Carry On Constable

As a flu epidemic takes its toll on the country, an Angry Citizen arrives at the police station where the overstretched service struggles to cope. Hanwell Library on Cherington Road in Hanwell, Middlesex.

Access has been improved during the intervening years as Antony Blair discovered.

Fresh from police school, PCs Charlie Constable (Kenneth Connor), Stanley Benson (Kenneth Williams) and Tom Potter (Leslie Phillips) make their way to the station to replace missing Officers. Facing north on South Ealing Road W5 with the Conservative Club on St. Mary's Road in the distance.

Now.

Antony Blair records the passage of time with this updated view.

Along the street, a Jewel Thief (Freddie Mills) and his Accomplice (Peter Kelly) have their getaway interrupted by PC Potter who asks for directions to the police station. Michael Adams identifies Bond Street in Ealing W5.

Michael recreates the world of black and white where City Radio Stores hasn't changed in 60 years and adds that the side of the road featuring the jewellers was redeveloped in the 1990s with nothing remaining.

Potter points out the direction to his colleagues as a cross-eyed Man crosses their path. Looking south on The Avenue in W13 with Castle Parade to the right and West Ealing station in the distance.

Antony Blair found more to look at across the street.

The superstitious PC Constable shivers as he recovers from the encounter with the wall-eyed Man before the three continue on their way. The Avenue in West Ealing with the Drayton Court Hotel across the road on the right.

Now.

An updated view from Antony Blair.

PCs Constable, Benson and Potter reach the police station where they are welcomed and given temporary accommodation in the cells. Outside Hanwell Library on Cherington Road, Hanwell.

Antony Blair records the changes while the memorial stone set in the library wall remains a constant.

Working full time to cover absences, Special Constable Timothy Gorse (Charles Hawtrey) pounds his beat. Facing east on Lothair Road in South Ealing.

Across the street a Distraught Mother (Irene Handl) calls for her son Willie. Lothair Road W5 with numbers 12 to 8 as the background.

With her handler off work with flu, police dog Lady is taken out by PC Benson. South Ealing Road with St. Mary's Road in the distance.

After Willie turns up, Gorse takes a ride on the youngster's scooter. The corner of Lothair Road and Alacross Road.

Lady escapes from Benson's grip and runs away. Lothair Road W5 with South Ealing Road in the right background.

Now.

Gorse almost collides with Lady and both career down steps towards a basement. The north side of Lothair Road with numbers 10 and 8 to the right.

Bumping into Benson as he and Gorse make their way back to the station, a Pickpocket (Peter Bennett) takes his braces. Outside the Sorting Office on Manor Road in Ealing W13.

No telephone kiosk in Antony Blair's comparison.

Holding his trousers up, Benson chases after the thief. Facing west on Manor Road with the footbridge crossing the Great Western Main Line in the left distance.

No thieves on the street when Antony Blair turned up.

After parade, Sergeant Frank Wilkins (Sid James) marches with his men as they head out to start their patrols. The Avenue W13 with the corner of Gordon Road to the left.

Antony Blair found the shops shuttered.

The Constables (inc. Joe Phelps) pass through a suburban estate. Looking towards numbers 78 to 74 Pinewood Green, Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire

Much greenery has appeared (SR)

Driving past the Policemen, Honoria (Diane Aubrey) recognises Tom Potter and, much to the Sergeant's annoyance, the two stop to chat. Pinewood Green at Iver Heath, where David Rawsthorn draws our attention to the Triumph YR3A, registration YDU 212, which also appears in 'Breaking Point'.

The road appears in a similar state, with the addition of speed bumps. (SR)

Continuing on their way, the Officers (inc. Jack Silk and Robert Vossler) turn a corner. The corner of Drayton Avenue and Manor Road W13 at which Jim Zatoff tells us that the shop to the right is the one used in the pilot episode of television's 'Open All Hours'. (RL)

Replacing Jim's Google capture, Antony Blair provides this view of the shop that's now not open all hours.

Sergeant Wilkins calls to Gorse who's bringing up the rear of the column. The corner of Drayton Avenue and Manor Road.

The tree has matured and there are alterations in the background of Antony Blair's shot.

As he carries on following his colleagues, Gorse turns to acknowledge the Sergeant who tells him that his beat starts here. Facing eastward along Manor Road in West Ealing.

Now.

Antony Blair found that a basement flat has been added to the property.

The march passes the entrance to a park. Daniel O'Neill identifies this as outside the entrance to the Recreation Ground on South Ealing Road W5.

David McGillivray provides this comparison shot of the same location.

PC Constable begins his patrol while a Lady (Hilda Fenemore) searches for a penny outside a public convenience. The background toilet block stands at the entrance of the Recreation Ground on South Ealing Road but of course, not being convenient for the local council, it has since been removed.

Benson nods to Sergeant Wilkins as he leaves the end of the line. Drayton Avenue, at the corner of Manor Road.

Minor changes are apparent in Antony Blair's view.

Alert to what's going on, Benson spots a suspicious looking Man (Victor Maddern). Outside West Ealing Sorting Office on Manor Road, West Ealing.

Now.

Not that much has changed in Antony Blair's shot taken 64 years after filming.

Benson follows the Man, watching his every movement. The short parade of shops stands on Manor Road W13.

Now.

Antony Blair returned to the same parade.

Approaching the man as he attempts to get into a parked car, Benson is shown Detective Sergeant Liddell's warrant card. Facing east on Manor Road with Argyle Corner and Argyle Road in the the background.

Antony Blair returned to the scene.

Outside the park gates, Constable looks down when a dog starts sniffing at his feet. The gates of the Recreation Ground on South Ealing Road, now renamed as the Maytrees Rest Garden.

PC Constable walks away shaking his legs. The gates of the Recreation Ground on South Ealing Road, opposite South Ealing Station in W5.

And now from Michael Adams.

PC Thurston drives a patrol car to collect Sergeant Wilkins. Facing north on Muswell Hill Broadway from around number 474. (SR)

Getting into the Wolseley, the Sergeant asks what Thurston (Cyril Chamberlain) would do to keep an eye on the patrols. Alacross Road in Ealing with Coningsby Road starting at the background end.

There had been an added splash of colour and just a few more cars when Antony Blair visited the street.

As he walks his beat, Constable finds rubbish on the pavement beneath a litter bin. Looking south on The Avenue W13.

Banging his head on the bin as he picks up the litter, Constable hears a scream coming from a nearby window. Numbers 37 and 39 The Avenue in West Ealing.

Antony Blair found work being carried out.

When a call for help follows the scream, Constable rushes towards the building. The Avenue in West Ealing with the corner of Gordon Road in the background.

The same corner captured by Antony Blair.

Thurston and Wilkins arrive on the scene after Constable blows his whistle. Facing the junction of Gordon Road and The Avenue.

Antony Blair discovered that a mini-roundabout has been added at the junction.

An Old Lady (Esma Cannon) attempts to hold up traffic as she tries to cross a busy road. The junction of Argyle Road, The Avenue and Drayton Green Road in W13 advises Michael Adams.

Having taken ten minutes to get to the other side of the road, the Lady pauses at the kerb. The railway bridge taking Drayton Green Road over the Great Western Main Line at West Ealing located by Michael Adams.

Spotting the bewildered looking Lady from along the street, Benson approaches and takes her across the road. Michael Adams identifies this as looking north towards The Avenue from Drayton Green Road.

James Armstrong provides this modern view.

As the Lady berates Benson, hitting him with a baguette, Thurston and Sergeant Wilkins arrive. Outside the Drayton Court Hotel on The Avenue.

In car 4, Thurston and Wilkins are sent to 35 Nathaniel Road following a report of an intruder. Looking towards Summerland Mansions on The Broadway (Muswell Hill Road) from the roundabout at the junction of Queen's Avenue, Colney Hatch Lane, Duke's Avenue and Muswell Hill at Muswell Hill in N10 with the corner of Summerland Gardens to the extreme right, identified by Steve Randall.

Paul Lincoln ticks another off his 'to do' list. (RL)

Gorse hurries towards a Woman calling for help in a churchyard. Facing east from outside St. Mary's church on Church Road in Hanwell, Middlesex.

The scene now by Antony Blair.

The Woman (Noel Dyson) tells Gorse that she's lost her cat Fluff. St. Mary's church on Church Road in Hanwell.

Antony Blair found a very blue door.

Inside the church, Gorse becomes entangled in the bell ropes and shoots into the belfry as he attempts to retrieve the cat. The spire of St. Mary's church in Hanwell, Middlesex.

Mick Mowatt captured this comparison.

After setting fire to the Station Inspector office, Potter is sent out with Lady to patrol the streets. The footpath outside 110 and 118 Pinewood Green in Iver Heath.

Today with extensions and hedges. (SR)

Lady drags Potter into a garden where he collides with Inspector Mills, knocking him into the ornamental pond. 116 Pinewood Green in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire with properties on Pinewood Road to the right,

This doorway now replaced by a window, and garages block the view. (SR)

PC Constable is happy to be on patrol with WPC Gloria Passworthy (Joan Sims). Manor Road in W13 with the Great Western Main Line in the background.

Proclaiming his love for her, Constable continues along the road not noticing that Gloria has started to climb a set of steps. Roger Viggers identifies the west end of Manor Road, opposite the corner shop seen earlier with the steps leading to the footbridge over the railway, known locally as Jacob's Ladder.

Gloria looks down from the footbridge as Constable bumps into a pram being pushed by a Mother. Manor Road at the footbridge over the Great Western Main Line leading to Felix Road that was seen earlier.

Addressing the problem of shoplifting, Benson and Gorse dress as women in an effort to catch the criminals. F. H. Rowse at the corner of The Broadway and Green Man Lane in West Ealing W13.

Recalling days in the early 70s when his Nan used to take him to the department store on shopping trips, Antony Blair returned 64 years later to find the rebuilt corner looking very sad for itself.

Gorse and Benson run from the store as they're chased by Staff after apprehending a Suspect. Looking towards the junction of Green Man Lane and Uxbridge Road in West Ealing.

Now.

Wearing a sandwich board, reformed drinker Mrs. May (Joan Hickson) walks towards the police station. Looking towards Church Road from outside the Library on Cherrington Road, Hanwell.

Antony Blair captured the scene now.

Potter congratulates the tippler turned campaigner. The street outside the Library on Cherrington Road, Hanwell with the rear of properties on Balfour Avenue as the background.

The same background properties cross the background of Antony Blair's comparison.

Eric (Ian Curry) and Sally Barry (Shirley Eaton) thank Benson for an earlier intervention. Outside Hanwell Library on Cherington Road, Hanwell.

Antony Blair found that the gateway has been moved further to the right.

Sergeant Wilkins relates a story from his past. Looking along Robert's Alley from Church Place in Ealing W5 located by Michael Adams.

Michael Adams explains that there is a school to the left behind the wall. The black door in the wall, and the general line of the backs of the gardens to the right remain unchanged after 60 years.

Spotting an illegally parked van, the Officers open the back to reveal two Men tied up after a wages snatch. Outside the Rose & Crown public house, facing west towards Church Gardens on Church Place, Ealing. The area can also be seen in 'Looking on the Bright Side' and 'Birth of the Beatles'.

Michael Adams comments that only the cars have change.

Followed by Wilkins and Potter in the van, the Crooks' getaway car speeds away. The corner of Church Road and Thornbridge Road at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire.

Now it's a Co-op on the corner. (SR)

The camera pans with the Plymouth Cambridge as it corners. Facing the Stag & Hounds public house at the junction of Church Road and Thornbridge Road in Iver Heath.

Diagonal parking here nowadays. (SR)

At the site of roadworks, the car slows to pass over a ramp. Ashford Road at the junction with Thornbridge Road in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, a location that can also be seen in 'Carry On Cabby'.

A different obstruction here today. (SR)

Potter and his Sergeant attempt to keep up in the Austin A35 van but the thieves escape. Facing west on Ashford Road in Iver Heath.

A pretty similar view today. (SR)

Benson and Potter are sent out on patrol together. Antony Blair found Drayton Road W13 with numbers 29, 30 and 31 in the background.

Proof from Antony.

The Constables discuss making a lot of arrests to impress the Inspector. Neil Rigby identifies this as looking northward on York Avenue at the corner with Clairville Gardens in Hanwell. (RL)

Mick Mowatt provides us with this view of that very junction. (RL)

Turning a corner, Potter spots the getaway car from the wages snatch. Clairville Gardens in Hanwell, Middlesex.

Antony Blair took this comparison facing numbers 4 and 5.

Benson asks "are you sure?" before the pair examine the vehicle.

Reporting that they've found the car, Potter and Benson are joined by Constable and Gorse as the Plymouth is towed away. The corner of York Avenue and Clairville Gardens, Hanwell.

Antony Blair's comparison shows that the roadsweeper hasn't passed this way in a few years.

Believing that he knows where the Crooks are hiding out, Gorse leads his fellow Officers to "the street of a thousand mouse holes".

Cliff (Jack Taylor) and Shorty (Eric Boon) look down from the window of one of the derelict houses.

Following a struggle, the Thieves are taken into custody.