Embezzler, The
Date: 1954
Director: John Gilling
Production Company: Kenilworth Film Productions
Stars: Charles Victor, Zena Marshall, Cyril Chamberlain, Avice Landone, Peggy Mount, Frank Forsyth, Leslie Weston, Dennis Chinnery, Olive Kirby, Phyllis Morris, Ian Fleming, Alastair Hunter, Michael Craig, Christopher Banks, Ernest Blyth, Patrick Jordan, Sam Kydd, Toby Lenon
Location(s): London, Surrey, Sussex
Region(s): London E-G, South East E-L
Storyline:
A quiet, respectable, henpecked, elderly bank cashier dreams of escaping his boring existence. One day he learns that he has only a couple of years to live and decides to steal funds from his employer and spend the rest of his days travelling the world. Unfortunately, his manager catches him in the act and in his panic to escape only manages to catch a train to Eastbourne and book into a seaside hotel where he becomes involved in the nefarious act of a fellow resident.
Additional Information:
Originally uploaded by Richard Lovejoy in 2014 and now re-addressed by him with additional and improved captures together with updated text.
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- Capture 1
- 09 Sep 2016
The credits are displayed while the camera travels down a long heavily tree lined suburban road and over local cross roads. With thanks to CliveT of 'Britmovie' for establishing Boileau Road with the junction of Washington Road, London SW13.
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Boileau Road at the crossroads with Washington Road looking down Madrid Road.
- Capture 2
- 09 Sep 2016
Continuing over the crossroads the style of houses change to smaller housing and no trees. CliveT of 'Britmovie' establishes this remaining as Boileau Road, London SW13
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There are trees now, and cars!
- Capture 3
- 09 Sep 2016
This is where Henry Paulson (Charles Victor) lives with his nagging wife (Phyllis Morris). No 56 Boileau Road, London SW13
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Most houses in the road have a car now.
- Capture 4
- 07 Mar 2014
Relieved to be going to work and escaping the wife he passes a travel agency and dreams of taking a cruise and travelling the world. Troy Court, Kensington High Street, London W8
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The shop no longer a travel agency.
- Capture 5
- 07 Mar 2014
Victor approaches his branch from the station. The “bank” so frequently used in various films, even with the same name in ‘Delayed Action’ as was the adjoining building in ‘Stronghold’. On the corner of St Margaret's Road and The Barons and backing onto the Twickenham Studios.
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Now demolished and absorbed into the Twickenham Film Studios.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
On his way home he passes the travel agency once again. Is that the sign for the ‘Wooden Horse’ restaurant at 222 Kensington High Street?
- Capture 7
- 09 Sep 2016
A seed is sown as to how he can break out from his rut and enjoy his remaining few years when he learns from his doctor that his time is limited. CliveT of ‘Britmovie’ says Boileau Road, London SW13
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Angles are somewhat governed by parked cars these days.
- Capture 8
- 07 Mar 2014
Having stolen cash from the branch safe, witnessed by his manager, he is obliged to make a hurried escape in favour of the proposed cruise. He enters Victoria Station.
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He would have to find an alternative entrance now.
- Capture 9
- 11 Sep 2026
The police are already watching exit points. Victoria station, as it says Platform 8
A wider shot of the entrance to platform 8 where The Golden Arrow used to depart. SJ
- Capture 10
- 07 Mar 2014
Eager to avoid being spotted he catches the first train to be announced with imminent departure.
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Not such clear signage now.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
He is on his way to Eastbourne. Announced as Platform 14
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
We supposedly view the train on its way. The railwaymoviedatabase.com sees this as a stock shot of a 4 SUB unit coming off Barnes Bridge over the River Thames.
- Capture 13
- 07 Mar 2014
Victor’s arrival in Eastbourne is established by this shot of its seashore and pier. The Sussex resort is also seen in 'Made in Dagenham', 'The Look of Love', 2010's 'Brighton Rock', 'Lost', 'The Looking Glass War' and 'Millions Like Us'.
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More colourful now.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
A closer shot of the pier tells us that he is on his way by taxi to where he is going to stay. Grand Parade, Eastbourne and pier.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
His taxi from the station pulls up at his hotel…….. “. Unknown location, but a passing van in frames associated with this capture reveal slightly unclear lettering suggesting – “A May Ltd, Transport, Haulage Contractors, 359 Liverpool Road, London N1”
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
As he turns from paying the taxi driver we are shown where Victor is going to stay. ‘Eastcote Hotel’ – Proprietor: Mrs I Larkin (Peggy Mount). Unidentified Location.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
To perhaps help further in identifying the location we see Victor approach the Hotel entrance.
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required
In the morning he decides to go for a walk, not the weather he was proposing to enjoy. I stand to be corrected or welcome further information, as I believe this to be the Bandstand and then a shelter, West Parade, Bexhill-on-Sea. Demolished in 1977 due to lack of upkeep.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
A fellow guest at the hotel Alec Johnson (Cyril Chamberlain) joins another guest Mrs Forrest (Zena Marshall) at the local tea rooms. He has had a chequered past with her. With thanks to Brian Rogers for identifying ‘The Old Wheel’, 31-37 Church Street, Reigate, Surrey. The premises, somewhat amended/redeveloped have been subdivided, but are still recognisable.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required
Having agreed to ‘take care’ of Miss Ackroyd’s (Avice Landone) broken pearl necklace ‘in town’………… Eastbourne seafront. The first road off to the left is Hartington Place with what is now the ‘Mansion (Lions) Hotel’ extreme left.
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required
...........Mr Johnson returns ‘from town’.
- Capture 22
- 28 Nov 2017
Victor is disturbed when he sees how Mr Johnson is upsetting Mrs Forrest and goes for a walk. Riverside Gardens, Hammersmith, London W6.
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The capture foreground was part of Nigel Playfair Road and probably Upper Mall now absorbed into the Great West Road.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required
Whilst out he sees Mrs Forrest and joins her in a shelter where she confides in Victor and tells him of her past with Johnson and the fact that he is now blackmailing her. Unknown location with a definitive lamppost.
- Capture 24
- 07 Mar 2014
The police find some of the stolen notes in circulation and start a search for both Victor and blackmailer Alec Johnson. Eastbourne Police Station, Grove Road
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The public counter was closed in October 2013 and someone has stolen the lights already!