It Couldn’t Happen Here
Date: 1987
Director: Jack Bond
Production Company: EMI Films, Picture Music International (PMI)
Stars: Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe, Joss Ackland, Neil Dickson
Location(s): Buckinghamshire, Essex, London, West Sussex
Region(s): London H-L, South East E-L
Storyline:
Synth-pop duo ‘Pet Shop Boys’ star in a surreal musical odyssey, featuring fourteen songs from their first two studio albums ‘Please’ and ‘Actually’.
Additional Information:
Compiled by Neil Webster
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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
Dancing to the song 'It Couldn't Happen Here' on Clacton-on-Sea Beach, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. Pier in the background.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Neil (Neil Tennant) rides his bike along Kings Promenade, Clacton-on-Sea.
- Capture 3
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Meanwhile, in a seaside B&B... Marine Lodge, 1-31 Marine Parade East, Clacton
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
... Chris (Chris Lowe) escapes the overbearing landlady. Marine Parade East.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Priest (Joss Ackland) takes young Neil and Chris in hand. Clacton Pier.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
'West End Girls' plays. Pier Avenue.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Neil & Chris are in the market for a car, they talk to the illuminated salesman (Neil Dickson). 'Road Runners', Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush, London W12.
- Capture 8
- 05 Nov 2025
Having purchased the Ford Zephyr, they give a homicidal madman (Joss Ackland) a lift. Long Lane, Uxbridge in Greater London.
Antony Blair returned to the location 38 years later, where the road layout has changed since filming.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Their passenger gets out. Steve Randall found that the 'Griffin Steak House & Carvery' was part of the Master Brewer Hotel which stood on the corner of Long Lane and Freezeland Way, Uxbridge in Greater London.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Dancing to 'Rent'. Tunnel Refineries, Tunnel Avenue, Greenwich SE10. According to the commentary, this was filmed on the night of the great storm of 1987, the dancers were happy to continue, so they did!
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Pilot (Neil Dickson) flies as 'Two Divided By Zero' plays. Wycombe Air Park, Booker, Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
- Capture 12
- 12 Apr 2026
After pilot machine-guns the car, it eventually grinds to a halt. Willow Avenue, High Wycombe. Booker Memorial Hall in the background.
Antony Blair found new properties in the background of a more mature scene.
- Capture 13
- 30 Jul 2026
Burning man carries a rose. 27 Patterson Road, Crystal Palace, London, SE19 (found on 'London on Location').
Looking south-east with hedges obscuring a lot of the detail. SJ
- Capture 14
- 30 Jul 2026
Man pastes bricks over a Magritte painting. Crystal Palace Station Rd, Crystal Palace, London, SE19. He's pasting onto the end of Brunswick Court (again, credit to 'London On Location' for this).
Looking south at an all-brick wall. SJ
- Capture 15
- 31 Jul 2026
Chris and Neil wait under a bridge as a burning car drives past. Crystal Palace Park's old racing circuit, London, SE19.
This section of the racing circuit was (and still is) known as 'Maxim Rise'. NW
- Capture 16
- 22 Nov 2025
They arrive at a railway station. Bluebell Railway, Horsted Keynes Station, Horsted Keynes, Haywards Heath, West Sussex.
John Harwood, capturing this photo notes that the Christmas lights are already in place
- Capture 17
- 22 Nov 2025
Using the foot tunnel. Horsted Keynes station.
In the foot tunnel, John's photo shows all directions leading north
- Capture 18
- 22 Nov 2025
The Zebras arrive. Horsted Keynes.
John, here, points out the alterations to the track layout over time
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
Dusk shot of a pre-Millennium Dome Greenwich Peninsula, Greenwich, London.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required
Now in a limo, they approach the Blackwall Tunnel.
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required
The limo drops them off to play at a club in the middle of a war zone. East Greenwich Gas Works, Greenwich Peninsula. The building was originally an ammonium sulphate store.