Carry On at Your Convenience

With Rovers playing at home that afternoon, the Workers at W.C. Boggs walk out after tea breaks are removed by the Boss's son. Brian Dockerill recognised the Carpenter's Shop at Pinewood Studios to which James Carroll adds stood at the junction of Stills Road and Main Road. The building also appears in 'All Coppers Are . . . ' and the chimney can be seen in 'The Switch'. Matthew Bishton updates us that, sadly, the Carpenter's Workshop was completely demolished and a brand new stage (Q-Stage) was erected in it's place back in 2013.

Simon Mills captures the scene explaining that the carpenter's shop is located on the right hand side and adds that the building on the left now houses the Photographic Department.

Giving neighbour Chloe Moore (Joan Sims) a lift home, factory foreman Sid Plummer (Sid James) drops his daughter Myrtle (Jacki Piper) off to let her dash into the house. Facing westward on the northernmost section of Pinewood Green at Iver in Buckinghamshire.

Ivor Williams took this from outside number 93 Pinewood Green.

Following a suggestive conversation, Chloe smiles as she gets out of the battered Ford Prefect. Pinewood Green in Iver, which also appears in 'The Fast Lady', 'Go For a Take', 'Carry On Behind', 'Carry On Cabby', 'Carry On Camping' and 'The Early Bird'.

Antony Blair provides the proof.

Sid walks over to where Chloe is telling her sales manager Husband that there's another strike. The road outside number 87 Pinewood Green in Iver, Buckinghamshire.

The view today from Antony Blair.

Pausing whilst polishing his Ford Capri, Fred Moore (Bill Maynard) asks how he's supposed to sell the products if his wife and Sid aren't making them. Pinewood Green at Iver.

With Vic Spanner (Kenneth Cope) riding pillion, Bernie Hulke (Bernard Bresslaw) revs his noisy Triumph motorbike as they come to a halt outside Mrs. Spanner's lodging house. Simon Mills advises that this is the Baker Street set built on the back lot of Pinewood Studios for 1970's 'The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes'. The same street is also seen in 'The Amazing Mr. Blunden' as well as 'Penny Gold', ‘Go for a Take’ and ‘Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width'. SJ

On their way to the match, Vic signals Bernie to stop after the pair pass Myrtle waiting outside the cinema. Located by Richard Kennedy this is High Street in Uxbridge, Greater London, looking north-west from outside the Odeon Cinema which was closed in 1982 and demolished two years later.

Brian Harmsworth took this comparison.

Antony Blair updates the record.

Myrtle waves as Lewis Boggs (Richard O'Callaghan) arrives to collect her. Richard Kennedy recognised High Street in Uxbridge with the Odeon on the right and the corner of Harefield Road to the left. The Odeon in Uxbridge can also be seen in 'All Coppers Are . . . '.

The junction now from Brian Harmsworth.

Time moves on as Antony Blair's view shows.

That evening, Lewis's Austin Sprite stands parked outside the Whippit Inn where he and Myrtle sit dining and talking. Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.

Peering through a window of the inn, Vic turns to Bernie after seeing Myrtle and the boss's Son together. Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath.

Lewis and his Father are pleased to see that his staff are returning to work until Sid explains that they've only come back for the annual works outing. Stills Road at Pinewood Studios once again which is confirmed by James Carroll who tells us that to the top right runs Main Road.

Sitting on the coach to the coast, Chloe tells Maud (Marianne Stone) that Mr. Plummer has offered to look after her for the day as Fred's away on another sales trip. Antony Blair found that the coach is travelling along the A412 Uxbridge Road at George Green in Buckinghamshire where the George Green store can be seen in the background.

Antony provides this view of the since extended background building.

In a conversation full of innuendo, Hortense Withering (Patsy Rowlands) explains that she's never tried it . . . before Charles Coote (Charles Hawtrey) produces a pack of playing cards. The A412 Uxbridge Road at George Green discovered by Antony Blair.

A "drive by" shot of the replacement building from Antony's dash-cam.

Followed by Lewis in his sports car, the coach continues towards Brighton. Antony Blair identifies the A412 Uxbridge Road at George Green with the Green Man public house to the left and Terry Slade adds that the premises were once known as The Double Century.

Antony found that the former pub across the road is still there behind the trees.

The journey ends at the resort where lunch has been arranged at a seafront hotel. Looking along Madeira Drive in Brighton, Sussex with the Palace Pier stretching into the English Channel and the West Pier just visible to the right of top centre beyond.

Viewed from Marine Parade, beside the Madeira Lift. (SD)

Panning right, the camera zooms in to find the coach as it arrives. Marine Parade King's Cliff with Burlington Street on the left.

This should have been viewed from the platform around the Madeira Lift but the "dangerous structure" is currently fenced off so I had to improvise. (SD)

Pulling up outside outside Clarges Hotel, the coach unloads the Party who head inside for a well needed meal. Facing Clarges Hotel at numbers 115 to 118 Marine Parade King's Cliff which was later owned and lived in by Dora Bryan and her husband Bill Lawton. The building can also be seen in 'Carry On Girls'.

Parked cars replace the coach outside the former hotel. (SD)

Inside the building, the Manager explains that lunch can't be provided because the entire Restaurant Staff are on strike. The driveway of Clarges Hotel on Marine Parade King's Cliff in Brighton. The hotel was converted back to residential use during the 1980s.

Now. SJ.

Following several drinks in the hotel bar, factory owner William Boggs (Kenneth Williams) staggers his way onto the pier. The entrance to Palace Pier opposite the southern end of Old Steine in Brighton with the Palace Pier Hotel at the corner of Pool Valley to the left, the Adelphi Hotel in the centre background and the Royal Albion Hotel on the right.

Dave Wilson admits that the angle isn't quite right. (RL)

Walking with Vic, Myrtle looks behind to see if Lewis is following. Brighton's Palace Pier, which also makes an appearance in many other productions including 'Penny Points to Paradise', ‘La Course à l'échalote’, ‘Mona Lisa’, ‘Quadrophenia’, 'Oh What a Lovely War', 'Loot', 'Smokescreen', 'Come Play with Me' and 'Pop Pirates'.

The hall of mirrors has been replaced by a shooting gallery. (SD)

Sid and Chloe hold hands as they make their way along the pier. Looking inland from Palace Pier, Brighton with properties on Marine Parade King's Cliff to the right.

A match! SJ.

Popsy (Margaret Nolan) and Bernie have their photograph taken. This part of Palace Pier has been remodelled and is now taken up by an extended fairground but the scene crossing the background remains with buildings on King's Road and the almost completely obscured Chartwell Court tower block to the right of the 24 storey Sussex Heights in the left distance.

The buildings in the background are even more obscured now. (SD)

Myrtle spots Lewis along the pier. Palace Pier in Brighton, Sussex.

The gents is now slightly obscured by a white wooden structure. SJ.

Grabbing Vic, Myrtle suggests "a go on the mats" before taking him to the helter-skelter. The Grade II* listed Palace Pier opened in 1899.

Now an amusement dome where the Palace Pier Theatre once stood. (SD)

Sid leads Mr. Boggs from a bar after more drinks. Outside the Victoria Bar on the 1,722 feet long Palace Pier.

A fish and chip kiosk where the entrance to the Victoria Bar once stood. (SD)

Finding a Fortune Teller, Miss Withering runs to Mr. Boggs to tell him before she and Chloe drag him to see the mystic. Palace Pier in Brighton

And provides this shot to support the scene as it is now, well the onion is still there. (RL)

Disguised as the Fortune Teller, Sid plays a prank on Mr. Boggs and Miss Withering who run from the tent . . . back to the bar. Facing the Ghost Train on Palace Pier with the Victoria Bar to the right.

Dave Wilson spent some of his weekend "on the pier" for the benefit of Reelstreets. Hmm, end of season maybe! (RL)

Lewis approaches the ghost train to see Vic and Myrtle take a ride. Facing inland on Palace Pier Victoria Bar on the left.

Now, viewed from outside Horatio's Bar which replaced the ghost train. To the left is the amusement dome which replaced the Palace Pier Theatre. (SD)

Having enjoyed sunshine, the pier and a day's drinking, at 6.30 the excursionists from Boggs are expected back at the coach. Brighton's Palace Pier seen across Grand Junction Road from the Royal Albion Hotel.

The Royal Albion Hotel is currently closed and partially demolished after a fire in 2023, but there are some steps at the side of the building which I was able to use for an elevated position. (SD)

Panning left, the shot finds Marine Parade King's Cliff, the Aquarium and Madeira Drive.

This is also viewed from the Royal Albion Hotel steps. (SD)

Zooming in, Vic, Bernie and Popsy are found waiting on the seafront. The Esplanade and Madeira Drive with Volk's Electric Railway's Aquarium station to the centre.

The area where the coaches were parked is now a cycle lane. (SD)

Arriving late, a horse drawn carriage brings Sid, Chloe, Maud, Mr. Boggs and Miss Withering to the coach. Madeira Drive with properties on Marine Parade King's Cliff crossing the top of the scene. The location also features in 'Genevieve', 'Jigsaw' and 'Quadrophenia'.

I had very little hope of seeing a horse drawn carriage. (SD)

The trip home gets under way. The A412 Uxbridge Road at George Green near Slough with Church Lane on the left, located by Antony Blair . . . .

. . . who provides this proof of the location.

A stop off at a pub breaks the journey. The Red Lion public house at the corner of Langley Park Road and Wood Lane at Shreding Green near Iver in Buckinghamshire.

Antony Blair went to the pub 54 years later to find that the sign post has been moved.

After a hasty drink Sid follows Chloe from the pub. The Red Lion at the corner of Langley Park Road and Wood Lane at Shreding Green. The pub and junction can also be glimpsed in 'Hell Drivers'.

A different colour scheme, recorded by Antony Blair.

Signs for the King's Head at Albourne in Sussex, closed in the 1990s, . . . . Chris Fippard found the scene is from the 1959 'Look at Life' short, 'Talking of Coaches'.

. . . and the Cricketers Inn, on Wrotham Road at Meopham in Kent, appear as further imbibing takes place . . .

. . . followed by a drink or two in the Royal Naval Arms. The Royal Naval Arms on Queen Street at Portsea in Portsmouth, Hampshire. The footage predates the film as the public house was closed and demolished in 1970. Explaining how two Portsmouth pubs came to be featured, Chris Fippard noticed that this and the following capture appear in footage from 'Look at Life: City of Sailors'.

Standing in the same position I find myself looking up into the trees which have now grow on the site. (SD)

The Seagull, at number 13 Broad Street, Portsmouth, which closed in 1970, . . .

The former pub is now an estate agents office but the sign has been retained. The white mark is from a partially removed sticker. (SD)

. . . the Trout Inn, this one at St. John's Bridge to the south-east of Lechlade in Gloucestershire, . . .

. . . and the Man in Space, on Nottingham Road in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire where the pub was demolished in 2011, are also visited . . . .

. . . before the coach pulls over to allow Sid and Mr. Boggs to retrieve a crate of beer from the boot. Antony Blair found the bus stop on the B470 Langley Park Road about 100 yards from the Red Lion at Shreding Green.

No longer a "London" bus stop in Antony's comparison.

Learning that the factory is closing because of the strike called by her son, Agatha Spanner (Renée Houston) takes Charles, Beattie Plummer (Hattie Jacques) and the female Workers on a march to the picket line. Main Road at Pinewood Studios with a building at the southern end of Carpenter's Road in the background.

While working at the studios, Matthew Bishton captured this view in which a new roof has since appeared.

Willie (Geoffrey Hughes) looks at Ernie (Hugh Futcher) when they see Agatha and their Wives approaching. The junction of Main Road and Stills Road.

Matthew Bishton found that more demolition and new building work has taken place at this spot.

After a telling off and spanking from his mother, Vic stands defeated as the Strikers return to work. James Carroll explains that some of the original features that stood at the time of filming still exist on Stills Road, such as the tiered chimney in the centre of the shot.

Simon Mills faced north towards the old power house.

Newly weds Lewis and Myrtle arrive at the factory. James Carroll identifies the view as looking onto Main Road from Stills Road at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire where the background shed remains in place.

A sight from the past discovered by Matthew Bishton.