Fumo di Londra (aka Smoke over London)

The initial location is established by a panning shot of airport. ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ Fiumicino, Italy serving Rome.

Settling on the viewing gallery and ultimately those seeing him off, his two children Carluccio and Teresa along with his wife (Clara Bindi) and best friend Il Conte Paul Bolla (Alfredo Marchetti). ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ Fiumicino, Italy

Within hours Dante Fontana (Alberto Sordi) finds himself in his beloved England, only to find himself in trouble with Customs. West London Air Terminal, Cromwell Road, SW7. Operations there ceased in 1979 and the site is now occupied by 'Sainsbury's'. The white terrace is 111- 129 Cromwell Road.

In due course he finds himself free to integrate into society. Looking towards the eastern edge of Hotel Xenia, 160 Cromwell Road, SW5

Paul Lincoln said he paid a flying visit, he must have known that the 'Air Terminal' closed in 1979!

But unaware of the English system of ‘queueing’. West London Air Terminal, Cromwell Road, SW7 to the right, Cromwell Road behind the camera and spiral car access since removed.

Apolgising as he makes his way to the back of the queue. What is now the entrance to 'Sainsbury's' looking towards the western edge of 156 Cromwell Road and across to 147 Cromwell Road.

Sainsbury's would be pleased to have had that queue Paul thought.

Eventually he heads the queue, into a taxi and away. Western facade of the West London Air Terminal dominant.

Taken from the upper level of a bus for a little extra height. SJ

To Hyde Park Corner, with Wellington Arch to right and the Hilton hotel, his destination, tall in the background.

Similarly, Paul Lincoln's next location was the Hilton Hotel.

He arrives with great satisfaction and pleasure but was expecting it to be ‘49 Park Lane’. Forecourt of the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane looking south.

Paul knew what to expect.

‘The little Queen’s hotel’……….that was 20 years ago he is told. 5 Hamilton Place, W1 top left hand corner.

No 5 Hamilton Place is hiding behind the trees with, to the left, the Four Seasons peeping above. SJ

He finds that his room is overlooking Buckingham Palace.

As Dante continues to gaze out of the window he telephones Perugia, Italy. Jules thought S. Audley Street questionmark. Dave W says "yes indeed". The right foreground block with two flagpoles on its roof is Leconfield House on corner of (left - right) Curzon Street and (heading off to the north) South Audley Street. As always, eagle eyed Dave sees that little bit more, "We can just about make out the "New England" style bell tower and spire of Grosvenor Chapel to the left of the window divider. South Audley Street eventually becomes Orchard Street so the columned corner of Selfridges can be seen in the misty distance." He adds.

And so to confirm that location we cut to Piazza lV Novembre……

…….. the premises of ‘Dante Fontana – Antiquario’. (fourth along).

And finally the actual business name.

Panning down to see the stock and shortly thereafter a member of staff.

Just as he puts the receiver down the family and friend arrive back from the airport.

The party leave the shop with his wife questioning his state of mind that he can see the Queen.

Il Conte Paul and other friends move to the bar next door to discuss his whereabouts in London.

Returning to the rooftops of London....and panning left. The spire of Christ Church, Kensington, then Cornwall Gardens and at the front Emperor's Gate.

Cutting to his first port of call, Lock & Co., 6 St. James's Street, SW1 to buy a bowler hat.

Different motor, and no lamp-post or parking meter. But the row is intact. SJ

Then on to Lobb for a fine pair of English shoes. 9 St. James's Street.

John Lobb has lost one of its Lobbs. SJ

He would not be complete without an umbrella, so a visit to Swaine Adeney Brigg & Sons Ltd at 185 Piccadilly, W1

Fortnum & Mason's have expanded into 185 and 186. SJ

Followed by a visit next door to Fortnum & Mason……..181 Piccadilly, W1

Unchanged but highlighted with Christmas decoration. SJ

…….for the ‘de rigueur’ boutonniere. 181 Piccadilly, W1

Panning down to busy crowds. SJ

The to the house of ‘Dunhill’ for the quintessential pipe. 30 Duke St St. James’s, SW1

Aargh, too late. The corner of Duke Street St James' and Jermyn Street awaits a new look, though Streetview has a recent view from 2022. Alfred Dunhill has moved to the corner of Davies and Bourdon Streets in Mayfair. SJ

Let’s not forget a copy of ‘The Times’. Piccadilly Circus from the southern end of Regent Street.

A semi-permanent stall prevented my stepping back for a better comparison. SJ

He is now able to enjoy London as a true ‘Englishman’. The clock of Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly.

Colourfully lit. SJ

The Houses of Parliament, Elizabeth Tower in the background as he stands in the middle of the road in Parliament Square, SW1 with the Elizabeth Tower and Parliament buildings behind him.

With added security. SJ

To join the band of the Irish Guards marching down The Mall to Buckingham Palace.

Taken after the changing of the guard, there was nevertheless some pageantry on show. SJ

Together with Dante we enjoy the regiment's mascot dog, Irish wolfhound ‘Shaun’. Canada Gate in the background.

Looking north to Green Park in a different season. SJ

To the sound of drums he walks in The Mall with his back to Admiralty Arch.

The Arch is still in the midst of renovation and conversion. SJ

He looks up to Queen Victoria with a smile, although she was clearly not amused. The Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace, SW1

A slightly lower angle her of the nonplussed Victoria. SJ

Dante tilts his hat to a sentry guard as he passes St. James’s Palace, Cleveland Row, SW1

No sentry boxes. SJ

His first visit to Trafalgar Square.

This replaces my Dec '24 shot with a sharper and more accurate image taken from further back on a traffic island. SJ

And the fountains.

Taken from the east side of the square. SJ

He continues to enjoy the London experience. Haymarket, SW1 looking north towards Coventry Street from the junction with Panton Street.

Norris Street out of sight to the left. SJ

Passing the Jack Barclay showroom, Berkeley Square, W1 looking across to the properties in Bruton Street.

Paul Lincoln was pleased that he had left his cheque book at home.

and then the showroom of Berkeley Square Garages Ltd, 7 Berkeley Square, W1

A slightly wider shot from Paul in view of the significant changes.

That prompts him to thinking about joining the London to Brighton car run that takes place on the first Sunday in November, starting in Hyde Park.

A quieter stroll to New Row, WC2 looking from Bedford Street.

Taken from the wrong corner but the delivery lorry was not moving immediately. SJ

He stands to imagine himself kitted out by ‘Moss Bros’ looking across to Garrick Street, WC2

Taken from the doorway of what is now Tesco Express in a rebuilt corner with an address of 22-25 Bedford Street. It looks out across New Row onto The Round House, a pub seen in Intimate Games and The Weapon. SJ

At the races perhaps? With the property on the corner of King Street and Garrick Street, WC2 in the reflection

Looking into Tesco Express. Moss Bros, now dubbed plain Moss, seem to have moved all over the place spending a brief time opposite in King Street. An old London Museum image shows the corner with nos. 20 & 21 distinct. The HSBC building on the corner of Bedfrod Street to the left looks the same. SJ

– If one imagines hard enough, one is right there. Ascot racecourse Berkshire.

A brisk walk over Lambeth Bridge is called for. Lambeth Bridge looking towads the Houses of Parliament.

Taken from close to the west end of the bridge in SW1. SJ

One just has to join the morning rush hour over London Bridge. London Bridge before it was sold in 1968

Paul Lincoln did his best to gather a rush hour crowd but could only find a small group ambling in the wrong direction over the current bridge.

A representation of the City of London as the center of finance? Unidentified location.

International finance perhaps? 9 Gracechurch Street, EC3

Welcome to 'Wetherspoons' City style captured by Paul Lincoln.

It must be getting later, the commuter crowd is thinning. London Bridge looking south with the tower of Southwark Cathedral to the right hand background.

Paul did his best from ground level despite everyone seeming to be working from home.

It must be getting later, the commuter crowd is thinning. London Bridge looking south with the tower of Southwark Cathedral to the right hand background. Unidentified location.

His joy at seeing Tower Bridge open.

No such joy. SJ

As he does, viewing from Tower Wharf.

Many of the trees have gone. Traitor's Gate is on the left, also seen in Das Verrärtertor. SJ

Dante is included in a group photo by Italian tourists to prove that they are in England. Tower Wharf.

A common vantage point for photos, as seen, for example, in Alfie. SJ

No guesses as to where he is now. Redcliff Gardens, SW10 on the corner looking east along Tregunter Road.

Luckily Paul knew where he was as the road name has been taken away.

He has to learn how to hail a cab. Looking north along Redcliffe Gardens with the junction with Redcliffe Street on the left.

Fortunately, Paul did not need to step into the road for this shot.

His technique clearly doesn’t work. But strange that he should find himself outside 75 South Audley St, W1 looking north.

Paul captures the same location, with, not surprisingly, more street clutter.

But Dante was there first! Redcliff Gardens, SW10 looking north outside what could be No 51 although the entrance now appears to be in Tregunter Road.

No taxi's but Paul could at least have jumped on that bus.

Got it! Wave the umbrella….but it catches the bus handrail taking him off east down Tregunter Road.

Paul wondered if all that traffic ever attained a speed of 20mph.

He now has to run behind the bus down a different road/street. Unidentified location.

Eventually the bus stops, but he is charged 4d for the journey. The house with the security shutters is No 75 Redcliffe Gardens.

I suspect that Paul used his Freedom Pass to arrive here.

Dante successfully hails another taxi only to find that the driver doesn’t like Italians. Unidentified location.

In the evening he ‘hits’ Piccadilly Circus looking towards Shaftesbury Ave.

The advertising doesn't seem as striking, not aided by the shrouding of the London Pavilion area. SJ

He passes L’Hirondelle Restaurant and Veeraswamy Restaurant, Swallow Street, W1

This is the corner in Swallow Street just off Regent Street. Veeraswamy is on the first floor on the right, but I'm not convinced I have the correct angle. SJ

Then into Leicester Square passing the Jacey Cinema, now Queen’s House.

Queen's House with its canopy and pillars to the right. SJ

Back to Piccadilly Circus looking towards Coventry Street.

The BOAC advert, also seen in Paul Temple Returns, on the corner of Haymarket has long gone. This improves my effort posted on March 5th. SJ

Oxford Street looking east, no right turn into Binney Street, C&A were at 380 Oxford Street and 'The Worlds Largest Furriers' were 'Swears & Wells' at 374 Oxford Street.

Such was the time of day and the time of the year Paul Lincoln wasn't able to capture the same vibrance.

Having seen nothing but Italian restaurants he seeks out an ‘English’ restaurant with the aid of a policeman. But ends up in an Italian restaurant. Unidentified location.

The following morning we find him in St. James’s Street with St. James’s Palace in the background as he is about to turn into King Street, SW1

A bit more cluttered. SJ

To fulfil his lifetime dream of visiting Christie’s, 8 King Street, SW1

The north side of the street close to Bury Street. SJ

He meets the Duchess of Bradford (Amy Dalby) at the auction who invites him to a weekend at Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Leicestershire. And the following day he is on the train. North bank of the Thames from Barnes railway bridge.

John Harwood tackled the low level sun from the bridge. (SJ)

Dante travels First Class finding it difficult to believe that he is actually going to Grantham and Belvoir Castle at the invitation of an English Duchess.

On the way the train makes a stop where a number of children await to get on. Unidentified station although it would appear to be destined for Grantham. Mike Bradford believes this to be Grantham itself, looking west, although, he says, it is hard to tell as the open ground has been built over, but this would be the right platform for the Nottingham train to arrive at.

The train draws to a stop and amongst the crowd of school children is Miss Elizabeth (Fiona Lewis). Unidentified station

Eventually Dante arrives at his station where he alights, as does with a car to meet them. A 1951 Rolls Royce Phantom lV originally owned by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester with his personal registration plate XH 8888 but it reverted to 714 AYX on its sale in 1960. The car also featured in the film ‘Arabesque’. Bottesford Station, Bottesford, Leicestershire

Richard Winchester found that the same spot now relects a rather different influence.

He is left behind as the driver was expecting an Italian but dressed in such English attire, he was overlooked. Bottesford Station, Bottesford, Leicestershire

Miss Elizabeth looks back at the lonely figure. Presumably part of the Belvoir Estate.

Dante is compelled to walk. Presumably part of the Belvoir Estate once again.

Along the way Dante meets Rock (Philip John Trihble) a Scottish piper.

They part company as they reach his house. The Gatehouse at Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire.

Eventually the castle comes into sight…….Belvoir Castle, six miles from Grantham.

…….and he gets ever closer. Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire.

With thanks to Angie King for capturing the same scene with mystical charm.

Dante enters, “Excuse me!” The Pre-Guard Room, Belvoir Castle.

It was the intention that he should be there for the day of the hunt. Presumably the Belvoir Estate.

He opts to walk the hunt rather than ride but still is offered a port. Presumably the Belvoir Estate.

During his stay he receives a cryptic note to visit the Pink House. The Dairy, Belvoir Castle

In due course he is back on the train, once again to sit with Miss Elizabeth. Unidentified station.

As he sits down he is eager to talk to Lady Elizabeth about the weekend. Unidentified background.

When Dante realises that it was Elizabeth that had sent him the cryptic message he decides to stay on in England a little longer and visit her at her college. Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey

To compensate for the lack of a wide angle lens, Nick Boorman took this shot from beyond the gates.

Finding that Miss Elizabeth has left college and gone to live in Richmond, in a commune, he decides to visit her there. The Embankment, Twickenham, Bell Lane junction top left hand corner of capture, as seen from.....

John H took a trip to Eel Pie. (SJ)

…..from Eel Pie Island Bridge, Twickenham in Greater London.

John found the bridge intact. (SJ)

On the bridge he sees others that have ‘dropped out”. Eel Pie Island Bridge looking north

Just in time for John, as it looks like the building on the left is about to join its neighbour. (SJ)

Over the bridge on the Island is a Youth Club. Eel Pie Island viewed from The Embankment, Twickenham.

John kept his feet dry. (SJ)

He soon feels compelled to enter and is soon to see the ‘other side’ of Lady Elizabeth.

Dante and a group move off to a party, where the following morning the guests gradually spill out into the street. Connaught Square, Bayswater, London W2

As does Dante but now dressed far removed from ‘Englishness’. 2 Connaught Square, W2

Paul satisfied himself that the car was a stand in for that in the capture.

To find that Elizabeth is driving off with someone else. Connaught Square, W2

Parking arrangements seem much as they were in 1966 it would seem from Paul's visit.

Given the option, he decides to go off with Angel (Elizabeth Rutter). Belgrave Square, SW1

The west point of the square with Wilton Terrace to the left. SJ

A visit to Portobello Road is called for. From Westbourne Grove, W11

Less crowded in the late afternoon. Looking north. SJ

Time for a drink. ‘Henekeys’ now the Earl of Lonsdale, 281 Portobello Road, also seen in ‘The File of the Golden Goose’. The bar inside features in ‘Otley’ and ‘Tonite Let’s All Make Love in London’.

Looking at the corner with Westbourne Grove. SJ

Suddenly they have to leave as they hear of a pending Mods and Rocker fight. Walton Street from Walton Place.

It's still rather busy here being so close to Harrods. SJ

Stopping at St. Saviours Church, Walton Place, SW3 to use the phone and collect ‘weapons’ to use in the fight.

Sharing a corner with the entrance to Pont Street Mews. SJ

The camera pans up. St. Saviours Church, Walton Place, SW3

Looking south-west onto St. Saviours House, Grade II listed, sold by the Diocese of London to the author of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon in 1998 and converted to a very expensive private residence. SJ

Others stop off at Pont Street Mews, SW1 to gather further ‘weapons’.

Looking south on the eastern spur of the mews. SJ

More stocks are thrown from a window……… What was ‘The Ascott’, Hill Street, Luxury Serviced Apartments, on the corner with Waverton Street, W1. Now demolished. For the purposes of archive history a 2009 Google Earth View can be viewed, suitably marked, showing the capture shot.

With scaffolding supporting the new building work, it was tricky to stand far enough back to match the screen shot proportions. SJ

….to a waiting car below. Hill Street, W1 looking east with Waverton Street off to the right.

Taken from the road rather than the pavement to avoid the adjutting works on the right. SJ

Others of the group visit a scrap yard for more serious equipment. The premises of A.E. Sadler & Sons Ltd, Wood Lane Sidings, W12

“I am so happy”……”Come on”. Dave Buckley confirms that this is indeed, also Wood Lane Sidings, pointing out that the building in the background can be seen in 'The Blue Lamp' Capture 168.

They assemble at a ‘golf course’, the assigned venue of the fight. Could this be Horsenden Hill, London Borough of Ealing? Yes it could, and is, viewing towards Harrow on the Hill.

A further shot to aid with identification. In fact, the previous capture was enough but it is Horsenden Hill, London Borough of Ealing viewing towards Harrow on the Hill.

Having cleared his name and involvement in the brawl the police take Dante to the airport, where standing on the steps to the plane he surveys in his mind the view of London with which he started. “Goodbye, my London Town”. Panning further left from Capture 20 Looking north, the white terrace of Cornwall Gardens to the right, Stanford Road center and Cornwall Gardens bottom left of center.

The Elizabeth Tower, SW1 as perhaps his lasting icon of ‘Englishness’.

I'm guessing with the lighting on the original and ease of angle that we want the north face on the left and west face on the right. But I may be wrong. SJ