Crooks in Cloisters

A mail train speeds towards the camera. Jonathan Horswell advises that the reversed shot is filmed on the Midland Main Line near Elstree tunnels in Hertfordshire.

As the titles continue, a shot to the right reveals what appears to be the M1 Motorway bridge to the south of Elstree along with the mouths of Elstree Tunnels in the distance. Another reversed view, looking north along the Midland Main Line south of Elstree identified on the Railway Movie Database.

Superintendent James Mungo (Alister Williamson) and Detective Benson (Norman Chappell) investigate what turns out to be the "smallest ever train robbery", suspecting that Little Walter and his Mob are behind it. On the Railway Movie Database, Jonathan Horswell speculates that this scene was filmed somewhere in Brent Yards or possibly at Scratchwood Sidings, Mill Hill.

While Little Walter, Bikini and Willy the Poet relax at home, gang member Squirts spends a night at the dogs with his Girlfriend. White City Stadium in W12, which was demolished in 1985. Other views of the location can be seen in 'The Green Cockatoo', 'Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter', 'Otley', ‘Clash by Night’, ‘The Turners of Prospect Road’ and ‘Jumping for Joy’.

When Squirts McGinty (Bernard Cribbins) and Kate (Barbara Roscoe) collect winnings from his Bookmaker (Max Bacon), Charlie the Tick Tack Man (George Tovey) passes a message that he's to go to the warehouse, not forgetting the plates. White City Stadium off Wood Lane in Shepherd's Bush.

As Superintendent Mungo closes in on the Gang, Little Walter invests their money and takes them to the the sleepy island of St. Pancras off the coast of Cornwall.

On the island stands the property that Walt has acquired . . . a Monastery. Ashridge House near Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire.

Lionel and Cynthia Sear did their best to capture the right angle given the erection of new buildings and fences. (RL)

Walking in silence, a line of Monks file towards the Monastery entrance.

Specks, Squirts, Willy, Lorenzo and Walt reach the gateway where their luggage is waiting.

Bikini (Barbara Windsor) shouts down to Walt from an upper window, complaining that there's no bathroom.

Walking through the Monastery garden, 'Little' Walter Dodd (Ronald Fraser) tells Lorenzo (Grégoire Aslan) to persevere. Ashridge House in Hertfordshire, other views of which can be seen in 'The Dirty Dozen' and 'Dracula: Prince of Darkness'. Whilst now a business school it was indeed, ironically, a Monastery around 1283 as pointed out by Stan Curtis. (RL)

As the others unpack contraband and printing equipment, Specs rings the Monastery bell before supper . . . cooked badly by Bikini.

Crooks (Hugh Futcher and James Culliford) load furs into the back of their van.

The Driver gets into the Morris truck and drives the loot away for transporting to Little Walter on St. Pancras island.

Phineas Pendennis (Wilfrid Brambell) brings a boat load of Tourists (including Peter Williams, Olwen Brookes, Nora Gordon) to the island. In the background stands Ashridge House at Ashridge, quite the opposite of an island location.

Leaving the younger members of the Party on the beach and the older Visitors waiting outside the Monastery, Phineas goes in search of someone in authority. One presumes that this is within the confines of Ashridge House.

In the Monastery courtyard, Walt confronts Phineas when he walks up looking for the Father Superior and discovers that he's a smuggler. Ashridge House at Ashridge near Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire located by Lionel and Cynthia Sear.

Lionel and Cynthia view one of the gateways from the inside. (RL)

After agreeing a deal, Phineas and Walt return to the Tourists to find them missing. Lionel and Cynthia Sear did not find this on their initial visit to Ashridge but with their usual determination and the invaluable co-operation and assistance of Mick Thompson, Head Gardener and Archivist, who is now fully acknowledged with thanks, it has been established that: "It was the entrance to the old wood yard, adjacent to Tower Cottage which is the western extremity of the building. Assuming the footprint of the building to be broadly a rectangle this is in the north-west corner. The area, which lies behind the old stable and coach house, was used as the site of the current Fairhaven building that was constructed in the late 80s / early 90s. I assume this is when the gates were removed to leave what is now an open arch." (RL)

On the mainland, Phineas watches his granddaughter June (Francesca Annis) set off with 7/6d that he's given her before running back to the house to receive a delivery of stolen goods.

On her way to the bus stop, June hears someone calling out. Portloe in Cornwall confirmed by Lionel Sear.

Looking up at the path that runs above the north side of the harbour by Lionel.

Looking down, June sees a Monk standing in a rowing boat in the middle of the harbour. Portloe, with Middle Cottage and Kerbenetty as the backdrop.

Mark Alford found the same background.

Having lost his oars, Willy shouts to the young lady. The small harbour at Portloe, to the south-east of Truro in Cornwall.

The tide was in when Mark Alford arrived.

Telling Willy to sit tight, June runs down to the shore to help. The top of the road leading to the harbour in Portloe.

Lionel found the that the steps remain near the Lugger Hotel.

June throws a line to Willy (Melvyn Hayes) and pulls him ashore. Portloe on the Roseland Peninsula, a location also seen in 'About Time' as well as the Children's Film Foundation productions 'Haunters of the Deep' and 'Mystery in the Mine'.

Lionel Sear looked out to sea.

After he introduces himself as Brother William and tells June that he's looking to buy gumboots, the pair return to the harbour following a visit Mr. Blackman at the local store. Portloe, with homes overlooking the harbour as the background.

Mark Alford turned inland for this view.

Rowing from the mainland, Father Septimus (Joseph O'Conor) and Brother Lucius (Corin Redgrave) arrive on the island.

Returning to their old home, the two real Monks pass Brother Squirts on their way to the Monastery. Ashridge House in Hertfordshire stands in the distance.

After the visiting Monks promise to pray for Father Walter and his Gang, Brother Squirts rows to the mainland to get supplies. A long shot of the harbour at Portloe.

A matching shot from Lionel, looking down on the harbour from near the 'Flagstaff'.

Picking up a copy of Sporting Life along with the Catholic Herald and a cookery book, Brother Squirts sits down to read the racing results. Portloe in Cornwall.

Looking up from the harbour, Lionel Sear adds that the Lugger Hotel is on the right.

Brother Willy leaves Phineas after persuading him to place a £100 bet for him.

On a visit to the greyhound track, after an announcement that the winner is owned by Squirts McGinty, Superintendent Mungo discovers from a Bookmaker that someone in Newquay keeps putting £100 to win on the dog. White City Stadium in Shepherd's Bush W12.

Acting on the information received, the Superintendent travels to Cornwall. Portloe.

The 'main street' by Lionel Sear.

Speaking with the Publican who has been taking the bets for Phineas, Superintendent Mungo directs the squad cars to the harbour.

Looking up from the Harbour at Portloe by Lionel Sear.

Superintendent Mungo and his Men find Little Walter and his Gang coming ashore after reluctantly deciding to return to London. Portloe Harbour, just below the Lugger Hotel.

Now by Lionel Sear.

Squirts, Specs (Davy Kaye), Walt, Bikini and Lorenzo (Grégoire Aslan) hand themselves over. In front of The Lugger Hotel in Portloe, Cornwall.

The Lugger Hotel at Portloe captured by Lionel Sear.