Silent Weapon, The (A Scotland Yard supporting feature)

Edgar Lustgarten narrates "The background of this case is concerned with dog racing. A sport that brings excitement to millions of ordinary men and women. A sport that depends for its existence on one of the most aristocratic of beasts, the greyhound." Wandsworth Greyhound Racing Stadium on Garret Lane in SW18.

"Famed since the time of the Pharaohs for its speed beauty and grace. A hound once so highly prized that by law ownership was restricted to persons of high birth. While the killing of one of these blue bloods of the canine world brought the same penalty as the murder of a man. Today, these dogs provide sport for everyone and the only risk is whether your favourite wins or loses." Wandsworth Greyhound Stadium closed in June 1966 after hosting races for a little over 31 years.

"Dog racing, like every other human activity, is capable of abuse. The sport involves big money and big money is a temptation to crime. This case, however, begins not with the excitement of the track, not even with dogs, but with two mounted men on a practice jumping course some thirty miles from London . . . " A shopping centre has occupied the site of Wandsworth Greyhound Stadium since demolition in the late 1960s.

Just after 7am, while out riding with well known greyhound breeder and trainer Brad Stephens, a shot unnerves the mount of kennel boy Tim Cruft.

Farmer James Warner runs towards the body of Mr. Stephens who had sustained a broken neck after falling from his horse. "A case of accidental death, or so it at first seems."

"Yet within a few hours a routine post-mortem performed at the local hospital revealed something so remarkable that the local police asked for the immediate assistance of Scotland Yard." Nelson Hospital on The Rush off Kingston Road in SW20.

John Harwood found that the wall had gone. (SJ)

Superintendent Carter (Geoffrey Keen) and Detective Sergeant Dobbs enter the hospital where the Pathologist explains that Stephens' broken neck had been caused by a strike from a heavy object, not the fall. Outside Nelson Hospital with properties on Watery Lane in the left background. The hospital appears in many productions including 'The Dark Man', 'Wings of Death', 'Egghead's Robot' and 'The Fatal Journey'.

Peter Bywaters matches the background buildings

With Scotland Yard on the scene, Reporters (Including Martin Lyder and Colin McKenzie) gather outside the police station as the Superintendent and his Sergeant arrive to question Tim Cruft. Peter Bywaters recognised the familiar location as 35 Coombe Road on Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey, the former Register Office for births, deaths and marriages which also appears 'The Never, Never Murder', 'We Shall See', 'The Share Out', 'Inadmissible Evidence', 'Evidence in Concrete', 'Confession' and 'Private Information'.

Peter captures the view from the steps of the building that could be described as an annex to Merton Park Studios!

After a search of the area for a likely weapon, Superintendent Carter and Detective Sergeant Dobbs (Stanley Morgan) call on Mr. Stevens' housekeeper.

Mrs. Baker (Nora Gordon) answers the door and invites the Officers inside before giving her opinion of Cruft who she thought was a waster and a thief.

Following an anonymous telephone call, the Superintendent makes his way the the Feathers, a public house in London's West End. Piccadilly Circus W1.

Currently a disappointing sight. Anteros has moved out of shot. SJ

Learning from Kennedy, the publican at the Feathers, that Stephens' dogs had been losing lately, Superintendent Carter and Sergeant Dobbs pay a visit to actress June Drew, owner of the second favourites that won the races. Merton Park Studios on Kingston Road in Wimbledon SW19. A similar shot can be seen in 'The Partner'.

The Detectives are met by Mr. Ford after they make their way to the kennels near Dorking where Miss Drew's dogs are kept.

Carrying a tin box containing collected bird's eggs that was found near the scene of Stephens' fall, Detective Sergeant Dobbs visits the first of many local schools.

At one school, the Detective finds that the eggs had been gathered by Sandy Burns (Terry Brooks) and Tommy Harris ('Mischief' Champniss). Dundonald School on Dundonald Road SW19.

John visited with a member of staff to ascertain whether cap14 was also Dundonald. They came close but John was not keen on a drainpipe abscence. No question about this one though. (SJ)

Detective Sergeant Dobbs closes the door after the young lads get into the back of the Superintendent's police car. Looking north-east along Dundonald Road in Merton.

A lot of bollards would prevent parking now. John took this. (SJ)

The boys are driven home after explaining that they lost the box in the hollow tree . . . where they had discovered something else. Facing north on Watery Lane SW19 with the corner of Church Path in the right background.

John was chuffed to note the original concrete post. (SJ)

Mrs. Burns (Judy Rodgers) meets her son and his friend at the gate before the boys take the Detectives to the garden shed to show them what they had found. The name on the gate reads Box Cottage and this is outside number 12 Watery Lane.

John's shot, which I've not trimmed too much as Box Cottage looks rather charming. (SJ)

Leaving the station, John Powers (John Woodvine) crosses the road towards Joan Drew (Norma Parnell) as she waits in her car. London Road in Morden, Surrey with Morden underground station across the road.

John found a bus at a relatively quiet moment on the A24. (SJ)

A short distance away, Sergeant Putnam (Peter Stratford) watches from an unmarked "Q" car. Outside the Odeon at the corner of London Road and Aberconway Road in Morden.

John is looking north-east with the old Odeon site, now Iceland, behind him. (SJ)

Followed by the Sergeant's car, Powers drives to Luton Airport. The slip road from the northbound carriageway of the M1 at junction 10, the Pepperstock Interchange, in Bedfordshire where the link road, now A1081, heads east towards Luton.

Flying in a helicopter from Battersea, Superintendent Carter and Detective Sergeant Dobbs catch up with the white Sunbeam Alpine.

Leaving the main road, Powers and Joan turn towards the airport.

The Detectives land in front of the plane that Powers and Joan have climbed into. Luton Airport with the 1952 Control Tower to the right. The Control Tower was demolished 1996.

A police car arrives at the airport. Luton Airport in Bedfordshire.