Portrait of Clare

Date: 1950
Director: Lance Comfort
Production Company: Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC)

Stars: Margaret Johnston, Richard Todd, Robin Bailey
Location(s): Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, London, Oxfordshire

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

A lady tells her Granddaughter the story of her three marriages: to a young man who is killed; a priggish lawyer; and a sympathetic barrister.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson

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Lady Hingston arrives at Stourton, the home of her son Lord Wolverbury, where arrangements are in progress for the first gathering since the war. The front of Luton Hoo House in the parish of Hyde, Bedfordshire.

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After her widowed granddaughter Sylvia announces that she wants to marry Charles Astill, Clare begins to tell the story of her own life. Aston Rowant station on Aston Hill to the south of Aston Rowant in Oxfordshire.

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Alighting from the train, Clare Lydiatt (Margaret Johnston) walks along towards Hemus the Ticket Collector. Other views of Aston Rowant station can be seen in 'My Brother's Keeper', 'The Captive Heart' and 'My Brother Jonathan'

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As he passes Hemus (Andrew Leigh) and leaves the station with Sir Joseph Hingston (Lloyd Pearson), family solicitor Dudley Wilburn (Robin Bailey) offers Clare a lift to her Aunt Cathy's house. Aston Rowant station stood on the line between Princes Risborough and Watlington and was closed to passengers in 1957.

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Mr. Wilburn's carriage approaches the home of Mrs. Weir where, later that evening, the solicitor and her Aunt are shocked to discover that Clare is in love with Ralph Hingston. The 16th century Little Offley Manor House in Hertfordshire.

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Hiding his love for Clare, Mr. Wilburn wishes her every happiness and the wedding goes ahead. Luton Hoo House, Bedfordshire, which appears in 'Never Say Never Again', 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' and 'A Shot in the Dark'.

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Mr. and Mrs. Hingston wave at Sir Joseph and Lady Julia as they set out to go fishing. Luton Hoo House, now a hotel and spa, the grounds of which can be seen in 'The Secret Garden'.

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Ralph Hingston (Ronald Howard) kisses his pregnant wife before making his way to the weir with his rods. Paine Bridge over the River Lea near Brocket Hall on Marford Road, Lemsford in Hertfordshire.

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Whilst landing a trout, Ralph steps backwards before slipping and falling into the river. Paine Bridge over the River Lea can be seen in 'Omen III: The Final Conflict', 'Night of the Demon' and 'Happy Ever After'.

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Mr. Wilburn accompanies Clare when she takes her son Stephen to boarding school. The Grade II* listed Temple Dinsley at Preston, Hertfordshire occupied by the Princess Helena College. The building was next seen on screen in 2024 when appearing as a school for 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice'.

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Clare and Mr. Wilburn lead Steven into the building before departing. Temple Dinsley, an 18th century country house redesigned by Edwin Lutyens in the early 1900s. The college closed in 2021 and in 2025 conditional permission was given to convert the property into apartments.

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Driving Clare back home, Dudley declares that he's been in love with her for more than ten years and asks her to marry him. The driveway to the Grade II* listed Little Offley Manor House off School Lane to the north of Great Offley.

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Before getting out of the car, Clare asks Dudley's forgiveness as she can't answer. Outside the Little Offley Manor House.

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Courting Dudley after her Aunt's death, Clare meets her fiancé's cousin Robert Hart whilst travelling to London on a shopping trip. Elstree & Borehamwood station in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire identified by Jonathan Horswell on the Railway Movie Database.

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By the time the pair arrive in the Capital, together Robert and Clare have completed the crossword in a broadsheet. Marylebone station on Melcombe Place, London NW1.

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With her marriage to her self-righteous husband becoming tedious, Clare takes Stephen to North Bromwich to meet with Dudley for lunch. A matted studio set, taken from 'My Brother Jonathan' released two years earlier.

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Robert Hart pays a visit to Clare and Stephen after she and Dudley agree to separate when he realises that she only married him to give her son a father. The grounds of Little Offley Manor House at Little Offley, Hertfordshire.