Daylight Robbery (Children’s Film Foundation)

Aboard a yacht moored on the Thames, Janet (Janet Hannington) and Kirk (Kirk Martin) Jenkins send Morse code messages to their friend Darryl. The Towpath opposite Pharaoh's Island on the River Thames at Shepperton in Middlesex.

Darryl (Darryl Read) receives the message and gives the thumbs up to his Pals. One of the since replaced properties on The Towpath at Shepperton.

Kirk tells his sister that of course he received the message . . . before the battery powering the transmitter is knocked into the water. Looking across the River Thames with buildings on Pharaoh's Island on the far bank.

At quarter to six, the hooter sounds on the nearby building site. This seems to be looking from Hyde Park Crescent W2, across cleared ground once occupied by Norfolk Mews with the Water Gardens in the distance and what appears to be part of St. John's church to the extreme left.

With thanks to Paul Lincoln for tackling this series of comparative shots. The substantial development that was under way in the area in 1964 and has continued since, made it difficult and challenging. Here, Paul knows that he is too far back and should have been to the right of the church but he has managed to include the necessary Water Gardens block and reveal the difficulties of the location shot. (RL)

Realising that the haven't got a present for their Mum's birthday the following day, Janet and Kirk run to the shops with Darryl. As the sign reads, Norfolk Crescent in W2.

Visiting the scene 60 years later Paul Lincoln, not surpisingly, found a completely changed scene. (RL)

The Children make it to the store just before closing time. British Home Stores on John Prince's Street W1.

No BHS now. (PW)

Outside the store, a Bank Robber (John Trenaman) looks at his watch before he and his Gang make their way inside. Looking north on John Prince's Street with Margaret Street crossing the background.

Modern buses and a shrouded background on the same street. (PW)

Told off by her Mother, Trudy (Trudy Moors) approaches the store looking for Janet, Kirk and Darryl as the Manager (Neil Wilson) returns from depositing the day's takings in the night safe of the bank next door. Outside BHS on John Prince's Street, a location that was also used in 'Last Night in Soho'.

A wider shot where redesign has altered the frontage but the inspection cover seems to pin the spot down. (PW)

Leaving the shop after finding that the Children were intending to take a battery without paying, Trudy watches from across the road as the doors to the store are locked, trapping Janet, Kirk and Darryl inside. The corner of Great Castle Street and John Prince's Street in W1.

It's been many years since the unit was a boarded site. (PW)

Making their way to the basement, the Children look out onto the building site behind the store after hearing the Gang Members talking. The Water Gardens on Edgware Road in W2.

Paul looked up and found a very similar view even if it is perhaps not the correct one of the three tower blocks. (RL)

Janet, Kirk and Darryl climb through a small window and make their way across the construction site. The Water Gardens, standing between Edgware Road and Norfolk Crescent which also appear in 'Percy', 'Bedazzled' and 'Quantum of Solace' while the location prior to construction can be seen in '23 Paces to Baker Street'.

Despite the impossiblity of achieving a true comparative shot Paul Lincoln is destermined that a similar facet of 'The Water Gardens' should be shown given that they remain and are in such apparent good condition. (RL)

The Friends get into an elevator as they attempt to find a way out of the site. Seen from the Water Gardens, in the background stands Park West.

Making his way to the top of a building with a radio to keep lookout for the Gang, Charlie (Douglas Robinson) looks down from a floor above the elevator landing. Looking down from the Water Gardens in W2 with the corner of Radnor Place and Sussex Gardens the top right.

When he hears the lift machinery in action, Charlie stops the elevator. Looking south-east with Park West on the left, cars parked on Norfolk Crescent to the bottom and Porchester Place and Kendal Street on the right.

Trudy makes her way towards home as the Crook pursues Kirk across the upper floor of the unfinished block. Facing south-west on Crawford Place W1 with the Water Gardens on the other side of Edgware Road.

Paul found that a very similar, but updated shot, could be taken. (RL)

Hearing Kirk call out when Charlie grabs him, Trudy turns. Crawford Place with Crawford Mansions at the corner of Homer Row in the right distance.

The loss of the 'local shop' is clearly evident in this comparative shot from Paul. (RL)

Spotting the two near the edge of an unfinished level in building, the Youngster runs to see if she can help. Possibly facing south-west on Burwood Place in W2.

Paul provides the wider view of the location today confirming that he is in the correct location (top right hand corner) despite the difference. (RL)

Finding a gap beneath a hoarding, Trudy makes her way onto the site. The Water Gardens seen from the vicinity of Sussex Gardens.

As per the capture text Paul took this shot 'from the vicinity of Sussex Gardens.' (RL)

Looking between the two north-westernmost blocks of the Water Gardens towards Edgware Road and Crawford Street beyond.

Paul records the sad loss of some of the more individual properties. (RL)

After capturing Janet, Kirk and Darryl and locking them in a shed, Charlie continues his lookout duties. Burwood Place W2 with Park West Place the top left.

Paul, naturally, was only able to take the comparative shot from ground level. (RL)

The Gang stop their work in the store's basement when a Gent (James Villiers) riding a scooter stops on the street outside. Facing north outside British Home Stores on John Prince's Street W1.

I wasn't crouching any lower! (PW)

The Gent's Girlfriend (Marion Wilson) approaches from across the road. John Prince's Street with Sandoz House at the corner of Great Castle Street in the background.

The same corner . . . repurposed. (PW)

After the Young Woman jumps onto the scooter, the pair ride away. Burwood Place with the car park sign indicating the part of Norfolk Crescent in use as a car park which is visible from above in capture 14.

Paul concludes his visits to Burwood Place with this shot revealing that those access gates would now provide entry to Park West Place, W1 (RL)

Freed from captivity by Trudy, the Children try to alert a Motorist (Norman Rossington) in the street below when he gets out of his car to inspect a puncture. This has the appearance of Shepperton Studios in Middlesex.

The Bank Robber runs across the construction site to recapture the kids.when he realises that it's a young Lad using the radio. To the left stands Forset Court at the corner of Harrowby Street W1 and Edgware Road W2.

The 1964 development has been completed so Paul had to take this shot with his back to it. (RL)

The Children pour cement and water onto the Bank Robber as he tries to reach them. Looking down onto Edgware Road with the corner of Harrowby Street to the top right.

Another shot that Paul was forced to take from ground level. At least the main distinctive building remains, it is now a 'Waitrose'. (RL)

A Taxi Driver (Ronald Fraser) picks up a message from Kirk as he uses the Gang's radio.

Climbing into the cab of a crane to escape the Robber, Kirk operates the controls causing the jib to spin. A blurred shot facing north-west from the Water Gardens with Edgware Road on the right.

Paul found the Edgware Road quieter than the capture. Just as well standing were he did! (RL)

The crane continues to turn bringing Winchester House into view and the corner of Edgware Road W2 and Old Marylebone Road W1 to the bottom left.