L-Shaped Room, The

Date: 1962
Director: Bryan Forbes
Production Company: Romulus Films

Stars: Leslie Caron, Anthony Booth, Avis Bunnage, Patricia Phoenix, Verity Edmett, Tom Bell, Cicely Courtneidge, Harry Locke, Ellen Dryden, Emlyn Williams, Jennifer Whte, Brock Peters, Gerry Duggan, Joan Ingram, Mark Eden, Stanley Morgan, Gerald Sim, Pamela Sholto
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

A young pregnant French girl who moves to a seedy boarding house in London for a new start, slowly gets to know the other residents of the house. Like her, they are also social outsiders, each in their own way. As she falls into a relationship with a struggling young writer, befriends a black jazz musician she finds a new reason to live. She considers getting an abortion, but is unhappy with this solution. Eventually, she comes to like her odd L-shaped room, but still faces two problems, what to do with her baby, and what to do the young musician.

Additional Information:

Originally uploaded in 2014 when the criteria for screen captures were more restricted the film has been re-addressed by Richard Lovejoy with additional screen captures and text appropriate to the storyline.

Peter Robinson’s photographs can be viewed here.

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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.

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Aerialview of Notting Hill Gate looking east. Circa 1962

The film starts with a panning shot. Notting Hill Gate looking east.

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Aerial focus view of ‘The Baynards’, Chepstow Place, W2 Circa 1962

Panning left to stop and focus in on ‘The Baynards’, Chepstow Place, W2

The junction of Tavistock Crescent and All Saints Road, London W11 Circa 1962

Before seeing Jane (Leslie Caron) walking and at the junction of Tavistock Crescent and All Saints Road, London W11

A slightly wider shot of the corner to show that Tavistock Crescent has been redeveloped but buildings on All Saints Road survive. Old maps show that 78 (just discernible at the top right of Walters) was on this corner. SJ

St. Luke’s Mews, W11 as viewed from Basing Street. Circa 1962

She crosses the road and we catch up with her in St. Luke’s Mews, W11 as viewed from Basing Street.

Looking east on the western branch of the mews. SJ

Clydesdale Road, W11 and looking across to Colville Square. Circa 1962

Before she exits Clydesdale Road, W11 and looks across to Colville Square.

Replacing Richard's GEV from Oct '16. Interestingly the letterboxed format of the film shows a clearly signed Clydesdale Road. SJ

Having asked for direction or re-assurance on the way she arrives at her destination and rings the doorbell. Peter Robinson places this as the northern end of Moorhouse Road with Westbourne Park Road crossing in the background and advises that it was obliterated in 1978 with the construction of the Wessex Gardens Estate. Peter who lived at, and was the last to leave, 73 Talbot Road has provided some photographs of Moorhouse Road from his front door. These can be viewed via the link in the Header Section above.

A modern brick housing estate.

Peter provides this shot showing the location now, adding that, as it was, it was "Rachman Land".

Lancaster Road, W11, looking towards St. Luke's Road. Circa 1962

We catch up with her again as she approaches another house. This time, Dave W says, she is hoping to find accommodation in Lancaster Road, W11, here looking towards St. Luke's Road.

Not too many changes here. SJ

Only to find that there is no vacancy there either........ that is No 19.

A wall has replaced some stair railings but the same design is intact behind the columns. SJ

The corner of 36 Tavistock Road and St Luke's Road with the camera looking north-east. Circa 1962

She relies upon a newspaper advertisement. Dave W resolved this long outstanding mystery and my frustration by placing this as the corner of 36 Tavistock Road and St Luke's Road with the camera looking north-east. 'Seventy Deadly Pills' Capture 41 has the reverse POV.

The terrace has been swept away to be replaced by, beyond the corner and running north to Tavistock Crescent, a green space and Westmead, a low-lying block, which in turn was demolished in 2023 for new apartments. SJ

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Looking up from her paper she sees a dispiriting scene. The long demolished 12a/14 Tavistock Crescent Dave W finds, more recently vehicular and pedestrian access together with garages but GEV would suggest a further incarnation is due.

This replaces my stop-gap shot from September 2024. At that time construction of the higher and extended Westmead replacement (see previous) continued so I provided a view of the chapel, the only survivor of the old Tavistock Crescent. Had the camera panned left, it would have been in shot. This though is more accurate with the wall, part of no.16 St. Andrew's House, next to the chapel, peeping in at the left. SJ

Tavistock Crescent, London W11 from the junction with St. Luke's Road Circa 1962

Another day, another opportunity. Tavistock Crescent, London W11

This is another corner of Tavistock Crescent, further east of the Walters capture. Nothing but the shape survives. Looking west. SJ

St. Luke's Road passing 'Freds Cafe' on the corner with Tavistock Crescent. Circa 1962

Jane turns into St. Luke's Road passing 'Freds Cafe' on the corner. A sequence that can also be seen in 'The Spaniard's Curse'.

No 10p cod'n'chips available today! SJ

Tavistock Crescent, on the opposite corner to the Tavistock Hotel/Inn at the mouth of the pathway to the bridge over the railway Circa 1962

Suddenly she is drawn to the window of a tobacconists shop, and an advertisement. The shop was No 41a Tavistock Crescent, on the opposite corner to the Tavistock Hotel/Inn at the mouth of the pathway to the bridge over the railway. Also see 'Col cuore in gola' (With Heart in Mouth) and 'La Coda Dello Scorpione'.

Not much going on today. SJ

St. Stephen’s Gardens, W2 looking towards Ledbury Road in the background, circa Nos 143/147. Circa 1962

She sets off to find the address. St. Stephen’s Gardens, W2 looking towards Ledbury Road in the background, circa Nos 143/147. A not dissimilar view can be seen in ‘Jemima and Johnny’.

While new building over St. Stephen's Gardens prevents any further stepping back, here's a comparison of the left background showing the surviving terrace on the west side of Ledbury Road. SJ

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As Jane turns the corner into Moorehouse Road she is confronted by a youth (Anthony Booth), but walks on. Quite why it was necessary to have the ‘Brockash Road’ sign is not apparent.

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34 Moorhouse Road, London W2. To the right is the entrance to Burlington Mews East. Circa 1962

To arrive at the destination property where she is shown to the available room by the landlady Doris (Avis Bunnage). 34 Moorhouse Road, London W2. To the right is the entrance to Burlington Mews East.

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In the evening she returns with her suitcases, a man follows close behind her. Moorhouse Road looking towards the junction with St. Stephen’s Gardens.

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34 Moorhouse Road, the entrance to Burlington Mews East, looking towards 73 Talbot Road in the background. Circa 1962

The following morning two of the other residents meet outside the house Mavis (Cicely Courtneidge) and Toby (Tom Bell). 34 Moorhouse Road, the entrance to Burlington Mews East, looking towards 73 Talbot Road in the background.

55 New Cavendish Street, W1 looking towards the crossroads with Harley Street. Circa 1962

Later Jane visits Dr Weaver (Emlyn Williams) to discuss her pregnancy, as her visit draws to a close and the question of his fee arises he looks out of the window to see a parking attendant inspecting the parking meter. 55 New Cavendish Street, W1 looking towards the crossroads with Harley Street.

From ground level, looking east. SJ

The intersection of Knightsbridge and William Street, SW1. Circa 1962

Tom and Jane spend a day walking in London that provides a sequence showing various locations. A policeman holds back a CND march and traffic at the intersection of Knightsbridge and William Street, SW1.

Richard provides his own shot of the same corner now.

Panning right to look down Knightsbridge towards the junction with Brompton Road, notice the ‘Harvey Nichols’ clock.

Richard captures that clock.

As Tom and Jane cross William Street we have a further view down the Street while they wait the passing CND band.

Indeed Richard, with added greenery.

Albert Gate, SW1 with Knightsbridge stretching off towards Hyde Park Corner. Embassy of France on the corner. Circa 1962

They cross the road into Albert Gate, SW1 with Knightsbridge stretching off towards Hyde Park Corner. Embassy of France on the corner.

What are those yellow things Richard?

Looking back down Albert Gate to William Street. Circa 1962

Looking back down Albert Gate to William Street.

Captured by Richard at a much quieter time.

The Albert Gate pillars are those of the Kuwait Embassy. Circa 1962

The Albert Gate pillars are those of the Kuwait Embassy.

Nice shot of the pillars Richard.

Albert Gate itself and Hyde Park. Circa 1962

Finally Tom and Jane approach Albert Gate itself and enter Hyde Park.

Richard finds that times have changed.

The path from the footbridge over the railway to Tavistock Crescent. What was the Tavistock Arms public house to the left. The tobacconist at 41A is to the right. Circa 1962

One evening Tom was returning home….. The path from the footbridge over the railway to Tavistock Crescent. What was the Tavistock Arms public house to the left. The tobacconist at 41A is to the right.

The footbridge is famous for the chaps legging it in Withnail & I. SJ

The corner of St. Luke’s Road and Tavistock Crescent Circa 1962

…….when he stops on seeing Jane. The corner of St. Luke’s Road and Tavistock Crescent as seen in Capture 12.

58 St Luke's Road, more recessed, has replaced 38 Tavistock Crescent. SJ

Looking back to the path with the Tavistock Arms dominant in the background to the left. Circa 1962

He hastily crosses when a man approaches her and they start talking, it turns out to be an old friend, Terry (Mark Eden), they go for a drink. He is the father of her child. Looking back to the path with the Tavistock Arms dominant in the background to the left.

The replacement block, built in 2011, for The Tavistock Arms. SJ

143 Charing Cross Road. Circa 1962

The following day, as she leaves work, Jane takes all the ‘abortion’ pills that Mavis had given her in the morning and as a result wandered in a total daze through various streets (unidentifiable) of London before collapsing. 143 Charing Cross Road.

The block between Goslett Yard and Sutton Row on the west side of Charing Cross Road now looks like this after demolishment in 2010. SJ

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Moorhouse Road looking south, the junction with St. Stephens Gardens and in the distance beyond, Talbot Road. Circa 1962

Apparently still retaining the baby, Jane is taken home by ambulance. Moorhouse Road looking south, the junction with St. Stephens Gardens and in the distance beyond, Talbot Road.

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Queen Charlotte's Hospital, 339-351 Goldhawk Road, Hammersmith. Circa 1962

On Christmas Day the first signs of Jane giving birth are signalled and she is taken to hospital and all the other residents anxiously wait in a corridor of the hospital. Steve Randall gave birth to the answer, it was indeed a maternity hospital and in fact the very famous Queen Charlotte's, at the time at 339-351 Goldhawk Road, Hammersmith.

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Queen Charlotte's Hospital, 339-351 Goldhawk Road, Hammersmith. Circa 1962

Some days later Jane and her daughter are discharged. Queen Charlotte's Hospital as identified by Steve in the previous capture.