Rumour
Date: 1970
Director: Mike Hodges
Production Company: Associated-Rediffusion Television, Thames Televison
Stars: Michael Coles, Ronald Clarke, Mary Baxter, Joyce Blair, Levin Brennan, John Caesar, David Cargill, Martin Carroll, Vivienne Chandler, Jill Chartell. Ernie Clayden, Ian Cooper, Paul Dawkins, Ivor Dean, James Donnelly, Patrick Jordan, Jonathan Lynn, Jimmy Mac
Location(s): London
Region(s): London R-S
Storyline:
A hard-bitten newspaper reporter is drawn back into the world of sleaze that he had hoped to have left behind, but this time it goes right to the top.
Additional Information:
This film, made for Thames Television as part of its ‘Playhouse’ productions, was brought to our attention by Jules Ballantyne who, with Richard Lovejoy formed a joint collaboration with this uploading.
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- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
We join our reporter Sam Hunter (Michael Coles) in his 1950’s Cadillac as he approaches the Rotherhithe Tunnel, SE16 going north.
- Capture 2
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He dictates his column as we see him on the Marylebone Flyover. The ABC Cinema, Edgware Road was demolished in 2016 and the site now accommodates the Marble Arch Place.
- Capture 3
- 08 Oct 2026
As he comes further into London we catch up with him here passing Great Portland Street Station on the Euston Road, NW1.
I found it difficult to reconcile the foreground. SJ
- Capture 4
- 08 Oct 2026
In Melton Street, NW1 he approaches the junction with Euston Street where he turns right into an underground car park for access to Euston Station.
Reconstruction continues. SJ
- Capture 5
- 08 Oct 2026
Euston Station main entrance concourse where Sam meets with Liza Curtis (Vivienne Chandler) whilst being watched and photographed by ‘The Assassin’ Vic Smith (Ronald Clarke).
The floor is still shiny. SJ
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
After a book launch where he ‘insults’ the author Arthur Kook (David Cargill) he is telephoned by Liza to urgently go to her apartment later that day. A panning shot that starts with Chiltern Street, W1 and Bickenhall Mansions in the background …………….
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
…………….. settles on him parking his car outside Portman Mansions, Chiltern Street. He finds her dead in disturbing circumstances.
- Capture 8
- 08 Oct 2026
Sam continues with his planned evening and at the Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road W1 firstly telephoning the police regarding Liza’s murder.
The Dominion reverted to its original use as a theatre after a long spell as a cinema from 1930 to 1981. SJ
- Capture 9
- 08 Oct 2026
And then meets with his date who is waiting outside.
A closer look. SJ
- Capture 10
- 08 Oct 2026
He gets a call in the early hours regarding Liza’s death and briefly stops at her apartment block to chat to fellow news reporters. Chiltern Street.
This wasn't particularly straightforward but I believe it's the west side. SJ
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Sam calls at the Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch to meet with his newspaper editor Mike Weston (James Donnelly ) and bumps into fellow journalist, and ex wife, Anne Wright (Colette O’Neil). Whilst reluctant, Mike finally permits Sam to go ahead with his ‘Liza Curtis Story’.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
He goes to ‘Randolph’s’, the club where Liza started her ‘career’ and meets with Al Jacobs (Gordon Tanner) and Betty Jacobs (Joyce Blair). Unidentified location.
- Capture 13
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Sam leaves the club and…….Unidentified location.
- Capture 14
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“….pointed my car in the direction of London’s East End, stop”. Unknown location.
- Capture 15
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Via Bank intersection and Royal Exchange. Royal Exchange viewed from Poultry EC2
- Capture 16
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Unidentified location.
- Capture 17
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Unknown location.
- Capture 18
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Unknown location.
- Capture 19
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Approaching his destination he has 31 – 40 Ainsley Street, Bethnal Green, EC2 behind him.
- Capture 20
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He draws up before the camera and visits Liza’ mother at the films 25 Carley Road from where he takes some photographs of Liza with her influential clients. Corfield Street, Bethnal Green, EC2 looking towards Ainsley Street.
- Capture 21
- 08 Oct 2026
Whilst at ‘Randolph’s’ that evening his drink is spiked and he is threatened to give up the Liza Curtis Story. Later that night his home is raided by the police to ‘collect’ the photographs. One by one they leave. 4 Warwick Square looking along porches of 3 to 1 towards Belgrave Road, SW1
Looking north-east. SJ
- Capture 22
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With events getting serious Sam telephones a ‘friendly’ member of parliament, Jack Meredith, M.P. (Frank Middlemass) to discuss matters. 40 Chelsea Square, SW3
- Capture 23
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Sam meets up with old friend Jackie White (Vikki Richards) and her husband manager Chris Simons to discuss a potential article when restaurant owner Hercules Beaumont (Paul Dawkins) invites him up to his snooker table. Dizzy’s Diner, 25 Basil Street, SW3
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required
Having been. ‘warned off’ by Beaumont Sam takes Johnny Wilder (Lane Meddick), a photographer, to the home of Julian Crawford M.P. (Jim Delaney) to take ‘undercover photographs’. Unknown location.
- Capture 25
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Reaching Crawford’s home. Unknown location.
- Capture 26
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Sam and Johnny settle into the shrubbery to await movement from the house. Mapledurham House, Oxfordshire. Also seen in 'The Eagle Has Landed' and 'Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines'. (SR)
- Capture 27
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Another day and Sam is obliged to attend the funeral of Liza Curtis. Unknown cemetery
- Capture 28
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“The top people with whom Liza had chosen to spend the last days of her short life were not present, only her distraught mother, two brothers and one sister attended the sad ceremony”
- Capture 29
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Telephoned by a representative of Mr Crawford, Sam was told to go to the Oval cricket ground, London SE1, if he wanted further information. “where I would be contacted by someone who knew me." Arrangements are made for Sam to meet with Julian Crawford the following morning at the offices of the Arco Shipping company.
- Capture 30
- 'Now' required
Sam goes to his newspaper offices to discuss with his editor Mike the story that was becoming more threatening. 61 Aldwych, WC2
- Capture 31
- 08 Oct 2026
In the morning his arranged ‘escort’, Vic Smith (Ronald Clarke), calls for Sam at his home to direct him to the offices of Arco to see Mr Crawford. Warwick Square, London SW1 outside circa No 4
Looking south-west. SJ
- Capture 32
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They make their way supposedly to the Blackwall Tunnel. Glebe Place, SW3.
- Capture 33
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Approaching a junction the ‘escort’ tells Sam to pull over and stop...... Unidentified location.
- Capture 34
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.......... he buys a newspaper and re-enters the car to a back seat. Unidentified location.
- Capture 35
- 08 Oct 2026
Sam is directed further, now along the Chelsea Embankment approaching the junction with Tite Street.
The trees still lean out. SJ
- Capture 36
- 'Now' required
As the escort draws a gun Sam screeches around a bend. Unidentified location.
- Capture 37
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“That’s it at the end there Sir, stop at the gates”. Entrance to West India Docks, West India Dock Road, E14
- Capture 38
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The policeman on the gate directs Sam to the offices of Mr Crawford. South West Quay, South Dock, West India Dock with the building of ‘Central Granary’ in the background.
- Capture 39
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With the gun now at his neck he is told to turn right at the office block. Looking north across South Dock, West India Dock from South Quay. The Hilton Hotel, Marsh Wall now totally occupies this view.
- Capture 40
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‘The Assassin’ continues to direct. This looks to be West India Dock (Import) looking north towards, background right, Thornfield House, Rosefield Gardens.
- Capture 41
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![Looking north towards Kedge House [Tower Block], Tiller Road, E14 with background left, Alexander House that still survives. Circa 1970](https://www.reelstreets.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/rumour41-535x401.jpg)
Sam is forced to drive into the back of a van. Looking north towards Kedge House [Tower Block], Tiller Road, E14 with background left, Alexander House that still survives.
- Capture 42
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The ‘Arco Import Export’ van with Sam inside continues its journey. SW corner of South Dock, West India Dock to the east of Alpha Grove and Manilla Street as was.
- Capture 43
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A few frames on we have a glimpse of ‘Central Granary’.
- Capture 44
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The policeman allows the van to leave the dockside. Entrance/Exit to West India Docks.
- Capture 45
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Back on the road. Unidentified location.
- Capture 46
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As the van moves out of shot more of the surrounding location can be viewed, but still to be identified.
- Capture 47
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Sam talks to his captor about Liza’s death, but learns nothing as they pass a meaningful landmark, but where?
- Capture 48
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Sam tells him that he knows Liza Curtis was murdered. “Do you?” And continues to try and find out who he is working for. Unidentified location.
- Capture 49
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They approach the Rotherhithe Tunnel going north., London SE16
- Capture 50
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Whilst entering the tunnel a gunshot is heard, we see repeated scenes of Sam’s car hoisted in a scrap metal yard, yet to be identified.
- Capture 51
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We are shown workers entering Smithfield meat market.
- Capture 52
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Meanwhile the lorry is perhaps leaving the scrap metal yard.
- Capture 53
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Finally settling in the Market to see Sam has been killed.
- Capture 54
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In due course some kids playing amongst the scrap metal find Sam’s Dictaphone that was playing throughout and the truth of his investigation is finally out for public consumption.