Man About the House

As the title music comes to an end, a view of Myddleton Terrace in North London fills the screen. Alma Square where it joins Hamilton Gardens in NW8.

A ground level comparison. PW

Bringing in the milk at number 6, Mildred Roper (Yootha Joyce) frowns at neighbour Larry Simmonds (Doug Fisher) as he sounds his car horn outside her lodging house. Facing number 40 Alma Square in St. John's Wood.

On the east side. SJ

Collecting fellow student Robin Trip and his flatmate Chrissy Plummer, Larry speeds through residential streets. Looking southward into Alma Square from Hill Road in NW8, identified by Tonyk.

Facing the same direction. PW

Around a corner, Larry's Volkswagen almost collides with a Ford Zephyr. Recognised by Tonyk, as Hill Road with Nugent Terrace to the left.

The corner of Hill Road with Nugent Terrace. PW

Robin and Chrissy are alarmed as Larry drives across a main road with his eyes closed. Continuity remains true as this is the junction of Nugent Terrace, Abercorn Place and Violet Hill as advised by Tonyk.

A pause in the traffic. PW

When Robin asks Larry to drop them off, Chrissy comments that they're safer in the car as he can't knock them over. Facing north-east on Alma Square with Abbey Road in the left distance.

The Abbey Road Baptist Church is just visible. SJ

Taking his eyes off the road again, Larry turns his head to see the little restaurant where Robin has found a job for the holidays. Tonyk found that we're back at Nugent Terrace looking towards the junction of Hill Road and Alma Square.

Still a shop on the corner conveniently called The Corner Shop. SJ

The Volkswagen mounts the pavement as Larry avoids a line of traffic queuing at a junction. Looking south-west on Abercorn Place NW8 with Hamilton Terrace crossing the background, confirmed by Simon James.

This is looking down Hamilton Terrace at the approach of the junction. SJ

Larry cuts up a Motorcyclist as he takes a short cut through a petrol station forecourt. Tonyk identifies Loudoun Road in NW6 with Belsize Road and Fairhazel Gardens on the left and Fairfax Road to the top right.

A cluttered ground level view, with the filling station long demolished and a larger tree in the centre of the roundabout. PW

Stopping outside Maida Vale station, Larry drops a thankful Chrissy Plummer (Paula Wilcox) off before driving on to college. The junction of Randolph Avenue and Elgin Avenue in W9.

Not much has changed here over the years. PW

Tyres squeal as Larry swings into the college car park. Denis Hoare identifies this as the entrance to Quintin Kynaston School opposite 24 Marlborough Hill NW8. The school was rebuilt in 2015 and in 2017 was renamed the Harris Academy and this location is now used for the Harris Academy car parking with their sports courts behind. (RL)

This is the scene now from Denis which does not tell the lengths he had to go to to establish that he was in the correct place. We appreciate your sleuthing skills. (RL)

Chrissy looks out of the window of the bus home as Robin Tripp (Richard O'Sullivan) joins her after finishing work at the restaurant. Through the bus window stand shops at the corner of Elgin Avenue and Randolph Avenue.

Surveyors begin their work on Myddleton Terrace as Robin and Chrissy near home. Facing north-west on Alma Square.

Parked cars still line the road at location now. PW

Larry takes Robin and Chrissy's flatmate Jo out on a date . . . with terrible consequences.

Another acquired by Spiros sign appears as Larry supervises the delivery of his Volkswagen after its rescue from the lake that Jo reversed into. Alma Square NW8.

On the left is the kink in the road to the left. SJ

Collecting signatures on a petition after it's discovered that property developers are buying up the Edwardian houses on Myddleton Terrace, Chrissy approaches an Elderly Man (Arthur Hewlett). Nugent Terrace, looking out from number 3 advises Julie Forsyth.

The view from outside the once game filled window. PW

Along the street, Jo (Sally Thomsett) is confused when a Woman (Annie Leake) declines to sign because there's no mention of bringing back hanging or flogging on the petition. Nugent Terrace with Hill Road in the left background, identified by TonyK and confirmed by Julie Forsyth who adds that the shop is Thompsons on the opposite side of the street to the butchers seen in the previous capture.

Nugent Terrace now captured by Tonyk.

A harassed Housewife (Corinne Skinner) tells Chrissy to put her down as a "don't know". Outside number 7 Nugent Terrace.

A wider shot of no. 7 which has gone through several changes. SJ

George Roper (Brian Murphy) angers Mildred when he suggests that they should consider selling the house. Alma Square at the end on junction with Hamilton Gardens as indicated by the half hidden street sign.

The melding of Alma Square into Hamilton Gardens is nicely defined here. SJ

With 1,000 signatures collected, Chrissy visits the local MP's office. Geoff Dodd believes this to be Associated British Studios on Shenley Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire as seen in Captures 31 and 32. Looking at the colour scheme and window glazing he might well be spot on. (RL)

Inside the building, Chrissy hands over the petition to Sir Edmund Weir (Patrick Newell) . . . who realises that he owns a property on Myddleton Terrace in which his young lady friend Hazel Lovett lives. Associated British Studios on Shenley Road? See previous capture. (RL)

Soon after Sir Edmund speaks about the development in the House of Commons, Mr. Pluthero watches a sign being erected outside Miss Lovett's home. Alma Square in St. John's Wood.

This shows alterations to the side of no. 1 Alma Square seen to the top left. SJ

When Mr. Roper discloses to Mr. Pluthero that his house has sitting tenants, the property manager waits in his Rolls-Royce Phantom V to ask Chrissy to lunch. Denis Hoare places this as the service road at the rear of the Thames Television studios on Euston Road NW1, just about at the back entrance to the Post Office. (RL)

Taken from the rear of Santander, looking east, part of which now occupies this area. Recent maps name this as Triton Square. SJ

At the restaurant where Robin is preparing a very special meal for Mr. Pluthero, his Chauffeur (Bill Sawyer) hands a message to waiter Larry. With an address of 23 Queen's Grove, this is the Rossetti public house fronting Ordnance Hill in NW8. Named for pre-Raphaelite artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti who had a studio nearby, the Rossetti pub / trattoria was built in the 1960s on the site of the Prince of Wales. The premises were closed and demolished in the late 80s early 90s with the land used for flats. Information from Richard Lovejoy on Christopher Matheson's London on Location site and our regular Tour Guide contributor Tris.

In the middle of his stomach churning lunch with Chrissy, Mr. Pluthero is summoned to Mr. Spiros' suite of offices. Denis Hoare was working there at the time and tells us that this is Euston Tower at 286 Euston Road, (RL)

This is looking up from the south-west corner of the structure. SJ

Feeling rather queasy, Morris Pluthero (Peter Cellier) walks slowly to his waiting limousine after explaining to his employer that all the houses have been purchased except number 6. The pavement outside Euston Tower on the corner of Euston Road and Hampstead Road located by Denis Hoare who adds that the blue window of Capital Radio's premises can be seen to the right. (RL)

At the top to the right, the Euston Tower still stands. SJ

Told that he's to appear on television representing Spiros to tell the audience that the project is cancelled, Mr. Pluthero gets back into his Rolls after a last attempt to buy number 6, along with the sitting tenants, from Mr. Roper. Alma Square in NW8 with Garden Road and Grove Hall Court in the background.

From the pavement outside number 40, looking southward. SJ

Mrs. Roper, Chrissy, Jo and Robin hurry from the house after George leaves for the television studios with the signed contract. Looking towards Hamilton Gardens from Alma Square in St. John's Wood.

Looking south-east. SJ

Arriving at the studios, Mr. Roper gets out of his Morris Minor and rushes inside to find Mr. Pluthero. Thames Television Studios at 306 Euston Road NW1. Mark Elliott brings to our attention that the website 'History of TV Studios in London', in the subsection 'London's Independent TV Studios', shows a still from the film and explains that interior scenes were shot at Television International in Whitfield Street and not within Thames Euston Centre that was used for these exterior scenes.

This is where roughly the studios were, alongside the tower which housed Capital Radio in my day. SJ

Concierge Arthur Mulgrove ejects George from the foyer after asking for his ticket. Thames Television Studios on Euston Road, just 75 yards west of the Euston Tower.

This is a deliberate wider view to show the current arrangement with Santander, formerly Abbey, on the left, the open space in the middle and Euston Tower on the right. SJ

While Mr. Pluthero is in make-up, Mr. Roper conceals himself on a trailer to try his luck at the back of the studios. Indeed says Geoff Dodd, these are Associated British Studios on Shenley Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. (RL)

George enters the building and makes his way onto the studio floor where he places the signed contract in Morris Pluthero's briefcase. As per the previous capture Geoff Dodd advises Associated British Studios on Shenley Road, Borehamwood. (RL)

Taking Larry's car, Chrissy, Jo, Robin and Mrs. Roper arrive at the studios to be let in by Arthur, Mildred's old flame. Looking westward along Euston Road from outside Thames Television Studios.

Concentrating on the buildings across the road. SJ

The film ends with a panning crane shot of the area around Myddleton Terrace. This is looking south-west along Hamilton Gardens in NW8.

From ground level: a drone replacement shot would be welcome. SJ