Wrong Box, The

Through the window of his elderly Grandfather's bedroom, Michael Finsbury sees his cousin Julia Finsbury (Nanette Newman) making her way home. Royal Crescent, Bath in Somerset.

From the street rather than the inaccessible window. PW

Leaving the house, Michael Finsbury (Michael Caine) makes his way next door . . . . Royal Crescent, Bath, where scenes for 'Catch Us If You Can', 'The Girl With Pistol' and 'Kipps' were also filmed.

Now by Russell Groves and Elton Jameson, with thanks to you both.

An update reveals nothing new. PW

. . . to where "the girl he worships from afar" lives. Andrew Cave recalls "At the time of filming I was nine years old and lived in number 14 Royal Crescent, spending some very happy days watching the process".

Russell Groves and Elton Jameson provide the proof.

The greenery has gone and the bins are out! PW

Let inside by the timid Julia, Michael tells her that his grandfather wishes to see his brother Joseph. Royal Crescent in Bath. When she was 8 or 9 years old, Giovanna Robinson lived nearby in Camden Terrace and went to see filming take place where she met Michael Caine. Remaining in his costume, Michael talked to the gathered crowd from a chair on the lawn in front of the crescent as we circled around him. "I was at the front and was so surprised when he spoke with me. I was in awe of him, he’s a lovely man and a brilliant actor. We were all curious to see him and the film being shot. It was a great day, I remember it well."

Now, with a plaque commemorating the fact that Elizabeth and Richard Brindsley Sheridan eloped from this house in 1772.

No changes. PW

Approaching Basingstoke, the Driver of the train on which Morris and John Finsbury are taking their Uncle Joseph home from Bournemouth spots the 4.40 out of London coming the other way. Jonathan Horswell speculates that this scene was shot on the Bluebell Railway which is home to the Class A1 ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0T No.72 Fenchurch that features in the film.

Still sitting in their seats after the trains collide, a Couple (Philip Stewart and Rita Tobin) hold onto each other as Joseph Finsbury (Ralph Richardson) walks towards the wreckage. On his British Railway Movie Database site, Jonathan Horswell advises that the 'crash' was filmed on the Longmoor Military Railway in Hampshire with prop locomotives and real carriages.

Reaching a road, Joseph gets a lift from a kind Countryman (Michael Bird) and begins to share facts about the Bible that he has accumulated over many years.

After packing what they believe to be their Uncle's mutilated body into a barrel, John Finsbury (Dudley Moore) takes it to the station to be conveyed to number 11 Albany Crescent in London. Green Park station on Green Park Road in Bath, Somerset identified by Mr. Warwick in the ticket office of Bath Spa station.

The Grade II listed building now by Russell Groves and Elton Jameson who both took more or less the same shots independently of each other.

No events to be held at the former station today. PW

Tipping the Porters, John pursues a Woman that caught his eye as she stood by the chocolate machine. Bath's Green Park station closed in 1966, the year of the film's release.

The former station has since become an active retail and events space.

The dining area has been fenced off. PW

Following a journey of thirteen hours, that seemed but so many minutes, the Countryman tells Joseph that this is as far as he goes. Royal Avenue in Bath, Somerset.

Alighting from the carriage, Joseph heads for the home of his brother Masterman, the only other remaining member of a tontine started many years previously. Looking towards Royal Crescent in Bath from Royal Avenue. Andrew Cave tells us "My friends and I watched shooting of the scene where Ralph Richardson alights from the horse drawn trap on the road which runs through the Royal Victoria Park and were amused because to reach the Royal Crescent lawn from this part of the park, by the route he seems to be taking, he would have had to climb up the ha-ha which separates the two."

Facing Royal Crescent now by Russell Groves.

Masterman Finsbury (John Mills) looks down from his room as Joseph approaches the front door. The frontage of number 10 Royal Crescent.

All still in place. PW

Wanting to see his ailing brother, Joseph knocks the door of number 10 Albany Crescent to be let in by Peacock. Facing the front door of 10 Royal Crescent.

Same door, different colour.

Is it really over fifteen years since the last comparison was added? PW

Next door at number 11, 'The Wrong Box' is delivered by the railway company. Number 11 Royal Crescent, Bath.

Without the height. PW

Returning from a visit to Dr. Pratt, Morris Finsbury (Peter Cook) sees the railway wagon departing. Royal Crescent with Marlborough Buildings to the left of centre.

Taken from a similar position.

The grass is suffering from the effects of 2026's summer. PW

Morris stops the railway wagon and enquires of the Porters if they have just made a delivery to number 11. The upper floors of properties on Royal Crescent provide the backdrop above which Gregor Baddley spotted a few television aerials!

Looking up at the same buildings.

The façade remains unchanged. PW

After the discovery of a corpse in the barrel delivered to number 10, Major Martha (Cicely Courtneidge) adds to the confusion when she arrives with Masterman who had been fished out of the river. Looking onto Royal Crescent with Marlborough Buildings in the right distance.

Seen from between parked cars.

From behind a van. PW

While Major Martha waits inside the house for a donation, Peacock (Wilfrid Lawson) sends a boy on an errand to fetch Michael from St. Mary's Hospital. Royal Crescent in Bath, Somerset.

A van plays the part of the pantechnicon, the cars are extras. PW

Receiving the news about his grandfather, Michael rushes home. Facing number 1 Royal Crescent with the corner of Upper Church Street and Brock Street to the right.

Changes can be seen to the roof line beyond number 1. PW

Driven by Morris and John, a hearse speeds away from Albany Crescent carrying the £100,000 tontine that they have dishonestly claimed. Royal Crescent, Bath.

From street level. SJ

Michael and Julia follow on a second hearse carrying the coffin containing a very alive Masterman Finsbury. Facing the west side of St. James's Square in Bath, Somerset.

A Brass Band plays, their music accompanying the start of the film's finale chase. The Green at Englefield Green in Surrey identified by David Pickhaver.

Robin Brooks' comparison shows that the white house from the capture is now completely obscured by the trees.

Morris and John drive the hearse onward. St. James's Square, Bath with Park Street to the right, located by Brian Godwin. (RL)

The north-west corner of the square snapped by Russell Groves.

The camera picks up the hearse as it climbs a hill. Looking along Park Street from St. James's Square in Bath as advised by Brian Godwin. (RL)

Now. North west corner of St James's Square, Bath, Pic by Russell Groves, the sharp-eyed sleuth. Well spotted Russell.

A group of Mourners prepare to follow Morris and John as they pass.

Advised by the tontine's Solicitor that Morris Finsbury has made off with £100,000, a Detective (Tony Hancock) commandeers a brewery dray. This is the entrance to Bishopsgate House on Wick Lane, Englefield Green in Surrey found by Robin Brooks who adds that the entrance to Dell Park stands in the right background.

A tough one to find, Robin explains that the post has been rebuilt and resited slightly, although the design is very similar to the original. However the gate, now painted gold, is the same, note the two adornments on the top and to the right of the floral centrepiece. The access to Dell Park seems to have have been moved in the intervening years.

Stopping work when the Detective approaches, the Drayman is ordered to follow the two hearses. To the left stands the Fox & Hounds public on Bishopsgate Road, Englefield Green located by Robin Brooks.

With foliage obscuring much of the view, Robin Brooks took this shot of the Fox & Hounds which stands close to the Bishop's Gate entrance of Windsor Great Park.

The Green at Englefield Green, Surrey recognised by David Pickhaver.

Robin Brooks points out the removal of the third, lower chimney in his comparison view.

Sitting on the grass with his Companion. a Man (David Cargill) takes off his hat as Morris and John's hearse drives by. The cricket pitch on the Green at Englefield Green found by Robin Brooks who tells us that "My assistant, Angela, grew up just down the road from Englefield Green and was my “go to” girl for research. She knew where the Bishopsgate House entrance was as she took riding lessons there. I’d have never found it on my own!"

The cricket pitch now taken by Robin.

Switching to playing mournful music, the Band revert to their previous repertoire after the hearse disappears from view. Englefield Green identified by Robin Brooks.

Robin provides the comparison.

The second hearse passes through the Band's Audience prompting another dirge. Englefield Green in Surrey.

Morris and John pass the entrance to the late Mr. Hackett's estate. Bishopsgate Road, Englefield Green discovered by Robin Brooks. The location also features in 1967's 'Casino Royale'.

The entrance to, what was, the Savill Court Hotel, Englefield Green by Robin.

A real funeral procession leaves the estate. Robin Brooks found the entrance to Dell Park, later the Savill Court Hotel, since renamed Fairmont Windsor Park, on Bishopsgate Road, Englefield Green.

Robin captured the entrance to the Savill Court Hotel.

Michael and Julia catch up with Mr. Hackett's cortège as it follows Morris and John. Wick Lane, Englefield Green found by Robin Brooks.

Robin explains that the entrance to Bishopsgate House is 150 yards along on the right.

Pursuing the hearses, the brewery dray passes the bandstand causing discord amongst the Musicians. The sign of the Barley Mow public house at Englefield Green stands to the left advises Robin Brooks.

With thanks to Robin.

The Band Master struggles to bring order as Solicitor Patience drives his trap through the Audience. Located by Robin Brooks. to the left stands the Barley Mow overlooking the Green at Englefield Green. The pub can also be seen in 'Side by Side'.

The pub now by Robin.

Another group of Mourners join the chase. Barley Mow Road, Englefield Green with the Barley Mow in the left background identified by Robin Brooks.

Now from Robin.

Sitting alone at a crossroads, a Workman (George Spence) enjoys a pipe whilst waiting for his kettle to boil. Coopers Hill Lane at Englefield Green discovered by Robin Brooks who found the location while looking for something else!

Robin was unable to get the correct angle, but this is the same spot. The public footpath sign stands in for the period lamp post.

All manner of vehicles approach the Workman from every directions before an almighty crash during which the contents of the hearses are inadvertently swapped. Coopers Hill Lane, Englefield Green in Surrey located by Robin Brooks.

Robin's assistant Angela stands in for the Workman.

A Clergyman (Norman Bird) waits at the cemetery to conduct the burial of Mr. Hackett.

The Clergyman looks up as the carriage bringing Mrs. Hackett comes to a stand.

Morris and John arrive with the hearse carrying Masterman.

A Post Script: This and the following two images provided by Russell Groves are cuttings from the Bath Evening Chronicle. Andrew Cave adds that this picture was taken in front of the magnolia tree that was growing in the area of number 12 Royal Crescent in 1965.

The only bit of the crescent with greenery. SJ

Behind the scenes. Also see the links in the header above.

Identical apart from the motors. SJ

Bath's Royal Crescent taken during filming.

A repeat of the comparison view seen earlier taken by Simon James.