File of the Golden Goose, The

During the titles a dead woman is found on an Italian beach clutching a forged $100 bill before the Narrator tells us of a second event involving counterfeit notes. Staines Town Hall identified on the Britmovie Forum.

Nick Boorman captured this sunny comparison of the Town Hall.

In Calais, a Bank Teller is arrested, accused of trading fake American dollars. The camera tilts down the frontage of Staines Town Hall. The building can also be seen in 'Birth of the Beatles', 'Side by Side' and 'The Love Ban' as well as 'Ali G Indahouse'.

A rather forlorn view by Nick.

Gendarmes manhandle the Bank Teller into the back of a Police van. Staines Town Hall on Market Square in Staines, Surrey.

Nick Boorman found the door well closed when he visited. I wonder how many fences there are?

When the counterfeit money began to turn up in the United States, Secret Service Agent Peter Novak was assigned by Washington to work on the case. A second unit shot of Times Square in Manhattan, New York City, New York. Times Square can be seen in a great number of films including 'A King in New York', ‘the Anderson Tapes’, ‘The Man Without a Body’ and ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’.

After a date with Novak, Ann Marlowe gets out of the Mercury Cougar as a car approaches. Albert Embankment SE1 with the corner of Tinworth Street and The Crown public house in the left background. The pub has since been renamed as The Rose. Location identified on the Britmovie forum.

The evening sun catches the buildings nicely. SJ

When the car’s occupants open fire, Peter Novak shoots back. In front of Alembic House on Albert Embankment.

The scene today. SJ

Novak continues firing as the car passes. Looking onto Albert Embankment from the base of Alembic House. The location appears in several productions including 'Assignment K', 'Allez France!’, 'Joanna', 'Genevieve' and ‘Sweeney!’.

Looking opposite from Peninsular Heights. SJ

After the assailants car crashes, Novak turns to discover that Ann has been killed. Dating from 1964, Alembic House was refurbished and renamed Peninsular Heights in 1996.

About here. SJ

At the height of the tourist season, Police in London become aware of the international currency conspiracy. Terminal 3, formerly the Oceanic Terminal, at Heathrow Airport. The building also features in 'The V.I.P.'s', 'Brannigan' and 'Carry On Cabby'.

A Man runs from the terminal after being challenged about the notes he is carrying.

When US Agent John Owens is killed in England whilst investigating the counterfeiting ring, Novak heads to London after agreeing to take over. Looking up at New Scotland Yard on Broadway SW1. The building is also seen in building also appears in 'The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It', 'Don't Open til Christmas', 'The Sex Thief', ‘Hennessy’, ‘Columbo: Dagger of the Mind’, ‘White Cargo’ and ‘Frenzy’.

Same sky as the new building to replace New Scotland Yard mark2 goes up. Probably a unique arrangement and cranes and cores. SJ

Running late, Mary Thompson drives her husband to work. This is Broadway in SW1 with Victoria Street in the right distance. The location appears in 'Don't Open till Christmas'.

The curve of the Post Office is still a feature. SJ

Detective Arthur Thompson (Edward Woodward) kisses his Wife goodbye and enters New Scotland Yard where he meets Peter Novak. Outside New Scotland Yard with Broadway Post Office across the road.

Kurt Roberts captured the location and nearly got arrested for taking a picture of the Post Office.

The post office is still there. Victoria Street in the left background. SJ

After being briefed about the counterfeit gang's activities, Novak and Thompson head to Liverpool . . . . Street Station that is! The view from Liverpool Street, London EC2. The busy terminus also appears in 'The Elephant Man', 'The Holly and the Ivy', 'Mission: Impossible', 'A Prayer for the Dying', 'The Silent Passenger', 'I Was Monty's Double', 'The Informers' and 'Suspended Alibi'.

With plans to infiltrate the gang posing as Bruckner and Davies, the pair get off the train from London. Liverpool Street station, since modified, extended and built upon.

Posing as two criminals who survived a fatal crash whilst on a heist, the pair leave the platform. The price of a platform ticket at Liverpool Street obviously appeared better value than taking the trip to Lime Street.

A taxi is hailed to take them to the Andover Hotel. Looking out from Liverpool Street station towards the junction of Liverpool Street and Old Broad Street in EC2. An extended station now covers this area.

The two Policemen enter the seedy underworld hotel run by a man named Tommy Stroud. Peninsular House on Monument Street EC3.

The corner of the south side of Monument Street and Pudding Lane and it is still called Peninsular House despite redevelopment. Another shot hampered by building works. Image and information from Richard Lovejoy.

The north side of Monument Street, London EC3 between Pudding Lane and Botolph Lane located . . .

. . . and captured by Richard Lovejoy.

Thompson watches as Detective Sergeant Carter arrives at the hotel to set the bait. The junction of Monument Street and Lower Thames Street, a location also seen in 'Inspector Clouseau' and 'Forbidden Cargo'.

The International Van and Storage Company's warehouse in Liverpool's docks where Novak and Thompson have been summoned by crook George Leeds. The street sign reads Garnet Street which is in Wapping, London E1 says Ian Hedgcock. (SJ)

It is indeed Garnet Street, at the junction with what is Water Gardens and what was Elbow Lane. Now redeveloped. (RL)

Splitting from Thompson, Novak returns to London. Piccadilly Circus W1 with Piccadilly in the right background.

Looking west down Piccadilly. SJ

Acting on information from Reynolds at Scotland Yard, the search for the mysterious Owl begins. Haymarket at the junction with Panton Street, London SW1 (RL)

Pizza Express is now at no.26. SJ

Turkish baths and saunas throughout London are checked out. Jermyn Street in SW1.

91 Jermyn Street, with St James's Church behind me. The area was also seen in "Two a Penny". SJ

Tilting down, the shot finds Novak enter the premises. This is 90 Jermyn Street advises Ray Simmons.

The same location captured by Jack Smart.

A better aligned shot of the doorway, actually number 91. SJ

The Owl is discovered inside the Cathay Baths where Novak sees a man named Smythe make contact with him. Alan Bourke places the buildings at 205 - 209 Kensington High Street W8 adding that the Jaques Dupre shoe shop traded from 205, 'Westside Health Club' was at numbers 201-207 and 'SD Express Dry Cleaners' occupied 209.

Bad timing with refurbishment at this block on the south side of Kensington High Street. SJ

Followed by Novak, The Owl makes his way through an antiques market carrying a briefcase. The corner of Westbourne Grove and Portobello Road in W11 located by Tony Reeves in his book London Movie Locations.

228 Westbourne Grove now by Jack Smart.

Here's the corner in 2023, with another change of colour. (SR)

Nick Harrison (Charles Gray), alias The Owl, glances at stalls as he walks along the crowded street. Looking southward along Portobello Road with the junction of Westbourne Grove ahead. More views of Portobello Road can be seen in 'Burning an Illusion', ‘Otley’, ‘Notting Hill’, ‘Pressure’, ‘The Wind of Change’, ‘Breaking Glass’, ‘West 11’, ‘The Moon Over the Alley’, ‘Tonite Let's All Make Love in London’, ‘Mantrap’, ‘The Mine and the Minotaur’, ‘The Italian Job’, ‘Villain’, ‘Who Done It?’, ‘The Gentle Trap’ and ‘The Traitors’.

As expected, Tris found the the location a little quieter.

Harrison enters the Portobello Antique Supermarket. The corner of Westbourne Grove and Portobello Road in Notting Hill.

Jack Smart gets a closer view.

The building now hosts an Italian restaurant. (SR)

Leaving the shop empty handed, Harrison lights a cigarette before setting off home. Facing Westbourne Grove from the corner of Portobello Road.

A slightly different angle from Jack Smart.

The corner as it looks today. (SR)

This is Kensington Park Road W11 located by Tony Reeves.

Taken from the corner of Chepstow Villas by Tris.

The camera follows Harrison . . . as does Novak. Kensington Park Road in Notting Hill with Kensington Park Gardens in the background.

Modern photo by Jack.

Harrison checks for traffic before crossing to the building that he owns. Tony Reeves identifies this as Kensington Park Road seen from the corner of Chepstow Villas.

Another comparison shot from Jack.

Novak looks across at 47 Kensington Park Road. Identification by Tony Reeves in his book, London Movie Locations.

The same location now by Tony Reeves.

Back in Liverpool, Detective Sergeant Carter (Phillip Ross) keeps an eye on the International Van and Storage Company.

The camera zooms in on Carter as he sees Leeds and Thompson leave the warehouse.

As the two walk from the building, George Leeds (Walter Gotell) proposes that Thompson moves into his house.

In London, Novak leaves Battersea Fun Fair. The fair stood in Battersea Park SW11 until 1974 and also appears in 'Bedazzled', 'The Mutations', 'Gorgo', 'The Wrong Arm of the Law', 'Seventy Deadly Pills', 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire', 'Counterspy' and 'Torture Garden'.

Taken on tiptoes for that elevation. SJ

Novak heads towards the river as a river bus approaches. Also seen in 'Soapbox Derby', Festival Gardens Pier was renamed from Pleasure Gardens Pier but has long since disappeared.

Short of diving into the Thames where the gangways, roughly opposite the funfair entrance, no longer exist, this is about right for the view, taken from the safety of the embankment. SJ

The river bus departs and turns for the journey down river. Festival Gardens Pier with Albert Bridge in the left distance.

A slightly higher perspective. SJ

The River Thames as it flows between SW3 and SW11 with Chelsea Bridge and Battersea Power Station in the distance.

On the journey, Novak makes contact with Collins (Bernard Archard) to be told that the antique shop is a cover for The Owl's export operations. On the Thames approaching the Houses of Parliament.

A clearer but colder day. SJ

Henderson leaves a strip club in Soho.

The American Agent keeps a safe distance behind The Owl.

Novak continues to follow The Owl until he enters a casino.

The Mall is at the bottom of the steps and the building, 2 Carlton Gardens, SW1. Provided by Christopher Matheson to whom I apologise for failing to complete the publication in April last. (RL)

Having befriended Harrison and then moving into an apartment in the same building, Novak continues to follow. Leake Street with the railway viaduct carrying tracks from Waterloo station in the background.

Now picture by Simon James.

I've been itching to improve my shot from those years ago. No longer as accessible. SJ

Harrison crosses the road towards a camera shop. Lower Marsh at the corner of Leake Street in SE1.

Mike Emblam provides the location's proof.

So i decided to update a few more. SJ

Novak sees Harrison look around as he leaves Mueller's shop. Lower Marsh SE1.

A closer view, again by Mike.

A juice bar with the only camera being mine. SJ

Smythe escorts Novak to meet Nico Firenos at his country home. The house also features in 'The Truth About Women', 'Flannelfoot', 'The Tomb of Ligeia' and 'Shooting Fish', it's Polesden Lacey near Leatherhead, Surrey identified by Steve Cook. (RL)

Some of the larger trees have now gone. (SD)

The car draws to a halt in front of the house. Polesden Lacey near Leatherhead, Surrey. Identified by Steve Cook. (RL)

The overhanging tree has now gone. In March I used the tree which replaced it to frame my shot but found I was too far back. Now rectified. (SD)

Smythe (Graham Crowden) calls across to Novak as the American admires the estate. Polesden Lacey near Leatherhead, Surrey. Identified by Steve Cook. (RL)

The visitor entrance to the house. (SD)

Harrison and Thompson leave the Royal Festival Restaurant after the crook has treated the undercover Detective to a steak. The Southbank Centre off Belvedere Road in SE1.

As the two walk along the terrace, Harrison proposes that he, Thompson and Novak set up in business on their own. The Royal Festival Hall and Southbank Centre feature in many films including 'Alfie' from 1966, '23 Paces to Baker Street' and 'The Long Arm'.

I think somewhere here on this bicycle and table-filled terrace. SJ

In the City, Novak and Thompson meet on the top deck of a bus. In front of St. Paul's Cathedral in EC4 with St. Paul's Churchyard curving away to the right.

Coming down to Earth, Peter captured the same location.

Thompson accompanies Harrison on a shopping trip. Burlington Arcade seen from in Piccadilly W1.

Peter provides this comparison. (PW)

The pair walk from a hat shop as a woman's voice calls George's name. Burlington Arcade also appears in '101 Dalmatians', 'You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger', 'The Best House in London' and 'Patriot Games'.

Additional pillars have been added to the frontage which confused Peter somewhat.

Suspicions are aroused after a family friend recognises Thompson and Harrison hurriedly takes a taxi. Looking onto Piccadilly from Burlington Arcade.

Peter turned around to capture this one.

Getting out of the cab, Harrison runs to a phone box to call Firenos. Baylis Road opposite Waterloo Green in SE1 with The Old Vic theatre in the background.

A good one from Mike Emblam.

And here's from me showing even more clutter. SJ

The camera moves to follow Harrison as he enters the call box. Baylis Road with Waterloo Road in the background. JT recalls that "The red and white canopy belonged to a butcher's shop where I occasionally bought a pound or two of bangers and my soldier shop was about 300 yards away in Kennington Road."

Mike Day picks out the building entrance.

This captures the K2 kiosk which still survives on the corner. SJ

Soon after Thompson is murdered by Smythe, a boat docks from Benghazi.

Angela Richmond looks on as a consignment for Windsor Manor Antiques is unloaded.

Following The Owl's demise at the hands of Smythe when his double crossing proposal is discovered, Novak is taken to meet the boss of the counterfeit ring. Forest Road in Binfield, Berkshire.

Andrew Price discovered that traffic lights now control traffic over the narrow bridge in the middle distance and the yellow bollards may be there to deter the more adventurous film buffs from exploring this popular film location.

The car turns off the main road to pass through the gates of Windsor Manor Antiques. The gateway to Binfield Manor.

The same gates taken by Andrew Price.

Binfield Manor on Forest Road, Binfield near Bracknell in Berkshire advises Steve Cook.

Smythe and Firenos (Anthony Jacobs) get out of the car followed by Novak. Binfield Manor is also seen in 'See No Evil', 'Tales That Witness Madness', 'Mrs Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter' and 'Interlude'.

The police arrive at the country home and a shoot out begins. Binfield Manor near Bracknell in Berkshire located by Steve Cook.