Tyburn Case, The (A Scotland Yard supporting feature)
Date: 1958
Director: David Paltenghi
Production Company: Merton Park Studios
Stars: John Warwick, Gordon Needham, Howard Marion Crawford, Patricia Marmont, Genine Graham, Rita Webb, Totti Truman Taylor
Location(s): Mombasa (Kenya), London
Region(s): London T-Z, Rest Of The World
Storyline:
When a woman is found drowned under suspicious circumstances, Scotland Yard detectives find a vital clue from her clothing.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson
Number 24 in the series introduced by the crime writer Edgar Lustgarten
Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 16 Oct 2025

Edgar Lustgarten narrates "Beneath the streets of the city is another world. A silent, sinister, dark labyrinth of tunnels. A netherworld where few would care to venture . . . the sewers of London." We should all have perhaps picked up on the title 'Case' for Dave W places this "with the inspection team outside 2 Lupus Street SW1 with the camera looking north along Tachbrook Street where, in an unusual nod to location authenticity, the sewer underneath the street does indeed follow the course of the former River Tyburn." (RL)

Much has changed in Peter Bywaters' comparison, new buildings, a wider pavement and the addition of wheelie bins, but the position of one of the manhole covers can still be seen.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required

Below ground, Maintenance Workers set out on their patrol of what was the Tyburn River during which they discover the body of a woman.
- Capture 3
- 16 Oct 2025

Since rain was expected, the Police ordered the immediate removal of the body to a mortuary. Surprise, surprise, a real Mortuary not a prop board. Dave W found 194-196 Sheepcote Lane, SW11 and what is now a child day care centre. (RL)

Peter Bywaters found that the Mortuary sign has been removed to reflect the buildings change of use.
- Capture 4
- 16 Oct 2025

Superintendent Reynolds and Sergeant Hale are called in to investigate. To support the identification by Dave W, we are comforted that all the essential architectural element have been preserved. The building also appears in 'The Man Who Was Nobody'. (RL)

In Peter Bywaters' now shot, additional railings have been installed all around the parapet wall copying the same design as the original, "maybe the building is listed". The adjacent building is Latchmere Leisure Centre.
- Capture 5
- 16 Oct 2025

Inside the mortuary the Detectives are told by the Pathologist that the woman had been drowned in clean water containing soda, a chief constituent of bath salts. We are confident that the water at the day centre is quite pure, 194-196 Sheepcote Lane, SW11 as identified by Dave W. (RL)

The original paving slabs have been replaced with paving blocks as Peter Bywaters discovered, but the building appears to have been well maintained over the years, even if overtaken by the ubiquitous wheelie bins.
- Capture 6
- 18 Aug 2024

When enquiries all over the country fail to identify the victim, the Superintendent talks with an Engineer at London's County Hall. Looking across the River Thames to County Hall in SE1 from the steps leading down from Bridge Street SW1.

Still the same stair railing. SJ
- Capture 7
- 31 Dec 2024

Learning how far the body would have been washed during the previous weeks rain, Superintendent Reynolds (John Warwick) follows Sam as they climb out of a manhole in around two miles from where the woman was found. Outside 5 Acacia Place, St. John's Wood NW8. (SR)

Paul Lincoln didn't find the manhole cover but managed to capture a somewhat changed driveway to the property. (RL)
- Capture 8
- 31 Dec 2024

The Superintendent scans the properties in the respectable neighbourhood where he has appeared from the sewer. 5 Acacia Place. (SR)

Is this a sad reflection of the times caught here by Paul? (RL)
- Capture 9
- 31 Dec 2024

Birds sing as the camera pans along the quiet cul-de-sac. 3 Acacia Place. (SR)

Another sign of the times Paul? (RL)
- Capture 10
- 31 Dec 2024

The shot ends with a glimpse of the end of the road. Looking southeast in Acacia Place towards Acacia Road NW8. (SR)

At least Paul was able to include the house at the end that actually enabled Steve to establish the location. (RL)
- Capture 11
- 31 Dec 2024

Sergeant Hale is helped through the manhole which shows signs of having recently been opened. Looking north down Acacia Place towards the high wall at the end. (SR)

No activity at the end of the road for Paul to capture. (RL)
- Capture 12
- 31 Dec 2024

While the Residents of the quiet London backwater are questioned, Detective Sergeant Hale (Gordon Needham) returns from an empty property after seeing dust sheets covering the furnishings inside. 1 Acacia Place NW8. (SR)

Paul captured No 1 with all its architectural features highlighted. (RL)
- Capture 13
- 31 Dec 2024

The Superintendent learns from Mrs. Webb (Totti Truman Taylor) that widow Mrs. Alice Sandford owned the property but had moved out some weeks ago. The neighbouring house to that in the previous capture, 2 Acacia Place. (SR)

Paul doesn't see this as his 'best work'. Just what was he to do? Have another go in 15 years Paul. (RL)
- Capture 14
- 31 Dec 2024

Superintendent Reynolds and Sergeant Hale are driven to the letting agency responsible for the house. Acacia Place NW8 looking north. (SR)

The re-development of St. John's Wood Barracks is now clearly underway in this shot from Paul Lincoln. (RL)
- Capture 15
- 07 Sep 2024

Discovering from the agency that Mrs. Sandford's solicitor Mr. Shilling handles all of her affairs, the Detectives make their way to the Temple. King's Bench Walk, London EC3.

More bollards now. SJ
- Capture 16
- 07 Sep 2024

The police car draws up outside close to Mr. Shilling's chambers. King's Bench Walk can also be seen in 'Brothers in Law', 'The Blind Goddess', 'Tom Jones', 'School for Scoundrels', 'The Man Who Wouldn’t Talk’, 'Love Among the Ruins' and 'Mr Quilp'.

The sign King's Bench Walk looks the same. SJ
- Capture 17
- 07 Sep 2024

When questioned, Peter Shilling tells Superintendent Reynolds that his client is living in the Bahamas for health reasons. Looking out of 3 North onto King's Bench Walk.

Taken from the closed and locked door. SJ
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required

The Superintendent returns to the Yard where he is told by Benson that the dead woman's skirt had been invisibly repaired. New Scotland Yard on Victoria Embankment SW1.
- Capture 19
- 14 Jul 2024

Sergeant Hale visits one of the scores of firms that carry out invisible mending to damaged clothes. Facing numbers 1 and 2 Hinde Street W1 recognised by Richard Lovejoy.

Paul Lincoln found that there had been a number of changes and improvements to the property but is that really the place to hang hats and coats? (RL)
- Capture 20
- 16 Jul 2024

With no luck after several premises are checked, the legwork continues. Richard Lovejoy identifies this as Bell's premises at 36 St. George Street W1.

As we were aware this property was re-developed in the late 1970's (LPA 143889) so Paul Lincoln was fortunate to find that there was signage more or less in the correct place to capture besides brickwork. (RL)
- Capture 21
- 16 Jul 2024

The camera tilts down to find Sergeant Hale crossing another business off his list. Outside 36 St. George Street located by Richard Lovejoy.

As Paul tilted his camera down he was determined to capture a similar reflection of the properties opposite and The Westbury hotel that features in the screen capture. He succeded, well done! (RL)
- Capture 22
- 16 Jul 2024

Sergeant Hale mops his brow as he walks. Found by Richard Lovejoy, this is York Street W1 with the corner of Shillibeer Place in the right background. A closer view of the corner and still extant telephone kiosk can be seen in 'The Painted Smile'.

Despite these changing technological times Paul found the telephone kiosk to still be in situ. (RL)
- Capture 23
- 16 Oct 2024

Coming across a firm that wasn't on his list, he enters the building where the repair to a cigarette burn on the skirt is recognised. Richard Lovejoy tells us that here we're outside 41 and 42 Beauchamp Place SW3.

Now a beauty salon...with beautiful new railings. (SR)
- Capture 24
- 25 Jul 2024

Learning that Miss Bradley of 73 Victoria Court had brought in the skirt, a car brings Superintendent Reynolds to the address. North Gate on Prince Albert Road in NW8 located by Richard Lovejoy. The building can be seen in many other productions including 'Rock You Sinners', 'Bitter Harvest', 'Nowhere to Go' and 'A Severed Head'.

Looking south-west close to the corner with St. John's High Street. SJ
- Capture 25
- 25 Jul 2024

Sergeant Hale meets the Superintendent at the door before the pair enter the building and speak with Miss Bradley who identifies the skirt as hers.

This is the entrance to nos. 25-48. SJ
- Capture 26
- 14 Jul 2024

After Miss Bradley tells the Superintendent that she gave the skirt to her friend Nora Sims about a month ago, the investigation moves to Hanover Square. Hanover Square in W1.

The signage has gone but was Paul caught on that camera? (RL)
- Capture 27
- 14 Jul 2024

The Detectives make their way to the wholesale dress house where Miss Sims worked as a buyer and speak with her colleague Anne who recalls the name Peter from a telephone call. The northern side of Hanover Square. The cabman's shelter remains but has since been moved eastwards.

Paul Lincoln managed a ground level shot now that the Square starts to return to 'normal' as that the 'Crossrail' finalises. At least the taxi shelter remains. (RL)
- Capture 28
- 31 Dec 2024

Superintendent Reynolds and Sergeant Hale return to Mrs. Sandford's house where the charwoman Mrs. Evans (Rita Webb) is waiting at the front door. 1 Acacia Place NW8. (SR)

Unfortunately for Paul, Rita Webb wasn't there to lift the occasion for him. (RL)
- Capture 29
- 'Now' required

Discovering bath crystals at the house that matched those found in the dead woman's lungs. Superintendent Reynolds flies out to Nassau.
- Capture 30
- 'Now' required

As the long arm of the law reaches out to the Bahamas, Locals watch the Superintendent's plane come in to land.
- Capture 31
- 'Now' required

"That evening in Nassau, when the rest of the town was intent on enjoying itself, one man was thinking only of business . . . grim business." Superintendent Reynolds finds Miss Sims masquerading as the dead woman in a bar. In a slip of geography, this seems to be the Memon Mosque in Mombasa, Kenya.
- Capture 32
- 'Now' required

The Superintendent returns to London after being told how Mrs. Sandford died and who persuaded Miss Sims to impersonate her. New Scotland Yard seen from Victoria Embankment SW1.
- Capture 33
- 'Now' required

Inside Scotland Yard, the Superintendent collects Sergeant Hale. The entrance to New Scotland Yard on the road running between Victoria Embankment and Derby Gate, what is now known as Commissioner's Yard.
- Capture 34
- 07 Sep 2024

Superintendent Reynolds and Sergeant Hale return to the chambers of Peter Shilling. Kings Bench Walk EC4 with 3 North to the top left.

Looking north. SJ

