Deadly Affair, The

Date: 1966
Director: Sidney Lumet
Production Company: Sidney Lumet Film Productions

Stars: James Mason, Simone Signoret, Harry Andrews, Maximillian Schnell, Roy Kinnear, Lynn Redgrave, Kenneth Haigh, Max Adrian, Robert Flemyng, Leslie Sands, Corin Redgrave
Location(s): London, Middlesex

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

The usual John Le Carr‚ net of intrigue, betrayal and death (based on his Call for the Dead) as Mason’s Foreign Office security inspector investigates a colleague’s suicide and finds himself under threat from an espionage ring.

Additional Information:

Original screen captures with comments and uncredited ‘now’ images by John Tunstill with updated and additional screen captures by Phil Wilkinson.

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Charles Dobbs (James Mason) questions Samuel Fennan (Robert Flemyng). St James's Park, London SW1. The Blue Bridge, which features in 'Britannia Mews', 'Absolute Beginners', 'Joanna' and 'Madame Louise' while the view from the bridge is seen in 'The Breaking of Bumbo'.

The Blue Bridge, where one meets everyone in the whole world if one stays there long enough! The two were standing just a little more to the right. SJ

When Fennan apparently commits suicide, Dobbs visits his Widow, Elsa. The Crescent, Barnes Common.

Now.

Dobbs gets out of the car. The Crescent, Barnes Common.

Now. The Crescent, Barnes Common, Jason Manley. Thanks

The Security Officer approaches to door of the film's Merridale Lane, Walliston address. The Crescent, Barnes Common.

Now.

Elsa Fennan (Simone Signoret) opens the door to Dobbs. The Crescent, Barnes Common, London SW13.

Yes, the background is different. The mock (or even real) Tudor building gave way to something more 'up to date'. (PW)

Dobbs drives to Walliston Police Station. Staines Road East, Sunbury, Middlesex.

The same location now. (PW)

Retired CID Inspector Mendel waits inside for Dobbs.

Outside the former Sunbury Police Station, Staines Road East, Sunbury. Google image sent in by Steve Legg replaced with a 'now' picture. (PW)

Dobbs enters the Police Station. Staines Road East.

The Police Station is no more. Steve Legg's Google shot replaced by PW.

  • 'Now' required

Mike Bradford tells us; This is Lombard Road, looking south towards York Road. James Mason drives along here several times, in both directions! Everything in the picture has been demolished. That's that then!

Lombard Road, London SW11.

For what's it worth, here's the now. I was hoping to get the tower or steeple in the background of the then but I think even that's gone. SJ

Dobbs notices that he is being followed. Lombard Road in SW11.

Only the tiny bit in the middle of this picture survives. SJ

Mike Bradford again; Battersea, Lombard Road, looking north. The chimneys of Archer House (deaaf014) can be seen above the advertising poster on the bridge. Now there's a sharp eye for you!

Archer House and bridge in the right place. SJ

Dobbs drives on. Lombard Road, London Borough of Wandsworth SW11.

Slightly wrong angle. To be improved. As I wrote in May 2013. 4 years later, here we are. SJ

Speeding up to shake his pursuer . . .

Approaching Archer House on Vicarage Crescent by car: living the part! The terrace in the foreground is now a park. SJ.

. . . Dobbs corners from Lombard Road into Vicarage Crescent. Archer House, Battersea, London SW11.

Now. Well spotted, George Myers.

Nearly Home. Grosvenor Road, London SW1.

Even the row of trees match. From the east side of St George's Square. SJ

The car is swung into a parking space. Pimlico in South West London.

Now. St Georges Square, London SW1.

Little change in this update. SJ

Pimlico SW London, leading down to the Embankment, where the White Elephant Restaurant used to be, perhaps St Georges Square SW1.

St Georges Square, Now, provided by Harry Moffatt. Well done that man!

119 on the left. SJ

Dobbs watches as his pursuer drives past before entering the flat and finding that his old friend Dieter Frey is visiting. St Georges Square, London SW1.

Now.

The east side of the square. SJ

Another day and Dobbs is followed again. A previous frame shows the car turning into Harroway Road, which is in SW11. This doesn't appear to be that street . . . .

. . . . but Mike Bradford found the location adding 'This one has bothered me for a while. It is Market Road in Richmond. Quite a bit different from the film, but the wall of the shop on the left and the low wall at the side of the fire station on the right are still there'. And PW took this 'now' shot, just around the corner from where part of 'Payroll' was filmed.

Charles waits for his tail to pass. Richmond Fire Station tower in the background gives this away as Market Road. Identified by Mike Bradford.

The same Fire Station drying tower now and a bit more of the building without James' head in the way. (PW)

The MG Magnette overtakes after Dobbs pulls over. Market Road, Richmond, Greater London located by Mike Bradford.

Housing has given way to industry on this street. (PW)

Karel Harek (Les White) realises that he has lost Dobbs. Mike found Garden Road off Market Road in Richmond.

Yes it is the same street. The gas holder has succumbed to a Sainsbury's supermarket. (PW)

Inspector Mendel (Harry Andrews) and Dobbs arrive at Scarr's garage. Lots Road in SW10.

The little window to the left of the tree has replaced the doorway, which has moved to the left, and the bricks on close inspection look like an alteration. SJ

The pair enter the yard.

Now. Not all obvious but this is the garage entrance nearly opposite the Balloon Tavern, Lot's Road, SW10. The building to the left in the "then" grab has been demolished and is now a car pound. The ones to the right, not captured but visible in the film, are still there. SJ.

  • 'Now' required

Mendel briefs Dobbs about Scarr. Lots Road, London SW10.

  • 'Now' required

The Inspector shouts for Scarr. Looking out of the yard onto Lots Road.

When Scarr can't be found, the two head to the pub. Lots Road, London SW10 with the Power Station chimneys in the background.

Now. SJ

The Balloon Tavern public house in Lots Road, Chelsea which is also seen in 'Sid & Nancy', 'Underground' and 'The Optimists of Nine Elms'.

The Lots Road Diner on Lots Road, formally known as The Balloon Tavern.

Young Eunice Scarr (Sheraton Blount) tells Mendel that her Dad is in the pub. The Balloon Tavern in SW10.

The Lots Road Diner now.

An ambulance attends after Dobbs is attacked by Harek. Lots Road. SJ.

Now. Pic by Simon James.

Mendel beats Adam Scarr (Roy Kinnear) when the MG Magnette is found in his yard. Outside the Balloon Tavern in Lots Road.

The Lots Road Diner, Lots Road in Chelsea.

Dobbs returns to Elsa Fennan's Surrey home to confront her with what he has found out. The Crescent, London SW13.

Now.

Charles waits for Mendel outside the Police Station. Staines Road East.

The once busy Police Station awaits it's fate. (PW)

Mendel accompanies Dobbs to his flat where they prepare a trap for Elsa Fennan and her contact, Sonntag. Staines Road East, Sunbury.

Different fence, and actors replaced by a car! (PW)

Elsa takes the bait and sets off for London. The Crescent, Barnes in SW13.

Now.

Crossing Barnes Green towards Station Road, Barnes.

The same Church, trees, path and . . . a newer building to the right. (PW)

Mendel follows as Mrs Fennan passes Walliston Methodist Church, in reality Barnes Methodist Church as noted by Tonyk. Barnes Green, London SW13.

A sunnier day for this now shot. (PW)

The bus to London arrives. Station Road, Barnes SW13.

No green Southdown buses along this road now, only red London General ones owned by a company from Newcastle upon Tyne. (PW)

Elsa boards the bus. Station Road, Barnes SW13.

Looks like the same fence, and hasn't the tree done well? (PW)

After telephoning to update Dobbs, Mendel gets into his car. Station Road, Barnes.

The phone box may have been a prop but the buildings are more visible now. (PW)

Mendel sets off to beat the bus to London.

Station Road, Barnes, Greater London. (PW)

Mrs Fennan arrives in London. Victoria Coach Station in Buckingham Palace Road, SW1. The coach station appears in many films including 'The Knack, and How To Get It', 'Rattle of a Simple Man', ‘Lost’, ‘Track the Man Down’, ‘Rotten to the Core’, ‘Escape Route', 'The Small World of Sammy Lee’ and 'Three Hats for Lisa'.

40 years on. SJ

Elsa makes her way out of the Coach Station and onto Buckingham Palace Road in SW1.

"Updated" but essentially the same. SJ

Mendel jumps onto the bus that Elsa has caught. The junction of Buckingham Palace Road and Elizabeth Street in London SW1.

A new glass structure appeared behind Colonnade Walk years ago. SJ

Elsa arrives in the city. Aldwych in London WC2 showing Aldwych Theatre and the Waldorf Hotel. Identified by Tonyk.

On the corner of Drury Lane and Aldwych. SJ

Elsa buys theatre tickets for herself and Sonntag. Outside the Aldwych Theatre on Aldwych in WC2.

Gosh that leaning to the left tree has thickened. SJ

A theatre ticket is posted to Sonntag. Aldwych WC2.

East of Drury Lane, looking west down Aldwych. SJ

After Sonntag is revealed to be Dobbs' old friend, Dieter Frey (Maximilian Schell) heads for his houseboat on the Thames. This is outside the entrance to the Kensington Borough Wharf at the junction of Cremorne Road and Lots Road in SW10 confirmed by William Armstrong.

"The buildings on the right of the picture, including Chelsea Scooters on the corner of Dartrey Road, are all demolished. This is now the World’s End Estate. There is still an advertising display in roughly the same area. I believe the bus, bus stop and phone box are all props. The old sub post office is now an estate agents." Info and photo from Jim Logan (SJ).

The shot pans with Dieter Frey as he passes through the gates of, what is now, the Chelsea Yacht and Boat Company. Cremorne Road SW10.

Same pillars but somewhat smarter. SJ

Frey walks along the gangway to his boat. The Thames near Cremorne Road in SW10 with Battersea Bridge in the background. The area was also used in 'The Naked Truth', 'Otley' and 'The Horses Mouth'.

Now. SJ

Mendel followed Frey and calls for Dobbs to come. Looking towards the Power Station on Lots Road from Cranmore Road. London SW10. The junction also makes an appearance in 'Food for a Blush'.

Only took nearly 10 years to replace Tonyk's Google from Feb 2013. SJ

  • 'Now' required

Bill Appleby (Kenneth Haigh) sees Dobbs off at London airport.