Mr. Selkie (Children’s Film Foundation)

Date: 1978
Director: Anthony Squire
Production Company: Wadlow Grosvenor Productions, Children's Film Foundation (CFF)

Stars: Samantha Weysom, Clark Flanagan, Michael Mannion, Peter Bayliss, Noel Howlett, Molly Weir, Zara Nutley
Location(s): Berkshire, Devon, London

Region(s): , ,

Storyline:

A seal comes ashore in the shape of a man to help children in an anti-pollution campaign.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson

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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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In a small harbour, angry waves toss fishing boats around beneath a full Moon.

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Calmer waters are accompanied by the calling of seagulls on the morning after Grannie Ross explains to her Husband and Grandchildren that they heard the cry of the Selkie during the night. Brixham in Devon, seen from the Outer Harbour.

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Grandpa Ross (Noel Howlett) leaves the house after restoring the Mayor's chain. The British Seaman's Orphan Boys' Home on Berry Head Road in Brixham.

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Outside the house Mr. Ross finds P.C. Fletcher (Derek Tansley) examining his car. The courtyard of the British Seaman's Orphan Boys' Home.

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Grandpa hands Eileen (Samantha Weysom) and Jimmy Ross (Clark Flanagan) a box containing the Mayor's Chain of Office when he is told to go to the Post Office to buy his road fund licence. The British Seaman's Orphan Boys' Home features in 'The Devil's Pass'.

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While crossing the rocky shore, Eileen and Jimmy find the Mayor's son Roger Craine (Michael Mannion) throwing empty pop cans at a seal.

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After Roger runs off with the Mayoral Chain's box, Mr. Selkie (Peter Bayliss) climbs from the sea. Facing west towards Shoalstone Point from below the Berry Head House Hotel to the east of Brixham.

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While tidying up the rubbish littering the shore, the Children point out the harbour and the fish market to the mythical Stranger. The Harbour at Brixham in Devon.

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Mr. Selkie hurries into the town . . . .

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. . . . and heads straight to the fish market. Looking towards The Quay in Brixham with buildings on Overgang and Prospect Road as the backdrop.

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While buying sweets, Eileen and Jimmy turn to see Mr. Selkie at another stall. The The Fish Market on The Quay, Brixham with The Strand in the background.

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Mr. Selkie stands swallowing raw fish. Other views of The Quay appear in 'The Devil’s Pass' and 'Churchill: The Hollywood Years' while other parts of the town can be seen in 'The System'.

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P.C. Fletcher makes his way to ask if the Stranger has paid after eight fish are swallowed. The Quay in Brixham, Devon.

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Eileen and Jimmy arrive at the Town Hall with Mr. Selkie who wants to see whoever is in charge to complain about the pollution on the shore. Hendon Town Hall on The Burroughs in London NW4.

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The Children shrug as the sea dweller marches straight inside. The Burroughs in Hendon.

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After concluding her business for the day and telling Mr. Selkie to put his concerns in writing, the Mayor is driven home. The gates of Binfield Manor on Forest Road at Binfield in Berkshire.

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Approaching the house, the Jaguar stops next to a soaking wet Roger who tells his mother that he was pushed into the sea by Eileen and Jimmy. The driveway to Binfield Manor.

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Ordering Hawkins to turn around, Mrs. Craine heads to the Ross's house. Binfield Manor in Binfield, Berkshire.

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While Jimmy and Eileen try to play football with their Friends, Mr. Selkie takes possession of the ball and starts to perform tricks.

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Jimmy asks Mr. Selkie to let them have the ball back.

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Having never played the game before, Mr. Selkie balances the ball on his nose.

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Told to kick the ball, Mr. Selkie listens as glass smashes after it disappears over a wall.

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Jimmy and Eileen arrive home to find the Mayor's car and her chauffeur Hawkins outside the house. The British Seaman's Orphan Boys' Home at Brixham closed in 1988 and since 1995 has been Grenville House Outdoor Education Centre.

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While his mother is out, Roger opens the box to discover that the Mayoral Chain is missing. Binfield Manor can also be seen in ‘Tales that Witness Madness’, 'Murder is Easy', ‘See No Evil’, ‘The File of the Golden Goose’ and ‘Mrs Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter’.

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As their house is unsuitable for Mr. Selkie, the Children leave with him after Granny realises what he is. The British Seaman's Orphan Boys' Home on Berry Head Road.

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Disappointed that he's achieved nothing so far, Mr. Selkie sits on a bench at the harbour with Eileen and Jimmy. Southern Quay in Brixham with The Quay, Eastern Quay and New Quay across the Harbour.

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The Selkie uses his powers to show moving images of his friends and relations on a wall. The wall on the Southern Quay below King Street.

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With the show over, the Children worry about finding the Mayor's Chain that fell from its box when Roger took it. Southern Quay with a building on King Street to the top centre.

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The following morning, Jimmy, Eileen and Mr. Selkie head for the Mayor's house. Looking across Brixham Harbour with All Saints church in the left distance.

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Nearing the house, the three take cover as the Mayor's Housekeeper opens a window. The driveway of Binfield Manor in Berkshire.

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While Mr. Selkie speaks with Mrs. Craine and the Children search Roger's room, at the back of the house the Gardener (Sidney Johnson) hoses down the poolside. Recognised from 'Murder is Easy', this is the swimming pool at Binfield Manor.

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Seeing an inflatable seal through the window and assuming that it's being held prisoner, Mr. Selkie storms from the house. Around Binfield Manor's swimming pool.

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After Mr. Selkie jumps into the pool to rescue the captive toy before chaos ensues when Mrs. Craine (Zara Nutley) and her Housekeeper follow him and fall into the water. The swimming pool at Binfield Manor.

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When P.C. Fletcher arrives, the Gardener directs him to the back of the house. Binfield Manor in Berkshire.

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Mr. Selkie and the Children come up with a plan to highlight the pollution problem to the Mayor.

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Inside the Council Chamber, the Mayor agrees to the proposals for building a marina, a bingo palace and a jumbo fish burger bar on the shore. Hendon Town Hall on The Burroughs NW4.

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Carrying bags of rubbish, Eileen, Jimmy and their Friends are let into the Town Hall by Mr. Selkie who had sneaked in earlier.

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With the point about pollution and the destruction of the coastline made, the Mayor is happy to move the development inland and is taken to the rocky shore by Mr. Selkie.

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P.C. Fletcher appears and reminds Mrs. Craine about the missing chain before Mr. Selkie asks his fellow seals to retrieve it from the sea.