

An enlarged extract from Capture 1 collage. The displayed quality is the best that can be achieved from what is essentially a poor original. Established by Dave W as Bank of England and Duke of Wellington Statue seen across Bank Junction, London EC2 (RL)

The sky has been overwhelmed by high rise building. SJ

An enlarged extract from Capture 1 collage. The displayed quality is the best that can be achieved from what is essentially a poor original. County Hall and St Thomas' Hosp seen from Lambeth Bridge says Dave W. (RL)

An enlarged extract from Capture 1 collage. The displayed quality is the best that can be achieved from what is essentially a poor original. Marathon House 200 Marylebone Road NW1 identified by Dave W. (RL)

The tree on the left has thrived. Castrol House, now Marathon House, was glimpsed in 'Strange Bedfellows' and focussed upon in 'The Young Ones'. SJ

An enlarged extract from Capture 1 collage. The displayed quality is the best that can be achieved from what is essentially a poor original. Dave W found 57 et seq Limerston Street SW10. As visited in 'Pit of Darkness' and 'Law and Disorder' (1958). (RL)

An enlarged extract from Capture 1 collage. The displayed quality is the best that can be achieved from what is essentially a poor original. Unidentified location. (RL)