Blind Date

Jan Van Rooyer (Hardy Krüger) picks up the shoe that he lost when alighting from a bus. Looking north on Victoria Embankment in London SW1.

A good match by Neil Kenny.

The camera pans with Jan hopping across the pavement as he puts his shoe back on. Hungerford and Waterloo Bridges cross the Thames in the background and the shot tower on the South Bank can be made out in the right distance next to the Royal Festival Hall.

Now, with thanks to Carl Lieder.

Neil Kenny revisited the scene 64 years after filming took place.

When the Dutchman disappears from view, the pan stops. In the centre distance, scaffolding surrounds construction of the Shell Centre while part of County Hall appears to the right. Ray Simmons explains that the Shot Tower was used as part of the Festival of Britain in 1951 but was pulled down to make way for the Queen Elizabeth Hall which was started in 1965.

Carl Lieder provides the comparison.

15 years on from the previous comparison, taken by Neil Kenny.

Jan buys a bunch of violets from a Flower Seller. Parliament Square SW1 with the Houses of Parliament filling the background.

Neil Kenny avoided most of the the statuary that has sprouted up around the square.

Happy to be heading to meet the woman he loves, the young artist skips along the road. Facing east, outside Wellington barracks on Birdcage Walk SW1.

Neil Kenny found a few additional bollards!

A pause, to watch a Soldier with his rifle. Wellington Barracks on Birdcage Walk.

With the gates firmly shut, this is the best shot that Neil Kenny could take.

The carefree journey across London continues as Jan reaches Hyde Park Corner. The corner of Grosvenor Place and Halkin Street with St. George's Hospital and Wellington Place in the background.

A rather crowded scene now. SJ

Jan reaches a quieter part of town. Wilton Row in SW1.

The same mews properties now.

Neil Kenny returned to Wilton Row 64 years after filming and 15 years on from the previous comparison.

Coming to a halt to see Middle Class faces staring at him, Jan turns and climbs the steps towards his lover's mews home. Wilton Row at the entrance to Old Barrack Yard next to the Grenadier public house, which appears in 'The Diamond' and 'Street Corner'.

The pub's clientele were quite interested and appreciative when Neil Kenny explained what he was up to.

Coming across a Policeman, Jan stops skipping on the story's Clive Mews. Old Barrack Yard in SW1.

Now, behind the Grenadier public house.

Assisted by lady named Maria, Neil Kenny updates the scene.

Jan looks up at the door to Jacqueline Cousteau's apartment. Old Barrack Yard can also be seen in 'Scrooge (1951)', 'Street Corner' and 'The Fallen Idol'.

Neil Kenny found that there a no longer garages, but there are still cars!

Jan looks back towards the Constable before turning to enter the mews flat at the studio, where a Police Sergeant finds him lounging on the couch after being alerted to a murder. Old Barrack Yard in Belgravia.

The steps have been renewed in Neil Kenny's shot.

Questioned by Inspector Morgan, Jan explains how he met the woman he knew as Jacqueline Cousteau. The Tate Gallery, Millbank SW1.

A nice late autumnal day. SJ

Jan leaves the gallery after Jacqueline finds him inside and asks questions about him. The Tate Gallery on Millbank.

The front railings have long gone. SJ

Following Jan from the gallery, Jacqueline Cousteau (Micheline Presle) apologises for upsetting him. The steps of the Tate Gallery.

Neither the cone nor student seemed inclined to move for this shot. SJ

Jacqueline asks Jan to give her private painting lessons. The Tate Gallery and the section of road outside can be seen in 'Fun at St. Fanny's', 'The Horse's Mouth', 'Seven Days to Noon' and 'A Game for Vultures' amongst other productions.

Details of the front. SJ

Jan walks away after reluctantly giving Jacqueline the address of his Chelsea studio. Looking across the Thames towards the Albert Embankment from outside the Tate Gallery.

Joan Crawland captured the scene 49 years later.

My taxi awaits. SJ

As the romance blossoms, Jan looks out onto the river. The view from Hungerford Bridge along the Thames towards Waterloo Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral.

The view from the replacement footbridge. (PW)

Dissatisfied with Jan's answers, Inspector David Morgan (Stanley Baker) takes him to the police station for further questioning. Old Barrack Yard in SW1.

The light had begun to fade when Neil Kenny captured this view.

At the police station, Inspector Westover (John Van Eyssen), Inspector Morgan get out of the car with Jan. Cheyne Walk SW3 with Chelsea Old church visible to the top left.

Here's how the location appears today.

And here it is 15 years on. The sun is still shining but it's later in the day. SJ

The three enter the building where Jan tries to plead his innocence through the night. The former Cheyne Hospital on Cheyne Walk in Chelsea.

The same doorway.

No change here. SJ

Inspector Morgan and Jan head for London Airport the following morning. Facing the junction of Cheyne Walk and Chelsea Embankment with the drinking fountain in memory of George Sparkes to the left and Battersea Bridge and the chimneys of Lots Road power station in the background.

Ray Simmons provides this modern view.

I was rather restricted by the parking arrangements. SJ

The flight bringing Sir Howard Fenton home from Dusseldorf lands at London Airport. In the background stands London Airport's Central control tower which was demolished in 2013.

Overjoyed when he spots Jacqueline in the back of the Humber Imperial that meets Sir Howard, Jan urges and Inspector Morgan into the police car to follow. London Airport to the south of Bath Road in Harlington, Middlesex.

The limousine takes Sir Howard and his Wife towards the terminal building. London Airport in Middlesex.

Can you imagine the interest from police officers, all with machine guns, whilst Linsey Morrison was scrambling around behind parked cars trying to get this shot?

Sir Howard Fenton (David Markham) gets out of the Humber leaving his Wife sitting on the back seat.

Linsey Morrison survived to take this comparison.

Sure that she is Jacqueline, Jan speaks with Lady Fenton who explains to the Inspector that she has never seen the man before in her life. London Airport in Harlington, Middlesex.

After the real Jacqueline Cousteau's murderer is identified, the Inspector is satisfied that Jan is innocent. Cheyne Walk in Chelsea SW3.

Without the prop police lamp.

And still no prop police lamp. SJ

The free man walks away. Looking towards Chelsea Embankment from Cheyne Walk with Battersea Bridge in the left background.

Charles Reaves returned to the location.

Railings were added to protect Hans Sloane's monument since Kruger passed by. SJ

Jan looks back towards the police station after finding the bunch of violets in his pocket. Chelsea Embankment with Crosby Hall on Danvers Street in the left background.

The prop temporary bus stop has long since been removed.

Both the comparisons show the southern section of Crosby Hall built in the 90s but the Portland stone building in the centre is the Great Hall which was moved stone by stone from the City of London in 1910. SJ

Holding the posy, Jan walks towards the river. Facing south-westward on Chelsea Embankment.

Charles Reaves recaptures the scene.

A comparison to show the match of tree, especially second from the right. SJ

Jan drop the violets into the river, along with his memories. The River Thames seen from Chelsea Embankment with Battersea Bridge crossing the background.

Two chimneys from Lots Road power station survive but the skyline is growing. SJ

Turning to see his bus, Jan runs and jumps onto the platform of the departing number 39. Chelsea Embankment in London SW3.

Again, a match of trees here. The Great Hall to the right and the mid-90s southern frontage of Crosby Hall, once a public garden, in the centre. SJ