Mystery on Bird Island (Children’s Film Foundation)

Date: 1954
Director: John Haggarty
Production Company: Anthony Gilkison Productions

Stars: Mavis Sage, Vernon Morris, Jennifer Beech, Nicky Edmett, Roddy Hughes, Alexander Gauge, John Drake, Howard Connell, Peter Arne, Alan Mackay
Location(s): Bailiwick of Guernsey

Region(s):

Storyline:

Whilst on holiday in the Channel Islands, a brother and sister meet two local children before discovering more than they bargained for after catching two men stealing birds eggs on an uninhabited island.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson with uncredited location identifications by Simon James

This film is viewable on BFI Player for free at Mystery on Bird Island

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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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On the crossing to Alderney, John spots two Men on the bird sanctuary island of Burhou before the ferry reaches port. The Harbour at Braye, Alderney, with the long breakwater in the background. Operated by the Commodore Shipping Co. Ltd., the ferry is Island Commodore which was completed in 1941 as Torpedo Recovery Vessel TRV2.

  • Capture 2
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A line is thrown ashore as the vessel reaches the quay. Braye harbour on Alderney, part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

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After disembarking, Marion (Mavis Sage), John (Vernon Morris) and their Mother and Father (Frank Pemberton) make their way along the coast to Battery Cottage. The west end of Braye Beach with Douglas Quay in the background.

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On the sand below the quayside, Jeanne (Jennifer Beech) and Victor Picot (Nick Edmett) ask Grumpy (Roddy Hughes) how he is before running off to collect ormers. Douglas Quay again looking across Braye Bay east towards the direction of Fort Albert.

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Saying goodbye to Grumpy, the youngsters run across the beach. Panning across Braye Beach to Mount Hayle Battery.

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At Battery Cottage, Marion calls her Brother to the window to look at the view.

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Checking with their Mother first, John and Marion head to the beach. Corblets Beach on Alderney.

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Jeanne and Victor come across John and Marion as they look for crabs in rock pools.

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Victor looks up at the nearby lighthouse when his Dad calls to him through a megaphone. Mannez Lighthouse on the north-east coast of Alderney.

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Making their way home, Victor and Jeanne fuss the dog before entering the cottage. With Mannez lighthouse visible in the background, this cottage is part of a group of buildings standing to the east.

  • Capture 11
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Grumpy tells the pair that they can borrow his boat to go over to Burhou to collect more marine snails after they make a delivery for their Mum.

  • Capture 12
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Carrying bottled ormers for Mr. Bronson, Victor and Jeanne walk across the causeway to the fort where he is sitting with his advocate Le Maitre. The causeway on the south side of Alderney leading to Raz Island.

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The two slow their pace when they hear deep booming laughter from inside the fort. The entrance to Fort Corblets overlooking Corblets Beach.

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Agreeing to get away quickly, Victor and Jeanne approach Mr. Bronson. Fort Corblets on Alderney.

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Mr. Bronson (Alexander Gauge) turns to the Children after handing paperwork over to Mr. Le Maitre (John Drake). The Victorian Fort Corblets which was completed in 1855.

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On Burhou, Victor and Jeanne climb up from the shore watched by Henri (Howard Connell) who is illegally collecting gulls eggs with Henri. :

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When Victor and Jeanne tell Grumpy about the two Men on the island who they discovered were collecting eggs for the Restaurant du Mauvais Magot in Paris, he takes them to Le Maitre's office with John and Marion.

  • Capture 18
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Bumping into Grumpy and the Children outside Le Maitre's office, Bronson returns to his castle where he finds Henri and Gaston. The ramp to the gateway at Fort Corblets.

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After Le Maitre suggests installing a bird watcher on Burhou, the Children discuss drawing up a petition to present to the Parliament which is meeting the following day at 10am.

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A Parade to draw attention to the petition is organised.

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The procession follows a Band through the streets.

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John, Victor, Marion and Jeanne carry a banner. Facing southward on Victoria Street in St. Anne.

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Stepping out of a bar, Henri and Gaston (Peter Arne) join Residents who come onto the streets to watch the Parade. The east side of Victoria Street just south of Olivier Street in St. Anne.

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Finishing their drinks, the two Thieves follow the procession.

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Henri and Gaston watch as People turn up to sign the petition before Grumpy calls them over to the table. Looking south-west from Olivier Street down Victoria Street in St. Anne.

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Counting up the names after almost everyone on Alderney have signed, Victor, Jeanne and Grumpy take the petition home for safekeeping overnight.

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After Henri fails to steal the petition from the Picot's cottage the previous evening, Bronson arrives at the harbour and asks if he can sign it. Braye Harbour, Alderney.

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When Grumpy arrives to tell the Children that Mr. Le Mitre has caught the plane, they all board the ferry along with Bronson. Facing north from the inner part of Braye Harbour.

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Henri and Gaston follow the ferry in their launch. Looking across Braye Harbour.

  • Capture 30
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The ferry arrives in Guernsey where the Children give chase after Gaston snatches the petition from Victor's pocket. This is St. Peter Port, Guernsey. facing what looks like the customs offices on the New Jetty at the east end of St. Julian's Emplacement. I think this is the south-east corner.

  • Capture 31
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As Bronson leaves the ferry, Grumpy corners Henri on the quayside. Likely to be New Jetty.

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Grumpy collides with a Fisherman which allows Henri to escape. The south end of New Jetty looking north with the Condor Offices to the left of the bridge walkway.

  • Capture 33
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Hiding under a boat, Gaston watches John after the Children split up to search the quayside. Looking west to North Esplanade at St Peter Port, Guernsey.

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Victor is alerted when Gaston knocks over an empty paint can. St. Peter Port stands in the background from this view of New Jetty with the tower of Elizabeth College just visible on the skyline to the left.

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After the Children retrieve the petition they run to the courthouse. Castle Pier looking west towards St. Peter Port. In the background is the Slaughterhouse which closed in 2013 and is now a bar and eatery with the same name. The white building in the foreground is the Vivier Bunker, now home to Channel Island Liquor Company. Identified by SJ's sister Katherine Wegerer.

  • Capture 36
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Victor, Marion, John and Jeanne climb the steps towards the courthouse but . . . Clifton Steps off Market Street in St Peter Port, Guernsey.

  • Capture 37
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. . . they find Henri is waiting for them. The right angled bends in the flight suggest Clifton Steps.

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The Children retreat as Henri descends towards them. Clifton Steps, St. Peter Port.

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Turning, the four Youngsters flee back down the steps. Possibly Clifton Steps once again.

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Henri trips and falls as he tries to keep up with the Children. Clifton Steps running between Market Street and Clifton.

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At a junction, Victor, Marion, John and Jeanne take different paths.

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Losing the Children, Henri looks around before taking the wrong route.

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Holding the petition, Victor meets up with the others. Facing the Royal Court House on St. James Street in St. Peter Port.

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The Children stop at the door to the courthouse when Mr. Bronson appears. The terrace in front of the Royal Court House on St. James Street.

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After Bronson shows the Children to a room inside the courthouse and locks the door, Victor leans out of the window to check the time.

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On the street below, Victor spots Bronson talking with Henri and Gaston. Outside the Royal Court House on St. James Street in St. Peter Port.

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After they escape from the room at the courthouse, the Children ask for directions to the house of Le Maitre's friend Mr. Gosselin to tell him what they've overheard.

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Henri and Gaston crouch behind a tree when Le Maitre and Mr. Gosselin (Alan Mackay) appear from the house discussing the petition.

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The two Crooks watch Le Maitre and Gosselin make their way to the cellar to drink a toast the Children's success.

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Victor, Marion, John and Jeanne hide when they see Henri and Gaston running away after locking Le Maitre and Gosselin in the cellar.

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As the time of the court's opening approaches, Bronson checks his watch whilst waiting for Henri and Gaston. The Royal Court House in St. Peter Port.

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After the Children release Mr. Le Maitre and Mr. Gosselin from the cellar, they all drive to the courthouse to arrive just in time to present the petition. Facing Manor Place outside the Royal Court House on Rue du Manoir, St. Peter Port.

  • Capture 53
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Parking the Wolseley, Mr. Gosselin follows Le Maitre and the Children into the courthouse where he presents the petition. The terrace outside the Royal Court House on Rue du Manoir.

  • Capture 54
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Following Parliamentary approval for the provision of a bird watcher and hut on Burhou, Le Maitre, Gosselin and the Youngsters run from the courthouse and make their way to the harbour after noticing that Bronson and his Men have departed. The area in front of the Royal Courthouse and St. Peter Port's War Memorial.

  • Capture 55
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At the harbour, Grumpy spots Bronson catching up with Gaston before they get into the launch. New Jetty in St. Peter Port.

  • Capture 56
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Grumpy tells Mr. Le Maitre, Mr. Gosselin and the Children that the egg Thieves have set off for Burhou. New Jetty, St Peter Port.

  • Capture 57
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Bronson and his Men leave the harbour as Mr. Gosselin suggests following in his boat. To the right stands the Castle Breakwater Lighthouse at the harbour in St. Peter Port, Guernsey.