School for Scoundrels

Having travelled from London, Henry Palfrey's train journey nears its end as his train pulls into Yeovil station. Hertford East station on Mill Road, Hertford in Hertfordshire.

The locomotive comes to a stand at the end of the platform where a sign gives a clue as to the reason for his trip. Opened by the Great Eastern Railway in 1888, this is Hertford East station as confirmed by Brian Roberts.

Proof of the location. (PW)

Henry Palfrey (Ian Carmichael) steps from his compartment onto the platform. Identified by John Pizinas this is Hertford East station standing on the county town's Mill Road. The carriage number E82002E indicates this is a former LNER carriage of British Railways' Eastern Region.

The platform now, captured by PW.

Following the conspicuous signs provided, Henry leaves the station. The front of Hertford East station playing Yeovil station advises John Pizinas.

A similar scene survives on Mill Road, Hertford. (PW)

Another prominent sign points into a yard at the side of the station. Hertford East station is the terminus of the Hertford branch running from Broxbourne.

The same corner of the same building. (PW)

A little wary, Henry pauses before continuing. The yard adjacent to Hertford East railway station on Mill Road, Hertford identified by Dean Nelson.

Still recognisable. (PW)

Henry is led through sidings and across tracks. This appears to be sidings to the north of Hertford East station with the tracks on the extreme left once being part of the Great Northern line to Hatfield.

As Henry makes his way over waste ground, his destination comes into view . . .

. . . The College of Lifemanship. The building and gasometers are a matte.

Henry begins to tell the principle, Mr. S. Potter, why he has enrolled. The junction of Lambeth Road and Lambeth Palace Road in SE1. The junction and the area around also feature in 'A Dandy in Aspic', 'Bullseye!', 'Seventy Deadly Pills', 'Mr. Denning Drives North', 'The Man Without a Body', 'European Vacation', 'Secrets of a Door-to-Door Salesman', 'Das Geheimnis der gelben Narzissen' and 'Too Hot to Handle' amongst several other productions.

Some much more clutter at this junction now. SJ

Recalling the incident, which happened on Tuesday, or Wednesday, no Tuesday, Henry explains that he was on his way to the office, as usual. Lambeth Palace Road with the Victoria Tower of the Houses of Parliament on the far side of the Thames to the right.

Rather a large tree has managed to appear in the intervening years. SJ

After colliding with April Smith (Janette Scott) as she steps off the bus laden with parcels, Henry apologises profusely. Lambeth Palace Road SE1 with the wall of Lambeth Palace and Gardens in the background.

If that unsightly gate is an addition, I'm in the right place. SJ

Insisting that he helps her, Henry carries April's parcels. Lambeth Palace Road, across from St. Mary's church where Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall, or Tunstal, or Tonsal, was buried. An illustrious ancestor muses JT who quotes Thomas Overbury "The man who has nothing to boast of but his illustrious ancestry is like the potato - the best part under ground."

The same location now by Peter.

Henry asks about April's laddered stockings . . . Lambeth Palace Road with Lambeth Palace in the right background.

Lambeth Palace remains unchanged. SJ

. . . before he walks her to work. Lambeth Palace Road SE1 with Lambeth Bridge to the right.

Very tricky to attain the same perspective here. Rather a scarred skyline now. SJ

Arriving late, as usual, Henry hurries to his office at the business that he runs where, as on every other day, he's patronised by Gloatbridge, the senior clerk. Kings Bench Walk EC4, a location that appears in a number of productions including ‘Mr. Quilp’, 'Love Among the Ruins', ‘The Halfway House’, 'Tom Jones', 'The Tyburn Case', ‘Brothers in Law’ and 'The Blind Goddess'.

The location now by John Gomez.

An update with an improved angle shows the anticipated little change in this venerable corner of Chambers. SJ

Having told Gloatbridge to book a table for two at nine, a taxi drops Henry and April outside the Camellia Room. The location is identified by Martin Underwood as 10a Chandos Street W1.

Paul Lincoln visted Chandos Street to "tidy up loose ends". (RL)

As the two enter the building where there's been a mix up with the booking, the Concierge walks back to take up his position. 10a Chandos Street in Marylebone found by Martin Underwood.

It appeared to Paul that there was no longer a concierge at the premises. (RL)

Outside the Camellia Room, Raymond Delauney (Terry-Thomas) offers April a lift home in his new two seater Bellini before Henry admits that he doesn't have a car. Outside 10a Chandos Street in W1 discovered by Martin Underwood.

Fortunately for Paul there was no group of people to deter him taking this shot. (RL)

The next morning, a car in second-hand car showroom catches Henry's inexperienced eye. Brian Down advises that this is Pinner Road, which is confirmed as being in North Harrow, Middlesex by Tim Walls who saw filming in progress on his way home from school one afternoon.

Comparison shot by John Gomez.

Dunstan (Dennis Price) and Dudley Dorchester (Peter Jones) watch Henry approach the open doors of their used car business. 90 - 100 Pinner Road in Harrow.

A further comparison shot by John Gomez.

Following some persuasive banter, Dunstan starts up the Swiftmobile as Henry writes out a cheque and parts with 695 guineas. Looking out onto Pinner Road, Harrow.

Shrouded in a haze of exhaust and accompanied by strange gurglings and knockings, Henry drives away the 4 litre, twin OHC, 1924 Swiftmobile. Pinner Road, Harrow in Middlesex.

As soon as Henry is out of sight, Dunstan and Dudley close up shop and disappear for a holiday they can now afford. 90 - 100 Pinner Road in Harrow.

Parking up at the Old Chippentonian Tennis Club, Henry has trouble turning off the Swiftmobile's engine. The main entrance of the Edgwarebury Hotel on Barnet Lane, Elstree in Hertfordshire.

Now. SJ

With the car silenced, Henry grabs his racquet and goes into the club for his game with Delauney. The Edgwarebury Hotel off Barnet Lane in Elstree.

Now. SJ.

Henry apologises to April for being late. The back of the Edgwarebury Hotel, the south side in front of the terrace.

Less ornate. SJ.

The three make their way down to the court. One of the two tennis courts the Edgwarebury in prime condition. The popular filming location also appears in ‘For Members Only’, ‘The Devil Rides Out’, ‘Sons of the Sea’, ‘Never Too Young to Rock’, ‘Stardust’, ‘The Rough and the Smooth’, ‘Endless Night’, ‘Stranger from Venus’, ‘My Lover My Son’, 'The Liquidator’, ‘Not Now Comrade’, ‘Mosquito Squadron’ and ‘Night Must Fall’.

Not so now, but note the new building to the side. SJ

Winning the spin out of Henry's sight, Delauney choses to play with his back to the sun.

Steps still lead down. SJ

Henry serves. Love / 15.

Not a lot going on here. SJ

Delauney walks nonchalantly around the court. Love / 30 . . . . and so on.

Should have played in the winter. SJ

Having concluded his story to Mr. Potter and progressing well at the college, Henry returns to Dunstan and Dudley's dealership during the practical phase of his course. Facing east on Pinner Road, Harrow,

John Gomez provides the view now.

A confidently dressed Henry brings the car to a stand. Between Oxford Road and Devonshire Road on Pinner Road, Harrow.

As requested, Mr. S. Potter (Alastair Sim) walks up and takes an interest in the vehicle. Pinner Road, Harrow in Middlesex.

Watched by the suspicious Dunstan and Dudley, Henry whispers for Potter to look as though he's making an offer for the car.

Regarding the Swiftmobile, in reality a dressed 4 1/2 litre Bentley, William Neil advised that his wife used to work at BOAC in Buckingham Palace Road in the late sixties and would get off the tube at Sloane Square to walk to the office through Pimlico. Turning immediately left into Holbein Place was Frank Dale & Stepson’s garage, on the left hand side, backing onto the station and the Royal Court theatre. The site today is Sloane Square House, but the business stills exist today specialising in antique Bentley’s and Rolls Royces. Neil's wife said that the Swiftmobile was usually parked there and was frequently taken out.

After conning Dunstan and Dudley into believing that the Swiftmobile is a rare 1925 supercharged Ravalli model, they swap it for an Austin-Healey plus 100 guineas cash. Outside 90 - 100 Pinner Road in Harrow.

With his task complete, Potter walks away from the Swiftmobile only to glance back when he hears a loud explosion. The corner of Pinner Road and Oxford Road in Harrow, Middlesex located by John Gomez.

The same corner captured by John Gomez.

Dunstan and Dudley push the smoking Swiftmobile back into the showroom. The bend on Pinner Road, between Oxford Road and Devonshire Road, in Harrow.

As arranged over the telephone, Delauney arrives at a quarter to 3 on Saturday to collect Henry for a game of tennis.

Hearing the Bellini's horn, Henry appears on his balcony and calls down "What are you doing here?" Thurlby Croft on Mulberry Close off Parson Street in NW4.

Listening to Henry's apology, Delauney tells him not to be long as they're picking up April on the way. Outside Thurlby Croft on Mulberry Close in Hendon.

After more than a few minutes, Henry appears. Facing Thurlby Croft on Mulberry Close.

Tension rises as Henry goes back inside to fetch the shoes that he had forgotten. Mulberry Close in Hendon NW4.

Henry returns without his racquet before Delauney snaps that he can borrow his as he has two. Facing the entrance of Thurlby Croft on Mulberry Close.

Now, from John Gomez.

Delauney speeds away with a grateful Henry sitting beside him. Looking towards the junction of Parson Street and Glebe Crescent from Mulberry Close in NW4.

The view now by John Gomez.

Henry asks Delauney if he saw the red traffic light that they had just passed. Eli Perl advises that this is the corner of Parson Street and the Great North Road in NW4 explaining "Had they turned left out of Mulberry Close instead of going straight they would have arrived at this junction in less than 30 seconds."

Eli adds that "I went to secondary school about 300 yards across from this junction and that phone booth, since updated, was where I used to call my mates after school."

As Delauney accelerates over a junction, Henry persuades him that he's gone the wrong way to April's house. Henley’s Corner, a major north-west London junction where the A406, A1, Regents Park Road and Finchley Road converge in N3. The old Henley’s garage can be seen in the background to the left of frame, the Bellini coming into shot on the right.

These days the garage is long gone and over the years the junction has been widened several times as can be seen in this image by Eli Perl.

In a panic and hoping to save time, Delauney takes the next turning left at Henry's suggestion. Eli Perl continues . . . "As the pair continue along the A406 they turn left onto Clandon Gardens N3. In 1959 the road was a two lane single carriageway, now it’s a six lane dual carriageway and if you attempted to turn off into Clandon you’d be met by . . . . .

. . . . . a fence and the support for the walkway that takes pedestrians over the highway." Comparison by Eli.

Henry sounds confused as they approach another junction. More of Clandon Gardens found by Eli Perl.

Plenty of trees in Eli's now shot obscuring those flats . . . but not the abandoned sofa in the road to the left.

"Wait a moment, hang on." A reverse angle from the previous capture, approaching the corner with Kingsgate Avenue.

Eli points out that the steps to the walkway over the A406 can just about be seen in the distance.

"There you are, yes there." The junction of Clandon Gardens and Kingsgate Avenue in Finchley N3.

"The second . . . no, no, no, no, third on the right." Eli Perl tells us that the turning is into Kingsgate Avenue.

On the day Eli took these pictures he discovered that the big house on the corner was being renovated by an old neighbour of his, "Amazing coincidence".

"Turn right. Mind that tree!" The junction of Holly Park and Orchard Avenue in N3.

John Harwood had difficulty getting the right angle due to parked cars.

Delauney comments on the tree in the middle of the road. Orchard Avenue, Hendon.

Leaving the estate roads behind, Delauney asks Henry if he's sure he knows the way. Station Road in Hendon NW4 with the corner of Algernon Road to the right.

Eli points out that "The older houses are still there but the shops between here and Hendon railway station are long gone, demolished in the early to mid 60s to make way for the southern extension of the M1 down towards Staples Corner."

The camera pans with the Bellini as it passes. Eli Perl explains that where J. H. Sankey stood, to the left, is now just a concrete wall and behind and below that is the M1. The road where the cyclists turned off the main road is now the slip road down to the modern day Hendon Station. David Newman adds that Sankey's appears in an episode of television's 'On the Buses' and recalls passing the plumber's merchants each day on his way to school until the premises were demolished for the M1 to be extended south to Staples Corner.

More location proof from Eli.

"Turn right, then bear left at the waterworks." This is a back projection featuring the bridge carrying Station Road over the Midland Main Line with the Midland Hotel, standing opposite Algernon Road, in the centre distance.

Eli Perl risked life and limb as "I stood in the middle of the road to replicate the angle of the back projection which was obviously filmed from the back of a low-loader or truck. The low building in the film still is the old station building. In the background in this comparison you can see, just before the railway bridge, the bridge over the M1, which is where all the old shops would have been."

Tyres screech as Delauney corners. Another back projection showing the turn right from Station Road into Wilberforce Road which Eli Perl explains is an illegal manoeuvre in today’s one-way system. The traffic island as well as the black and white post are still there . . . .

. . . as can be seen in Eli's modern view.

Delauney may have been sent down the wrong road by Henry. Station Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

When Delauney brings the car to a stand at a row of bollards, Henry is terribly sorry as he's only used to the shortcut after dark. Station Road, Borehamwood.

The face says it all! Looking north on Station Road in Borehamwood.

With the Bellini's back end damaged when Delauney reverses into a wall while turning around, the pair retrace their route. Station Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

Delauney draws up outside April's house on Oakshades Avenue only to find a note pinned to the door. Facing 26 The Rise in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire confirmed by Paul Ager.

Antony Blair captures the scene 61 years later, noting alterations to the property.

Henry looks back as Delauney examines the exhaust pipe that's fallen off the Bellini. The Rise in Borehamwood identified by Dean Nelson.

Antony returned to the location to look up The Rise.

The pair finally make it to the tennis club. Outside the Edgwarebury Hotel off Barnet Lane in Elstree, Hertfordshire.

Now, with rather a silly little sign. SJ

When Delauney questions who's car he's parked next to, Henry tells him that it's his. The entrance to the Edgwarebury Hotel in Elstree.

The sphinxes were taken into storage when the hotel changed hands from Laura Ashley Corus to The Manor and their whereabouts have become a mystery. SJ

Chastised by the General for being half an hour late, Delauney leads Henry to the court as Potter plays croquet on his own. As noted elsewhere, the hotel makes an appearance in many films including two Danziger productions, 'The Spider's Web' and 'So Evil, So Young' and Steve Makin also adds that the is used in the opening of 'The Traitor' from 1957.

The croquet lawn was built over in around the 1980s to provide more rooms. SJ

An updated view taken further to the left by Keith O'Brien due to the aforementioned building on the croquet lawn... and soon after this, a substantial hut has been built on here. SJ

Potter watches the pair as they head to court 2. The croquet lawn at the Edgwarebury Hotel.

From the top of the stairs leading to the ex-tennis court behind me looking south-east to the ex-croquet lawn onto the current extension to the hotel. SJ

Delauney angrily slides the bolt, throwing the gate open.

New building. SJ

Henry choses to pay with the sun in his eyes, explaining that they'll change ends, before telling Delauney that he's just seen the General talking with the Secretary. The tennis court at the Edgwarebury Hotel, Barnet Lane in Elstree.

This now covers what was the tennis court and then a giant chess board. SJ

The game gets under way and Henry takes an early lead. The view from the terrace at the Edgwarebury Hotel, which Rod Taylor enjoyed 5 years later in 'The Liquidator'.

Now. SJ.

April arrives to see an fuming Delauney running around the court as he tries to keep up with Henry's service.

Grass mound. SJ

After Delauney loses the game badly, Mr. S. Potter presents Henry Palfrey with his Certificate of Lifemanship.

Henry departs explaining that "two's company, you know" after telling Delauney that he's asked Carpenter to phone a garage about the Bellini. Back at the front of the Edgwarebury Hotel in Elstree, Hertfordshire, also seen in 'The Devil Rides Out'.

Little bush in pot in the way of one of the twin Sphinxes. SJ

Following a row with Delauney, April catches up with Henry as he waits at the gates to the tennis club. The gateway of the Edgwarebury Hotel on Barnet Lane, Elstree which also make an appearance in 'Confessions of a Driving Instructor'.

The same gates. SJ

April gets into the Austin-Healey beside Henry as Delauney starts to follow Potter after discovering from Carpenter that he came in as a guest of Mr. Palfrey.

Followed by a puzzled Delauney, Potter makes his way to a nearby bus stop. Dean Nelson found the corner of Cleveland Crescent and Crane Way in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

There's more foliage in Antony's shot of the corner now.

Delauney watches the Stranger jump onto the platform of a departing 107. Cranes Way at the junction with Cleveland Crescent . . . . found by Dean Nelson and confirmed by Eric Parsons.

A rain dampened view without the bus from Antony Blair.

Cursing his luck, Delauney misses the bus. Cranes Way, Borehamwood with Furzehill Road crossing the background.

Henry arrives outside his apartment block and takes April up to his flat. Mulberry Close off Parson Street NW4.

Arriving on the following service, Delauney follows Potter into the station. Martin McNally identifies this as outside Elstree & Borehamwood station on Station Road, Borehamwood in Hertfordshire. The location was also seen in 'Live Now, Pay Later', 'The Executioner', 'You Made Me Love You' and 'Return of a Stranger'.

The driveway on this side of the station has since disappeared. (PW)

Having travelled from London, Raymond Delauney's train journey ends at Yeovil station. Hertford East station on Mill Road in Hertford, Hertfordshire.

After handing over his ticket, Delauney follows the conspicuous signs that lead to The College of Lifemanship. The Grade II* listed Hertford East station on Mill Road, Hertford.

A few changes but no structural alterations. (PW)

A post-script: Whilst watching 'School for Scoundrels' recently, Stephen Blanchard was reminded of a day in 2016 when he attended an event celebrating 90 years of Elstree studios at the Edgwarebury Hotel, which was known as the Laura Ashley Hotel at the time. The guest of honour for the evening was Janette Scott, the only surviving cast member from the film.