Wings of the Morning
Date: 1937
Director: Harold D. Schuster
Production Company: New World Pictures
Stars: Annabella, Leslie Banks, Henry Fonda
Location(s): County Kerry, County Claire, Somerset, London, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire
Region(s): Ireland, London T-Z, South East R-Z, South West
Storyline:
A gypsy princess disguises herself as a boy and helps to train a horse to win a major race while navigating love and societal expectations in 1930s Ireland.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Steve Randall
The first three-strip Technicolor movie shot in Europe.
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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.
- Capture 1
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The film's prologue is set in the Ireland, of 1890. A view of the distant Sugarloaf and Gowlbeg mountains in Glengarriff, County Cork, also seen in 'Hungry Hill'.
- Capture 2
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At his castle, Lord Clontarf falls in love with Romany princess Marie. The castle is portrayed by Dunster Castle, Dunster, Minehead, Somerset.
- Capture 3
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Now married for five months, Lord Clontarf (Leslie Banks) and Marie (Annabella) set out for a ride. Dunster Castle
- Capture 4
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Lord Clontarf falls from his horse and is killed. Marie decides to leave Ireland for Spain. The Upper Lake on the main Killarney to Kenmare road in County Kerry.
- Capture 5
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Fifty years later, Marie's great-granddaughter Maria (also portrayed by Annabella), escapes a Spanish rebellion and returns to Ireland dressed as a boy.
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Maria comes across Canadian horse trader Kerry (Henry Fonda) in the stables at Clontarf Castle.
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The elderly Marie has brought her prize colt Wings of the Morning over to Ireland to train for the Derby. Maria walks the horses at the stables.
- Capture 8
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Maria and Kerry fall in love. The Denham Court suspension bridge, Denham, Buckinghamshire. The area became part of the Colne Valley Regional Park in 1965. The bridge is also seen in 'Murder is Easy'.
- Capture 9
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Maria and Kerry walk by the river.
- Capture 10
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The couple find a wishing well.
- Capture 11
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Killarney scenes are shown while John McCormack sings at a party. Unknown location.
- Capture 12
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Old Weir Bridge over the River Owenreagh, from near Dinis Cottge, Killarney National Park, Killarney, Co. Kerry
- Capture 13
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The Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, also seen in 'Hear My Song', 'Ryan's Daughter' and 'The Princess Bride'.
- Capture 14
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Ross Castle, Killarney.
- Capture 15
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A boy fishing at Killarney National Park.
- Capture 16
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Ladies View, Killarney National Park.
- Capture 17
- 14 Oct 2025

Excitement mounts as Derby Day approaches. Piccadilly Circus, facing Regent Street W1.

It's interesting to note the slight change in entrance to the Swan & Edgar building - until 1982 - then Tower, Zavvi et al.. SJ
- Capture 18
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A series of clips are shown featuring London. On bus route 73, could this be Oxford Street W1?
- Capture 19
- 14 Oct 2025

Grosvenor House Hotel, now the JW Marriot Grosvenor House W1.

Shielded by a parked taxi, this was taken from as far into Park Lane as I could muster. SJ
- Capture 20
- 14 Oct 2025

Piccadilly Circus, looking north towards Glasshouse Street W1.

Back in 1937, the adverts were still working their way up to a peak. SJ
- Capture 21
- 14 Oct 2025

Now looking east into Coventry Street W1.

And leafy Leicester Square in the centre. SJ
- Capture 22
- 14 Oct 2025

The Statue of Eros, Picadilly Circus W1, facing east.

Not quite the correct place, as it's moved, but the same angle. SJ
- Capture 23
- 01 Aug 2025

Buckingham Palace SW1, viewed from the Mall.

A drearier day. SJ
- Capture 24
- 01 Aug 2025

Westminster Bridge SW1, facing east.

Still busy traffic. SJ
- Capture 25
- 01 Aug 2025

Whitehall SW1, by Horse Guards parade, facing south.

The view south on a damp day. SJ
- Capture 26
- 01 Aug 2025

Whitehall SW1 the entrance to Horse Guards Parade.

The King's Life Guard of the House Cavalry and his steed maintain the same hourly vigil. SJ
- Capture 27
- 01 Aug 2025

A carriage ride on Constitution Hill SW1.

With the trees in bloom, I admit to rather a general shot of Constitution Hill with Green Park in the background. SJ
- Capture 28
- 01 Aug 2025

Constitution Hill SW1, facing west towards Hyde Park Corner.

I forgot this one at first but to my advantage it was an improved day. SJ
- Capture 29
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Pearly Kings and Queens at an unknown location.
- Capture 30
- 01 Aug 2025

The gates of Buckingham Palace SW1.

With closed gates. SJ
- Capture 31
- 01 Aug 2025

Buckingham Palace, looking towards Constitution Hill SW1.

Matching the columns is challenging. SJ
- Capture 32
- 05 Aug 2025

The bridge at Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, facing east.

Buildings have changed on the riverbank here.
- Capture 33
- 05 Aug 2025

Facing north on Bell Street, Henley-on-Thames. Freeman Hardy & Willis was at No. 6.

A sunny day 88 years later.
- Capture 34
- 05 Aug 2025

Henley-on-Thames, facing east from St. Mary's Church.

Today's view.
- Capture 35
- 05 Aug 2025

The climactic race scene plays out at Epsom Downs racecouse, Epsom, Surrey.

John Harwood visited Epsom Downs racecourse on a quiet day.
- Capture 36
- 05 Aug 2025

Epsom Downs racecourse.

John Harwood provides a high-level view of his own.
- Capture 37
- 05 Aug 2025

The home straight, Epsom Downs Racecourse.

The home straight minus spectators, from John.
- Capture 38
- 05 Aug 2025

The grandstand at Epsom Downs.

John Harwood notes that the stands at Epsom have changed greatly over the years.