Chalk Garden, The
Date: 1964
Director: Ronald Neame
Production Company: U-I / Quota Rentals
Stars: Deborah Kerr, Hayley Mills, John Mills, Edith Evans, Felix Aylmer
Location(s): Sussex.
Region(s): South East A-D
Storyline:
Three generations and their lives, outlooks and desires.
Additional Information:
Re: Clapham House as seen in Captures 12 to 16
Colin Parsons confirms that it is indeed Clapham House, he know’s it well as he grew up in the village and remembers that there was a screening of the film in the Village Hall when it was released. When he lived in the village, the house was owned by Mr Richard Brown, who originally came from Devizes, Wilts. Mr Brown owned all of the properties in the village at one point in the 1940s-1950s, as his father purchased the whole village for him, along with Clapham Farm.
Maria Fitzherbert lived there too in the late 1700’s and Prince Regent, later George IV, would travel to the village from the Regents Palace in Brighton to see her, before they married.
Colin says, that ‘Clapham House’ is currently owned by one of The Chemical Brothers.
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If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
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
- 07 Mar 2014
Beachy Head, Eastbourne, Sussex.
I do not know from were the original was shot, whether it is still accessible or if one is allowed to venture that far, but for the time being I have taken this.....into the sun! (RL)
- Capture 2
- 08 Dec 2011
Waterloo Square, Alfriston, East Sussex as advised by Robert Sharp. The location can be seen in 'Waltz of the Toreadors'.
The doorway in the foreground now leads into The Singing Kettle Restaurant. Robert Sharp
- Capture 3
- 08 Dec 2011
This is also seen in the background of chg002a. Alfriston, Sussex. West Street. The weatherboarded building is Ye Olde Smugglers Arms pub, and next to it is the award-winning Much Ado bookshop. Robert Sharp.
- Capture 4
- 08 Dec 2011
This location is again very close to the previous shots. The village has changed very little since 1964! Robert Sharp snapping away. Excellent.
- Capture 5
- 08 Dec 2011
Alfriston, East Sussex. Waterloo Square.
Alfriston, East Sussex. Waterloo Square. In 1964, the big tree was the Coronation horse chestnut, planted in 1838 (for Queen Victoria). It was felled in 2006 and replaced by a much smaller tree (inside the railings). Robert again. Spot on!
- Capture 6
- 08 Dec 2011
Alfriston, East Sussex. Waterloo Square.
Alfriston, East Sussex. Waterloo Square. The white building is the Post Office, very little changed from 1964. The next building now has the brickwork exposed but looks as if it had a brown rendered finish in 1964. Wasn't able to find a vintage Rolls-Royce to pose for my shot. Sorry about that! Hey Ho! Robert lets us down at the last moment!
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
The back of the family house.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Maybe a tennis court in Eastbourne or Brighton, possibly Preston Park. Rebe confirms that it is Preston Park, the background players were recruited from the Preston Lawn Tennis Club and her mother was one of them! (RL)
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Eastbourne, probably. Actually, Brighton Geoff Kirzynowski tells us and follows on from Capture 8, in that it is is Preston Park looking across Preston Road. The buildings have now gone at the price of redevelopment. (RL)
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Might just be a clue on the side of the bus! Geoff says that this is from the other side as Preston Park can be seen through the other side of the bus also on a slope going the other way as Preston Road is dead flat. The bus with the Beachy Head sign is facing north towards London, so it is likely that it was a prop and not on its way to Beachy Head. A contributor has advised that the rear destination board suggests that it could/should have been on an inner Brighton loop. (RL)
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
A garage / filling station on the north, sunny, side of the street. By virtue of the road sign that is visible a few frames on, a contributor places this as on the A23, London Road, just north of the junction with the A27. (RL)
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Front of the house. After all the years on Site Chris Heath has provided the name and location of "the house". Clapham House, Litlington, East Sussex BN26 5RQ. It is a Grade ll listed building with quite a history, and it would seem, only one picture on the Internet to compare. (RL)
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
Houses next door.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
The rear garden.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
Back garden and greenhouse.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
Front steps. It would take a brave person to knock down a Grade ll listed building. Thanks again Chris for the identification. (RL)