Millions Like Us
Date: 1943
Director: Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat
Production Company: Gainsborough Pictures
Stars: Patricia Roc, Eric Portman, Gordon Jackson, Anne Crawford, Moore Marriott, Basil Radford, Naunton Wayne, Joy Shelton, John Boxer, Valentine Dunn, Megs Jenkins, Terry Randall, Amy Veness, John Salew, Beatrice Varley, Bertha Willmott, Grace Allardyce Brenda Bruce
Location(s): West Midlands, Sussex, Oxfordshire, London
Region(s): London M-N, Midlands, South East M-Q
Storyline:
A young woman is called into service at a factory making aircraft parts during World War ll. There she meets others girls from all different walks of life and falls in love with a member of the RAF.
Additional Information:
Originally uploaded in 2013 when the criteria for screen captures was more limiting, now re-visited with additional captures and revised text by Richard Lovejoy.
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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.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
The films opens to Beethovens 5th Symphony and workers arriving for work via factory gates. Unidentified location.
- Capture 2
- 02 Apr 2025
“Remember that summer before the war, those coupon free days…….” Platforms 4 and 5 predominate, Waterloo Station, London SE1
Changes over the years but at least the high walkway can lend a reasonable height match. SJ
- Capture 3
- 25 Mar 2026
A speedy blended montage of enjoyable experiences settles on seaside fun and a Note explaining what an orange was, in the days when one could slip on a piece of its skin. Oranges were not available during wartime. This looks like Brighton beach with Madeira Drive in the background and Volks Electric Railway just left of top center.
A less crowded Brighton beach, viewed from the Palace Pier, with no mention of oranges. SD
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
Interest moves to Tom (John Boxer) finishing securing suit cases to his 1926 Morris Oxford four seater tourer. Unknown location.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Eventually he manages to gather the family and they drive off on holiday to the films 'Eastgate' on the English South Coast. Unknown location.
- Capture 6
- 25 Mar 2026
They arrive at their destination, here represented by Brighton Pier, Sussex.
The screen capture was viewed from the Palace Pier Theatre which was dismantled in 1986, so this has to be a much lower view. SD
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
And, of course, their guest house, ‘Balmoral’. A studio set included for completeness.
- Capture 8
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They all look forward to having “fun” on the pier. St. Leonards Pier, Sussex. It suffered bomb damage in October 1940 and remained closed after the war and subsequently fell into decline and ruin.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
As the war gets underway London suffers attacks from the Luftwaffe, promoting the need and importance of war service and that everyone has a contribution to make. St. Paul’s Cathedral.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Despite Celia Crowson’s (Patricia Roc) stated wish of the WAAF or the Wrens when called up she is assigned to work in a factory and catches the train to where she is assigned. The train, pulled by a ‘Royal Scot’ Class 6P 4-6-0 arrives at the film’s ‘Stockford’ station.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Celia leaves the station with her case in hand. Unidentified station.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
A bus and cars wait outside the station to collect arriving passengers, Celia is ushered with other girls to the bus. Unidentified location.
- Capture 13
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The bus drives off and along the way she finds herself sitting next to Gwen Price (Megs Jenkins), formerly of the University of South Wales. Unidentified location.
- Capture 14
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They arrive at their destination. Frobisher Hall, Swynnerton, Staffs. Demolished and now a housing estate.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
The cases of Jennifer Knowles (Anne Crawford) are also taken to the ‘Social Centre’, she arriving by a private hire car. Administrative Block, Frobisher Hall, Swynnerton, Staffs. Demolished and now a housing estate.
- Capture 16
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The following morning they are collected and taken in a fleet of coaches to the factory. Unidentified location.
- Capture 17
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Along their way they pass the many other workers travelling by bicycle. Unidentified location.
- Capture 18
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Others travel by train. A Stanier Class 4P 2-cylinder 2-6-4T No. 2490 reversing out of Cold Meece station that served the Royal Ordnance Factory, Swynnerton.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
We see a fleet of coaches arrive at the factory. It has the look that it might have been the Royal Ordnance Factory, Swynnerton.
- Capture 20
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Then those workers who arrive on foot. They appear to be the same gates as seen in Capture 1. Unidentified location.
- Capture 21
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Once again those travelling by train. Cold Meece station, Staffordshire.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required
The veil is lifted to see the inner working of the factory and what is before the girls. Given the included assembly scene and that of a plane being towed out of the factory, both of which appear to be a Short Stirling, the factory footage is likely to be Longbridge or Rochester. However, it is recognised that scenes of the girls in a factory setting was that of the Spitfire works Castle Bromwich.
- Capture 23
- 20 Nov 2012
Celia’s relationship with Sgt. Fred Blake (Gordon Jackson) starts to grow, but following a slight upset he asks if they could go somewhere to talk. And ends up proposing marriage. The Plough, 1 Abingdon Road, Dorchester-on-Thames OX10 7JY. Researched by Greg who found Ian Bright’s discovery of this in 2009 on ‘Britmovie’.
This replaces Greg's Google image from November 2012. Now a private house with one or two altered windows and a couple of chimneys removed at the north end of High Street which runs though Dorchester-on-Thames where Abingdon Road meets Oxford Road . SJ
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required
Celia is a driver, part of a convoy, when she tells her associate that getting married has ‘got her, special leave’. This looks like stock footage that has been used to place her studio interaction.
- Capture 25
- 04 Aug 2008
Celia and Fred have 24 hours for a honeymoon and they go to the films 'Eastgate' where she used to go for the annual family holiday. Eastbourne, Sussex.
Eastbourne Pier photographed and identified by Mike Scott, who came all the way back from Australia to take the pic. There's dedication for you. Thanks Mike. G'day.
- Capture 26
- 'Now' required
As they stand on Grand Parade to look over the railings out to sea, Celia “doesn’t recognise it”. Devonshire Place, Eastbourne with the 'Imperial Hotel' to the right of Celia.
- Capture 27
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They make their way to the ‘Balmoral’ guest house where they are staying. Grand Parade, looking west with the awning of The Cavendish Hotel clearly visible.
- Capture 28
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The Cavendish Hotel was bombed on 4th May 1942 with the west wing surviving, this is the east wing on the corner of Devonshire Place and Grand Parade.