Doctor Morelle

The story opens with a view of Piccadilly Circus in London W1.

Paul Lincoln captured the same location 75 years on revealing some property re-development and the fact that the Shaftesbury Memorial has been moved and pedestrianised (February 1985). (RL)

Panning right, the camera finds a Fiat 500 Topolino being driven across Piccadilly from Lower Regent Street.

Paul Lincoln found the perfect day to capture the detail of the location, not least compared to the screen capture. (RL)

The car turns into the northern section of Regent Street.

Paul witnessed the changes that London traffic charges and working from home has made on activity. (RL)

Cars, lorries and buses cause congestion at Oxford Circus. Facing northwards from the junction of Regent Street and Oxford Street in W1 with Princes Street to the top left.

It must have been an unusual moment when Paul 'clicked' the shutter here, because there are still many buses in London. (RL)

Miss Frayle's Fiat slows to join a queue of traffic. Regent Street with the corner of Princes Street in the background.

Still no buses Paul! (RL)

Checking her watch, Miss Frayle gets annoyed when she sees the traffic jam. Facing north on Regent Street with Oxford Circus in the background.

Clearly Paul opted for the safety of the pavement for this one. (RL)

Once on the move and running late, tyres begin to squeal when the young Lady corners. Harley Street at the corner of New Cavendish Street in W1.

No wonder Paul Lincoln is where he is now, he must have gone private to spend as much time with Dr. Morelle as he has. (RL)

Parking up, Miss Frayle (Julia Lang) gets out of the Topolino. Harley Street with the junction of New Cavendish Street in the background.

Miss Frayle would have had as much difficulty these days finding a spot to park as Paul did to take this shot. (RL)

Dr. Morelle's secretary hurries into the building where the private detective begins to dictate 'The Case of the Missing Heiress'. Harley Street in W1.

Paul captured the same location in glorious colour. (RL)

"Barren Tor, as its name suggests, is situated in the West Country. It is a lonely and isolated mansion . . ."

". . . two miles from the nearest village . . . " Village Road in Denham, Buckinghamshire, this section of which appears in many films including 'Man in the Moon', 'Murder She Said', 'Ghost of a Chance' and 'Dark Places'.

Antony Blair found a more colourful scene 75 years on.

" . . . three from a railway station and far removed from any bus route. To reach the house you turn off the main Exeter road at Gibbet Corner."

"There is a drive, nearly half a mile in length, leading to the north front of the house, behind which, on the evening of October 15th at about seven o'clock, the curtain is rising on the drama of Cynthia Mason."

Just after Samuel Kimber's step-daughter Cynthia Mason departs, Peter Drury (Peter Lorrimer) has a visit from the old man's butler, Bensall (Hugh Griffith).

At quarter to ten that evening, Peter Lorimer makes his way to Barren Tor. Windmill Road in Fulmer, Buckinghamshire with the tower of St. James's church beyond the Black Horse public house. Similar views in daylight can be seen in 'Man in the Road' and 'Don’t Talk to Strange Men'.

Having had a well earned pint, Antony Blair ventured into the damp car park to take this shot.

After Cynthia disappears, her friend Miss Frayle enters the story and proceeds to Paddington station.

Instead of consulting Dr. Morelle, Miss Frayle plays the role of private detective and begins to investigate Cynthia's fate. Paddington station in London W2.

A whistle blows and the express to Devonshire departs from the Capital with Miss Frayle on board. Paddington with the station's buildings fronting Eastbourne Terrace to the top right.

The locomotive carries head code 180 indicating that it is a Down service from London. Maidenhead East signal box stands to the left, identified on the Railway Movie Database.

Changing onto a local train and then taking a bus, Miss Frayle arrives at Barren Tor after a two mile walk past Gibbet Corner.

After Bensall is shot, Miss Frayle calls Dr. Morelle who catches a train to join her. Continuing from the earlier view of the passing train, the house with the smoking chimney stands south of the railway at Maidenhead.

Taking on the guise of publisher Captain Roger Welton, Doctor Morelle (Valentine Dyall) calls on Mr. Drury.

The film's climax has Peter Drury climbing onto the roof of Barran Tor.

Dr. Morelle and Miss Frayle run out of the house and look towards the roof where Drury grabs a loose ridge tile.